Transcript I AM PROUD TO BE A PARSI • • • • • • • Parsi is synonymous with ancient Persia. Parsis have added sweetness to the Indian society. Parsis true to.

I AM PROUD TO BE A PARSI
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Parsi is synonymous with ancient Persia.
Parsis have added sweetness to the Indian
society.
Parsis true to the words spoken ages ago
“Mix in the society like sugar in milk.”
Parsis innumerous qualities have
enhanced the Indian society.
The spirit of adventure took them to four
corners of the world.
Parsis ruled the bank, educational
institutions, health care, hospitals &
housing colonies.
Parsi ladies thought of animal hospitals,
Convalescent homes.
PARSI THY NAME IS CHARITY
THE PARSIS AN ARYAN RACE
 Parsis came to India thousands of
years ago.
 Men are handsome, tall & have
Aryan Nose.
 Ladies are with beautifully chiseled
features.
THE BREED STILL EXISTS
KISSAH - I - SANJAN
Written in Persian in 1600 By
Priest Behman Kaikobad Sanjan in Navsari
 ZOROASTRIAN WERE FORCED BY RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
OF MUSLIMS TO LEAVE THEIR HOMELAND & FLEE.
 INDIAN PARSEES FIRST SOUGHT REFUGE IN REMOTE REGION OF
KHURASAN.
 THEY SHIFTED TO HORMUZ FOR 15 YEARS ON THE PERSION GULF.
 THEN MOVED BY SEA IN SEVEN SHIPS TO INDIA.
 THEY LANDED AT DIU (GUJARAT).
 REFUGE GIVEN BY HINDU RAJA – JADI RANA IN SANJAN.
PARSEE SECTS
In 1730 on a Controversy of New Year’s Festival
Indian Parsees separated themselves into:
 SHEHEN SHAHIS – 93% of Parsees (New Year - Sept)
 KADMIS
– 7% of Parsees (New Year - Aug)
 FASLIS
– 21 Mar New Year.
CONDITIONS BY
KING JADI RANA
• Priest to explain their religion to the king.
• To give-up native Persian language & take on Indian
language.
• Women to exchange Persian garb with Indian dress.
• The men should lay down their weapons.
• Parsees to hold their wedding processions only in the
dark.
Priest NERYO SANGH accepted all conditions
by putting SUGAR IN MILK POT.
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Gujarati is native language.
Sari is traditional garment for women.
Loyalty of Parsees is still observed today.
Parsees strictly preserved their own religion.
PROFESSIONALLY
• Parsis leave an honest impression of dedicated &
sincere in their chosen profession.
• They work mirthfully & give their best.
• They are in all chosen profession:
 Doctors
 Journalists
 Bureaucrats
 Musicians
 Teachers
 Scholars
 Bankers
 Corporate Honchos
 Writers
 Lawyers
 Sportsman
 Chartered Accountant
Merchant Princes
 Office Staff
• Parsis are the best Social Worker.
• They are humane & loving in their approach.
THEY ARE GENEROUS IN GIVING
RELIGIOUS LITERATURE
(HOLY AVESTA)
Every Parsi bowing to Holy Fire promises himself:
 To think - GOOD THOUGHTS.
 To do
- GOOD DEEDS.
 To Speak - GOOD WORDS.
“AVESTA” is the Parsis HOLY BOOK.
Originally contained 21 books but today it contains only:
(a) “YASANA”
(Book of sacrifice – 17 Gathas are part of it).
(b) “YASTS”
(Hymn like praises).
(c) “VENDIDAD” (Law & Code of Purification).
(d) “VISPERAD” (Collection of prayers & Liturgical texts)
ZOROASTRIANISM IS WORLD’S OLDEST
REVEALED RELIGION
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VALUE SYSTEM OF PARSIS INBIBED IN CHILDHOOD.
PARSI CHILDREN GROW INTO A POSITIVE PEOPLE.
BEST KNOWN FOR OUR
CUISINE
Parsis have special dishes for special days:
 Curry Chaval for
Kali Chawdas.
 Dhandar for
Hormuz Roj.
 Khichri for
Sarosh Roj.
 Pulav Dal for
Patiti.
 Famous Dhansak for
Sundays.
 Parsi Pora & Akoori for
Sunday breakfast.
 Sev Rava for
Happy occasions.
PARSIS LIVE TOGETHER
AND EAT TOGETHER
GAMBHAR
THE WAY TO A PARSI’S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH
 Philanthropists host community feast on various
occasions.
 A Gala annual ritual to which entire community is
invited.
 Some hold Gambhar in memory of their departed dear
once.
 Parsis enjoy getting so many people together on a
common platform & give them a good feast.
 Parsis socialize & enjoy themselves.
EVERYBODY & ANYBODY
IS WELCOME
PARSIS & THE RAJ
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SIR JAMSHEDJEE JEEJEEBHOY (1783-1859)
First Baronet – The most esteemed parsi of 19
century.
DADABHAI NAOROJI (1825-1917)
First Asian to become member of the British
Parliament credited with coining the word “SWARAJ” or
home rule.
SIR PHEROZESHAH MEHTA (UNCROWNED KING
OF BOMBAY)
Incorrigible advocate of militant nationalism & a
true patriot.
MADAM BHIKHAIJI RUSTOMJI CAMA (1861-1936)
First to unfurl the future Indian flag in public at
second international socialist congress at Stuttgart
Germany in 1907.
FIRST INDIAN TEAM to go to England to play cricket
was exclusively made-up of Parsis.
FIELD MARSHAL SAM MANEKSHAW, MC (1914)
Military Cross (MC) for conspicuous in face of
enemy in the jungles of Burma during II World War in
1942.
PARSIS HAD IMPECCABLE INTEGRITY & HONESTY
BAWAJIS OF BOMBAY
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None in Mumbai can do without them.
Parsi humor is unique.
They are funny in films.
They laugh at themselves.
They laugh at all times.
There laugh’s are loud which fill the air
& spread over.
IT HAS PROBABLY MORE
INFLUENCE
ON MANKIND
DIRECTLY & INDIRECTLY
THEN ANY OTHER SINGLE FAITH
TATA’S CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE
• 1903 – India’s First Luxury hotel.
• 1907 – India’s First Integrated steel plant.
• 1932 – India’s First Commercial air
service.
• 1941 – India’s First Cancer Hospital.
• 1948 – India’s First International
Commercial flight.
• 1968 – India’s First Software service
company.
• 1998 – India’s First Indigenous car.
A CENTURY OF TRUST
JHABLAS, GARA & KORS
 The present day Parsis are privy to 100 year old Chinese
design tradition.
 The European tradition & Persian Zoroastrian tradition.
 The trade flourished through silk route during Sacnian dynasty
(226-661 AD) & Tang dynasty (618-907 AD)
 An aesthetic, enchanting fully embroidered Gara Sari.
 Made in China & worn by Parsis in India.
 Various motives that cover Gara Designs:
Floral to creatures, real & mythological phoenix, unicorn, bird
of Paradise, aquatic life, butterflies & even bats.
STORY OF PARSI HERITAGE
THE PHILANTHROPIST PARSIS OF HONG KONG
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Parsis arrived in late 1700 to this river delta.
A generous lot of 200 souls at present.
Pioneers of the island economic success:
 Sir Hormusjjee Nowrojee Mody
 Cawasjee Kotwal
 Dhunjibhoy Bisney
• Even today HK $ 1 million a year flows into 30 local charities in Hong
Kong & millions go to charities abroad in India.
• Late Sir Hormusjee Nowrojee Mody contributed HK $ 300,000 to
establish the university of Hong Kong.
• Jahangir Rusttonjee contributed HK $ 2 million to fight tuberculosis &
established 614 bed Ruttonjee Hospital in Hong Kong.
• Keki Jokhi & his brother late Shapurji built AVAN BAUG in Navsari.
• Dorabjee came to Hong Kong as a cook & owned at the end three hotels
in Hong Kong. He also introduced colony’s first steam boat ferry service
way back in 1898.
• Sir Jamsetji jejeebhoy served on board of Hong Kong & Shanghai
Banking corporation.
GIVING BACK TO COUNTRY THAT NURTURED US
CALL FOR THE PARSI COMMUNITY
• The Dwindling numbers.
• Increasing number of Elderly (65+).
• The main causes are:
 Late marriages.
 Few marriages.
 Fewer children.
 Exogamy if married outside
the religion.
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF PARSIS
(AS PER CENSUS 2001)
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All India picture is indeed dismal.
Total population only 69,601.
Overall Parsi constitute 0.007% of Indian
population.
All India growth rate 21.34%.
Parsis recorded negative decline of 8.88%.
Religious minority community are:
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Muslims
Christians
Sikhs
Buddhists
Parsis (without any population
weightage)
Sex ratio: For 1050 females there are 1000
males.
30.9% population in 65+ category, a
disturbing feature (Indian 8%).
PARSIS & NATIONAL POPULATION
31
35
30
25
15
20
India
Parsis
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7
10
5
15
5
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Population
over 60 yrs
Population
under 6 yrs
3
2.
6
PARSIS & NATIONAL POPULATION
8
2.5
1.
2
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0.
1
6
8
1.5
0.5
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Birth Rate
Death Rate
India
Parsis
PARSIS IN THE ARMED FORCES
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Contribution is far out of proportion to their strength.
In earlier era only Medical officers where in British Indian
Army.
Captain Cursetji (Later Maj Gen) won distinguished service
order in 1915.
Captain K.S Master won the Military Cross in WW-I, later
became Lieutenant General & the first Director General of
Armed Forces Medical College.
Three Parsis became Chief of their own services:
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Air Marshal Aspy Engineer of the then Royal Indian Air Force (1964)
Admiral Jal Cursetji PVSM, AVSM of the Navy (1937-1979)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw MC of the Army (1932-1972)
Three Parsis commissioned as King’s, commissioned Indian
officers pre WW-II, Nusli Billimoria, Rusi Billimoria & Wadia.
Highest Galentry awards after indipendence:
• Lt. Col Adi B. Tarapori – Param Veer Chakra (1965)
• 2/Lt (Now Col) Cyrus Pithawalla – Ashok Chakra (1981)