Since he’s obviously reacting to my statement about our orthodox elders, it’s quite clear where he comes from.

That said and done, I will not get personal, but react to his points with “educated simple logic”.

1) Parsis as an “ethnic minority”:

Since the learned gentleman seeks clarity, let me point out that the word “minority” is not part of any definition of Parsi people, but the correct term is “ethnic group”. But thank you for admitting the minority angle, thereby acknowledging our miniscule numbers.

2) The context of Anthropology:

Firstly, there is no such thing as “principles of Anthropology”. Anthropology simply means study of humanity and (ethnic groups in particular). Anthropology in the context of various peoples, including cross-cultural comparisons and influnces is about credible documentation and experiential research, which enables the survival/revival/nurturing of people, but does not directly provide protection. Providing protection, is what conservationists attempt.

3) Conservation of an ethnic group:

Yes, a lot of money is spent by conservationists to conserve various diminishing tribes and ethnic groups. Yes, a lot of money is spent to protect the lost tribes of Africa, South America, and some money is being spent on the Andaman people.

But in most of these cases, we are talking about people who have deliberately stayed hidden, and have refused to join the mainstream world and evolve with the times. Their extinction is fed by the fact that they often deny themselves basic amenities of life, prejudiced that simple things like electricity and modern medicine will destroy their culture and way of life!

Conservationists are trying to get them to strengthen their way of life and join the mainstream with education, healthcare, and financial intelligence. Conservationists help these people protect their lands, their women, and fight other forms of basic and blatant exploitation.

Putting Parsis and/or Zoroastrians in the same boat as these indegeneous people is ridiculous and misleading, considering we are a part of mainstream, and have been for centuries. Our challenges are very different from those of the above mentioned people.

We are a tribe that has charged ahead and embraced the future, and is suddenly wondering if our supply chain of people and culture is robust enough to sustain us as we march even further ahead.

4) Refusing to infuse fresh blood:

There is a saying that if two Parsis discuss their family trees long enough, they will figure out they are related in some way. And with just about 69,000 Parsis/Zoroastrians left in India, we’re saying we expect our children to eventually marry someone who is a relative (!)

Simple science says that repeated procreation within a small gene pool will create offspring that will be prone to various physical and mental abnormalities – if at all procreation happens!

Common sense says you don’t marry a cousin, even if he or she is twice removed.

Add to this the fact that ambition and related income levels of our people have dropped dramatically over the years, resulting in the few ambitious ones among us to look outside the community for a “good life partner”.

Look around any Parsi colony today, to see what I mean.

5) Delhi Parsis:

I sense a lot of angst from Zubin against the Delhi Parsis, prejudice even…

I live in the UK, but visit Delhi often. I always visit the Dar-e-Meher there, and I have certainly not met any “converted Tom, Dick or Harry” there.

However, I have met non-Parsi mothers, who bring their children-of-Parsi-husbands every Saturday to attend Farohar classes at the Dharamshala. Helping their kids learn about Zoroastrianism, as well as Parsi culture and rituals, so that they may one day grown up to be good Parsis.

It will please Zubin to note, that none of these women are dying to convert and become Parsis. They are proud Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs, and whatever… but they are quite happy to let help their children add to the Parsi faith. Which is more than I can say about many true-blue Parsi parents here in the west, and in Bombay.

6) Few Thousand Numbers are enough:

Agreed that we have always been a minority, and our few numbers have enriched India and the world in many, many ways. Our community is rich with stories of family businesses passing on from father to son, and to grandson… We have seen little children become big lawyers, bankers, and engineers…

The question is, will we continue to do so? Will there still be sons and daughters to take forward what we have started?

Despite all the bluster and bravado, when the the gentleman Zubin’s rant came down to the fact of numbers, he dramatically chose to discard reality by calling this concern “an obsession” competing with metro rats! Well in the final run, Zubin whoever is showcasing a classic case of “grapes are sour”.

How’s that for educated, simple logic?

We look forward to more educated and informed comments from our readers.”

2) The Delhi Parsis have already opened all doors and are accepting/converting/infusing every Tom Dick and Harry into their fold since almost a decade now. So then why are the numbers STILL going down? Isn’t there a fundamental flaw in this warped logic?
It is a proven fact, that any ethnic minority that opens its doors, gets assimilated into the mainstream. Its never the other way around. So the “numbers argument” is the daftest thing Ive ever heard!

3) The Parsis have NEVER numbered more than a few thousand in the 10 centuries that they have been in India. Yet our contribution in every area has been phenomenal. So what is this newfound obsession with numbers? Are we competing with the rats in our metros now?

4) Heres a “gem”:

# Taraporewala Says:
Times are changing, and so must we. If only our orthodox elders will get off their high horses and smell the roses.

Sigh! And these empty cliches and mindless arguments, devoid of simple logic are put up by a community that boasts a 99% literacy rate. Now that according to me, is the real tragedy. LOL.

Kem Chho,

Contribution done by Parsi community to nation… We can’t express in words.

Little worried for Paris Community, as are shrinking day by day. I think Parsi Panchayat should encourage / counsel young genration to overcome this serious issue.

I have tried interacting with parsis, but found them a bit rude, especially when I once visited the Parsi samaj in Delhi. Are they really like that???

Elsa

>>Webmaster’s note:
Dear Elsa,

I would like to, on behalf of the entire Parsi community, apologise for what came across as rude to you.

Parsis are not generally rude, so you must have caught someone on a bad day. Or it could be, that there was some sort of language barrier that prevented easy communication.

Parsis are known for their hospitality and friendly nature. I hope you experience that side of us in your next interaction.

Best Regards.