Subscribers’ comments

Subscribers offer their views on Parsiana on the subscription renewal form returned to us. With their consent we publish their comments so that their thoughts may be known to a wider readership. Unless another name is affixed to the remarks, Parsiana assumes they are written by the subscriber whose name appears on the form.

Parsiana covers many facets of the Parsi community. At the same time the magazine rubs people the wrong way (which is) found to be repugnant to the community.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA

Bombay

Parsiana writes candidly about things and against the wrongdoings of those who have behaved in a manner that has blemished the fair name of believers of the Zoroastrian faith. Raise funds by issuing an appeal to legally fight the autocratic menace of the elected members of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, etc.

JEHANGIR S. AIBARA

Bombay

Parsiana’s strength is Parsi news. Presentation could be better.

NERGISH and SOLI ARCEIVALA

Bombay

Very informative. Keep up the good work. Your booklet with names and contact numbers of manufacturers is very useful when there is a function in the family.

VISPI ROHINTON BADHNIWALLA

Bombay

Negative exposure on cover page of Parsiana is not appealing.

MEHER J. BANAJI

Bombay

Very good coverage of global activities of Zoroastrians; good features on individual achievements. There is an apparent bent towards the so-called "reformists.” Use your forum to keep the community together rather than divide it into "conservatives” and "reformists.”

YASMIN J. CAMA

Bombay

Very newsy about Parsi matters. Keep it going. Good luck.

ROSHAN D. CHINOY

Secunderabad

Unbiased reporting on current events concerning the community. Shortcoming is in quality of copy/writing.

DARAIUS J. DADACHANJI

Bombay

I read it to keep in touch with our community happenings (warts and all).

BEHROZE D. DARUVALA

Singapore

Very good Parsi information in the English language, with photographs. One shortcoming is delayed receipt of Parsiana by post.

Dr DHUN S. DASTOOR

Bombay

Unbiased community information.

Dr D. K. DASTUR

Bombay

Keeps us updated with our Indian Parsi community. Not very prompt in receiving issues.

RHODA ADAR IRANI

Bangalore

I appreciate your entire team of Parsiana editors for bringing more news from Zoroastrians abroad.

BOMMY J. ITALIA

Hyderabad

Parsiana’s strength is reportage on community’s affairs. Conversion will spell doom for the community. When you convert, on what criteria and how many? What benefit can the converts get legally? None, as trust deeds are legal documents which cannot be ignored. Conversion will lead to loss of respect from other communities. Instead of conversion let us improve the quality of our community by having: one year’s special classes before navjote so the young learn the modern history of the community; investigate how many states’ educational boards have text books with chapters about the community; find a cricketer in the community who can play for India!

KAIKOBAD S. ITALIA

Calcutta

Keeps me in contact with community affairs. Thanks. Contact "young” people to contribute their views and requirements.

PHIL A. JAMSHEDJI

Bombay

The only publication in India that gives news on the happenings in the Parsi community. Too much emphasis on the issue of disposal of the dead/inter-communal marriages. Not enough thought about the future of the community and its unique institutions.

KHORSHED RUSTOM JAVERI

Bombay

Full of news, comments and discussions on Parsi affairs. Nothing is missed out. Inclusive approach encourages cohesion in the community instead of alienation.

PHIROZE B. JAVERI

Bombay

Regularity in receiving issues twice a month with good coverage of "bawa” news. Look forward to receiving each issue. Should not be too dogmatic to create a rift in the community.

DR SORAB M. JAVERI

Bombay

Keeping in touch with the Zoroastrian world.

N. B. KANGA

Ahmedabad

Prints letters criticizing Parsiana. Balanced views.

JIMMY F. KHAN

Bombay

Very good news, especially of Parsi Zoroastrians abroad. Good reading for all Parsis. News should be collected from all stations where a Zoroastrian population exists. Smaller anjumans’ problems and any help required should be printed.

NOSHIR K. MARFATIA

Ajmer

Progressive views on Parsi community; leaving orthodoxy behind.

NARGISH JAL MASTER

Poona

Your fearless reporting coupled with acceptance of change is admirable. The articles are well researched and presented in good English. I join you in your opposition to bigotry. You should allot more space to readers’ views. Only then can we prove that what WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) prints is just lies or imagination!

ZARIR MASTER

Bombay

Keeps one updated with the goings-on in the community. Could incorporate a calendar of activities of the community for the next three-month period.

PHIROZE J. MASTERS

Bombay

Coverage of Indian Zoroastrian communities as well as global communities is good. Please keep out of controversies. Give stress to Zoroastrian tenets and do not decry them. Increase coverage about the achievers in the community.

MEHERWAN D. MEHTA

Bangalore

Good quality reading material. Information on various subjects. Makes reading interesting.

JEROO DARAIUS MODI

Jamshedpur

I think it is a very well balanced publication and covers news of Zoroastrians everywhere.

PILKI D. MODI

Bombay

Excellent unbiased and fearless journalism. Your shortcoming is that you allow people to slander your magazine.

Capt R. M. A. MODY

Bombay

International Parsi coverage sells Parsiana. The very first Parsiana newsletter copies were rolled out by me when I had convinced Dr Warden, a very strong-headed gentleman, to buy my Gestetner cyclostyling machine. He visited my office many a times and whenever he visited our showroom on Ballard Estate all salesmen would vanish and my boss would depend on me to face him. He was very demanding.

I installed the machine at his shop, Warden’s Mysore Private Limited, opposite the Anjuman Atash Behram in the attic where his sandalwood cutters were chopping wood.

After installing, he did not have anyone to operate the machine so insisted on me visiting and helping. Just because it was for a Parsi cause I spent some time even after my office hours. Since he was a staunch Parsi Zoroastrian, to promote the Parsi interest he decided on the name Parsiana.

Then I never knew that Parsiana will reach to this international standard, all because of Parsi patronage. Dear Mr Editor and staff, it will be the greatest blunder to lose the patronage of the majority community and some day to find Dr Warden’s dream shattered by a slow death of Parsiana.

YEZDI P. F. PANTHAKI

Bombay

It very well upholds our Zoroastrian culture through its writings. It is an eye- opener regarding our Parsi celebrities. Its frankness may hurt the sentiments of some orthodox members of the community.

LILY S. PAYMASTER

Bombay

Frank and fearless. Undue publicity for intermarried Parsis.

ZARIR B. SETHNA

Bombay

Parsiana’s strength is its wonderful historical stories!

MITRA SHARAFI

Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Very informative. No shortcomings.

Dr SAROSH MANECK SOONAWALLA

Poona

News and discussion of current events and developments in the Parsi community in India and overseas. Layout could be better and aged-friendly.

RUSSY D. SUMARIWALLA

Medford, Oregon, USA

Gives up-to-date information about all that is currently happening in "our” little world — all put together in well written articles!

GULNAR S. TAFTI

Bombay

Its boldness in reporting what it feels right. No shortcomings — yet.

NOSHIR S. WADIA

Calcutta

It encompasses several community affairs, events and activities with interesting pictures. Current affairs find dominance and readers’ viewpoints are interesting. The editorial viewpoint is very biased, tilting in favor of liberals. You ought to have a fair approach, representing every Parsi’s opinion.

FIROZ H. WYKES

Bombay