YCZA youth seminar

"What does our country need today — people who can criticize or people who can improve the state of affairs? How should we act on good ideas?” An interactive seminar on this theme was organized for college students by the Young Collegians’ Zoroastrian Association (YCZA) Charitable and Educational Fund, as per a write-up e-mailed to Parsiana by Kersi Commissariat. Held on April 27, 2008 at The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution (BJPCI), this program of the over 30-year-old trust which aims at "filling the educational and cultural void in the lives of its members that neither the average home nor the average educational institution can reach,” as notes its website, was free of charge.

The main speaker, Ujjwal Banerjee, who had recently come to the notice of national audiences through his participation in the "Lead India” program, stressed the need for each and everyone getting involved in the progress and welfare of our country and doing whatever we can, with whatever we have, starting right now! He also felt that people should not merely do what they are told to do, but do what needs to be done for the good of society, the write-up notes. He subsequently conducted an interactive session with the group.

The large young and enthusiastic audience — in which girls were in the majority — was thereafter divided into six groups, each of which selected a leader and discussed the following subjects: Democracy in India — Challenges and ideas to overcome the challenges (Groups 1 and 2); Envision the Future of India — How are we going to realize it? (Groups 3 and 4); Strengths of our country — Can we overcome our weaknesses through our strengths? (Groups 5 and 6).

After enthusiastic discussions on the topic allotted to each group, they all trooped to the main hall of the BJPCI where the six group leaders presented summaries of the discussions. These summations were very well thought out and enthusiastically put forward. The panel of judges included Banerjee, BJPCI principal Diana Marfatia and Nosh Modi.

Other speakers who enthused and inspired the young audience were Profs Nadir Modi and Khurshed Sheriar, solicitor Bucky Bhesania and Nosh Modi. Present at the seminar was a trustee of The Gulestan and Rustom Billimoria Trust (which had graciously partly sponsored the function), and Dorab Tata.

The program was compered with finesse by Zarine Commissariat who in her vote of thanks acknowledged that the seminar was made possible by the dedicated and dynamic support of Marfatia and through the courtesy of the trustees of the BJPCI who permitted the use of their premises.

After distribution of the cash prizes, the function ended with a sumptuous lunch for all participants, catered by Yasmin and Adil Bhesadia.