The Gujarat government has decided to form the Udwada Area Development Authority in order to “protect” one of the most important holy Parsi sites in south Gujarat.
The state urban development department issued a notification on Saturday declaring its intention to form the authority, whose main purpose would be ensure that the area is not “usurped” by haphazard industrialisation.
Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney
The Bombay High Court on Friday quashed a ban on two priests imposed by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). The High Court held that the Trust did not have powers to ban any ordained Parsi Zoroastrian priest from performing religious rites and ceremonies at the Towers of Silence and agiaries (fire temples). Allowing such wide rights (of excluding priests) would result in “a grave affront to basic human rights and dignity”.
Kanga v BPP-HC Judgement- 11-3-11
Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney
At a time when the Parsi-Zoroastrian community records a drastic decrease in its population with every count, what’s the point of basking in its glorious past, a few cynical minds can always ask, but a balanced outlook will only appreciate the agenda behind “Parsi Panorama” a four-day festival celebrating different aspects of Parsi culture with a thrust on its textiles.
Dr. Shernaz H. Cama, Director of the UNESCO-Parzor Project, aimed at documenting different aspects of the community, tells you that the dwindling numbers are a reason to be concerned, but that can’t be interpreted as a void of traditions in the community. However small it may be in numbers — the last census conducted in 2001 put the Parsi population at 64,000 in India which is dropping by 10 per cent every year — Parsis remain a vibrant society, very proud of its heritage.
She worked for an organisation that firmly believes – Have feet, will dance. But, she proved that even those without feet, can still dance! While we find peace in giving a few hours of our schedule to those less privileged, Kainaaz Mistry has made her career by teaching dance to those who are differently-able, underprivileged and physically disabled. Here’s the story of her unique and fulfilling career
Even today she works as a consultant at several NGOs, organising events for such children. Kainaaz shares her experience of teaching dance to such children while she was a part of the Victory Arts Foundation.
The Irani cafés or restaurants were set up for the main part by Irani Zoroastrians from the Iranian provinces of Yazd and Kerman who fled the persecution of the murderous rule of the Islamic Qajar dynasty (1794 – 1925 CE) of Iran especially during its first hundred years in power. The Iranis were aided in their flight to the west coast of India by the Parsees of Bombay (Also see Parsi Assistance). For many Irani Zoroastrians, the Parsi housing colonies in Bombay’s Fort district were their first home in India. Once the initial Irani refugees had established themselves in Bombay – and later in Poona some two hundred kilometres to the southeast of Bombay, as well as Hyderabad in south central India – they in turn provided assistance to other Iranian Zoroastrians seeking refuge in India from religious persecution in their homeland. Irani Zarathusti migration from Iran to India continued into the 1900s. (Also see our page on Demographics for a discussion on group names and migrations.)
The Irani Zartoshti immigrants to India were a hard-working, industrious and self-reliant lot. Lacking the capital to establish themselves in trading, banking and industry as had the Parsi Zoroastrians, the Irani Zoroastrians – determined to be self-reliant and productive – established modest cafés and bakeries.
Irani cafés soon became iconic features in their localities. They were known for good, honest, reasonably priced food and beverages. Their clients were invariably individuals of modest means for whom the cafés provided a place to drop-in for an inexpensive cup of tea, wholesome snacks or a meal – or even to congregate and socialize, for the cafés served a social function as well. By welcoming everyone, the Irani cafés created a micro environment that was classless and casteless – free from societal and religious distinctions and divisions. Some café owners even posted signs saying ‘everyone welcome’ or ‘all castes welcome’. Others displayed religious icons from different religions on their walls.
Here is a scholarship opportunity for a Zarathushti young adult (16-35) interested in Interfaith work.
Homi D. Gandhi
Co-Chair, Interfaith Activities Committee
Calling Young Adults [ages 16-35] interested in Interfaith work!!
Scholarship applications for the NAINConnect 2011 in Phoenix are now available.
http://nain.org/youngadultscholarshipapplication.pdf
Deadline April 15.
Judy Lee Trautman
NAIN – NORTH AMERICAN INTERFAITH NETWORK
Building Bridges of Interfaith Understanding, Cooperation and Service.
Is it possible in Zorastrian Religion ???
Times are changing!!!
Amordad News Reports
A group of 8 Zartoshti women received their Mobedyar Certificate from Anjoman Mobedan in Iran
There are women mobeds in Iran now. CLICK ON BOTH THE LINKS – Script is not English – but see the pictures of recently ordained lady priests.
http://www.amordad6485.blogfa.com/post-7098.aspx
http://www.amordad6485.blogfa.com/post-7099.aspx
Courtesy : Jehangir Gilder
This year the Esfandegan or Sepandarmezd celebration which is the equivalent of Women’s Day in Iran was very special.
In the ceremony a group of 8 Zarthushti women received their Mobedyar certificate from Anjoman Mobedan in Iran.
Here is a short report of the speeches, that I have translated for you:
The first speaker, Dr.Katyoon Mazdapoor (the prominent researcher and university professor) stated the significant role of females in Zoroastrian society. She pointed out “although throughout history there is no mention of female Mobeds , but women always had an important role in the safe-keeping and guarding of the religion.
Dr.Esfandiayr Ekhtiyary, representative of Zoroastrians in the Iran Parliament said: “Today is an auspicious day because we learn what it means in reality when Zoroaster said that females and males have equal status. Dr. Ekhtiyary further added that we have many educated female and they are qualified to be Mobedyar and request the Anjuman to educate more females about the Zoroastrian religion, so thereby every year there will be a similar event.
The third speaker Dr.Mobed Ardeshir Khoshridan told us that , after Sweden, it is the Parsees and the Zoroastrian societies that have the lowest illiteracy rate, and this achievement is due to women’s efforts.
He furthermore said that since last April we had been planning to organize this event. There have been 15 applicants, from those who are older or from Mobed relatives. These were selected in a second round of screening, so that there would not be any controversy.
Congratulations to the New Mobedyar and all Zoroastrian women for this spiritual achievement!
Courtesy : armita atashband
A palliative care centre here for dying cancer patients, founded by a Parsi samaritan ensures peaceful end to these terminal sufferers, who are admitted there ahead of their final journey.
”Snehaanchal” is a shelter for the terminally ill cancer patients run in co-operation with the Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Cancer Hospital, a regional centre of the state Government. A cancer patient who is admitted here has not more than six weeks to three months to breathe his last.
Jimmy Rana, a partner in Ice-Cream factory and Milk products here came across some cancer patients who were suffering from pain and mental trauma, waiting for death. A desire to do some social work in the field of medicine and health care, Rana first visited ”Karunaashraya” in Bangalore in 2003 and started thinking on the lines of setting up a similar centre here.
Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney
Udvada Samast Anjuman has earlier on October 21, 2010 and November 02, 2011 released updates to the media on the threat faced to Shreeji Pak Iranshah by the proposed commercial / residential development.
Before we provide an update on the developments to date (February 09, 2011), it is necessary for us to mention that Udvada Samast Anjuman does not subscribe to nor is responsible for updates provided by individuals or organisations through press, electronic or any other media, howsoever well intended they may be. The suggestions and recommendations made in such releases do not bind or commit the Udvada Samast Anjuman in any manner. Udvada Samast Anjuman is responsible only for the official updates that are released by them.
Click Here for the full current update as on 9 February 2011
Mr. Minoo Dosabhai has worked on some of our common prayers and presents them now in both Gujarati and Roman Script, along with their meaning. They are appended herewith.
Many thanks Minoo for this effort.
Gujarati Version
4 Baj Before Meals, & call of Nature Ind
English Version
1 Kanga’s Khorde Avesta (Heading) Eng.