ZWAS youth summit

The Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS), with the active support of the Surat Parsi Panchayat (SPP), organized a Youth Summit in that city from May 29 to 31, 2009 in which 120 young men and women aged between18 to 40 years participated. The aim of the Summit was to get the youngsters together to have fun while providing them with training in grooming, leadership and entrepreneurship, teaching them the importance of the Zoroastrian religion and making them aware that marriage is a sacred bond, as revealed in a write-up by Dilnaz Besania and forwarded to Parsiana by ZWAS founder trustee Maharukh Z. Chichgar.

Darayas Master, president of the SPP who inaugurated the Summit on the evening of May 29, was warmly welcomed by ZWAS president Shenaz Dastur. A rain dance, with DJ Jimmy at the console, had everyone on the floor and helped break the ice for the youngsters who had come to Surat to attend the Summit from places ranging from Ahmedabad to Vapi.

The following morning, after a visit to the Shehenshai Atash Behram, program committee chairperson Mahtab Variava addressed the participants. Master of ceremonies for the day Mahtab Bhatporia called on Maher Dhamodiwala to enlighten the youngsters on financial management and wealth creation. A lively session on personality development and grooming by Geeta Modi, managing director and chief executive officer of Arzees’ Lifestyles Limited, followed. The religious quotient was provided by scholar Rohin Karanjia who spoke on how Parsi youth is expected to carry forward the rich legacy of Zoroastrianism and preserve its heritage. A talk accompanied by a slide show by Chichgar dwelt on the disillusionment of youth with marriage. Chichgar commented that though the Summit was not designed primarily to push for marriage, she would personally be delighted if some of the participants went home as couples, the write-up reveals. Each talk session was followed by an interactive forum in which speakers answered questions posed by participants.

(Top left): Darayus Master inaugurating the Summit with Rohin Karanjia (r) and Shenaz Dastur (center); (alongside) winners of personality contest; (bottom left): winners of debate and group talent contest with ZWAS members ; Speakers at the Summit (Bottom right first row): Maharukh Chichgar, Rohin Karanjia; (second row) Percy Engineer, Gita Modi; (Bottom left) Bankim Dave

At the Personality and Group Talent Show that evening, 30 youngsters walked the ramp, projecting their personalities and answering the questions of three judges — Naresh Kapadia, a dramatist and manager of Mumbai School of Business Surat Branch, businesswoman Behroz Ghadiali, a former Mrs Personality of Surat and Vispy Kharadi, Gujarat’s arm wrestling champion who is manager of the Kotak Mahindra Bank. Participants were divided into six groups — The Chargers, The Performers, The Royal Zoroastrians, The Challengers, The Dare Devils and The Achievers — each of which had to showcase a talent. Compered by Besania and Zubin Chichgar, the groups entertained the audience with dances, skits and a personality round.

The best group talent prize went to The Chargers comprising Firdaus Katpitia, Kerman Kasad, Fian Bamji, Behnaz Mistry, Burzin Katpitia and Jar Kheshwala. The Dare Devils (Merzi Kerawala, Yazad Gandevia, Meher Tamna, Roxanne Variava, Tanaz Daruwala, Meherzad Bhathena and Firdos Dadina) were declared runners-up. Individual titles were won by Kaizad Dalal (Mr Personality), Bamji (Mrs Personality), Jezan Todiwala (Best Smile, Male), Afreen Amalsadiwala (Best Smile, Female), Khushnaz Italia (Miss 10) and Kaizad Wadia (Mr Best Physique). The fun and games were put together by the enthusiastic and hardworking team of Benaifer Engineer, Tanaz Coachman, Sheryl Elavia, Afrin Patrawala, Dilshad Palia, Mahazarin Chichgar and Bakhtawar Engineer, reveals the write-up.

The highlight of the final morning, May 31, was a lively debate session spiced by witty interjections from architect Bankim Dave who also judged the contest. The topics were "Do females outsmart males?” and "Are looks important to like a person?” Dalal stood first, the runners-up prize was shared by Bamji and Merzi Kera­wala while Pashmin Shethna and Khoremand Kasad took home consolation prizes.

Prof Percy Engineer, vice principal of Sarvajanik College of Engineering Technology and a practicing interior designer spoke on "Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development.” Founder trustee of ZWAS Piloo Bhathena and treasurer Farida Anklesaria coordinated and supervised events over all three days and awarded points. Emerging overall winners for the Best Group were The Chargers who stood first with The Royal Zoroastrians declared runners-up. Bomi Shethna was the Best Group Leader, Kasad, the Most Congenial Person (Male) and Pearl Kharas, the Most Congenial Person (Female). The final evening was spent singing and dancing to Arun Shetty’s karaoke system, talking about the three days of fun, frolic and friendship, and making promises to meet again.

Besania expressed special thanks to admirer and contributor to ZWAS Kersi Tavadia, Rusi Besania and the K. K. R. Mevawala Trust, Minu Mehenti, Burjis Bhatporia, Noshir Wadia and his team for the catering (he served some delicacies free of cost), Freddy Variava for lighting at the stage and venue, Natesh Mamrawala and Sons for managing the equalizer, Aspi Bharucha for photography and Aspi Coachman for logistics at the venue.