The achievers

On the occasion of the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, the Canadian government recognized a few select individuals whose contributions to the community at large earned them the Golden Jubilee Commemorative Medal. Two Zoroastrians singled out for the distinction were former ZSBC president Bella Tata and chairperson of the ZSBC Youth Committee Marsha Malbari.

Tata’s long innings with Industry Canada had been earlier recognized by the Federal Government when she was awarded the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal in 1993. Malbari was recommended for the distinction by the executive director of the Youth Volunteer Corporation of Canada, notes the newsletter.

Another noteworthy Zoroastrian achiever is Sharookh Daroowala who has been elected Division Governor, BC Chapter of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading organization dedicated to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality, states the newsletter. The Public Speaking Champion of British Columbia in 2000, Daroowala, who has chaired, judged and won a number of public speaking contests, was a semi-finalist at the World Championship in Reno, Nevada, adds the newsletter. He is said to be willing to aid community members learn the art of public speaking.

Sattha: a medal of merit for service to scouting

"It didn’t matter to Rumi if a person was rich or poor, had disabilities or not; he treated everyone with good thoughts, good words, good deeds.” Paul J. Piet, chairman of the board of directors of the Chicago Association for Retarded Citizens (CARC) was honoring the late Rumi Engineer with the Dr Robert McCluggage Award gifted to those who make outstanding contributions on behalf of individuals with development disabilities, it was reported in the April 2002 issue of the Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago (ZAC) newsletter.

"Rumi was a friend to many people. As a longtime member of CARC’s Board of Directors, he supported the agency in a variety of ways. Rumi lived his life with compassion, integrity and kindness and along the way he built a legacy that can never be forgotten. The memory of the man he was — and the way he chose to live his life — has given comfort to those fortunate to know him.”

Nozer Buchia, vice president of Strategic Offshore Operations at Ciber, Inc in Oakbrook features as a top executive in the National Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals for the year 2002-2003. The citation is an honor bestowed on individuals for excellence in service and contributions to industry, informs the ZAC July 2002 newsletter. Apart from being a member of Strategic’s leadership team Buchia is a trustee on the Foundation Board of the Davenport University in Michigan and had been a recipient of its 2001 Alumni of the Year Award, states the newsletter.

Scoutmaster Maneck Sattha of the 100th Toronto Scout Group was awarded the Medal of Merit for especially good service to Scouting from Scouts Canada. He also received the Green Toronto Award from Mayor Mel Lastman and members of the Toronto City Council for outstanding achievement. "The dedication, support and participation of volunteers are essential to the success and vitality of our city. Your hard work and commitment have made an invaluable contribution to the greening and beautification of our Toronto,” notes the citation.

Formerly a part of Homavazir’s 11th Central Bombay Scout Group (former 100th Bombay Scout Group), Sattha helped found the Toronto group a decade ago, along with other expats from Bombay.