Nagpur nuggets

"Wear your sports shoes and sporting spirits and — ramva chaloji,” invited the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana to the four-day annual salgirah celebrations of the Bai Hirabai Nosherwanji Mancherji Mulla Daremeher which started with the games events on October 6, 2003, followed by a talent competition, an entertainment evening and talks by guest speaker Ruby Lilaowala on the subsequent days. Special efforts were made by member Pervin Cassad to encourage audience participation on each day, notes a write-up on the events forwarded by Shernaz Daver.

While the young and the not so young participated in the games organized on the first day by Monica Bhagwagar, Roshan Patel and Cyrus Watchmaker, and presided over by chief guest Sanaya Bapuna, the audience was invited to come with decorative tattoos on their arms.

The next evening saw many youngsters displaying their talent on stage by way of recitation, singing, mono acting, dancing and playing musical instruments. The audience was attired in some very unusual hats and trendy footwear. Chief guest Jal Vazifdar distributed the talent competition prizes as also the prizes for the indoor tournaments held by the Gymkhana every year. Rusi Godha conducted the proceedings organized by Cassad, Jeroo Godha and Benaifer Siganporia.

On the third evening Lilaowala spoke on "The significance of fire in Zoroastrianism and other world religions through the ages” after which the audience — dressed for the ‘B’ day when clothes beginning with the letter ‘B’ were worn — got to witness an Arabian dance choreographed by Parizad Daver and a hilarious depiction of a wedding in the community. The commentary written by Havovi Govadia and narrated by Khurshid Dalal won the acclaim of the chief guest Khurshed Masani as did also the efforts put in by the organizers Taubenda Bhagwagar, Fermin Poacha and Jerestine Watchmaker and the participants.

From left: Dr T. Patel, Gimi, Ruby Lilaowala, Navroze Daver, Bharucha, Shernaz Daver and Phiroze Lilao­wala at the Nagpur agiary celebrations

The concluding day’s program commenced with a jashan led by the agiary panthaky Ervad Sohrab Bha-rucha. Vice president of the Nagpur Anjuman and chief guest for the evening Navroze Daver felicitated the mobeds who regularly assist the Anju-man: Ervads Pesi Chhor, Shapur Go-vadia, Homiyar Godha and Nazban Dastur. Anjuman prizes for academic excellence as also outstanding performance in cricket were distributed. Whilst appreciating the hard work of the Gymkhana committee in organizing these social and cultural activities he also referred to the work of the An-juman in the maintenance of buildings, renovation of the Dharamshala, solving the water problem of the Tata Baug residents and improving the facilities at the aramgah.

Lilaowala’s speech on "That strange love-hate relationship called marriage” was followed by her felicitation by Association president Shiraz Gimi. "Lilaowala participated most sportingly in all the events,” writes Shernaz Daver whether as Queen of Sheba or a judge or entertaining the audience at the talent evening with her rendition of old-time songs.

Honorary secretary of the Gymkhana Mehroo Watchmaker proposed a vote of thanks after which the congregation enjoyed a sit-down dinner.