“The unexamined life”

Zend Lakdawala’s article "The un­examined life” (Parsiana, December 21, 2007) was very thought provoking, timely and lucid. It was a pleasure to read this timely article written in such impeccable language. We need people like Lakdawala to show us up for what we are becoming in our "insulated baug-havens” — not what we were, "doyens of industry.”

Yes, our lives are unexamined. We do not examine the concepts that have made us the laughing stock making life "not worth living.” We are living in "silent shame” because we do not examine what we are doing, where we are being led and what message we are giving to the community and the world at large. We will have to "get over these nonsensical beliefs” if we are to emerge "reasonable, progressive and wise.”

It is an irony that Lakdawala, based in Las Vegas, can grasp our position in India so clearly. Are the Parsis there any less Parsi because they have no Towers of Silence, no khandhias, no nassessalars and often no mobed to pray for them? As Lakdawala says, "We will have to discard these feel-good notions of ourselves.” If not, "reason, progress, wisdom will be stillborn.”

SOONU JAL

Neemuch