Presidential pleasantries

A delegation of outstanding Zoroastrians from Delhi, Udvada and Bombay received a warm welcome from the President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the Shahenshahi New Year in August 2004, mentions a press release. After presenting the President with a copy of A Zoroastrian Tapestry and some five-rupee coins of Dadabhai Naoroji Delhi businessman and vice president of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman Dadi Mistry and his wife Nergish introduced the delegation.

Kalam (center) with the visiting Parsi team at Rashtripati Bhavan

The President was greeted with a traditional sagan by Shiraz Vispy Kapadia after which Dastur Khurshed Dastoor blessed him with Avestan prayers. These prayers were then translated into English by Perin Bagli, principal of the Activity High School who also presented him with some history books authored by her. A floral tribute was offered by Khorshed Kapadia.

The chairman of the Zoroastrian Children’s Foundation (ZCF) Kyoshi Vispi Kapadia and trustee Perviz Dotivala briefed the President on the activities of the ZCF and its future plans while an introduction to the workings of the Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association (ZOSTA) was proffered by its chairperson Zenobia Daroga.

The Delhi delegation included Rustom and Frenny Daroga of Selvel.

Kalam then presented each of the delegates with an auto­graphed copy of his book Wings of Fire on which he had inscribed "Sal Mubarak.”