THE PARSIS OF INDIA
The Teenager Today|August 2020
If you have a Parsi friend, chances are you fondly call him Bawa or her Bawi. Bawa or Bawi contribute to your friends’ circle with naughty jokes, warm hugs, a great appetite and plenty of good food.
FREYAN BHATHENA
THE PARSIS OF INDIA

If you don’t already have a Bawa or Bawi in your life, go out and find this unique personality to be your friend! You might have to be quick, because the Parsi community is dwindling at an alarming rate in India.

The first thing people say when speaking of Parsis is how tiny the community is. In India, there are less than 65,000 Parsis alive today. The government-mandated programme, The Jiyo Parsi Initiative, encourages young Parsis to focus on adding cute little babies to the community and helping the numbers stabilise if not grow.

A large-hearted prophet...

The word ‘Parsi’ is an ethnoreligious term that refers to Pars, the original home of the community that migrated to India to escape the tyranny of invasion in the 8th century CE.

Parsis follow Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is the religion preached by Prophet Zarathushtra. Zarathushtra was born in modern-day Iran. For the first time in history, he introduced the idea that there is only one God — Ahura Mazda — to whom mankind should direct their prayers, petitions and gratitude. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest examples of monotheism or belief in one God. The religion he preached spoke of goodness, purity and kindness, and originated somewhere between 1500 BCE to 6500 BCE, making it the oldest religion in the world!

A little ritual...

Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av The Teenager Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av The Teenager Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE TEENAGER TODAYSe alt
STICKING OUT YOUR NECK!
The Teenager Today

STICKING OUT YOUR NECK!

Maybe it's having the twins, my grandsons from New York, back home again, that reminded me of a conversation I had with them a couple of monsoons ago: \"What's that?\" asked one of them pointing to a huge shell on the ground.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Hippos can get airborne while running fast
The Teenager Today

Hippos can get airborne while running fast

Hippos weigh up to two tonnes, but these bulky creatures can go airborne for a period of time.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Tree bark plays a vital role in removing methane from the atmosphere
The Teenager Today

Tree bark plays a vital role in removing methane from the atmosphere

Trees are known for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus benefiting the climate. New research shows that they offer one more benefit.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Lunar caves could shelter astronauts on the moon
The Teenager Today

Lunar caves could shelter astronauts on the moon

Scientists have found an underground cave on the moon not far from where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed 55 years ago.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Manasi Joshi
The Teenager Today

Manasi Joshi

The Para-Badminton World Champion

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
International Day of Peace
The Teenager Today

International Day of Peace

In Search of Non-violence and Cease-fire

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Non-Violent Communication
The Teenager Today

Non-Violent Communication

How to cope with conflict situations

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
FR ALOYSIUS G. REGO
The Teenager Today

FR ALOYSIUS G. REGO

A short-statured bearded figure glancing through a pair of spectacles, cane in hand, and head swinging with every step, was the most feared figure in the galleries of our school, St. Joseph's Collegiate, Allahabad.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
The Architects of the Future
The Teenager Today

The Architects of the Future

As we celebrate Teachers' Day on 5 September, students from St Charles School, Santacruz East, Mumbai, have come together to share their thoughts and perspectives on the challenges that teachers face in today's rapidly-changing educational landscape.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
JUNG & KOOK
The Teenager Today

JUNG & KOOK

With music, stories and news of K-pop all over the place, on Instagram, Twitter, Thread and other social media platforms, and dozens of boy and girl bands emerging from South Korea, believe me when I say that K-pop is irresistible.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024