Parsiana is my go-to publication for balanced, unbiased and contemporary news and views on all matters relating to the Zoroastrian community in India and abroad. While the coverage of events of the community is quite exhaustive, may I suggest a few additions which will make the magazine more interesting for persons like me who wish to learn more about the origin, history and evolution of the religion through the ages?
Please provide information on the cultural and religious practices and ceremonies of the community that have evolved through the centuries in Iran and through migration, first to India and then to various countries around the world. I am sure readers would be interested in knowing about the Zoroastrian festivals celebrated in Iran before and after the Arab invasion and how these are celebrated in India and other countries where the community has settled.
Lifestyle, occupations and food preferences of Zoroastrians through the ages in Iran and after migration to India (social media posts claim Zoroastrians were vegetarians from the earliest times, which is doubtful) would be appreciated.
Write-ups on the various Iranian dynasties and the status of women in those days, with information on women priests, queens, women in the armed forces, women writers, poets, etc.
Translation and interpretation by various authors of the Gathas and other Zoroastrian prayers, a few verses at a time, will enable a greater understanding of our prayers. Serialization of Zoroastrian literature, including an English translation of the Shahnameh will be welcome.
I do understand that you work with a limited budget and staff and covering all this would be a tall order. I also understand that a lot of the information may be available on the internet; but for many people it is a challenge to seek information on the net. It would be easier to read it in Parsiana, with the source mentioned. Besides, many of the social media posts are of doubtful accuracy and authentic information disseminated through your magazine would help bust some myths.
I can only urge that due consideration be given to the above and just two or three pages devoted to any of the above subjects in each issue. This may encourage younger members, who may be discouraged by the constant controversies in the community, to read more about the glorious past of their faith and the teachings of Prophet Zarathushtra which remain universally relevant to this day.
POURUCHISTI MEHERHOMJI
Thana, Maharashtra
pourushah@gmail.com
The editors reply:
While we would very much like to comply with our loyal readers’ requests, we are barely able to cope with our existing editorial requirements. Undertaking further coverage is nigh impossible. In addition, the subjects Meherhomji suggests are more in the realm of scholarship and academia, rather than journalism. We do reprint papers written by scholars on our history but not much is being researched and written on Zoroastrianism and Parsis these days.
In our article on the Iran League (see "In league to assist,” Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2023) we have cited references from academician Dr Dinyar Patel’s article on the Iran League.