UditVani, Jamshedpur : The Parsi community of the steel city ushered in Navroz, their New Year, on Saturday with quiet devotion, heartfelt greetings, and a spread of traditional delicacies that reflected both heritage and harmony.
The close-knit community of around 140 members began the day with prayers at the agiary, or Fire Temple, before gathering with friends and family to exchange warm wishes and celebrate the spirit of renewal that defines the festival.
“Spring signifies new life and a bountiful harvest. We marked Navroz with prayers at the Fire Temple and cherished moments with our loved ones,” shared a member of the Jamshedpur Parsi Association.
The association is led by chairman P. Battiwala, with Bailey Bodhanwala serving as president. Yim Dotiwala holds the post of secretary, while Zubin Palia, Vice-President (HR) at Tata Steel, is the vice-president of the body.
The celebrations extended into the evening with a vibrant community function at the Ardeshir R. Dalal Hall in the Parsi Colony near Baug-e-Jamshed School.
Members participated in lively games, followed by a warm and convivial community dinner.
“Navroz, which literally translates to ‘new day’, is a time for prayer, togetherness, and gratitude,” said Shavak Patel, trustee of the association.
He noted that the festival also marks the Persian New Year and coincides with the vernal equinox, when day and night are of equal length as the sun rests directly above the equator.
Central to the celebration is the symbolic inclusion of seven items beginning with the letter ‘S’—sib (apple), sabzi (greens), sir (garlic), serkeh (vinegar), sumac (a crushed herb), senjed (dried fruit), and samanu (a sweet pudding)—each representing prosperity, health, and renewal.
Despite the warmth of the celebrations, the community remains mindful of its dwindling numbers. Jamshedpur is home to about 140 Parsis, while the population across Jharkhand is estimated at around 200.
In neighbouring Kolkata, once a thriving centre with over 4,000 Parsis, the number has declined to nearly 700—reflecting a broader demographic concern for one of India’s smallest yet most vibrant communities.
