It would be educative if a future issue of Parsiana is devoted — substantially — to the views of the orthodox on what they propose to do to stop the decline in the numbers of Parsis across the globe, which, I am certain they wish for as do others. The authors of the proposed articles must be only from the traditionalists, including the priesthood at the highest levels.
I am influenced by the remark of several persons who allege that "we will soon become a tribe!” I suppose this remark relates only to the Parsis and not to Zoroastrians at large? Will the teachings of Zarathushtra be impacted should the Parsis become a "tribe?” This would be a great shame as the teachings touch the essence of humanity, regardless of time and geographies. When thoughts, words and deeds are all good, you have a foundation on which a just and equitable society can be built and will never falter.
NAWSHIR D. KHURODY
ndkhurody@gmail.com
The editors reply:
We have published over the years the views of the orthodox on the declining Parsi population. Their first response is that Parsis should marry Parsis and produce several children. If that is not possible, they say they would rather have "quality, not quantity” and so accept the shrinking numbers as that preserves racial purity.
To qualify as a "tribe,” the peoples must be economically backward, be isolated, lack education and be inadequately represented in government, trade and industry. The President of India has to notify the classification based on the above criteria. The category is not determined by the number of people but by their social, economic, political condition.
Traditionalists are welcome, as always, to write in and state their suggestions on how to increase the population.