“A level playing field”

Parsis need to "survive and preserve our religion, traditions and culture from annihilation,” stated Dr Homi Doodhwala, president of the Surat Parsi Panchayat addressing a gathering estimated at 900 Parsis at the Sanjan Day celebrations in Sanjan on November 15, 2023. "(We have to) ensure our youth are given the opportunities to learn and grow… There does not seem to be a level playing field, considering the ‘reservation culture’…This is leading to a situation where youth from middle income families who cannot afford astronomical private tutorials, are losing out and cannot just get a foothold in streams like medicine, engineering, management… (We should) not shy away from also seeking reservations for our youth.” He lamented the "bickering and squabbles” in the community and pleaded the acrimony be stopped for the sake of our survival and prosperity as a community. He recommended that Parsi businessmen and philanthropists step in and preserve our Parsi culture and heritage in Udvada.

Sanjan Memorial Column

Senior advocate Firoze Andhyarujina reiterated the "hardships” faced by the early Parsi travellers to India "to ensure that our religion and holy fire are protected.” Emphasizing the need to inculcate a "religious spirit” in our youth and ensure they visit fire temples "every single day,” the lawyer was of the opinion that "this way our culture and ethnicity would be able to survive the challenging and difficult times we are facing.”

Those felicitated included Parsee Gymkhana veteran Rusi Bhumgara, journalist Nauzer Bharucha and Avabai Petit School’s Yasmin Charna.

The day had commenced with two jashans, one by the local priests of Sanjan and Saronda and one led by Udvada High Priest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor "as a yearly tribute,” noted a write-up on the events sent to Parsiana by Pareecheher Daviervala.

Her mother Bapsy is the president of the Sanjan Memorial Column local committee that manages the yearly event to commemorate the landing of the Parsis in Sanjan over 1,300 years ago and looks after the area and the adjacent dharamshala.

Sanjan station is slated for development and beautification "to portray Parsi cultural styles” under the union government’s Amrut Bharat Station scheme. The area around the Stumbh is also slated for development. The road leading away from the railway station is to "sport a traditional Parsi look.” These announcements were made by Pareecheher, noted the Parsi Times weekly dated November 19. Caterer Kaizad Patel "personally managed and supervised” the serving of the community meal. Firoze Sethna of Firoze Foods and Flavors provided the complimentary cold drinks and Dotivala Bakery of Surat, the cakes and biscuits, stated Pareecheher.