The writing on the wall

Most trustees of Parsi anjumans in India take their cue from the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, though some who do not are doing a fine job. Unfortunately, most trustees shy away from letting the community know the truth. Even though vultures are almost extinct in India the trustees have never called a general body meeting of the community to tell them the facts about the dakhmenashini system. The failure of solar panels and absence of scavenger birds have rung the death knell of the old and once very hygienic system of disposal of the dead.
Just imagine, when there are so many ruvans being consigned to the dakhma what prevails inside and does it affect the pallbearers and family members? Isn’t it time the trustees gave this matter top priority and confided in the community? Isn’t it time to convert the dakhmas into aramgahs? We have the land; all that’s needed is to convince the high priests and the community about this. The present scenario is certainly not what Ahura Mazda conceived for the last journey!
Everyone is aware of the facts but those in authority choose to hide their heads in the sand, wishing that all unwanted matters would just disappear! The writing is on the wall and if action is not taken now the government will intervene and enforce the change that we are shying away from.
RODA D. HAKIM
Baroda
vadhakim@yahoo.com