Posted by delhiparsi on 12 July, 2009
ZAGNY WZO FEZANA Gatha Colloquium 2009
The ZAGNY WZO FEZANA Gatha Colloquium was held on the 27th and 28th of June 2009, in Doubletree Hotel in New York. A report by Cyrus Dastur.
“What a wonderful experience to attend this colloquim! I was overwhelmed by the impressive line up of 12 distinguished speakers on various aspects of Gathas. I have to admit that most of it went over my head (and I understand of many in the audience). In spite of that, it was indeed a wonderful experience. When I called Lovji Cama 4 weeks before the meeting, he informed me that there were only may be 50-60 attendees! And come Saturday, for the first session, the conference room was overflowing with almost 150 attendees, thanks to some personal follow up by many ZAGNY members and their head Mobed, Ervad Pervez Patel!”
click here to read the entire report >>
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Posted by delhiparsi on 11 July, 2009
A Report by a Member and Trustee of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman – Professor Kavas Kapadia
The Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in collaboration with the Ecological Management Foundation( EMF) and International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) had organized a three day workshop on “Faith, water ,sanitation and hygiene” from 5-7th July 2009 in the Sarum College, Salisbury, England. The programme was coordinated by Martin Palmer, a theologian, author, environmentalist and a broadcaster.
The organizers had invited around 25 delegates from around the world who are in some manner or the other associated with the above theme either as practitioners of specific faith, field workers, financing institutions, working with voluntary organizations, academicians or product inventors. Also were specially invited the high priests of seven different mainstream religions i.e Christian (both Catholic and Protestants), Hindu, Islamic, Jew, Buddhist and Zorastrian. The purpose was to get a view of the different religions on the now very pertinent and significant matter of resource conservation-with special reference to water.
The Zoroastrian faith was represented by Dr. Rooyintan Peer, priest from Mumbai and Prof. Kavas Kapadia (DOS School of Planning and Architecture).
Works, innovative ideas and case studies were presented in a packed programme lasting over several sessions. Each session was started by inviting a representative of a different faith to say a small prayer. Most speakers chose to pick a water related theme for the prayer.
Prof Kavas Kapadia presented the case of the ‘Tanka’ in Zoroastrian houses in Bharuch as has been documented by PARZOR, illustrating the Zoroastrian faith in keeping environmental traditions alive. The reverence to water as practiced in the Zoroasterian religion was also very enthusiastically received. The presentation on the ‘Tanka’ was highly appreciated. The workshop evoked a tremendous interest in the Zoroastrian faith and the role of Parsis in Modern India.
The highlight of the workshop was a special session of short religious prayers said in the historic and monumental Salisbury Cathedral on the evening of the 6th July, by the religious leaders in their full colorful regalia. Since Dr Peer had left for Mumbai by then Prof. Kapadia recited the ‘Ashem Vohu and Yatha Ahu Vairyo” giving their simple explanations.
The organizers have promised to bring out a comprehensive guide book titled “Faith in wate: Ideas Inspirations and stories” soon.
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