Founder’s Note

[otw_shortcode_info_box border_style=”bordered” css_class=”boxed”]As Parsi Times completes 6 years and sets foot into the auspicious 7th year, we catch up with the man behind its ideation, creation, support and success – Kersi Randeria – who shares his thoughts on various aspects about PT’s six-year journey thus far…[/otw_shortcode_info_box]

.

The genesis Of Parsi Times – how it all started…

Though the community already had a few of respectful publications in circulation, I know I reflected the opinion of the masses when I felt that some these were unable to capture the pulse of the younger generation and get through to the community’s youth. There appeared to be a youth-oriented gap that needed to be bridged, from a Parsi journalism point of view – in terms of content and ideology. And so was born the idea of getting in Parsi Times to address and bridge this void. Another concern was the need for a more balanced Parsi publication that would tread the proverbial ‘middle path’, given the divide between the orthodox and reformist lobbies; which would provide a platform for those in between as well as for both these sides of the established spectrums.

Vision for the future…

My focus for PT is that it must constantly endeavour to sustain being the fulcrum around which we can unite as a community and work together in the interest of addressing any issues; and create a healthy, stable and encouraging environment for our future generations. I want PT to continue being the medium that promotes peace and harmony in our Community by bringing together opposing factions on a common platform, and fostering the essence of ‘agree to disagree, but stay united nevertheless’, in the larger interest of our Community’s well-being, prosperity and reputation.

Feedback from our Community…

Much to the grouse of both, my previous and current Editor, I prefer and continue to stay low-key and reticent with regard to any participation in the public domain. Most people, prior to my becoming a BPP Trustee, did not know me or know of me. Even so, I’m humbled and proud to say that the feedback I received from our community – be it locally in Bombay, or from our Parsi brethren in India or globally – has always been very encouraging and positive.

On the toll it takes for being targeted unfairly because of the ability to dynamically handle multiple portfolios – as an entrepreneur, a BPP Trustee and owner of Parsi Times… 

Wearing multiple hats puts immense pressure on one’s daily time schedule, but if one is driven and wilful, he will be able allocate the right amount of time for the right amount of work in managing one’s daily calendar and responsibilities. Though being elected as a BPP Trustee was never part of the original plan, I feel blessed to be able to serve my community in the intended true spirit, thanks to my dynamic colleague Trustees and Chairman.

Having founded Parsi Times, it’s been my policy to not interfere with editorial content or use the newspaper in any way to push any personal agenda – and though many find this hard to believe, it is a fact, endorsed by both – my earlier and current editors. But being the common link between PT and the BPP Board, the internal difference in opinion in the latter, over the past 8-9 months, has led a few people making allegations that I used PT to further my personal agenda and the agenda of, what has is now popularly known as, the majority trustees. Nothing could be further from the truth. All readers of PT will agree that its articles are based on factual reportage, negating all the baseless or vindictive allegations. Even the idea of the monthly ‘BPP Connect’ column, which disseminates information about the working of the BPP, was an editorial decision which I was not a part of. However, I believe it has filled the vacuum that existed within the community as regards the transparency and awareness of BPP’s endeavours. The Chairman’s message through this column has been widely appreciated.

Parting Word…

Parsi Times is not just a community weekly, it’s the community’s platform to express its views with freedom, as well as assert its ‘Right To Information’ about our community’s ongoings and issues… and PT will constantly endeavour to better itself as our community’s unifier and trustworthy harbinger of truth.