Archive

I was happy to read the cover story about Darius Khambata ("Independent and impartial advice," Parsiana, October 7, 2012), who was appointed Advocate General for Maharashtra in March 2012. This is certainly an eye-opener for many of us Zoroastrians who are unwilling to change with the times. I congratulate him whole-heartedly for his candid views.

I wonder whether he or other Parsis have read the book Athravan Zarathushtra — The Foremost Prophet written by a Bengali writer named Jatindra Mohan Chatterjee? It is a comprehensive and comparative study of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Islam and several other religions and was printed in April 1971 at 1, Saket Place, Calcutta 700013. Although it is an old publication, the book will make the reader reflect upon his/her views of Zoroastrianism. The author, who has dwelt on the Gathas, declares: "The whole world would join in singing homage to the ‘Foremost Prophet of Humanity.’"

Some copies of this book, I believe, are in the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s library. There are none available in Calcutta, as far as I know. In fact, after several inquiries I managed to get one copy. I would recommend that more people read this book as well as some others written by the same author who said: "Zoroastrianism is not merely a religion of the Parsis but it is a universal religion open for all mankind."