MUMBAI: In 1935, Khurshed Maneckji Bharucha – the first Indian chief cashier of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur – borrowed Rs 3.5 lakh from a friend who owned an island near Bombay. Soon, on an open ground at Bistupur junction, arose a four-storey building with partition walls made of ‘surkhi’, a burnt clay and limestone mix. Intended to house the wave
Read moreAuthor Rhea Mogul is initiated into the Zoroastrian faith by a Parsi priest in Mumbai in December 1999. Rhea Mogul/CNN A landmark Supreme Court case challenges century old gender rules in the Parsi community, promising to unsettle traditions while offering a path toward inclusion. As mentioned by CNN Mumbai, India – the scent of burning sandalwood fills the room, to which
Read moreNoshir Irani, a beloved figure in Sydney’s Zoroastrian and broader Indian-Australian community, has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026, recognising decades of volunteer work and community service. For Irani, the recognition came as a genuine surprise. “The reaction was a great surprise, but I felt happy that what a little
Read moreI finally got the recognition for the 250th anniversary of Zoroastrian legacy to American Independence My Journey in Advancing Recognition of the Timeless Zoroastrian Legacy My fascination with Iran began more than fifty years ago during the 1970s, when I served as a ship captain with Arya National Shipping Lines. During that period, I visited Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam four times
Read moreWhat does a lifetime of leadership, law, journalism, and community service teach us about public service? In this latest FEZANA Talks conversation, Berjis Desai joins Zerick Dastur to discuss his appointment to India’s National Commission for Minorities and reflects on a remarkable career spanning law, journalism, corporate governance, writing, and community leadership. The discussion explores minority rights, the future of
Read moreAdi Marzban – A gentle genius – by Hormazdyar Shahpurshah Dalal “…. I am happy to write about Adi’s life and work. The task was not easy, since Adi was close to me. And also because he was a silent man who did not talk about himself….. ” Read this interesting account of the history, foundation and growth of Jame
Read moreThe Parsi-Zoroastrian community gathered at Mumbai’s historic Bhikha Behram Well in Churchgate to celebrate the 200th Humbandagi and the 13th Foundation Day of XYZ. The event featured communal prayers and cultural activities aimed at preserving Zoroastrian heritage. Members of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community gather at Bhikha Behram Well in Churchgate to celebrate the 200th Humbandagi and promote cultural fellowship | Photo
Read moreRequest for Ads in Souvenir Our Homavazir scout group of which I am a proud alumnus, is celebrating its centennial on December 20th, at the Palamkote Hall in Dadar, a block away from J. B. Vatcha High School where it began in 1927. I am writing to give this event publicity in order to ferret out old scouts of the
Read more– Berjis Desai And Dinshaw Tamboly Deliver Compelling Calls For Reform And Revival – In a significant move to safeguard one of India’s most influential yet numerically vulnerable groups, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) hosted a high-level national seminar titled, ‘Parsis in Modern India: Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways.’ Held at Mumbai’s Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, on 9th May, 2026, the high-level gathering
Read moreA true social worker to the core. A man of his words. A person you can rely on. A true Karma Yogi. Selfless devotion for 70 years helping people. An innovator of ideas for social schemes. That was Nariman Mehta (lovingly called Naju uncle by all who knew him), he breathed his last at the age of 93 on Friday,
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