Iran League’s impression

It is the parents’ responsibility to inculcate in their children some knowledge of their community and the strengths and beliefs of the Zarathushti religion, impressed Brig Soli Pavri who was conferred the Late Maneckji Hataria Trophy for Courage and Heroism by the Iran League at its annual prize distribution function at Cama Baug on Sunday, October 19, 2003. It is up to the mothers to impart the right values to their children, he added appreciating his own upbringing that helped him to rise in his career in the army. For his outstanding leadership during counter insurgency operations and command along the Line of Control with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal in 2002, noted the press release. Presently the commander of the Pune Sub Area Pavri referred to his immense satisfaction and accomplishment derived from joining the armed forces. As the Indian team leader of the UN Military Observer Group in Iran he had an occasion to see his coreligionists thriving in Iran, he remarked.

Chief guest Jamshed Guzder, chairman emeritus of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), advised the youth to be God-fearing and to give of oneself and one’s services generously so that it benefits not only the recipient but also the giver.

From left: Guzder (holding trophy), Pavri, Kavarana and Dastoor (inset): honoring courage and heroism

Among the other guests present that evening who were welcomed by the Iran League vice president Cowasjee Din-shaw were BPP trustee Silloo Kavarana, Ervads Farokh Sidhwa, Eruch Kuka and Dr Ramyar Karanjia, Homai Mehta, Pansy Mehta and Rustom Tirandaz. Instead of being discouraged by observations that our community is dying and we are a geriatric community we should concentrate on training our youngsters, urged Tirandaz.

The Iran League organizes numerous competitions to ensure that the Zoroastrian religion and the Parsi/Iranian culture and traditions are not forgotten, declared Ervad Vispi Dastur, honorary treasurer and co-ordinator outlining the various activities of the League. The prizes for all the competitions were announced by the chief judge Silloo Shapoorjee. Twenty-eight trophies as also a small replica were presented to the winners for while the rotating trophy has to be returned, the replica can be retained by the recipient. Eleven Shahna­meh proficiency medals and 134 cash prizes were additionally distributed by Brig Soli and Jasmine Pavri.

The function which started with a jashan sought to encourage participation from the youngsters of the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa and the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute who led a hambandagi and also sang monajats that evening. The program ended with Marzban Mehta and the students of Bai Avabai Petit Girls’ High School singing Chhaiyé hamé Zarathoshti and the national anthem before partaking of the subsidized contributory dinner catered by Minoo Bharucha.