Finding practical solutions

The 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (10WZC) program lists a number of interesting sessions on a variety of topics which are of immense importance to the community. I hope that they do not remain merely discussions within seminar halls but act as pointers in the right direction to finding practical solutions. Discussions have value when they translate into actions. Our community faces several challenges and problems which have not emerged overnight but have been steadily growing more serious over time. The increasing number of aged people in our community is one such issue with a host of other related problems. I speak particularly of old people settled in small towns and villages who are not in centers like Bombay. Sometimes these lonely and elders are the only Parsis left in their town or village and have little access to any help from other Parsis. They require medical help, caretaking and legal help with their properties which frequently fall into hands of unscrupulous people. A system to bring these elderly people into the ambit of community help is, in my opinion, one of the issues which need to be addressed with some urgency.

A painting by Pestonji Bomanji

The second issue which requires attention is that of education and encouragement of young Parsi students to take up serious research. We have had a number of great scientists and researchers from the community in the past but few students these days opt for pure sciences or research. This may be attributed to a perceived lack of career opportunities. I do hope that discussions on the reservation of seats for Parsi students and education incentives can take this aspect into consideration.
The third issue I am happy to see included in the program as well as the organization of the 10WZC is that of heritage, history and culture. The focus on Parsi culture and history is not only reflected in several talks and discussions listed in the schedule but is also underscored by the exhibition "Across Oceans and flowing Silk – From Canton to Bombay 18th-20th Centuries” which promises to be very interesting. The opening of the renovated Alpaiwalla Museum is another concrete step to preserve our heritage for the community. I would like to add that the Return to Roots program is a well thought out and carefully designed program to introduce and involve the community youth to their Zoroastrian Parsi heritage. The organizers included the Congress in the first Roots program and have ensured the participation of many dynamic young Zoroastrians in community discussions. It is hoped that such efforts inspire vibrant young people to come forward and take interest in the community and what needs to be done to save it from the many serious threats that it faces today. An awareness of one’s heritage is something which is badly required. I strongly recommend that all Parsis should visit and view the exhibition and the Alpaiwalla Museum, whether they attend the Congress or not. And they should certainly take their children along.
One of the topics slated for discussion is regarding Parsi entrepreneurship and what one can do to steer young Parsis back to independent businesses. For a community that has built up a formidable reputation as being business oriented, we hear of very few young Parsis going into business today. I hope the discussions about this are positive and can focus on the incentives and guidance that can be made available to young entrepreneurs, particularly to business opportunities that can be created for young Parsis within their own home towns and villages. Many small towns and villages in Gujarat which once had large numbers of Parsis are now almost completely abandoned or have a few aged persons living there because the younger generation has left for larger cities in search of livelihoods.
I am aware that there are several other issues which face the community and which will be addressed at the 10WZC — declining numbers, health issues, the Jiyo Parsi project, etc. These are all important issues, most of which have been discussed elsewhere on other platforms. I’m not sure if they led to any lasting changes or solutions. I do hope the Jiyo Parsi project proves to be a practical and realistic effort to revive the declining population.
Above all, I am hopeful that the 10WZC will be a success and will benefit the community.

Dr Rukshana Nanji, a Poona-based field archeologist and ceramics expert holds a PhD in archeology from Deccan College and two masters’ degrees, in English literature and archeology. She has worked at sites in Gujarat (including Sanjan), Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, published books and several articles and presented papers in India and abroad. She works as an independent researcher.