Journey of the Parsis (Part 1 and Part 2 presentations)
by Jamshed Kapadia
Jamshedji Tata, Freddie Mercury, Zubin Mehta, JRD Tata, Dr. Homi Bhahba, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Ardeshir and Pirojsha Godrej, Vice-Admiral Rustom Ghandhi , Nani Palkhiwala, , Madame Bhikaiji Cama, Ratan Tata, Air Chief Marshal Fali Major, Chief Justice Sarosh Kapadia, Dadabhai Naoroji, Fali Nariman, Firoze Gandhi, Sohrab Modi, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Polly Umrigar, Nari Contractor…
What do all these people have in common? They are all Parsis. They are 0.00004 % of India’s population,and the same in USA. A humble grain of sand on the vast ocean of humanity. You can pack all of them in a large stadium and still have tens of thousands of seats left. Mahatma Gandhi once said “in numbers Parsis are beneath contempt, but in contribution, beyond compare.”
The Parsis have given in every fieldmof endeavor – industry, science, arts, music, philanthropy, armed forces, freedom-movement, films, law, banking, medicine, finance, healthcare, sports, politics and social justice… Several have given the ultimate sacrifice of their life defending India. Yet, they remain pretty much unknown, and even the community itself does not have a full understanding. Where did they come from? What have they accomplished? Where are they now? And, most importantly, where are they heading?
Come, join us in a historic journey of the Parsis – all the way from the straits of Hormuz to the shores of Gujarat, through centuries of solitude and hardship. And, finally, their rise in the new home-land – India – that gave them refuge and freedom.
We will cover their history, demographics, culture, traditions, ethos, social practices and their contributions to the society.
What makes them What makes them tick? How can they be so eccentric and yet have produced brilliant legal, scientific and business minds?
How can they laugh at themselves when others take offense? Also, find out the many challenges they now face.
Take this opportunity to learn about the much loved Bawajis, go back to our roots, celebrate and have fun. You won’t be disappointed!
Jamshed Kapadia got his B. Tech (EE) from IIT-Bombay, and his MS/EE in the US. He has worked in US for Fortune-100 Hi-tech companies developing innovative products and doing worldwide business development. He is interested in Parsi-Zarathusti history and its evolution over time. He makes his home with his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law, residing in metro-Boston for overresiding in metro-Boston for over 40 years, having been founder-member of ZAGBA and now its endowment funds.