Parsis progressed and prospered because many of our ancestors moved away from Gujarat and ventured forth. Many were camp followers and chose to trade in and work at British cantonments where their families’ safety was of paramount concern. The more venturesome migrated to British colonies and protectorates like Aden, Hong Kong, East Africa and Zanzibar. Some went to China, and later to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Before that, they went to England, where the first three Indians in the House of Commons were Parsis.
There’s an adage in Gujarati which states: those who are mobile, graze in (green) pastures, while tethered cattle starve. All the empire builders — including the Zoroastrian Persians — were highly mobile. The key to prosperity is mobility, being venturesome and taking risks. In order to remain steady, one has to run because others keep moving forward. This holds true even in business. To prosper one has to keep pace.
Tethered children remain at the bottom of the socioeconomic league. Unfetter them, but unfetter yourself first and lead by example.
Insulated societies are an endangered species. Advanced societies are looking at colonizing other planets. So run, or you will be left behind.
BEHRAM T. DASTUR
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