Category: Opinion

It is a welcome decision of the Indian government to fund new fertility clinics to help save its dwindling Parsi population which is now under threat of extinction. The Parsis should be grateful that the Indian government actually cares about preserving their community and is even on board monetarily to reverse the decline. The government… Continue reading Why is India’s Parsi community going extinct?

‘Name?’ I say my name, in full. ‘Date of birth?’ I say my date of birth, in full. ‘Religion?’ ‘Half Parsi, half Muslim,’ I say. In full. Article by Shaista Tayabali |Sister-hood She looks up at me. I am standing in the classroom, as each of us must when the roll call reaches the letter… Continue reading Half Parsi. Half Muslim. Full woman.

A ‘half-Parsi’ explains why Parsis must end their insistence on only marrying within the community and open the doors of their religion to the rest of the world. Born a little over a hundred years ago in Uttar Pradesh, my grandmother was both a devout and a highly-liberal Parsi; she wrote books on Zoroastrianism for children and railed… Continue reading Parsis May Want to Look to the New Pune Fire Temple to Keep the Flame Burning

The court is showing that it is all too eager to meddle in the affairs of religions. Article written by Dinsha Mistree | Indian Express While many voice concern over Narendra Modi and the Hindu Right, it is ironically the SC that seems keen to interfere with religious practice. My Parsi-Zoroastrian ancestors came to India… Continue reading Who is a Zoroastrian?

Navsari, once a sleepy town with magnificent buildings, sprawling lawns and wide roads but is fast turning into a ghetto Kersi K Deboo’s eyes light up when he starts talking about the Parsi connection of Navsari, a small city located 37 km south of India’s textile capital, Surat. “Navsari is the Mecca of Parsis. It… Continue reading Dwindling population in Navsari, Mecca of Parsis

“You knew what you were getting into.” “A child inherits his father’s name and religion, not his mother’s.” “Women with non-Parsi spouses will have their kids navjoted only to avail of housing and monetary benefits from our wealthy community trusts.” “Our religion does not allow intermarriage or conversion.” Article by Sanaya Dalal | NDTV “Recognising… Continue reading Sanaya Dalal: A Parsi Woman’s Perspective On Being Denied Basic Rights

In his words: “I am just a professional writer, which means I don’t do blogs and try and get money for whatever I write.” The Parsis gathered in numbers at this well as it is regarded by some as sacred and reputed to make wishes come true. Article by Farrukh Dhondy | Asian Age Mumbai… Continue reading Farrukh Dhondy: An open letter to my fellow Parsis