For the first time ever, a momentous Parsi dinner was hosted on 26^th September, 2025, at Mansion House, the official residence and office of the Lord Mayor of London. The event was co-hosted by Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and the first-ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the House of Lords, along with the Lord Mayor, Alastair King.

This landmark gathering was particularly significant as it marked the first occasion in history that the Lord Mayor of London formally welcomed and hosted members of the Zoroastrian Parsi community, as a grand gesture to acknowledge and celebrate the substantial contributions that the Zoroastrian community has made to the British economy and culture. “Though tiny in numbers, barely 5,000 in the UK, Britain would not be the same without the contribution of the Zoroastrian Parsi community. From business to philanthropy, education to industry, the spirit and dedication of the community is felt worldwide,” he said.

The dinner was attended by many distinguished members of the Parsi community, highlighting their diverse contributions across various sectors. The prominent personalities included Sir Rohinton Minoo ‘Ron’ Kalifa OBE – Managing Partner, Brookfield Asset Management and Senior Independent Director on the Court of Directors of the Bank of England; Cyrus Kapadia – CEO, Lazard UK’s Investment Banking business; Sirous Wadia – Operating Leader, K1 Investment Management; Percy Marchant – Managing Partner, St. James Global Partners LLP (SJG); Javid Soli Canteenwala – CFO, Compagnie Financiere Tradition S.A (UK & EMEA region); Zarir Cama – prominent banker, HSBC Group and Perses Sethna – CEO, PRT Partners Ltd.; Bapsy Dastur – CLO – Landmark Group; Malcolm M. Deboo – President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE); Shernaz Engineer – Founder, Verity Appointments and Chair – WZCC UK; Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw, distinguished clinical psychologist with UK’s National Health Service; Rusi Dalal, senior ZTFE leader; Perses Bilimoria – visionary environmentalist and entrepreneur and Er. Yazad T Bhadha, resident priest at ZTFE.

“Being at Mansion House that evening, I felt the weight of history. Going far beyond simply being another formal dinner, it was an affirmation of identity, a reminder of legacy, and a celebration of values that have sustained our people for millennia. It is the first dinner of its kind and I was so proud to host it,” shared Lord Karan Bilimoria.

The evening opened with a solemn prayer led by Er. Yazad T. Bhadha, followed by a series of heartfelt addresses highlighting the Zoroastrian Parsi community’s enduring values and remarkable legacy. Cyrus Kapadia reflected how Parsis “hit well above their weight,” attributing their outsized impact to a strong foundation in education and training. Rusi K. Dalal shared a moving account of the past, recalling that when “Zoroastrians fled to India,” they carried with them “a purpose of giving” – a sentiment echoed by Percy Marchant, who affirmed that “Parsis are all about giving.”

Describing the event as a “historic dinner,” Malcolm M. Deboo noted that true wealth lies in the care shown for others. Ron Kalifa, known as the Father of UK’s FinTech industry, praised Parsis as “an inspiring community who work diligently.” Shernaz Engineer celebrated their excellence in education and commerce coupled with social responsibility. Bapsy Dastur reflected on the essence of Zoroastrianism – “religion, integrity, truth.” Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw reflected how Parsi integrity has guided her distinguished career in mental health.

The dinner, catered by award-winning celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala, comprised a multi-course Parsi menu, including Patra-ni-Machchi, Marghi-na-Farha, Jardaloo-Gos Pulao and Lagan-nu-custard… praised by Lord Bilimoria as a “feast of memory, a taste of Bombay recreated in the heart of London, reminding us that our traditions travel with us wherever we go.”

The historical significance of the dinner is deeply rooted in a legacy spanning centuries, with the first recorded Parsi arriving in Britain in 1724. A milestone came in 1861, when Muncherjee Hormusji Cama and Dadabhai Naoroji co-founded the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE), Britain’s oldest Asian association. Initially created to serve the community’s spiritual and practical needs, ZTFE has grown to foster interfaith dialogue and build enduring ties with wider British society.

“In Britain, we have remained few in number but determined to contribute far beyond our size. That dual identity – both rooted and open, both particular and universal – is what has enabled us to thrive. I am so proud to be the first (hopefully of many!) Zoroastrian Paris to sit in the House of Lords,” added Lord Bilimoria.

Parsi contributions to Britain are remarkable… Ardaseer Cursetjee Wadia, the first Indian elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1841, was a pioneer in engineering and science. The Tata business group maintains strong links with the UK through multiple enterprises including Jaguar Land Rover and British Steel. 2025 also marks Dadabhai Naoroji’s 200^th birth anniversary. His election as the first Indian MP in 1892, followed by Mancherjee Bhownaggree (1895) and Shapurji Saklatvala (1922), cemented the Parsi legacy in British history.

(Inputs & Pics: Newindiaabroad.com)