Stars of Secunderabad

"Her ever smiling face and cheerful demeanor definitely make her a principal with a difference,” noted an article in the Deccan Chronicle of November 1, 2004, soon after Shernavaz H. Baria was conferred the Best Principal Award for the second time from the Andhra Pradesh Minorities Educational Institutions Society. Principal of Secunderabad’s Bai Ratanbai Jehangirji Chenoy Parsi High School since 1995 Baria remarked, "It is because of my dedicated staff, disciplined students and my ever helpful parent community that I could achieve whatever I did.” Baria had joined the School in 1986 as a librarian. In 1990 she was appointed English teacher in the primary section and four years later made vice principal. Keen to make the nearly 1,300 children under her care responsible citizens of the country Baria aims that her students not only gain knowledge, but learn how to apply it.

Started by Jehangirji Che­noy in memory of his wife Ratanbai in 1919 to promote education among the Parsi community, after Independence it became a secular School and in 1973-74 its first batch of 15 students appeared for the SSC examination. Well endowed with laboratories, spacious classrooms, playground, stadium, the co-educational School prides itself on the awards won at the District Science Fairs organized by the Education Department, the All India Library Quiz Awards and the accomplishments of its students who excel as Scouts and Guides and at National Cadet Corps meets.

Above: Baria being felicitated by Arnawaz Mistry and (above left) by Andhra Pradesh minister for higher education Venkateshwar Rao. Above right: Vasaigara being felicitated by Bhathena as Antia looks on

In addition to the School management which felicitated Baria, the Zoroastrian Club of Secunderabad and Hyderabad organ­ized a function when the president of the Club Kerfegar Antia presented her a shawl and memento for her impressive achievements in the field of education. At the same function the secretary of the Club Shapoor Bhathena presented a shawl and a memento to Zarir Vasaigara for his achievements in the field of boxing. Presently a qualified referee and judge at the national level, he is a member of The Ring Official Commis­sion of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation. Working as office superintendent, South Central Railway, he was three times state champion and seven times Indian Railways champion, notes a write-up from the Club. In 1982 he had represented the country for the President’s Cup held in Sri Lanka winning two gold medals. He has been conducting the Sports Fiesta for the Zoroastrian Club for the last several years. The winners of the Fiesta received their prizes at the same function after which the congregation enjoyed a sumptuous dinner subsidized by the Club.