Category: Opinion

Ancient Zoroaster got a few things right. Zoroaster, whose name was probably closer to Zarathustra before the Greeks tinkered with it, lived in eastern Persia about 2,000 years before Christ. He’s credited with condensing a pantheon of minor gods into two—Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (also known as Ahriman)—who exist in constant conflict. By Jim… Continue reading Opposing forces find each other: Jim Taylor

From Mumbai to Toronto, Parsi identity is no simple matter The Parsi story starts with an exodus. My ancestors left Persia a thousand years ago, fleeing religious persecution, and finding a new home in the coastal trading cities of the Indian subcontinent. By Murad Hemmadi | The Varsity The exoduses of Parsis have continued since… Continue reading Outside the homeland, inside the community?

I’m delighted a Parsi has taken over this week from Ratan Tata as head of Asia’s greatest corporation. I have strong feelings in this matter but I don’t think they come from prejudice. That would indicate judging without information if not experience and I have plenty of both here. By Aakar Patel | Tribune Pakistan… Continue reading Why Parsis are India’s finest citizens: Aakar Patel

In the 1970s, Victoria High School, Mahim, was a melting pot, as state-aided Roman Catholic schools tended to be. The majority of the students were Hindu, the second largest group was the Christians, then came the Muslims. So far, so ordinary. But we had some Parsis and three Jewish boys too. I didn’t think much… Continue reading Jerry Pinto: The Parsis

At the turn of the 16th century, the Portuguese discovered an eastern passage to India that afforded them easy access to well-priced goods and to India’s natural wonders and human curiosities.  By Shai Secunda | Jewish Ideas Daily In the Gujarat region, Portuguese fleets found textiles for trading in the East Indies—and encountered a community,… Continue reading Parsis and Jews, Exile and Return

The Parsees, a proud community, having impressive resources, is perhaps one of the smallest communities in India if not the smallest. As per the 2001 Census of India the number of Parsee’s in India had been computed at 69,601 only, which is undoubtedly a drop in the ocean of India as a whole. By Dinshaw… Continue reading Dinshaw Tamboly: Decline of the Parsee Community In India

I crave my readers’ forgiveness for my eccentricity. I believed that at long last I had found the right-sized condom for my pen and would produce no more. I have been proved wrong. Either it did not fit or has begun to leak. So here I am scribbling as before. If editors of papers refuse… Continue reading Khushwant Singh: The Parsis have given India more than others have

When Apro Ratan goes, can doom be far behind? By Bachi Karkaria / TNN Bomsie surveyed the pall of gloom which hung over Mumbai’s Dadar Parsi Colony. "Eh, Kawsie," he said, "Soo thayech soo, sala? Wotthehell is happening? Why are all the bawajis going around with faces longer than a college admission queue when our… Continue reading Ta-Ta to TATA