Time for change

"The time for change has come.” These words were spoken by the former Chief Justice of India, Sam Bharucha, at a meeting of the Federation of Parsi Zo­roas­trian Anjumans of India at Jam­shedpur, a few years ago.

Today there are absolutely no vultures in Bombay, and from July to September, mainly overcast skies with a continuous patter of rain. These are ideal conditions for the rotting of corpses in the dakhma.

A recent article by Coomi Kapoor mentions that the former pro-Zoroastrian Iranian King, Reza Shah Pahelvi had banned dakhmenashini in Iran in the 1940s (The Indian Express, August 7, 2005). And that too at a time when the world was abounding in vultures.

But the Parsis in Bombay even in the total absence of the scavenger birds are still persevering with this outdated method for the disposal of the dead.

It is high time, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustees have second thoughts on this subject. For a start, prayers can be allowed in the bunglis for those opting for electric cremation. The body can then be transported in a hearse to the Chandanwadi crematorium.

DR P. D. SUNAVALA