The spirit of ZWAS

As it has been doing for the past 16 years, the Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS) organized several activities during the year including medical camps, visits to the infirmary, providing encouragement to children in the orphanage, cultural events and performing navjotes of needy Parsi children… culminating in the annual Muktad-Gatha celebration in August. This group of energetic women has been focusing on enhancing the community spirit and pride in being a Zoroastrian, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by ZWAS trustee Maharukh Chichgar.

A prayer competition held on the first day of the muktads, August 9, 2008, began with a welcome speech by Benaiffer Engineer followed by a Parsi song sung by the little duo of Carol Zarir Vaid and Farnaz Shahrukh Patel. The competition was ably conducted by Mahatab Bhatporia and judged by Ervads Zubin Dalal and Adil Sanjana. Prizes, sponsored by the Khorshed Homi Chinoy Trust, were given away by Yasmin Dotivala. Additionally, each and every participant received an encouragement prize, the write-up states.

Winners of the prayer competition with Jamshed Dotivala (center) and ZWAS members

Competitors were divided age wise into three groups. In the three to five years group, Khushnuma Kolah stood first, Varshit Patel was second while Afroz Sathvavwala and Kainaz Chothia tied for third place. Kaizin Vaghchhipawala came first, Sanaya Katpitia was second and Maherzad M. Chothia was placed third in the six to eight years group. Among the older children in the eight to 13 years group, Daanesh Kurush Bhathena topped, followed by Farnaz Patel in second place, while Maherzad Turel was third.

After the competition, ZWAS inducted its new team of office bearers with noted Surat citizen and trustee of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP) Jamshed Dotivala acting as inducting officer. Yezdi Karanjia, SPP trustee, was also present. Secretary Khushnaz Italia read out the activity report. The new team comprises Shehnaz Jamshed Dastur, president; Tanaz Aspi Coachman, secretary; Farida Pervez Ankleswaria, treasurer; Mahatab Percy Variava, program committee chairperson; Dilshad Palia, Sheryl Elavia, Delnaz Katpitia and Zenobia Dotivala as program committee members; Piloo Kurush Bhathena, cultural committee chairperson; Bhatporia, Mani Jehangir, Perin Karanjia and Afrin Patrawala as cultural committee members. The new office bearers have pledged their whole hearted support and loyalty to the aims and activities of ZWAS, the write-up mentions.

The second program, held on the first Gatha day, August 14, 2008, comprised an antakshri competition with a new flavor — boys vs girls — to bring out hidden talent in the community. The popular music competition was hosted by past president Dilnaz Besania and Pearl Dabu, with Farzana V. Kharadi as the scorer. After newly installed president Dastur welcomed those present, the musical evening began sans further formalities. Emerging victorious were Mahazarin Z. Chichgar and Vaid in first place, Aspi S. Sepoy and Pirzad K. Gandhi in the second slot and Firoz Kapadia with Yezdi Kapadia placing third.

Trustee Chichgar thanked the SPP trustees, Minu Mehenti, Rohin Karanjia, Firoz Bhagwagar, Aspi Bharucha, Freddy Variava, Jemi Vesuna, Aspi Coachman, Porus Bhagwagar and all benefactors and well wishers of ZWAS who were instrumental in making the two-day celebrations a grand success.

A quarterly magazine, Chhaiye Ame Zarthosti published by ZWAS, which serves as a link between the community and its cultural heritage, can be subscribed to for just Rs 40 per year. Subscriptions may be sent to Maharukh Chichgar at 12/723 Rati Villa, Bhavnagri Street, Surat 395003. Another project on the anvil is the publication of a Surat Parsi Directory, for which forms may be collected from the same address.