Events & Personalities
Eye-opener in Iran
Adil Bhesadia was selected as a special foreign guest to attend a six-day cultural program from May 31 to June 5, 2014 in Tehran to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of Imam Khomeini. The group comprised persons from several walks of life from all over India, with Bhesadia, a caterer, member of the Lions Club and student of the advanced Persian language course at the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bombay being the only Zoroastrian, he mentioned to Parsiana over the telephone.
Delegates were taken on a sight-seeing tour of Khomeini’s house in Jamaran, met President Hassan Rouhani at the ministry of foreign affairs, attended the eighth conference on Khomeini and foreign policy conducted by the Institute for Political and International Studies and wound up with the anniversary commemoration at the Imam’s shrine, mentions a write-up. Bhesadia told Parsiana that his knowledge was enriched by learning of Khomeini’s philosophy and the guidelines he had laid down regarding compassion towards enemies. During the Iran-Iraq war no lethal weapons were used by Iran against women and children, with only military installations being targeted, though Iraq made no such distinctions. The Imam’s interest in Sufism appealed to Bhesadia, who is also drawn to that spiritual movement.
Bhesadia’s interest in the language was ignited when a neighbor initiated him into using some words in Persian. On and off over the past five years he has attended classes at the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran where he fondly recalls that his first teacher was Mahnaz Faroodi, a Zoroastrian from Tehran who has made Bombay her home. Agha Islami guided him in the advanced language course. Being a self-confessed "dictionary lover,” Bhesadia practices using Persian phrases and also attempts commercial and other correspondence in that language.
The people in Iran are very receptive and welcoming towards Zoroastrians, and Bhesadia was "very overwhelmed” by the reception he received. "Honesty is their nature,” is the perception in Iran regarding the Zoroastrians there and the others deem them "responsible.” He was also struck by the many Zoroastrian symbols and artifacts which find a place of honor in that country. Having visited Iran earlier on a religious tour, Bhesadia feels that there should be more cross-cultural interaction by our folks with others who have much to offer, with their distinct identity and literature such as the poetry of Hafiz, et al.
Incidentally, Bhesadia who is proficient in Russian as well was invited to the Soviet Union 30 years ago but regrets that he was unable to avail of the opportunity as he was suffering from jaundice at that time.
Delegates were taken on a sight-seeing tour of Khomeini’s house in Jamaran, met President Hassan Rouhani at the ministry of foreign affairs, attended the eighth conference on Khomeini and foreign policy conducted by the Institute for Political and International Studies and wound up with the anniversary commemoration at the Imam’s shrine, mentions a write-up. Bhesadia told Parsiana that his knowledge was enriched by learning of Khomeini’s philosophy and the guidelines he had laid down regarding compassion towards enemies. During the Iran-Iraq war no lethal weapons were used by Iran against women and children, with only military installations being targeted, though Iraq made no such distinctions. The Imam’s interest in Sufism appealed to Bhesadia, who is also drawn to that spiritual movement.
Adil Bhesadia (ext left) at program with Garoth Porter of USA (ext r)
Bhesadia’s interest in the language was ignited when a neighbor initiated him into using some words in Persian. On and off over the past five years he has attended classes at the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran where he fondly recalls that his first teacher was Mahnaz Faroodi, a Zoroastrian from Tehran who has made Bombay her home. Agha Islami guided him in the advanced language course. Being a self-confessed "dictionary lover,” Bhesadia practices using Persian phrases and also attempts commercial and other correspondence in that language.
The people in Iran are very receptive and welcoming towards Zoroastrians, and Bhesadia was "very overwhelmed” by the reception he received. "Honesty is their nature,” is the perception in Iran regarding the Zoroastrians there and the others deem them "responsible.” He was also struck by the many Zoroastrian symbols and artifacts which find a place of honor in that country. Having visited Iran earlier on a religious tour, Bhesadia feels that there should be more cross-cultural interaction by our folks with others who have much to offer, with their distinct identity and literature such as the poetry of Hafiz, et al.
Incidentally, Bhesadia who is proficient in Russian as well was invited to the Soviet Union 30 years ago but regrets that he was unable to avail of the opportunity as he was suffering from jaundice at that time.
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