With reference to your Editorial Viewpoint ("Not permissible in India,” Parsiana, May 21-June 6, 2023), if the lady who wished to undergo training for the priesthood in India is from North America, surely she should know that there are female mobedyars being trained here who are given certificates by the North American Mobeds Council (NAMC). These mobedyars are performing religious ceremonies as permitted by NAMC.
She may contact Ervad Tehmton Mirza, NAMC president, for further information. Dr DOLLY DASTOOR
Montreal, Canada
dollydastoor@sympatico.ca
Thank you for your editorial "Not permissible in India” (Parsiana, May 21-June 6, 2023) about a lady from North America who wanted to receive priestly training in India but was not permitted to do so though she came "from a mobed family and my goal is as a female to be an equivalent mobed to a man.” Your editorial is a mind opener.
In the same issue I read about Mahabanoo’s Mody-Kotwal’s three-decade-long association with the play The Vagina Monologues which explores consensual and non-consensual sexual experiences, body image, genital mutilation, direct and indirect encounters with reproduction, vaginal care and similar issues through the eyes of women of various ages, races and sexualities ("Mahabanoo’s monologue,” Events and Personalities). What a brave and talented lady! Thank you for giving us her story.
Farzana Cooper’s illustration for Berjis Desai’s article "The state of the orthodoxy,” is brilliant!
And a word about another Editorial Viewpoint ("The last hurrah!” Parsiana, April 21-May 6, 2023), regarding the dwindling presence of younger people at community gatherings: So true!
SUNNU GOLWALLA
Karachi, Pakistan
sunnu.golwalla@gmail.com