ZSBC events

The Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia (ZSBC) is all set to celebrate its 40th anniversary on February 22, 2008 and a grand event is anticipated as indicated in the message of ZSBC president Sharook Kapadia in their newsletter In Search of the Truth (December 2007-February 2008 issue). Also, three short years away is the Fifth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (5WZYC) which ZSBC will be hosting in 2011.

Vancouver is the largest Zoroastrian settlement in Canada after Toronto, says former ZSBC president Bella Tata. A 50-50 mix of Parsis and Iranians, the estimated 1,500 Zarathushtis there are a wealthy lot, she tells us. Tata, who is executive assistant to the executive director of Pacific Region, Industry Canada, is particular that all community members are treated equally, irrespective of the country of origin, cultural disparity or language barrier — the proverbial source of friction between them. She notes that the present board of directors is very active and wants to introduce new events. Holding muktad prayers is one of them. As for the 5WZYC, Tata is only worried that the present active youths will no longer be youths by then.