Dear Readers,

It gives me immense pleasure to present you our Bumper Special Parsi New Year Special Issue, celebrating ‘Happiness’ as our central theme, to further boost the celebratory mood and festive spirit of the community’s most auspicious occasion.

Aren’t we a lucky lot to be born into this fabulous, unique Parsi culture! The only aspect more unique than our culture is our people – us Bawajis don’t have to strive too hard to stand out, thanks to our inimitable personalities and endearing idiosyncrasies… We are an age-defying race – your mumma refers to you as “maro nallo/nalli” (My little one) even when you’re 45! It extends even to our matrimonial-ads which read, “45-year-old ‘boy’ seeks alliance with ‘girl’ aged 38 to 42!”

We lovingly address our close ones with the choicest expletives which could start a war in most nations! We feel a fuzzy bond waking up to our pappa screaming, “Gadhero! Ketlo late ver suya karech! Life waste karech!” And we know all’s well with mum with her ongoing daily rants about our house-help or ‘Gangubai’ – “Idiot jevi! Corners ma bilkul jhoru nathi marti! Kaam-Daffraav!”, and yet rearranging her entire daily schedule (and sometimes ours) around our Gangubai’s!

It’s also an integral part of our culture to shine much pride upon our community and our country, thanks to the enormous contributions of our industrious ancestors. While we bask in their glory, let us never forget the great responsibility that comes along when bequeathed such a stupendous legacy. Those shoes may seem overwhelming to fill, but let’s never stop trying.

This year, Parsi New Year coincides with Independence Day on 15^th August, 2024 – doubling our sense of celebration and pride, as we rejoice in our great nation’s independence and take pride in the prominent role played by Parsis in India’s fight for Independence.

I’m sure our New Year Special Issue will make you smile, laugh, get reflective, and add value to more than just your weekend, while augmenting the New Year spirit of celebration. I heartily thank our Readers for the constant support, participation and valued feedback; our Advertisers for your sustained faith in us; and our spirited Parsi Times team with its talented array of writers, that come together to make Parsi Times the community’s Number One Weekly!

Saal Mubarak and Jai Hind!

– Anahita Subedar