In the fast-paced world of today, the Zoroastrian community faces the twin challenges of dwindling numbers and the diminishing zeal to give financially towards community causes.

The following are some of the steps to be taken to encourage Zoroastrians to follow in the footsteps of our philanthropic forefathers and contribute financially to various community causes:

1. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF YOUTH –We Zoroastrians pride ourselves in being the most educated community with 0% illiteracy but sadly when it comes to religious education, we are 100% illiterate. With no religious education, most Zoroastrian youth today are totally unaware of our history, our rich cultural heritage and our time-tested customs and traditions. When our youth are not proud of the community, how will they contribute towards its growth?
2. 2. SOCIAL MEDIA FOR CREATING RELIGIOUS AWARNESS– Boring lectures and sermons are a thing of the past. Social media is the best way to reach out to Zoroastrian youth. Reels can create awareness about our glorious past history, our philanthropy and our rich culture and traditions and the meaning behind them. Seeing this will not only inspire our youth, but will also motivate them to contribute towards various charitable causes like establishment of schools, colleges, orphanages, places of worship, etc.
3. FEATURE FILMS– Mega project films on the lines of “Ben Her”, etc. can be created based on the stories of the epic SHAHNAMEH glorifying our past thus making the youth proud of their lineage for there can be no charity for community causes when there is no pride in them for who they are. Pride instils a sense of belonging and it is this belonging that leads to charity.
4. COMMUNITY DRIVES– The Zoroastrians in Navsari still follow an ancient custom of GHEE KHICHDI where in the youth go door-to-door collecting eatables and then pooling everything to prepare a community feast.

The XYZ group also conduct community drives for collecting money, food articles and clothes for various community purposes. This would be a better way to reach out to Zoroastrians to donate rather than just giving an advertisement in the local newspaper.

5. VISITS TO CHARITABLE HOSPITALS, ORPHANAGES, ETC BUILT BY OUR PHILANTROPIC FOREFATHERS– This would instill a sense of pride in the community and at the same time make our well cushioned community aware of the hardships faced by the less privileged.
6. QUOTE OF SCRIPTURES– Many religious traditions look down upon wealth and its

acquisition. Hinduism considers wealth as ‘Maya’ (Illusion) which leads to bondage. A

Zoroastrian on the other hand considers wealth to be fundamentally positive, provided it is acquired through right means and used for righteous purposes.

The Pahlavi Dinkard recommends cultivation of 5 virtues which are religiously meritorious 

(i) Truthfulness

(ii) Charity

(iii) Skill

(iv) Endeavour

(v) Encouraging others good deeds

In Handarz Literature, Aturput Mahrespand, High Priest at the court of the Sassanian King Shapur II speaks of 3 kinds of charity:

(i) To give without being asked to give

(ii) To give immediately on being asked to give

(iii) To give at the promised time, if one has promised

Aturput Mahrespand further adds that charity is good when one expects nothing from the receiver in return and good charity is never done for personal gain or fame.

Philanthropy is not about giving of one’s wealth alone. It includes giving of one’s time, experience, expertise and labour. We can conclude in the words of Mr. Rusi M. Lala, noted author and former Director of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, “Men are more important than funds – men, dedicated to serving their fellowmen….in a country of India’s size, diversity and problems, the way to uplift the community (nation) is to light the spark in a million hearts and let them find their momentum. Funds are needed to assist them. But if you start with creating large organizations and expect them to do the job, you are beginning at the wrong end… We need the men who will plan the strategy, have the dedication and also give of themselves.”