Look out for The Times

"The Zoroastrian Times is presenting this, its first edition, with all the delight and trepidation of parents showing off their first born. We have many ideas and have immense hopes that it will give to Zarathustris worldwide and others a source that fills the gaps that extended communities develop,” writes editor Bapoo Malcolm in his "internet based newspaper” which is meant "for private circulation only.”

The inaugural issue of August 2002 could not be posted on the web in time for Navroz as the necessary permissions had not been obtained, regrets Malcolm, yet it was circulated by e-mail. By October end they hope to have a couple of issues accessible in two formats — Hyper Text Markup’s Language (HTML) which can be viewed in color, and the ordinary text format for those who may not have the necessary software. Although they were planning to bring out each issue with eight pages, they subsequently realized "that such rigidity was not necessary on the Internet where there is sufficient room to keep altering its format.” The editorial policy was described as "the broad middle band with access to all, extremes included. We would rather be facilitators, an avenue to explore multiple ideas and views, allowing the readers to draw their conclusions rather than to impose upon them. Proffer, not preach. Inform, not insist. Widen vistas, not narrow tunnels. After all we are interacting with the most educated community in the world. Small is beautiful; and intelligent to boot.”

The need "for a responsible paper” is what prompted 61-year-old Malcolm to pursue his goal. He wanted to spread knowledge of the community not only among Zoroastrians but among non-Parsis as well. Showing a willingness to accept original and heartfelt criticism, Malcolm says his paper specially targets "young Parsis who are going astray.” While presently The Zoroastrian Times will be available for free with all the editorial staff rendering honorary service, within a couple of years he hopes to make it self-sustaining and profitable as its popularity increases. He refuses to consider financing from any single source at the risk of losing his independence!

The monthly inaugural issue had accommodated an approximately 1,000-word article by Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Rustom Tirandaz who hoped the new periodical would "have at heart at all times the interest of the Parsi Irani Zoroastrians of the world and not cloud (its) writings with personal hatreds and prejudices.” After citing various historical instances to strengthen "tokhmé Kyani (Iranian roots)” Tirandaz concluded, "Going by this rich inheritance it is incumbent upon the pre­sent generation to ensure that we pass on intact the heritage inherited from our forefathers to our descendants...” Another page on "Pancha­yeti Pancha­yeto” elaborates on the "Parsi aversion for mixed marriage” and sums up the Punchayet’s efforts to assist the "gerontocratic society.”

A nearly 1,500-word piece on "What shall they, who are Mazdayasnas, do?” by Faribourz Nari­man is a reprint of one of his earlier writings. "When a festival is round the corner, every Parsi spends a lot of time, energy and money to tidy up his dwelling. This is quite natural. What is unnatural is the indifference of many of us towards the upkeep...of the Zoroastrian house which is in disarray. The tarantulas and the cobwebs, not to mention the entangled flies, all these call for a vigorous operation clean-up...A fight to the finish should commence in earnest and the thoughts of a tiny splinter group emerging therefrom needn’t deter us from adopting drastic measures to dislodge the subverters of our traditional values who would like the entire community to suffer for the foolhardiness of their incorrigible dear ones.” A write-up titled "Requiem for an ideal” lauding the efforts of the non governmental organization PRERANA; and smaller pieces announcing Khojeste Mistree’s tour to Australia and the significance of roz Hormazd also feature herein. The only visual in The Zoroastrian Times shows yachtsmen Farokh Tarapore and Vikas Kapila, world champions — 420 class, on its cover.

Assisting Malcolm edit The Zoroastrian Times are Nariman, "a family friend and a veteran scholar on matters Zoroastrian and Oriental (who) will look after the religious compo­nent...Youth editor Fali Singara (who) is one of just four Zarathustris working at All India Radio. Listeners of FM1 (Bombay), will recognize him...A lot of emphasis will be laid on matters that concern the younger generation of Zoroastrians and others.” His responsibility extends to their web page www.zoroastriantimes.com which will retain back issues. The sports input will come courtesy Pra­deep Vijayakar, "one of the best sports journalists in India and a colleague at journalism college in the ’60s,” writes Malcolm. Reluctant to divulge information about himself or part with his photograph he would like the newspaper to be noticed, not the person behind it, he says.

"Any enterprise is as successful as its public wills it to be. The Zoroastrian Times seeks your blessings and support...” concludes the editorial.