10 Greatest Parsis




Though small in number, the contribution of Parsis to the development of India is considerable and without them India ’s history is incomplete. They are basically a peace loving, close knit community, preferring to keep a low profile and they generally avoid getting into any kind of controversy.



As a tribute to them, here is my personal list of 10 greatest Parsis; but believe me I had a tough time finalizing the 10 names because what I thought would be a simple task actually turned out to be a difficult one as so many names emerged that I was unable to decide whom to include and whom not to. 

The list is personal so all my Parsi friends can excuse me if they don’t find their favourites here.



1.     Homi Jehangir Bhabha: Pioneer of India ’s nuclear programme. One of the most renowned scientists that India has ever had.

2.    Dadabhai Nowroji: First person to publicly demand independence from the British. First Asian to be a British MP and one of the founding fathers of the Indian National Congress.

3.    J R D Tata: India ’s most famous industrialist. Founder of Air India.

4.    Ardeshir Tarapore: Winner of Param Vir Chakra, India ’s highest gallantry award. He stood his ground for six days against heavy odds displaying remarkable courage in the war against Pakistan in 1965.

5.    Sir Pherozeshah Mehta: Co-founder and first President of the Indian National Congress. Founder of the Bombay Municipal Corporation. He was the first Parsi to obtain a Master’s degree from the University of Bombay . Also known as the Lion of Bombay.

6.    Jamshetji Tata: The Steel-Man of India. Father of the Indian industry. He built the Taj Mahal hotel when the British humiliated him in one of the hotels and he vowed to build a chain of hotels.

7.    Ardeshir & Pirojsha Godrej: Founders of the Godrej industrial empire.

8.    Sir Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy: Opened sea trade with China. The famous JJ Hospital of Bombay was built by him. First Baronet.

9.    Fali Sam Nariman: Winner of Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, & Gruber Prize for Justice. He is a world-famous authority on international arbitration.

10.  Madam Cama (Bhikaji Cama): Co-creator of the Indian national flag. Key figure of the Indian national movement.



Names as famous as Ratan Tata, Zubin Mehta, Nani Palkivala, Soli Jehangir Sorabjee, Sam Manekshaw, Behram ‘Busybee’ Contractor, & Pallonji Mistry could not find a place in this list and I  am not surprised because this suggests there’s a plethora of Parsi greatness.



-          NZ

19.10.2019

BN: 162   


Comments

  1. Deepak Mehra19 October 2019 at 05:57

    Tiny population, massive contributions to India! Hats off!!

    ReplyDelete

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