Lonely Parsis

On Navroz my thoughts turn to those Parsis in Bombay who must yearn to "do something” on that day, or just meet their Parsi brethren, but cannot do so for a variety of reasons. Perhaps there is no family to spend the day with; or the surviving family members do not want them, or are not willing to accommodate them into their program. Bombay, which houses the largest number of Parsis in India, may well also be home to the largest number of "lonely Parsis.”

I remember attending one Pateti event in Jamshedpur where I stayed for a brief while. There was a contributory Parsi dinner — fairly close to our lagan nu bhonu (wedding feast) to which all Parsis were welcome. A lonely Parsi would at least on that day not be alone — should he choose not to be. I believe Delhi and other cities with smaller Parsi numbers also have such functions. Isn’t it sad that in Bombay one has to fall back on the club or the cinema or restaurant (should one be able to afford it) to fill the void; or worse still just stay home alone?

KHORSHED JAVERI