Iran League awards

Brig (retd) Adi K. Sahukar was awarded the Late Maneckji Limji Hataria Trophy for Courage and Heroism by the Iran League at its 84th annual day and prize distribution ceremony held at Bombay’s Cama Baug on December 9, 2006. Cowasjee Nusserwanji Dinshaw, president of the League welcomed chief guest Dr Mehroo D. Bengalee, former vice chancellor of Bombay University to the function. Following a jashan ceremony by Ervads Farzad and Hormaz Ravji and humbandagi by young priests of the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute, Andheri, a solemn silence was observed for two minutes in memory of the late Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, seventh Baronet and president of Iran League, Lt Gen Adi M.Sethna, Farokh Antia, mainstay at R. D. Sethna Scholarship Fund, cricketer Polly Umrigar, caterer Bomi Kham­­batta and others.

Sahukar receiving the trophy from Mehroo Bengalee as Vispi Dastur looks on

Acknowledging the honor Sahukar, who had served in the armed forces for 36 years, urged the community’s youth to join the defence services. Bengalee mentioned that there were hardly any young Parsi names to reckon with in the armed forces. Congratulating the winners of the trophies and prizes, she said it is easy to reach the top position but difficult to retain it.

Among the dignitaries present were Jamshed Guzder, chairman emeritus of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, Moham­mad Shukrani, consul general of the Islamic Republic of Iran and numismatist Parvez Patel who gave a brief talk on the history of coinage and how coins with our religious months inscribed on them were introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Vispi Dastur, honorary treasurer, spoke of the many activities of the Iran League, especially the numerous competitions — held to ensure that the Zoroastrian religion and Parsi/Iranian culture and traditions are kept alive — in which 440 persons participated this year. Pianist Silloo Shapoorjee, the chief judge, announced the winners of 31 trophies, 27 Shahnameh proficiency medals and 138 cash prizes. After Shapoorjee’s vote of thanks the function ended with the singing of Chhaiyé hamé Zarthoshti followed by a dinner catered by Tanaz R. Godiwalla for about 500 persons.