Lessons in grooming

The Education Committee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) organized a seminar on grooming for 141 Parsi/Irani students of standards IX and X from 11 Parsi managed schools in Bombay on December 2, 2007 at the Bai Avabai F. Petit Girls’ High School in Bandra. The seminar was entirely free of cost and students were transported to the venue by buses especially arranged by the BPP, informs Cawas S. Panthaki, senior executive (welfare), in a write-up forwarded to Parsiana.

Conducted by Navroz Vakil and his team from Grooming Dales, the seminar was inaugurated by Dr Mehroo D. Bengalee, former vice chancellor of Bombay University, former BPP trustee and currently member of the National Commission for Minorities, Government of India. BPP chairman Minoo R. Shroff welcomed the gathering and spoke of the need for self-development and enhancement of oneself in any walk of life. During the inaugural session, ably compered by Diana Marfatia, principal of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution, Bengalee touched upon common mistakes made by young students while studying for examinations and emphasized that it is always better to follow nature’s timetable and study during the day rather than at night. Youngsters should avoid fast foods and eat good home cooked nutritious meals. She urged students to spend some time in prayer every day.

Above: Mehroo Bengalee speaks as Diana Marfatia, Yasmin Charna, Minoo Shroff, Khurshed Sheriar and Cawas Panthaki look on. Bottom: Grooming Dales team member delivering confidence building talk

The Piroja Fali Forbes Award, constituting a silver plaque and Rs 5,000, bagged by Seema Hoshang Irani who secured 95.28 percent in the ICSE examinations of March 2007, was received on her behalf by her mother. Jazeel Firdos Limzerwalla, who secured 93.84 percent in the SSC examinations in March 2007 received the BPP Award. In the brief break that followed, students were treated to sumptuous snacks, courtesy the BPP, before the stage was handed over to Vakil for the main purpose of the event. The Grooming Dales team enthralled the students with talks peppered with anecdotes, short films and audiovisual presentations on different aspects of grooming. Dr Uday Patkar spoke on the cosmetic aspects of the teeth and mouth, followed by Poonam Vakil’s exposition on effective facial and body make-up to create a charming and pleasing personality. Miss India 2006 finalist Tanya Vakil spoke on overall grooming, prior to a sumptuous lunch catered by Tanaz Godiwalla at a subsidized rate, with the BPP picking up the tab, writes Panthaki.

The post-lunch session was so lively that it continued uninterrupted until 5 p.m. Dr Meena Shah spoke on the scientific and physiological aspects of growing up, Dr Nirmala Shetty demonstrated the use of naturopathy and cosmetics made of natural products while Parmita Katkar spoke on confidence building with a hilarious enactment of the mannerisms of beauty pageant contestants. The overall objective of the seminar was to inculcate among teenagers "a proper dress sense, etiquette and good communication skills so that they are able to develop confidence and stand out in a crowd.”

The day’s activities concluded with Perin Bagli, principal of Activity High School, proposing a vote of thanks, as per the write-up.