Few days back i was sitting with my one of the newly made friend and there were others too in a group. I was the only Parsi bawa in the group. The discussion went to the heels and deep when there was a question raised with a funny sense by one of the group member "Why you Bawas are like aliens"?? you guys are very less and cant be seen everywhere..You are like a rare found species now..the whole group was bursted into a laughter as if they are watching a comedy show.I was cool and calm coz i was knowing that these respected people in the group have a very limited knowledge about the Zoroastrian culture and are suffering from inevitable idiotic humor syndrome. I can see in their eyes a nutty sarcasm on pulling and making jokes of this culture traits. They started giving testimonies on the funny bawas cases they know. I was sitting relaxed and was not at all feeling humiliated or embarrassed also simultaneously i was feeling pity on them as they were behaving like a frogs been trapped into a muddy well for years.
The bartender brought couple of drinks and then the discussion went of road. After gulping down few more peg shots again me and my tradition was targeted as a topic for their laughing session. Still i was quite coz i was happy that atleast these people are relieving their hidden stress by making fun of the religion and culture about which they have a lack evidence.Finally i had to break my long tail silence not just to hit them by my words but to educate them on "WHO ARE WE".. We as an Indian respect all the cultures and their tradition.Then why do we make jokes on them about whom there is a less knowledge. I have seen many people cracking jokes on Sardars and on the other side they criticize the racism evolution in other countries.We are Zoroastrians but we are also an Indians. Many people have a wrong misconception that we Parsees always favored British. Then what about the freedom fighters like Dadabhoy Nowroji and Madam Cama who gave maximum contribution and were supporting the Mahatma. I started then explaining them about our history.
For three centuries after the Muslim conquest of Persia, Zoroastrianism remains of importance in the region. But gradually the majority of Persians convert to the religion of the new ruling caste, whether for reasons of conviction or convenience. A minority of Zoroastrians seek greater liberty elsewhere. They move to India, where they establish themselves in Gujarat as the Parsees (the Persian word for 'Persians').A few Zoroastrians remain in Iran, to be found even today in the remote desert cities of Yazd and Kerman. They have been known to Muslims until recently as gabar, probably a version of the Arabic kafir ('infidel').
After explaining about this a question raised "Why the hell you guys dont allow other religion people to enter into your temple"?? i only pointed out one answer that why they dont allow as an individual i also dont have a concreate answer to that as i am not a master in Avesta but if we see From the religious point of view, the custom is not unique to the Parsis only. A non-Muslim is not permitted to enter the holy city of Mecca in order to see the Ka'aba, nor a non- Hindu allowed into the inner precincts of certain temples in North and Sout h India. The Jagannathan temple in Orissa is a good example. Non-Christians are not allowed to enter the Coptic orthodox churches in Ethiopia and only a confirmed Catholic may partake of the Holy Communion. Similarly, non-Jews are forbidden to enter an orthodox Hessidic synagogue.
The discussion started getting heated when there was a case raised for an intercaste marriage. Any Parsi female getting married outside the community is considered to be a taboo. Every individual has right to make their own decision but there are other reasons as well for getting married outside the community. There is a very beautiful Article written by Mr Homi Ranina and there were various reasons pointed out on the same.
1)Housing shortage:
Dealing with the first point of housing shortage. the most important aspect which needs to be stressed is that this is a problem affecting every section of society in every part of India and, more so. in the metropolitan cities like Bombay. In other words, it is a general problem faced by every Indian citizen, specially those belonging to the poor and lower middle classes who cannot afford to pay for the cost of housing which has skyrocketted in recent years.
2)Inadequate Education of Parsi Boys
The second fallacy in the argument of most Parsis who marry outside the community is regarding the educational qualifications of Parsi boys. He have been awarding prizes through the auspices of the Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association, which also on its own awards prizes to students who get high marks right from the S.S.C., I.C.S.E., H.S.C. levels upto the graduation stage. We have enough documentary evidence to show that Parsi boys do as well in their studies as Parsi girls. In fact, some of the Parsi boys have done outstandingly well. It is, therefore, totally incorrect to say that Parsi boys do not educate themselves as well as Parsi girls do.
3)Love is blind
One of the primary causes of mixed marriages is the attitude of the Parsi spouse, to whom love for a person is more important than love either for the religion or even their own parents. In fact, in a vast majority of mixed marriages, the Parsi spouse married against the wishes of his or her parents. There have also been several cases of Parsis even giving up their religion just to marry a non-Parsi boy or girl. This only shows the callousness and indifference of some of our Parsis towards their religion and community.
Now the major point was on the population from where the topic began. I pointed out that though Parsees are less in population but the contribution to the country is major.Parsee community owns maximum land today in Mumbai with around 12-13 colonies and major industrialist contributions.Yaa the fact is true that there is a decline in the population but every decline has a valid reasons which the group was unaware. The
primary reason for non-marriages and late marriages is due to the concern of the young males and females to have an acceptable minimum standard of living for family
formation. As such, Parsis women are more concerned about their status and career. They are highly educated and work out side their homes. Marriage seems to be the second priority. Another peculiar feature of Parsi community is the lack of family or peer pressure to get married at a reasonable age.It is interesting to note that age at marriage among Parsi women is about 27 years and among men it is about 31 years. One out of 5 males and one out of 10 females remained single even by age 50 compared to almost universal marriages among the Indian populations.
Now the best part about it that the honorable trustees of the community are really working hard to solve the problem of the population decline. There are many matrimonial meets been organized every month to make sure that the boys and girls dont marry outside the community.Housing facility is been provided to needy couples so that they can plan their family life. For the foundation the family which has the second child the financial help of some amount is been provided. For the poor Parsi families milk fund and education books and fees support is provided. The community is rising like a star which was hidden behind the dark clouds. The parsees have establish their place not only in Business world but also in entertainment industry.
The discussion was ended on a note of silence when after that there was no more queries and jokes raised on this community. My Blog today has not given 100% detail about this community but here my initiative was throw some light about the Zoroastrian community. I am not being a racist nor i have criticize any culture or religion coz every religion is special and pious in its own way.I have also come across so many friends who are keen on knowing about this religion but not only Zoroastrianism but any religion to understand takes years and years.
The bartender brought couple of drinks and then the discussion went of road. After gulping down few more peg shots again me and my tradition was targeted as a topic for their laughing session. Still i was quite coz i was happy that atleast these people are relieving their hidden stress by making fun of the religion and culture about which they have a lack evidence.Finally i had to break my long tail silence not just to hit them by my words but to educate them on "WHO ARE WE".. We as an Indian respect all the cultures and their tradition.Then why do we make jokes on them about whom there is a less knowledge. I have seen many people cracking jokes on Sardars and on the other side they criticize the racism evolution in other countries.We are Zoroastrians but we are also an Indians. Many people have a wrong misconception that we Parsees always favored British. Then what about the freedom fighters like Dadabhoy Nowroji and Madam Cama who gave maximum contribution and were supporting the Mahatma. I started then explaining them about our history.
For three centuries after the Muslim conquest of Persia, Zoroastrianism remains of importance in the region. But gradually the majority of Persians convert to the religion of the new ruling caste, whether for reasons of conviction or convenience. A minority of Zoroastrians seek greater liberty elsewhere. They move to India, where they establish themselves in Gujarat as the Parsees (the Persian word for 'Persians').A few Zoroastrians remain in Iran, to be found even today in the remote desert cities of Yazd and Kerman. They have been known to Muslims until recently as gabar, probably a version of the Arabic kafir ('infidel').
After explaining about this a question raised "Why the hell you guys dont allow other religion people to enter into your temple"?? i only pointed out one answer that why they dont allow as an individual i also dont have a concreate answer to that as i am not a master in Avesta but if we see From the religious point of view, the custom is not unique to the Parsis only. A non-Muslim is not permitted to enter the holy city of Mecca in order to see the Ka'aba, nor a non- Hindu allowed into the inner precincts of certain temples in North and Sout h India. The Jagannathan temple in Orissa is a good example. Non-Christians are not allowed to enter the Coptic orthodox churches in Ethiopia and only a confirmed Catholic may partake of the Holy Communion. Similarly, non-Jews are forbidden to enter an orthodox Hessidic synagogue.
The discussion started getting heated when there was a case raised for an intercaste marriage. Any Parsi female getting married outside the community is considered to be a taboo. Every individual has right to make their own decision but there are other reasons as well for getting married outside the community. There is a very beautiful Article written by Mr Homi Ranina and there were various reasons pointed out on the same.
1)Housing shortage:
Dealing with the first point of housing shortage. the most important aspect which needs to be stressed is that this is a problem affecting every section of society in every part of India and, more so. in the metropolitan cities like Bombay. In other words, it is a general problem faced by every Indian citizen, specially those belonging to the poor and lower middle classes who cannot afford to pay for the cost of housing which has skyrocketted in recent years.
2)Inadequate Education of Parsi Boys
The second fallacy in the argument of most Parsis who marry outside the community is regarding the educational qualifications of Parsi boys. He have been awarding prizes through the auspices of the Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association, which also on its own awards prizes to students who get high marks right from the S.S.C., I.C.S.E., H.S.C. levels upto the graduation stage. We have enough documentary evidence to show that Parsi boys do as well in their studies as Parsi girls. In fact, some of the Parsi boys have done outstandingly well. It is, therefore, totally incorrect to say that Parsi boys do not educate themselves as well as Parsi girls do.
3)Love is blind
One of the primary causes of mixed marriages is the attitude of the Parsi spouse, to whom love for a person is more important than love either for the religion or even their own parents. In fact, in a vast majority of mixed marriages, the Parsi spouse married against the wishes of his or her parents. There have also been several cases of Parsis even giving up their religion just to marry a non-Parsi boy or girl. This only shows the callousness and indifference of some of our Parsis towards their religion and community.
Now the major point was on the population from where the topic began. I pointed out that though Parsees are less in population but the contribution to the country is major.Parsee community owns maximum land today in Mumbai with around 12-13 colonies and major industrialist contributions.Yaa the fact is true that there is a decline in the population but every decline has a valid reasons which the group was unaware. The
primary reason for non-marriages and late marriages is due to the concern of the young males and females to have an acceptable minimum standard of living for family
formation. As such, Parsis women are more concerned about their status and career. They are highly educated and work out side their homes. Marriage seems to be the second priority. Another peculiar feature of Parsi community is the lack of family or peer pressure to get married at a reasonable age.It is interesting to note that age at marriage among Parsi women is about 27 years and among men it is about 31 years. One out of 5 males and one out of 10 females remained single even by age 50 compared to almost universal marriages among the Indian populations.
Now the best part about it that the honorable trustees of the community are really working hard to solve the problem of the population decline. There are many matrimonial meets been organized every month to make sure that the boys and girls dont marry outside the community.Housing facility is been provided to needy couples so that they can plan their family life. For the foundation the family which has the second child the financial help of some amount is been provided. For the poor Parsi families milk fund and education books and fees support is provided. The community is rising like a star which was hidden behind the dark clouds. The parsees have establish their place not only in Business world but also in entertainment industry.
The discussion was ended on a note of silence when after that there was no more queries and jokes raised on this community. My Blog today has not given 100% detail about this community but here my initiative was throw some light about the Zoroastrian community. I am not being a racist nor i have criticize any culture or religion coz every religion is special and pious in its own way.I have also come across so many friends who are keen on knowing about this religion but not only Zoroastrianism but any religion to understand takes years and years.
