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Parsi achievers

March 21, 2007
In January 2007 two Indian Parsi Zoroastrians made our community proud by their achievements. The first is Ratan Tata under whose stewardship the Tata Group acquired the UK-based Anglo-Dutch steel manufacturing company, Corus, at US $ 12 billion or Rs 54,000 crore, the biggest-ever acquisition of a foreign company by an Indian group. The Tata Group has emerged once again as India’s leading business entity in revenue. May this herald a new resurgence of Parsi domination in trade, commerce and industry.
In 1911, when the first steel ingot rolled out of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), the British were sceptical and even scornful of the Indians’ ability to manufacture steel. The then commissioner of the Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) Railway — what is today known as the Central Railway — Sir Fredrick Upcott swore that "he would eat every pound of steel if the Indians ever managed to make steel to British standards.” Ninety-six years later, that same Parsi-owned, Indian steel manufacturer has taken over the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker, Corus, a company that was earlier created out of what was once the mighty British Steel.
Ratan Tata achieved greater personal glory when he became the oldest Indian civilian at the age of 69 to fly a fighter-jet aircraft. He first flew the advanced F-16 and then the more advanced F/A-18 on two consecutive days in February 2007 at speeds in excess of Mach 3, i.e. three times the speed of sound.
The second Parsi achiever is Air Marshal Fali Homi Major who will become the 21st Chief of the Indian Air Force. Traditionally, the Air Force chief is always a combat fighter-aircraft pilot. Major has created history by becoming the first helicopter pilot to lead the service.
These are real Parsi role models worthy of emulation.
KAYOMARZ PATEL

Air Marshal Fali Homi Major has been appointed the next Chief of the Indian Air Force. He will be the second Parsi to hold the post, the first being Air Chief Marshal Aspi Engineer. For a minuscule community like ours to produce four Chiefs of the Armed Services is both unique and laudable.
We hope that Parsiana will feature Major on the cover and write an absorbing article on his career. We have been often dismayed to see your magazine giving extensive coverage and publicity to personalities whose achievements are comparatively trivial while more worthy individuals are ignored or confined to short write-ups.
PERVEZ CAMA
Poona
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Nectar from the sky →
2 readers wrote

  • Parsi microminisule community has not only touched the sky but Grabed the sky of success by producing chiefs in all three armed forces.The father of B.S.F.is a parsi.Indian coast guards had a parsi chief.The chief on the commitee for the birth of Indian coast guards was a parsi.keki Dadabhai was father of N.S.G.chief of Home guards and fire service.He was Director General of Gujarat of I.P.S.he was also Deputy Director General of C.R.P.F.and was also selected to North West frontier in kashmir.He raised B.S.F.in Gujarat.Doyen of indian Police force is a parsi.K.F. Rustamji.I.P.S.saw many promisable Police chiefs in different states of India.The only Naval officer in India to be awarded Legion of Merit (award of U.S.A.)is Admiral Jal Cursetji,he was also the first Indian to be chief hydrographer of Indian Navy.Vice Admiral Gandhi played very significant role in Goa liberation in 1962.Adi Tarapore destroyed 60 enemy thanks almost single handedly this was the worst tank battle ever fought.

    A reader · 15 December 2021

  • Major General Cyrus Pithawalla is best known for the Ashok Chakra for his most Glantery bravary of the highest order.Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw (M.C.)was the first and only Indian to be awarded 5 Star rank when he was in his service time.He was not retiered.He created a new country and changed the world map.Parsi Indian Navy officers have made the country proud by winning international medals in the sport of Yatching.The Naval hero amoung the three Indians in three small missile boats to destroy the karachi dock one was parsi commander Kavina in 1971.Air Marshal Aspi Engineer (D.F.C.)was responsible for changing the face of Indian Air force (modernising) after India Sino war of 1962 and the first Indian to fly Solo from London to India winner of (Agakhan Trophy).Air Marshal Adi Gandhi is the youngest in Indian Air force to win Vir Chakra.The Naval Scientiest of U.S.A.is a parsi Adi Balsara.Mr kushru Moris is commander in the British Navy of Great Britan,he is a parsi.God bless us all

    A reader · 15 December 2021
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