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Scope of the Project
"Humata, Hukata, Huvarashta" Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds provide the key to Zoroastrian cultural traditions. It is a holistic vision where spiritual and material aspects intermingle. Ancient Iranian traditions blend with Indian influences in daily life and have in addition assimilated European and Chinese influences due to historical interconnections. All this creates a unique lifestyle.I The Oral Traditions
I-A The Living Heritage: The
Zoroastrian heritage of a "life enhancing not a world -denying faith"creates
a Religion of Action which has subconsciously influenced traditions and culture
across millennia. Distinct customs and ceremonies, traditional environmental
concern and protection, legends, myths and stories which are part of the oral
tradition are being surveyed and recorded. This phase has already created an
awareness as to the importance of a traditional heritage and shown the need
to preserve that which is of value while blending it with increasingly urban
lifestyles in the modern world.
I-B. Religion & the Priesthood , repositories of the wisdom of the Magi still maintain oral traditions from a period as ancient as the Rig Veda. Ceremonies and symbols will be studied and rituals recorded. Translations and a reprinting programme will be conducted. Comparative studies interlinking Zoroastrianism with traditions from both East and West are necessary and the interweaving of Iranian and Indian rituals will be analysed.
II. Heritage Sites Classification and protection of tangible Heritage sites in India, Iran and along the Silk route into Western China is required. Local Governments with their own UNESCO Offices could initiate some of these preservation Projects. The restoration of stately homes and Vadis through the Government of India's Heritage Homes Programmes could help in making them commercially viable tourist attractions. The restoration of the de-consecrated Fire Temple and Dokhma at Diu could place these on the tourist itinerary.
III. Archival Materials Archival
Materials are to be collated and preserved in 
order
to create a National Archives on the Parsi - Zoroastrians. A creation of an
international Bibliography of Zoroastrians book and manuscripts is planned.
Storing and dissemination of archival information can be done through systems
linked with the IGNCA New Delhi. The Archival Module will collect collate, translate
and reprint important works. A complete written, audio visual and digital archival
record will remain on the Parsi - Zoroastrians for a world wide audience fulfilling
the ultimate aim of the Project.
THE FIRST DASTUR MEHERJIRANA LIBRARY
AT NAVSARI
Founded in 1874 , the Meherjirana Library Archival project has already commenced with a gernerous donation made by a Zoroastrian lady in memory of her husband . Its aim is to microfilm and preserve an important archival collection . The microfilm will be made available to libraries and scholars in India & Abroad
IV. Parsis in Public Life: Serving
the People The Parsi - Zoroastrian contribution to Indian public life cand can
be traced historically from the time of the Mughal Empire, through various princely
courts to the British period of rule. The development of the Indian National
Congress and their role in the Freedom Struggle was another major stage. The
contribution to national life continues not only in India, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka but in many countries of their second international diaspora.
V. Professional Life Weaving, shipbuilding and medical expertise were among some early professional achievements. In Law, Medicine, the Armed Forces, as Scientists, Bankers, in the fields of Journalism and Literature the contribution of the Parsis continues in the Indian Subcontinet while significant contributions have been made to professional life in America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa among othercountries.
VI. Industry, Agriculture, Trade, Science Jamshetji Tata, India's "one man planning commission" whose vision of economic nationalism with social responsibility helped build modern India, was a Parsi -Zorastrian. Pioneers in many fields of trade, industry and commercial enterprise, an analysis of their contribution in other lands will add to the knowledge of their achievements in India.
VII. The Performing Arts Zoroastrianism commands its followers to celebrate the Good Life. To record traditional celebrations and music, trace pioneering attempts in Parsi theatre and translations from Shakespeare, to record the influence on Urdu drama, Indian films and puppetry will be part of this Module. Parsi - Zoroastrian musical diversity ranges from Gujarati folk and religious songs to classical Indian music. Western music has some famous Parsi exponents including Zubin Mehta and the late Freddy Mercury.
VIII. Arts and Crafts Arts and crafts
seen in clothes, furniture, jewellery, silver and food 
reflect
the colourful history of the race. These draw upon a minimum of four cultural
traditions, Iranian, Indian, Chinese and European to produce a hybrid of astonishing
beauty. Arts and crafts range from traditions followed as part of daily life
to sophisticated modern painting and sculpture. The contribution to textiles
and embroidery needs specialattention.
IX. Institutions and Charities Parsi - Zoroastrian charities are reflected in institutions, educational scholarships, medical charities and research awards. Vast housing colonies built across western India reflect concern for less fortunate members of the community. A quantification of Parsi Zoroastrian charities will reveal their valuable contribution to social, medical and educational reforms in our world.
X. Medical Often seen as a medical paradox Parsi - Zoroastrians work energetically into their nineties while they have some of the world's most unusual allergies and deficiencies, high rates of cancer, neurological diseases and serious eye problems. The drop in fertility needs analysis. The medical module will seek to study traditional medical systems in which Parsi - Zoroastrians were masters - the Vaid, Hakim and Hadvaid traditions. An aim is to create a data bank of information for and on the community which can provide help to members and also give inputs for such study on other small ethnic groups world-wide.
