Preserving the past

Preserving the past is an inspiring slogan for our minuscule community. We can recollect memories of days gone by but can never bring back the past. We can safeguard our past glory and preserve our religious fervor, our kayani tokham (racial purity), our cultural heritage and spirit to enhance the identity of our industrious ancestors.

To preserve the golden traits of our forefathers and Iranian culture, we can try to preserve our amicable charitable Zarthoshti mindset of the past.

An important problem facing the Parsi community is its decreasing population in India, but an even more serious one is the low percentage of Parsipanu involving our moral standards. We are creating challenges by crude, childish behavior and carelessness.

Are we following the footsteps of our cautious, wise pilgrim fathers? Do we preserve the intelligence, insight, farsightedness and morals to win over the hearts of our opponents? Have we the patience, humility and tolerance of the past? Are we conscious of preserving our promises given to Jadi Rana? Are we keen for our buniyad (foundation)? Ask our conscience and confess!

We are rushing too fast with the trends of modern times. We are forsaking our identity of being venerable citizens by losing our characteristics. Is this the way to preserve the past? We have to preserve the present to improve our uncertain future. Every present moment is precious to secure a better future. The past cannot help much. Father Time has the solutions.

There are some who define this in another way. They want to revive ancient traditions and bring back the past century. They are traditionalists who try to swim against the current and enforce their outdated views on others.

Times, circumstances, traits, situations and customs are fast changing. Liberal sentiments are a reality in the present times. Why should we continue the conflicts of the orthodox and liberals? We are increasing unwanted challenges by shouting for religious revival while doing nothing.

We have to preserve our religious tenets to live a righteous life. These tenets have been founded with care and farsightedness by the Magvans, who have insight and intuition from the spiritual circuit. Tenets are not parampara (past traditions).

We should review our faulty decisions of the past, confess to our fallacies and failures in order to remove misunderstandings. We should guard against the seductive snares of Ahriman. We are wasting our present in worthless arguments and fighting with the egoistic attitude that cannot improve the future.

There is no monument to our devoted ancestors to inspire us other than the Kirti Stumbh at Sanjan. The best memorial would be to preserve the nobility and cultural heritage of our ancestors. Mere propaganda about preserving the past cannot serve the purpose. We have to revive our Parsipanu, and preserve it without fail. It is not too late.

NOSHIR DABOO

Ahmedabad