Lauding the League

Children who have displayed extraordinary courage and presence of mind in overcoming a dangerous situation will be rewarded with a trophy beginning next year, announced Cowasjee Din­shaw, vice president of the Iran League as he presided over the function at Cama Baug to celebrate the League’s 80th anniversary on March 2, 2002. The award in memory of Arbab Maneck­ji Limji Hataria was gifted by his great-grandson Tehmtan Davar, acknowledged Dinshaw.

Chief guest Jamshed Guzder, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), referred to the problems facing the community and lauding the work of the Iran League promised a donation of Rs 50,000. Guest of honor, eminent solicitor Burjor Antia stressed the importance of hard work and whilst commending the League for regularly encouraging the community youth gave a donation of Rs 10,001.

BPP trustees Dadi Engineer and Rustom Tirandaz too were appreciative of the League’s services and Engineer announced a donation of Rs 10,000 to further the League’s activities. Elaborating on the different activities of the League, convener Vispi Dastur remarked that the numerous competitions are held to ensure that the Zoroastrian religion and Parsi/Irani culture and traditions are not forgotten.

At the Iran League function (from left): Cyrus Lalkaka, Guzder, Dinshaw, B. Antia, R. Antia, Dastur with madressa students

The evening function commenced with a jashan ceremony performed by Ervad Keki Raoji, panthaky of the Cama Baug agiary and his son Ervad Farzad. The young students of the Dadar Athornan Madressa and the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute then rendered a hambandagi.

As senior judge Silloo Shapoorjee announced the prize winners, 34 trophies, 21 silver medals (Shahnameh Proficiency Medals) presented by Dinshaw, 170 cash prizes and religious books donated by the F. H. Settna Legacy Trust and Ervad Yazdi Aibara were distributed by Guzder and Roshen Antia. Following monajats sung by Homai Bulsara and Marzban Mehta, the evening drew to a close with the customary singing of Chhaiyé hamé Zarathoshti and the national anthem, after which came a contributory dinner catered by Minoo Bharucha.