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Parsi-Zoroastrian War Martyrs Honoured At Mumbai Cenotaph
People gathered in Mumbai to remember Parsi-Zoroastrian soldiers who died in wars.
They met at an old memorial called a cenotaph in Khareghat Colony.
The ceremony took place during Frawardigan, a Zoroastrian time for remembering people who have died.
Almost 30 community members who died in the First World War are named there.
Other nearby memorials remember people who died in later wars.
Veterans and members of the public attended the event.
A Navy bugler also attends the ceremony.
The memorial was built by citizens, rather than by the military.
Two Parsi organisations help organise and care for the annual remembrance.
Military veterans and members of the public gathered at Khareghat Colony in Mumbai on Wednesday to honour Parsi-Zoroastrian war martyrs.
The annual ceremony is held during Frawardigan, a Zoroastrian period for remembering departed family members and guardian spirits.
Wreaths were laid for nearly 30 community members who died during the First World War, fought from 1914 to 1918.
The 1926 cenotaph also stands beside memorials for those killed in later conflicts, including the 1962 India-China conflict and the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars.
The Bombay Parsi Association has organised the ceremony for more than 60 years, while the Bombay Parsi Punchayet maintains the memorial.
- Who
- Military veterans, members of the public, and Parsi-Zoroastrian organisations attended the ceremony; nearly 30 Parsi-Zoroastrians who died in the First World War were honoured.
- What
- An annual remembrance ceremony was held, with prayers and wreath-laying at a war memorial.
- Where
- At the Khareghat Colony cenotaph on N S Patkar Road in Mumbai.
- When
- On Wednesday morning, during Frawardigan; the cenotaph was erected in 1926 and the ceremony has been held for more than 60 years.
- Why
- To honour Parsi and Irani veterans and remember community members who died in the First World War and later conflicts.
Key facts
- Memorial location
- Khareghat Colony, N S Patkar Road, Mumbai
- Cenotaph date
- Erected in 1926
- First World War dead commemorated
- Nearly 30 Parsi-Zoroastrians
- Religious occasion
- Frawardigan, the Zoroastrian period for remembering the departed
- Later conflicts represented
- The 1939-45 Second World War, 1962 India-China conflict, and 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars
- Organiser
- Bombay Parsi Association
- Memorial maintainer
- Bombay Parsi Punchayet
Quotes
Commodore (retired) Aspi Marker
Indian Navy veteran who attended the commemoration
“All the other war memorials have been constructed by the military.”
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“We lay wreaths and remember the dead.”
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Xerxes Dastur
Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee and Bombay Parsi Association president
“This year was especially important because it marks the centenary of the cenotaph.”
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Sources
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