The Ambiguities of Global Terror I don`t agree with the contention that what is happening in Iraq and what has happened in London are different. Both are terrorst acts, in both innocents die. There have been freedom struggles before Iraq, but the world is yet to see such madness where there is no concern for innocents being killed. I would equate the bombings in Iraq to the Shia-Sunni violence that one sees in Pakistan.

Unfortunately, there is a line of thought amongst Muslim intellectuals that if Muslims are bombed by Muslims it is not terrorism. It was MJ Akbar who wrote that most of the victims of Beslan where Muslim. Does that make it any less an act of terrrorism? Is a school going Muslim girl who dies in a bomb blast at Lal Chowk, Srinagar not a victim of terrorism? Yes the West is doing wrong, but will blowing up your own people solve the problem?

Terrorism and the Muslim World I feel the crisis in Islam is of leadership. While you had selfless leaders who led the society to change and development, who practised moderation and were open minded, now there are shortsighted leaders who have very little vision, who get swayed by personal gain and momentary glorification and do endless harm to thier own community.

Another problem is that most Muslims dwell too much on thier past glory(whatever that may have been) and are unable to get over their being sidelined in todays world. True, Muslims have no say in their own affairs leave aside the affairs of the world, but it is fair to ask why has not democracy been able to strike roots in Islamic lands? Why are Muslim people not able to get a fair, representative government that can give good education, better roads, electricity and peace?

Views of an Indian in Pakistan I feel it is now becoming fashionable for Indians to deride Pakistan, especially with India`s newfound confidence in percentage of growthrate and Silicon Valley`s in Hyderabad and Bangalore. But if we were to look around into our own girebaan, we`ll find a lot many feaudals who function in our democracy. If one investigates about the doings of Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya from Kunda, he`s no less a feudal. Many districts in the interiors of India have a similar Politician Police nexus running which is not dissimilar from the feudals of Pakistan.

Pakistan TV runs some very interesting drama serials about these very problems and I feel they are being very honest about their own situation. One would learn a lot from seeing ``Aaadhi Dhoop and Hawaein`` which may or maynot be based on reality but paints a very realistic picture of the goings on. It is better than to sing our own glory of metropolitian malls and new brands of cars running on Indian streets. Our serials are full of dressed up Saas Bahus who are modelling the latest make of Saris. Mera matlab hai, hum bhi bahut pichrey huen hein!!! Jago India Jago!!!

Through the Parsi Prism Hello harimau,

Here is a link for you to see.
http://www.livius.org/ct-cz/cyrus_I/cyrus.html

Why I state that thsese names are Greek is because of Histories of Cyrus left by Greek researcher Herodotus. You can have a look at them here:

http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodotus/logos1_01.htm

About Dara, here is a link:

http://www.avesta.org.ru/ushao/ushao_1371_04.doc

You might also consider having a look at the Iraninan Bay names:

http://cleo.lcs.psu.edu/boy_names.html


Hello fuzair,

I do feel the concept of racial Aryan purity is western in origin. For the Asian people Arya meant a nobleman. I`m sure the Parsis who came to India would have mixed amongst others(non-Zoarashtrians) in Iran and there would have been conversion to Zaoarashrianism in the early days. There is enough evidence of Buddhism being present in the regions of Balkh(Bactria). Since the Parsis become prosperous under the British(and became westernised) they began to think of themselves as exclusive and the people(Indians) who gave them refuge centuries gao as Natives. When a Brahmin doesnot let the shadow of a Shudra fall upon himself and sneers at a `Mallachha` that is racism too.

The Persians who came to India as boat people centuries ago were a merchant class, much like the Jews. They were not the Empire builders, they still are merchants(with a few exceptions).

Dear rustom,

You might have read about my observations at the Pilot Bundar Agairy. There is a difference between Culture and religion. Religious rituals are different from culture. Culture can be the same even in two different religions. For example the Punjabi`s of Pakistan and India have the same culture but different religions. This includes songs, dances and food. Though I do agree that the Parsis have a diffrent kind of food habit. Christians of some areas aside I donot know of any other community that sings English songs in their ceremonies. It is beacuse the Parsis have no sence of identity, of belonging. My point of Parsis not being part of the mainstream is evident in daily life(like the Parsi colonies- White colonies in Brown neighbourhood) or Parsi owned businesses. It happens in other communities too, the Marwaris for instance but it is much more pronounced in Parsis. Look at the Tata group mamangement, or the Afternoon Despatch and courier(till Behram Contaractor passes away).

About the names of Perisians. I have seen these names being used by Musilms as well. Rustom, Faruq, Feroz, Tehmina and Behram even Dara. But I have always wondered why do not the Muslims use the names like Ardeshir or Cowas? Was there something in the deeds of these people that was inimical to Islamic history. By the way did you know that the wrestling title of India was called? Rustom-e-Hind(after Rustom of Shahnamah)! And Dara Singh won it! Talk about Persian influence on India!

Punnu Halwai

Through the Parsi Prism I`m sorry that my post appears 3 times.

Through the Parsi Prism Has anyone visited the shop right opposite Rustom`s in Colaba, Mumbai (If it still exists)? On its walls adorns a huge portrait of Queen Victoria whom the Parsis very fondly call ``Apri Rani``. Does this occur in any other religious community? The Parsis had a lot to thank the British for. One doesnot know what culture the Parsis follow, I have lived next to an Agaiary(Pilot Bunder) and whenever there was a function there would be the sounds of a 60`s English song with an orchesta. I have always thought- do these people have no culture?

Whenever the Parsis left Iran they had a religion and I`m sure a culture too. Many Parsis name thier children after Cyrus or Darius. But these are Greek names, not Iranian names. What is the Iranian name of Cyrus? Kuruš. What is the Iranian mane for Darius? Dara. Why name children after a Greek name? Why if the Parsis are so proud of their Iranian heritage do they not follow thier own nomenclature?

As a community they help thier own kind and donot generally mix with the mainstream. I feel they have never really felt at home in India. They may have contributed to the freedom struggle and grown industries in India but their character is essentially European not Asian. In aping the British they have lost their own identity and have started to believe racist ideas of racial superiority and purity.

It is sad to see a community that once ruled great areas of Asia and Europe, who were masters of the world with Great Kings and Empires reduced to this state.

Through the Parsi Prism Has anyone visited the shop right opposite Rustom`s in Colaba, Mumbai (If it still exists)? On its walls adorns a huge portrait of Queen Victoria whom the Parsis very fondly call ``Apri Rani``. Does this occur in any other religious community? The Parsis had a lot to thank the British for. One doesnot know what culture the Parsis follow, I have lived next to an Agaiary(Pilot Bunder) and whenever there was a function there would be the sounds of a 60`s English song with an orchesta. I have always thought- do these people have no culture?

Whenever the Parsis left Iran they had a religion and I`m sure a culture too. Many Parsis name thier children after Cyrus or Darius. But these are Greek names, not Iranian names. What is the Iranian name of Cyrus? Kuruš. What is the Iranian mane for Darius? Dara. Why name children after a Greek name? Why if the Parsis are so proud of their Iranian heritage do they not follow thier own nomenclature?

As a community they help thier own kind and donot generally mix with the mainstream. I feel they have never really felt at home in India. They may have contributed to the freedom struggle and grown industries in India but their character is essentially European not Asian. In aping the British they have lost their own identity and have started to believe racist ideas of racial superiority and purity.

It is sad to see a community that once ruled great areas of Asia and Europe, who were masters of the world with Great Kings and Empires reduced to this state.

Through the Parsi Prism Has anyone visited the shop right opposite Rustom`s in Colaba, Mumbai (If it still exists)? On its walls adorns a huge portrait of Queen Victoria whom the Parsis very fondly call ``Apri Rani``. Does this occur in any other religious community? The Parsis had a lot to thank the British for. One doesnot know what culture the Parsis follow, I have lived next to an Agaiary(Pilot Bunder) and whenever there was a function there would be the sounds of a 60`s English song with an orchesta. I have always thought- do these people have no culture?

Whenever the Parsis left Iran they had a religion and I`m sure a culture too. Many Parsis name thier children after Cyrus or Darius. But these are Greek names, not Iranian names. What is the Iranian name of Cyrus? Kuruš. What is the Iranian mane for Darius? Dara. Why name children after a Greek name? Why if the Parsis are so proud of their Iranian heritage do they not follow thier own nomenclature?

As a community they help thier own kind and donot generally mix with the mainstream. I feel they have never really felt at home in India. They may have contributed to the freedom struggle and grown industries in India but their character is essentially European not Asian. In aping the British they have lost their own identity and have started to believe racist ideas of racial superiority and purity.

It is sad to see a community that once ruled great areas of Asia and Europe, who were masters of the world with Great Kings and Empires reduced to this state.