“Jungle jewels”

I wish to congratulate Parsiana on a very interesting issue. I like the tiger cover very much ("Jungle jewels,” Parsiana, February 21, 2011). From one lakh tigers at the turn of the last century the number in the wild has come down to a mere 1,300. The magnificent animal has been hunted and killed almost to extinction just to satisfy man’s vanity. The colonialists, then the maharajas, and finally the Parsi waghmaroos (tiger hunters) all are to blame for the initial hunting and killing of the tiger. India will have lost a part of its soul when the last tiger in the wild is hunted down.

Your editorial "A marriage of minds” was excellent, revealing several interesting facts that not too many Parsis know. I am in agreement with you.

As regards the ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) calendar, I like it, and purchased one on my recent trip to Bombay. It is tastefully done, and although I have my favorite of the 12, I shall not name her lest I fall into disfavor with the rest! If at least one of these young ladies succeeds is getting a lucrative modeling/acting assignment as a result of this calendar then it is a worthwhile exercise. Also, the calendar should be a great eye-opener for Parsi boys who are eyeing and marrying girls of other communities. Boys, we have a gold mine at home!

A pucca (pure) Parsi girl of 25 whom I met here in Davis, herself not bad looking at all, told me that she wishes ZYNG comes out with a calendar next year depicting the best Parsi boys in semi-nude poses! In the past, lots of Parsi boys used to go for body building to "culture homes” located at places like Dadar Parsi Colony and Tardeo. I hope they will all come forward for a calendar! The Parsi community has been at the forefront in almost all fields in India, so why not community-based calendars showing the best specimens?

Dr ARDESHIR B. DAMANIA

Davis, California, USA

abdamania@yahoo.com