The recently concluded Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi witnessed a remarkable moment of pride for the global Parsi community as Lord Karan Bilimoria, distinguished British-Indian entrepreneur and member of the UK House of Lords, took the stage with a powerful message of optimism, unity and India’s boundless potential. His words resonated deeply, with citizens and especially Parsis, as he shone a glowing spotlight on the community’s legacy and future in a rapidly transforming India.
Held at Bharat Mandapam, on 8-9 April, 2025, the Summit brought together trailblazing minds from across the globe to chart India’s journey towards becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. Centered around the theme ‘Youthful Aspirations – Aspire. Achieve. Ascend.’, the event was a celebration of the energy, ambition and talent of India’s 420 million youth.
Amidst this forward-looking narrative, it was Lord Bilimoria’s heartfelt reflections on India’s diversity and the remarkable contributions of the Parsis, that stole the spotlight for many.
“India Allows Everyone to Flourish”: Speaking with his signature passion, Lord Bilimoria declared proudly, “I am a Zoroastrian Parsi,” and that despite the dwindling numbers of Parsis, “this tiny community has produced Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, MPs, captains of industry, and iconic institutions like the Tata Group. That is the power of India – it allows everyone to flourish.”
He recounted with pride the launch of a book written by his cousin, titled, ‘The Parsis of Delhi’, noting that at no point in history have there been more than 800 Parsis living in the capital city. “Today, the population of Delhi is over 33 million, and yet our little community has stood tall and contributed with distinction,” he said.
“No Limit to What Any Minority Can Achieve”: In response to a question about India’s inclusive growth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s motto, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”, Lord Bilimoria gave a deeply personal response: “There is no limit to what any minority can achieve in India. The opportunity is there for everybody.” His words struck a powerful chord, especially with those who cherish the role that Parsis have played in building modern India. “Look at our record in public life, business, the arts, the military – it’s not about numbers, it’s about impact,” he affirmed.
Toasting to India’s entrepreneurial spirit and reflecting on the bigger picture, Lord Bilimoria praised the nation’s phenomenal economic rise, stating that the world had finally woken up to India’s potential. “India today is one of the fastest-growing economies globally. And based on my prediction, it’s only a matter of time before India overtakes China economically. By 2060, I believe India will emerge as the largest economy in the world,” he predicted, drawing applause from the audience.
He pointed out that India’s entrepreneurial spirit had been stifled in the years following Independence, but the liberalisation of 1991 changed the game. “It actually took a decade for the transformation to take root, but since 2002, India has been on a rocket-like trajectory – nearly reaching double-digit growth,” he observed. As a nod to India’s global leadership, he proudly mentioned alumni of his school, Hyderabad Public School, including tech titans Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft), Ajay Banga (President, World Bank), and Shantanu Narayen (CEO, Adobe). “That’s the Indian story – leadership, brilliance, and success everywhere,” he beamed.
“India’s Diversity is Its Biggest Strength”: Lord Bilimoria passionately highlighted India’s unique strength – its democracy and diversity. “Why is India so resilient when many nations are struggling? Because we have a rock-solid democracy, and the armed forces have never interfered in politics. That’s one of our greatest assets.” As the son of the late General Faridoon Bilimoria, former Commander-in-Chief of India’s Central Army Command, Lord Karan’s insight into the armed forces is both personal and proud.
He also reiterated how India’s diversity in religion, language, race, and terrain forms the foundation of its strength. “There is no other country in the world that is this diverse and this united. That’s what gives us resilience and hope,” he said.
For the Parsi community, Lord Bilimoria’s presence at such a high-profile national platform and his celebration of Zoroastrian identity offered a moment of deep pride and reflection. His eloquence and conviction are a reminder that even as Parsis remain numerically few, their contributions are vast and continuing. He urged young Parsis to stay rooted in their values but dream global: “This is your time. Whether in India or abroad, carry forward the legacy with courage, compassion and commitment. Our forefathers built great institutions, now it’s our turn to build the future.”
The Rising Bharat Summit 2025 may have been about the future of a young India, but Lord Bilimoria reminded everyone that even small communities with deep roots can help shape the destiny of nations. His words were not just a reflection of India’s promise – they were a call to action for Parsis to rise with Bharat. As the world looks to India with fresh admiration, Parsis everywhere can take heart in the fact that their community’s story need not be relegated only to its past glory, but an ongoing, living testament to excellence, resilience and service.
