Bonding in Kuwait

"It is with great hope and anxiety that I have taken up this responsible position of Kuwait Zoroastrian Association (KZA) president, knowing that my committee members and (I) will have to put in our best efforts and ensure that we come closer to our members’ expectations,” Khushro Daruwalla’s comment was posted on the KZA website (www.kzamembers. wetpaint.com). The new team for the year 2009-10 includes secretary Nilufer Bhesania, treasurer Yasmine Wadia and committee member Gool Limzerwala. Whilst ensuring that the committee works for the "members’ welfare and well-being” he also appealed to the community to lend their "best support in terms of attendance and contribution (good ideas) so that we deliver the best.”

Khushro Daruwalla took over the reins from Vahbiz Daruwalla, the erstwhile dynamic president who during her two years in office brought in new ideas, introduced many activities and "above all made it a point that every Parsi of Kuwait would be a member,” acknowledges Nazneen Khodaiji, appreciating, "Her personal touch was her biggest asset to keep all of us together... She sure makes all old and new members always feel welcome.”

For the kids she would organize industrial trips, treasure hunts, poetry competition. Every mother would be rewarded with flowers on Mother’s Day. Family activities too were in store like camping with fun games and cricket match, picnics, barbeques, trips to museum/mosque/auditorium. Any occasion was a good reason to party — Parsi New Year and Jamshedi Navroz, Christmas, Halloween, farewell to those leaving Kuwait…

At all such events participants could look forward to fun spot prizes reserved for man with the sexiest legs; man with the thickest moustache and eyebrows; woman with no bra; woman with the longest nose; woman with the smallest…purse. The credit for all this should go to Vahbiz, "a witty person and the most sporting of all members,” believes Khodaiji.

With her "sweet convincing nature and lovely personality,” she is able to draw sponsors and raise interesting prizes for distribution, be they food products or beverages, restaurant vouchers or beauty products, electronic goods and even airline tickets. And in the absence of a Parsi caterer in Kuwait, at their last Navroz function at Crowne Plaza hotel when she organized a "Parsi menu” including patra ni machhi, sali boti, marghi na farcha, mutton pulao dal, papeta par eedu, lagan nu custard for the members, they were "zapped.” It came to light that she had tutored the chef in the fine art of Parsi cooking!

Formed in 1975, KZA comprises 100 members including offspring. "Our goal has been to help the less fortunate in any way we can. Though small in number... we are fun-loving…always ready to stand by in happiness and sorrow… Occasionally the working committee of KZA tries to collect voluntary funds…to help underprivileged people or to support… different fire temples in India,” mentions their website.