This is with reference to the Editorial Viewpoint "Worlds apart” (Parsiana, July7-20, 2019), which is thought provoking. It shows the difference between North American Parsis and the Parsis of Bombay. The answer lies in the fact that the former are exposed to different views compared to the orthodox views held by a majority of the latter. I personally know two friends who were steeped in orthodoxy when they migrated to America. When they returned to India on a visit, they had a totally different outlook.
The problem in Bombay is that many of our humdins are emotionally conditioned by traditional beliefs. It is very difficult to give up these beliefs because they provide psychological security. Even if reason tells them they need to change, they will not. They lack the moral intelligence, by which I mean "doing the right thing.” This can only be done at the individual level. It is only when a person faces up to the insecurity of giving up his beliefs and decides to follow reason that a change in the mind-set can be brought about.
It is because of this narrow-minded creed which believes in patriarchy that the women of the community don’t get their due and positive reforms cannot be brought about. YAZDI KOHIAR
yazdikohiar@yahoo.co.uk
The editors’ reply:
True. But several traditional anjumans are able to manage their own affairs and finances. The shortcomings surface when they function as a collective body. The Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India has failed to become a cohesive whole. The clash of outlooks fuelled by a section of the leadership causes energies to be diverted to non-productive activities.