Drawn to Rustom Baug

Regularly organizing events for the all-round development of Zoroastrian children and students, the Rustom Baug Association has drawn students not only from south and central Bombay, but also from those in distant locations like Bandra, Andheri, Thana and beyond.

The all-Parsi elocution competition on February 5, 2005 saw 68 children from 16 schools avail of a platform to show their prowess in public speaking. The girls of J. B. Vachha High School bagged the maximum number of prizes followed by the children of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution and the Dadar Parsi Youths Assembly High School. At the event judged by Mahar­ukh Noble and Beroz Gazdar, Shazneen Daruwalla of Fort Convent School was deemed the best speaker of the competition, notes a press release from chief convenor Kumi Daroowala. The other convenors are Dr Lilly Mistry, Burjis Tarapore and Rustom Jasuma­ni.

A week earlier the Rustom Baug Association sought to encourage religious education by awarding the Seth Sorabjee Framji Titina Silver Medal and cash prizes in memory of Neville Wadia to 20 navars and 12 martabs. Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia was the chief guest and his wife Havovi distributed the prizes at the function on January 29, 2005. Separate cash awards of Rs 1,000 were presented by Anahita and Yazdi Desai to the athornan winners. Ervad Areez Panthaky and Pearl Udhnawalla were awarded the Jerbanoo and Pirojshaw Pandey Memorial Prizes for special achievement in religious education. Additional cash prizes in memory of Roshan Contractor were given to the martabs.

Bonny baby Keyan Dantra with mother Rukshana and sisters Anaushka and Ashoi

The same day Ervad Jal Kutar, a resident of Rustom Baug was felicitated for his tireless service in imparting religious education and teaching Avesta prayers to children for their navjote, navar and martab ceremonies. He was presented a shawl on behalf of the tenants of Rustom Baug and by Ervad Parvez Bajan of the Mewavala Agiary.

At its Bonny Baby competition on January 16, 2005, 22 tiny tots from the age group of birth to three years were judged by Dr Anahita Contractor and Dr Ummuziya Rayeez. Tushan Elavia from Jer Baug was judged the most charming baby and Keyan Dantra, also of Jer Baug was conferred the Baby Jeroo M. Baria Memorial Trophy. Family physician Dr Porus Kapadia was the convenor of the competition sponsored by Byculla Pharmacy.

More than 85 children in the age-group of four to 14 from 20 schools and baugs participated in the art and painting compe­tition on December 12, 2004 at Jerbai Wadia Children’s Park, Rustom Baug. The Seth Kaikhushroo F. Jaora­wala Memorial Trophy for the best art and painting was awarded to Vaspan Colabawalla of St Mary’s High School. The competition was judged by Sher­meen Jal, Alifiya Khumri and Meher Ghista.