Dear Readers,
Over the past few decades, the concerns facing our small but spirited community are becoming harder to ignore. We speak often of dwindling numbers, but the challenges extend far beyond birth rates. Across Mumbai, Gujarat and other old Parsi pockets, we hear familiar stories – ancestral homes quietly taken over by encroachers, landsharks preying on abandoned properties and once-bustling neighbourhoods fading into silence as families move away. In these spaces, which once echoed with generations of laughter and life, now lie decrepit buildings, locked doors and history slowly slipping away.
At the same time, many of our underprivileged community members struggle under the rising cost of medical care, daily living and long-term support. These hardships are often invisible, tucked behind closed doors. And our sacred spaces, our Agiaries and Atash Behrams, face their own battles – diminishing footfall, rising costs of maintenance, lack of mobeds and the fear of becoming redundant if not protected and patronised.
Yet, in the midst of these concerns, the steady light of Parsi benevolence shines through: the extraordinary generosity of Parsi donors and philanthropists… from the Tata legacy to the Shapurji Pallonji, Godrej, Readymoney, Jehangir, Petit and Bhabha families, their visionary munificence has long upheld our community’s dignity, wellbeing and cultural continuity.
Two recent cases which stand out include the remarkable contributions of Noshir and Katy Gotla, whose magnanimous donation to the Atash Behram & Atash Adarian Machi Trust (Pg. 3) ensures that sandalwood Machis continue to burn with dignity across Mumbai, Surat, Navsari and beyond; and the blessed anonymous donor who stepped in to stall the sale of the Sanjan Sanatorium, saving yet another piece of our living heritage. These acts of preservation, protection and profound love for the community remind us that Parsi philanthropy is more than our heritage – it is part of our identity.
To every donor – known and unknown – who supports our institutions, our priests, our seniors, our youth, our housing colonies, our culture and our sacred centres of worship, the community offers heartfelt gratitude. Your generosity sustains our strength and sanctity.
As we look ahead, may each of us – be it through wealth, time or intention – play a small part in uplifting our community. Our legacy has been shaped by the strength of shared responsibility, and our future will find its footing in that same spirit.
Have a good weekend!
– Anahita
- Waiting For Winds Of Change? - 29 November2025
- Moderation: The Missing Parsi Gene - 22 November2025
- Rise Of Generosity In The Face Of Decline - 15 November2025
