Play Centre celebrates

Having completed 62 years of useful and dedicated service in the fields of sport, education, medical and cultural activities on October 31, 2008, The Nowroze Baug Play Centre held a thanksgiving jashan at the M. J. Wadia Agiary, Lalbaug on November 1 which a large number of members and residents attended, as per a write-up forwarded to Parsiana on e-mail by Shirzad Bhathena, joint general secretary of the Play Centre.

Between October 18 and 30, 2008, 65 members and well-wishers of the Play Centre had been on an education tour of Nepal, organized by Rayomand Elavia of Orient Tours, Bhathena informs in the write-up. The Play Centre also conducted a rangoli competition of art and colors on November 9 at Nowroze Baug’s badminton court. Eight teams of seniors and five teams of juniors, totaling 55 members, participated in the keen competition judged by Katy Dali Gandevia, senior teacher and social worker, and architect J. T. Billimoria.

However, the main celebration was scheduled for November 15 on the Nowroze Baug playground where Homi P. Ustad, vice president of the Play Centre welcomed a sizeable gathering to whom he introduced chief guests Mehli P. Colah, chief executive officer of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and his wife. Also gracing the function were BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta, trustees Noshir Dadrawala and Rustom Tirandaz, as well as BPP public relations officer Godrej Dotivala, along with their respective spouses, the e-mail reveals.

BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta at the mike with dignitaries at Nowroze Baug function

Cultural secretary Khushnawaz Khambatta introduced Little Starz, a team of jugglers whose acrobatic skills held the audience spellbound. Bhathena then called upon the first 20 prize winners from among all Parsi SSC and ICSE students who had secured over 87 percent marks in the March 2008 board examinations, each one of whom received a cash prize of Rs 1,000. Khushnum F. Patel, who secured 96.57 percent marks in the ICSE also received a silver medal as did Simone K. Bandrawala who earned 90 percent marks in the SSC examination. Cash prizes were donated by the BPP chairman from the Firuzgar Trust while the silver medals were provided by Jaloo A. Jagose of Canada, sister of the late Khody P. Kolah, founder of the Play Centre.

Prizes were also given to members of the Play Centre who secured first class with distinction right from Std I to graduate and postgraduate level. In all 63 students received cash prizes and silver medals, the former donated by Mehta in memory of his late father Rusi and three silver medals by Phiroze Daruwalla in memory his late wife Silloo. Karishma D. Reporter who secured 82.57 percent marks in Third Year BCom from Bombay University, the highest among the Parsi students, received a prize of Rs 1,000 and a silver medal donated by Prof Rohinton R. Sahuraja in memory of his late parents Ratansha and Sillamai.

Colah complemented the Play Centre for its sterling service to youth and adults, singling out it president Nairman E. Mehta for special commendation for his six decades of devoted work. The BPP chairman requested the residents to "think positively” and assured them that the Nowroze Baug buildings, which are now 100 years old, should be redeveloped instead of going in for constant repairs. This way, not only will the existing residents get new houses, an additional 500 flats can also be built for Zoroastrians. Tirandaz appealed to community members to participate in national politics, expressing the hope that they would be able to bring about harmony among the various major communities. Dadrawala expressed his appreciation of the work done by the Play Centre and thanked the organizers. Joint secretary Yasmin R. Engineer who proposed a vote of thanks also presented floral tributes to the dignitaries present, as per the write-up.

The evening ended with a contributory dinner catered by Tanaz R. Godiwalla who served delicious dishes to 458 members and guests.