Keep an open mind

The state of our community is divided and confused, one of the reasons being the bigoted views of our "learned” clerics who instead of uniting the community, create more controversies, which unfortunately find their way into the newspapers and media for other communities to read. I am sure that in their "heart of hearts” many in the community including many clerics and religi­ous scholars do not share the bigoted views of such "learned clerics.” I do not personally favor or encourage mixed marriages but if they work out as is the case in many such unions, there can be nothing objectionable especially when the persons involved continue to follow and practice their religion far better than those marrying within the community. Needless to state, there are more marriages "within” the community which break up and end in divorce. It is better to keep an open mind in order to permit the community to benefit and move forward.

It is also not right to think that Zarathushtis from outside India are not "true” Zarathushtis and hence cannot enter the agiaries and atash behrams. Being a navar I strictly believe that our sudreh and kusti are an essential part of our attire and I always have them on. I go to the agiary and atash behram every day and even notice that some "devotees” come without these "garments” which are truly beautiful, simple and symbolic. This should be impressed upon our present westernized generation. In fact, westerners know more about our religion than our learned scholars.

Dakhmenashini is truly the best mode of disposal and the efforts being made for continuing it are commendable. It is regrettable that some individuals and organizations are trying to scrap it in favor of a crematorium which is environmentally bad.

I am confident that our community will not become extinct but will continue to flourish from generation to generation. All it needs is an open mind, the will to work and stop the infight­ing on petty matters. I have a real soft corner for Parsis and always strive to encourage and help them in their good work.

DADI M. DARBARY