Student custodians

The thunderous applause had a hint of self-congratulation. And why not? For the audience comprised largely of the parents of 98 Zoroastrian students who were being felicitated by FOZAWAC (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture) for scoring 80 percent and above at the 2002 board examinations of SSC (Secondary School Certificate), ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) and in the science stream of HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate), 75 percent and over in HSC (commerce) and 70 percent and above in HSC (arts).

Of the 98 students, 62 were girls and 36 were boys. The higher number of female performers has been the trend for the last three years, it was reported at the function on August 4, 2002 sponsored by the World Zoroastrian Organisation (India) when its India president Dadi Engineer was the chief guest. Diana Marfatia, principal of The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable (BJPC) Institution which got the special appreciation award and Veera Dastoor who represented the J. B. Petit High School for Girls which got the Best School Award were the guests of honor.

Amongst the Parsi run institutions, five students from J. B. Petit, four from Avabai Petit, three students each from J. B. Vachha, Activity and Maneckji Cooper, and two students from BJPC were the top scorers this year at the school leaving examination. Two students from BJPC in HSC (commerce) and one in HSC (science) also shone out. At the SSC examination the top three scorers were Simin Patell (90.33 percent, from Secunderabad), Zenobia Dotivala (90 percent, from J. B. Vachha) and Zervin Baam (89.73 percent, from St Joseph). Topping the ICSE list were Zenobia Chinoy (95 percent, from J. B. Petit), Peshotan Kapadia (94.17 percent, from St Mary’s) and Mayav Movdawalla (93.5 percent, from Maneckji Cooper). Heading the HSC science stream were Fehrzard Patel (95 percent, from Ruia), Percy Dadabhoy (93.33 percent, from Jai Hind) and Nadirsh Patel (90.33 percent, from Jai Hind). Topping the HSC commerce faculty were Farzana Wadia (89.83 percent, from Podar), Sharon Coorlawalla (86.33, from H. R. College) and Karishma Irani (84.83 percent, from Don Bosco). The HSC arts achievers were Parinaaz Bhomisa (76.67 percent, from Poona’s Wadia College), Zarine Colah (76 percent, from St Xavier’s) and Shiraz Patel (75.83 percent, from Jai Hind). The first three in each category were given a cash gift of Rs 1,000, 700 and Rs 500 respectively along with a plaque. All the 98 students were given certificates and a box of chocolates at the awards ceremony conducted by FOZAWAC general secretary Rusi Bhumgara.

These students are the future custodians of the Parsi community, impressed Jiwanji Jamadar, president of FOZA­WAC in his welcome address. As Engineer noted in a speech replete with references to H. G. Wells, Michelangelo and Sir Donald Bradman, and their single-minded pursuit of excellence, "Youth should be well spent and combine both work and play.” Quoting Henry Ford he added, "The most successful people are those who have one goal.

Jeroo G. Irani