Madressa’s annual day

Dastur Khurshed K. Dastoor, who presided over the annual day function of the Athornan Boarding Madressa in Dadar held in its Mancherji Joshi Hall on December 9, 2007, announced that from the following year an award would be instituted in memory of the late Ervad Rustomji N. Panthaki who had been the Madressa’s much loved principal for over 30 years. The award would be presented to "an ex-student who has made his mark in the fields of religion, rituals and academics and has done the Madressa proud,” added Dastoor, holding up as an example Ervad Darayas Parvez Bajan who has shone in the academic, professional, scholastic as well as the religious field as a deserving contender.

Chief guest Diana D. Marfatia, principal of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution, released Knowled­giate, the annual in-house magazine of the Madressa edited by Ervad Cyrus D. Sidhwa. This edition was dedicated to Panthaki. In her inspiring address Marfatia congratulated the young students and expressed her admiration at the way in which they were able to "handle the grueling pressures of academic education along with training in prayers and rituals.” It is "attitude and not aptitude” that determines success, she averred.

Also present on the occasion were Dastur (Dr) Peshotan H. Mirza, vice president of the Athornan Mandal, trustees Ervads Irach S. Kuka, Asphandiar R. Dadachanji and Parvez M. Bajan, committee members and office bearers, prominent members of the community, parents and ex-students. The evening’s proceedings, conducted by two young students of the institution, Neville P. Mandviwala and Dinshah P. Magol, began with a humbandagi, followed by a prayer in song and two minutes’ silence observed in memory of Panthaki.

While reading out the annual report principal Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar P. Karanjia mentioned that three new students had joined, one underwent the navar ceremony and three became maratabs during the year. Elaborating on the recreational and religious activities of the students, Karanjia expressed satisfaction at their progress in all spheres, making special mention of Ervad Sherezad Pavri who has consistently brought laurels to his school and the Madressa. He urged parents to admit their children to the institution at an early age and thanked staff members, donors and well-wishers for their cooperation. He was particularly grateful to the trustees and committee members of the Athornan Mandal as well as to the management, principal and staff of The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School where students receive their secular schooling.

Ervad Cyrus D. Darbari, joint honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal, felicitated 19 mobeds, presenting each one with a purse, a shawl and a silver coin. He informed that till date the Mandal has felicitated 56 senior mobeds from all over India. Ervad Khushru N. Panthaky, headmaster of the Madressa announced the names of students who had excelled in school studies, bhantar (prayer), religious knowledge and knowledge of the Shahnameh and prizes were given away by Marfatia. The program included the narration of an episode from the Shahnameh concerning Prince Siya-vaksh and a thrilling karate demonstration by students under the able guidance of Sensei Jehangir Shroff. Ervad Jimmy A. Unwala, joint honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal proposed a vote of thanks and the evening concluded with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zara­thoshti and Jana Gana Mana, followed by partaking of refreshments.