Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Own 'Facebook' to spur Parsis to marry their own

Forwarded Message
 
From: Zoroastrian Parsees
Date: Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Subject: Own 'Facebook' to spur Parsis to marry their own
To:


Own 'Facebook' to spur Parsis to marry their own


Mumbai: Worried about outside-the-community marriages, the Bombay
Parsi Punchayet (BPP) has come upon a proactive solution. It plans to
launch its own youth club and a social networking website to promote
interaction among the community's youth. The initiative, says the
Punchayet, will encourage youngsters to marry within the community.

BPP chairperson Dinshaw Mehta said the Punchayet will launch the
Zoroastrian Youth Association or ZYA (the name is yet to be finalised)
"with a big bash" in November, targeting 4,000-5,000 youngsters in
nearly 5,000 flats across 12 Parsi colonies in Mumbai.

Though primarily meant for the 15-30 age group, the association will
have members till the age of 40.

"We want our youth to marry within the community. By forming such a
group, they can meet often and hold events. This will encourage
interaction," said Mehta.

The portal, including a social networking platform, will bring Parsi
youngsters together and create a sense of belonging, he said.

"The website will be ready by October, and we have kept aside a budget
of Rs17.5 lakh for the association," he said.

The association will have an office at Gamadia Colony in Tardeo and a
hall to host events in the Khareghat colony, Grant Road, Mehta said.

Membership will be free and a core group of 10-15 young minds will do
the planning, Mehta said. Another group of 50 people will be formed to
organise events while staff will be hired for the administrative work,
he added.

Monday, August 10, 2009

In response to Manoj Nair's ariticle: Letter to Ervad Framroze S Mirza

TO:
 
TIMES GROUP Vice chairman Samir Jain at samir.jain@timesgroup.com 
 
CC: Mumbai Mirror editor Ms Meenal Baghel at meenal.baghel@timesgroup.com
CC: Manoj Nair at manoj.nair@timesgroup.com
CC: Parsi Panchayat
CC: Parsi Voice
CC: Traditional Zoroastrianism BLOG
 
BCC: Thousands of Zoroastrians worldwide
 
Subject: In response to Manoj Nair's ariticle: Letter to Ervad Framroze S Mirza
 
Mr. Samir Jain and Ms. Meena Baghel,
 
Please read and publish the letter below written by our fellow Traditional Zarathustri
Hushtasp R. Bhumgara. This is in response to the article you have published a
few days ago giving front-page publicity to the people who have been asked by
the Traditional trustees of the BPP to stop their anti-scriptural activities.
 
Please note that the BPP has the democratic majority support of our community.
If you consider your newspaper to be democratic and representing the voice of
the people, you must ask your journalists to support the feelings of the majority
behind the BPP, and not that of the anti-religious minority.
 
Please note that it is the foreign inter-married liberals, the outsiders who are
supporting the inter-marriage movements among the Parsees in India
from their overseas bases.  By supporting such overseas trouble-makers,
you would not be serving the cause of our motherland India to whom we
Indian Parsees have always been faithful and proud of.
 
Regards,
 
Porus.
 
 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hushtasp Bhumgara
Date: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Subject: Email Letter to Ervad Framroze S Mirza
 
Subject: Email Letter to Ervad Framroze S Mirza
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 08:56:35 -0400
 
Please open and read the the attachment first Dated 07/08/09. Thank-you.
 
Ervad Framroze Sorobji Mirza
 
 
Dear Sir
 
I am a Parsi Zoroastrian living in Canada. I have read your letter Dated 25th August 2008 which you have sent to Vada Dasturji (Dr) Kaikhusroo Minocher Jamasp Asa in which you claim not to have done any conversions of Non Zoroastrians.
 
This contention of yours is false and you have lost any credibility you may have had, as your picture appears along side the letter doing a Navjote of a Non-Zoroastrian with your co-priest  in Tajikistan in 2006.
 
In your own letter you admit to performing the Aashirwad for a couple even if only one person is Irani/Parsi Zoroastrian. This is astonishing, are you not informed or aware that the prayers and scriptures call for both people getting married to be professing the Zoroastrian faith? And that in the Ashirwad one has to swear allegiance to the worship of Ahura Mazda and the seven Amashsaspands and surely you know that a non-Zoroastrian Spouse cannot uphold this religious view? What scriptural evidence can you provide towards supporting your actions or your point of view?
 
I am a mere student of our religion however I do care to read and inform myself.
 
For your enlightenment I am including a link below please care to read and inform yourself.
 
 
It is from the book THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND CUSTOMS OF THE PARSEES.
 
By JIVANJI JAMSHEDJI MODI, B.A., PH.D., C.I.E.,
 
It is indeed a shame that there are Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian Renegade Priests from within the community that contribute to the breakdown of the Zoroastrian Religion.
 
Now considerable data is emerging in North America where Navjotes of mixed marriage progeny have been encouraged and performed over the last 30 years, and the data points to the fact that very few of these mixed marriage children if at all practice or continue to follow the Zoroastrian religion. Even fewer marry within the community. So the total experiment is a failure.
 
There are also listings that show that there are 2.6 million Zoroastrians in the World.
 
To be a Parsi or Irani Zarthushti you have to be born of both parents being Parsi that is a biological fact.
 
So by any stretch of the imagination the numbers within the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community can only increase if Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians choose to create more progeny.
 
Regards
 
Hushtasp R. Bhumgara
 
CC Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians
 
 
 

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Re: Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over ‘hurtful’ remark

"I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.
 
Hereat this culprit is actually saying he went in to an agiyari, pretending to be a Parsi!

Why is he now changing his story? - that he was only playing in the fire temple compound and was mistaken as a Parsi by the caretaker who caught hold of him and then let him go!
 
Is he getting out of the kitchen because he has suddenly found it too sizzling hot for his looks?  From show off to suddenly shying away from the famous Parsi ire, huh?
 
And what may I ask is so innocent about bragging in a public press report that he had actually broken our laws with impunity?  If he was deeply upset by our reactions he should have been more so at his own actions!
 
Book him and throw away the key!  This sort of utter nonsense and disgusting desecration, has to be stopped once and for all!
ShirinMAI!
 
 


--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Deen Parast <deenparast@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Deen Parast <deenparast@gmail.com>
Subject: Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark
To: samir.jain@timesgroup.com
Cc: meenal.baghel@timesgroup.com, manoj.nair@timesgroup.com, "parsi panchayat" <ppbombay@vsnl.net>, theparseevoice@gmail.com, deenparast.tradzoro@blogger.com
Received: Saturday, 8 August, 2009, 5:07 PM

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.
The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.
In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."
Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."
Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."
Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."



Find local businesses and services in your area with Yahoo!7 Local. Get started.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Dear: e-Mail Winner

begin:vcard
n:Isaac Anderson(Mrs.);Isaac Anderson(Mrs.)
fn:Isaac Anderson(Mrs.)
org:Isaac Anderson(Mrs.)
adr:;;;;;;
title:Isaac Anderson(Mrs.)
version:2.1
end:vcard


Dear: e-Mail Winner,

The Uk National Lottery has set out and successfully organized a Sweepstakes marking the beginning of year anniversary. We rolled out over 10,000.000.00 (10 million e-mails) to mark the 2009 Anniversary Draws. Participants for the draws were randomly selected and drawn from a wide range of web hosts which we enjoy their BETA patronage attaching personalized email addresses to ticket numbers.

Your email address as indicated was drawn and attached to Ticket no:56475600545188 with Serial  no:2113-05 and drew the lucky numbers 9-21-17-39-23-13(10) which subsequently won you 1,000,000.00 (One Million Great Britain pounds) as one of the 10 jackpot winners in this draw. To begin the processing of your prize you are to contact our fiduaciary claims department for more infomation as regards procedures to claim your prize.

Dr. Blunkett David
Email:  Claimsgroup50@msn.com

Contact him by sending him with the underlisted informations

1.Name.2.Address.3.Nationality.4.Age.5.Occupation.6.Phone/Fax.

Sincerely,
Isaac Anderson(Mrs.)

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over ‘hurtful’ remark

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sam Billimoria
Date: Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Subject: Fwd: Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark
To: MainstreamZoroastrians@yahoogroups.com


Friends ,
 
I am forwarding this , also bcc'd to several  people .
 
You could then compare the inconsistency in  Rampals' statements and his quote to GQ.
 
 A) GQ quotes him as saying he pretended to be a parsi and he visited an Agiyari . Was it an Agiyari, an Atesh Behram , maybe
 
  even  Iran Shah.   How can we trust him?
 
  B) His latest statement says that he innocently fetched a ball from an Agiyari compound as an eight year old  and a priest
 
   hugged him thinking he is a Parsi. Can you believe this.?
 
If Arjun is not forthcoming it should be Mithoo Jesia's obligation to identify the defiled institution ,so that corrective measures 
 
can be taken . I suggest that an open request be made to Mithoo Jesia  showing the inconsistency of Arjun's statements.      
 
 


Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

By arzan sam wadia ⋅ August 8, 2009 ⋅ Email This Page Email This Page ⋅ Print This Post Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."

--
Regards,

Sam M.Billimoria

Re: Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over ‘hurtful’ remark

Arjun Rampal has already apologized in yesterday's Mid-day and today's Times of India for the irresponsible act and statement made in the Press.
I think we should let it pass now.
 
Burjor.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 12:37 PM
Subject: Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."


Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over ‘hurtful’ remark

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."