Play Centre’s program

The Nowroze Baug Play Centre (NPC), a multipurpose social welfare organization conducting sports, education, medical and cultural activities, presented its 63rd annual cultural program, called Explore 2009, at the Birla Matushri Sabhagar on May 30, 2009. A souvenir was brought out by the NPC on the occasion containing the annual report and audited accounts, listing the donors and including photographs of all the activities conducted in 2008-09, as per an e-mail sent to Parsiana by Armin Bavan, NPC’s joint secretary (cultural) and joint incharge of picnics and camps.

In his message, NPC’s newly elected president Pervez E. Dee stressed the need for unity and coming together in Nowroze Baug. Traditionally, a child is selected to be president of the program every year and this time the honor went to 10-year-old Pashmin M. Dee. NPC vice president Homi P. Ustad welcomed the guests and introduced the chief guest Behram T. Dastur, former chief executive officer of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the child president. Explaining the details of all the activities conducted by the Play Centre, he urged members and well-wishers to come forward and help the association generate funds for medical and other activities. The child president presented the audience with a remarkable message for unity. Dastur spoke of the ethos of Zoroastrianism based on purity, truth and honesty and lamented the fact that some Parsi mothers pamper their children and do not allow them to undertake hard work. No success is achieved without hard work, struggle and diligence, he said. Let us not bask in our past glory, Dastur exhorted, let us accept the challenges of today’s world instead.

Clockwise (from top); human pyramid; Behram Dastur at mike and others on dais; Pashmin Dee; Yasmin Engineer receiving award from Dastur; Pervez Dee with Nariman Mehta

The function commenced with an item on the theme of terrorist attacks in Bombay in 2008 in which it was highlighted how the common man can become a victim because of bad timing and how bravely our commandos and police force tackled the situation. Later, eight intricate human pyramids were formed by Nowroze Baug residents ranging in age from five to 50, with 24 boys and 10 girls participating. These pyramids were choreographed and conducted by Cyrus J. Siganporia, assisted by Hosi Tampal and compered by Naznin Govadia, the e-mail mentions.

Ustad, while thanking advertisers and members of the audience for their cooperation, was particularly grateful to philanthropist Rohinton Mehta who has expressed a desire to continue contributing a lump sum donation of one lakh rupees toward the tuition fees of school and college students in memory of his parents and has promised another lakh of rupees toward higher studies in India and abroad.

Ustad read out a citation honoring Nariman E. Mehta for his 60 years as member and president of the NPC and for guiding it to its present glory. There was thunderous applause when Mehta was presented the citation and a silver salver. Thanking the NPC, he said the honor should be shared by his family and committee members, old and new, for their cooperation and goodwill.

Yasmin R. Engineer, NPC’s joint general secretary was presented an award for excellence in leadership for 2008-2009.

During the second part of Explore 2009 songs and dances ranging from the 1960s to the latest mixes were performed by members of the Play Centre, young and old. The dances were choreographed by Pearl Tirandaz; sound, lights, music, projection and backdrop design were provided by Yazad Karai’s Nyumark Entertainment; video and photography were managed by Arish Patel’s AFT Digital; and the show was compered by Arnaz R. Mirza.