The Circle of Life

Vulture populations are being decimated across the world and yet they are essential to the circle of life, disposing of carrion in a matter of minutes and allowing what remains to return to the earth.  In India the vultures are crucial in the ancient burial rite of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community but they have all but vanished in the past few years, poisoned by Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug given to cattle.  This podcast takes a literal and metaphorical look at the vulture and the circle of life as it applies to our ecosystem and its imbalances and the role of destruction and rebirth in the economy and business.  There are interesting lessons to be learnt from the ancient faiths of the Jain and Parsi-Zoroastrian communities which both aim to live in complete harmony with the environment.

Very many thanks to my interviewees: Deli Saavedra in Barcelona, Regional Manager for Rewilding Europe, Peter Fiala, entrepreneur from East London, Anahita Havaldar from the Parsi-Zoroastrian community of Mumbai, Sonali Shahpurwala  from the Jain community of Mumbai and Michael Mainelli, Emeritus Professor of Commerce at Gresham College in the City of London.
'Righteousness is the best good
and it is happiness.
Happiness is to him/her who is righteous for the sake of the best righteousness.' One of the two most important  Zoroastrian prayers, the 'Ashem Vohu',  recited by Nyrika Mehta.
Piano: Henrietta Faire.  No.98 from Czerny’s 160 'Kurze Ubungen' (short excercises).