Monthly Archives: November 2014

Bombay Parsee Assn celebrates 93rd anniversary

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The 93rd anniversary of the Bombay Parsee Association was held in Albless Baug on Saturday. The function involved the felicitation of the members of the association and the ones who have made the community proud.

The awardees included Aspi Sarkari, who is the Ex chairman and Divisional Commander of Parsi Ambulance Division. He is also a first-aid trainer and served during the relief operations of the Gujarat earthquake, relief operations during the tsunami and during the 26/11 attacks. Jasmine J Mistry, who joined the Girl Guide Movement in 1962 at the age of seven, has also trained several Rajya and Rashtrapati Guides in her own group and in her district.

Delna M. Talati, who topped ICSE with 96 per cent, was awarded trophy and cash prize by FOZAWAC (Federation of Zorastrian Welfare and Cultural Association). Jamsheed K Master, who represented India at the Education Beyond Borders Conference in Dubai and is also the author of published research paper ‘Industry’s Handshake with Rural India’ and Jehan Jamshed Daboo, a badminton player and is ranked number 37 in the world in the deaf category in badminton, represented India in the 22nd Deaflympics held at Sofia in Bulgaria in 2013.

http://afternoondc.in/city-news/bombay-parsee-assn-celebrates-93rd-anniversary/article_125124

The story of Udvada

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The first boat, led by their High Priest, landed in Sanjan after a terrible storm around 720 AD. During the storm at sea, the Persians vowed to build a fire temple which they consecrated from 16 different sources such as a brick-maker’s kiln, a goldsmith’s fire, a baker’s oven, a shepherd’s house, a king’s house and a bolt of lightening.

It took three years to purify this fire, and after that it was placed in the Sanjan Fire temple, where it burned for 669 years, till the Mughals under Sultan Mahmud attacked Sanjan in the 13th century. 1,400 Parsis fought with the King’s army but were defeated. The sacred fire was then taken to Barhot Caves in the mountains and hidden there for 12 years. It was also tended to in the jungles of Vansda for 14 years, then in Navsari for 313 years, 3 years in Surat, back in Navsari for 5 years, then in Valsad for 1 year, until it reached Udvada in 1742.

This fire burns brightly and continuously in the Iranshah in Udvada from then until the present day although now the Parsi number a little over 64,000. Most go back to the little village of Udvada almost every year, to give thanks to the Holy Fire in coastal Gujarat where it all started almost 1,300 years ago.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2014-11-24/Udvada-Where-Parsi-faith-burns-brightest-117932 for more

Parsi head priest encourages community to donate organs

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A statement by one of the high priests in Parsi community has created a buzz of sorts. Khurshed Dastur, one of the high priests in Udvada Fire Temple in Gujarat has openly asked the members of the community to adopt a positive approach to organ donation.

Though liberal members of the community have never had an issue with it, many Parsis have not been forthcoming.

Khurshed Dastur made the public call when the community observed Sanjan Day, the day on which Parsis, who fled Persia(former Iran) fearing religious persecution after Islamisation of that country, landed on the Gujarat coast in India, circa 716-960 AD.

“There have been instances when people have not donated their organs due to inhibitions. There have been cases when the members of the community have felt that if an eye is donated, the soul of the dead person may not be able to see. There have also been instances (though not very often) when a religious head has encouraged organ donation. Dastur’s statement will help remove inhibitions and doubts. We welcome this statement,: said Vispy Wadia, member, Association of Revival of Zoroastrianism (ARZ), a reformist body in the community.

“There have been instances in the 1920s when the Parsi community had issues with vaccination too. After an awareness was undertaken, members of the community began accepting doses of vaccination. While liberals have never had any problems, the statement made by Khurshed Dastur, one of the high priests in Udvada Fire Temple, will help a great deal in our small minority community understanding the issue better and begin donating organs,” said Jehangir Patel, editor of Parsianna, a Parsi community magazine. When dna tried contacting Dastur, he did not answer calls.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-parsi-head-priest-encourages-community-to-donate-organs-2038236