"With much respect and humility, I have tried my best to provide (an online) platform for Zoroastrians all over the world to conserve and share the knowledge of Zarathushtra and to give their true opinions and insight with vohuman (good mind),” noted neuroscientist Dr Karishma Koka of the newly launched initiative Ba Humata (with good thoughts) started conjointly with her mother Jerou Panthaki RamMohan. "We aim to share the universal and timeless knowledge of the Zarathushti deen (faith) and send out good vibrations of peace and love for the good of all,” declares the introduction to the project.
Endeavoring to promote an "understanding of the principles/precepts/concepts in the prayers/Gathas/texts and how these can be implemented with balance in our life in all aspects (family, professional, social, educational, entrepreneurial etc),” Karishma hosted their first webinar on January 3, 2020 that was attended by 467 individuals. The international panel of participants in the webinar included Mobed Mehraban Firouzgary of Iran (who had shared a video recording), Mobed Zarrir Bhandara, Mobed Ramin Shahzadi from Germany, holistic health proponent Mickey Mehta of India and Iranshah Initiative ambassador Tinaz Karbhari of Hong Kong. The second webinar on February 7 was scheduled with Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada, Mobed Zerkxis Bhandara from USA, former president of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Dorab Mistry who is currently in Singapore; and youth icon Danny Master from the UK.
While such webinars will continue on the first Sunday of each month, they will also observe Khordad Saal (Zarathushtra’s birthday) when Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute, and Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Noshir Dadrawala will share their insights, stated Karishma in her email response to Parsiana.
"It is Asho Zarathushtra that I see as the greatest neuro-cognitive thought leader of the world,” declared 45-year-old Karishma who has earned her PhD in neuroscience from the University of Cambridge and her Masters from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research – National Centre for Biological Sciences. Stressing the need to "value, conserve and honor” the legacy of priests and scholars, Karishma, who has undertaken a study of the Avesta language and the Gathas, revealed that from her maternal side she traces her lineage to the nine athornan families of Udvada who have worked as dasturs and panthakies. "Without prayers, science is lame,” believes Karishma who was taught her prayers by her mother and maternal grandfather Ervad Noshirwanji Pestonji Panthaki.
"Last year the muktads were special since not only were we praying for my departed mama (maternal uncle) Maj Minoo Panthaki but I was able to gain deep happiness from hearing about the muktad prayers at the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE),” stated Karishma appreciating the support of ZTFE president Malcolm Deboo, resident priest Ervad Yazad Bhadha and the family of Dr Firoze Munshi. For the Ba Humata project, she acknowledged the inspiration of religious scholars, past and present, the support of mentors and guides who have encouraged her efforts, and thanked her parents Jerou and Cdr Koka RamMohan.
Describing herself as a learning and development mentor, Karishma mentions that along with her mother she has also co-founded the Ultimate Achievements Academy to guide individuals and teams "to further their academic/professional/life aspirations (while adding) value to the world.”