Awards in Ahmedabad

Once in every two years trustees of the Roda and Savak Mohudawala Charitable Trust (RSMCT) in Ahmedabad felicitate outstanding members of the community on their achievements. This year the function was held at the Sir Navroji Vakil Hall on January 16, Porus Karanjawalla has informed Parsiana via e-mail.

Noshirwan Khurshed Daboo received a lifetime achievement award for his long and devoted services to the humdins of Ahmedabad in the field of religion, culture and art. The award was presented by chief guest Armaity Rustom Tirandaz, trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet. There were a number of other awardees for 2008 and 2009, each one of whom received a shawl, bouquet of flowers and a memento at Tirandaz’s hands. At a dinner hosted by the RSMCT trustees on the eve of the function Tirandaz had interacted with all the winners as well as board members of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP).

Awardees for the year 2008 were Rustomji Mehta and Meher Medora for community welfare, Farookh Bharucha as young professional, Porus Mehta as young entrepreneur, Dr Burzin Kavina for research, science and technology, Percy Bharucha for extracurricular activities and Kaivan Bharucha for sports. Winners for 2009 were Manijeh Gamir and Thrity Ginwala for community welfare, Mehernosh Dastoor as young professional, Rustom Cama as young entrepreneur, Sunny Karanjawalla for research, science and technology, Tina Mehta for extracurricular activities, while Kaizad and Kaivan Dastoor were recognized for their prowess in sports.

(Clockwise from far left) Ardaviraf Mehta, Armaity Tirandaz and Aspi Bharucha; Porus Karanjawalla; Tirandaz with Noshirwan Daboo; achievers and audience

After welcoming the chief guest and those present RSMCT trustee Aspi Bharucha proceeded to give a brief outline of the Trust’s activities. He explained that due to ill health, Kershasp J. Shethna, APP president, was unable to share the dais with them, as per the e-mail. Lauding the achievers, Tirandaz stated, "These individuals young and old are achievers because… they have not let obstacles or hurdles come in their way and dampen their spirits.” Her advice to the youth was: "Do not fall for drugs and alcohol. It is not cool or hep. It is only degradation of one’s mind and body... Revere your religion, respect your elders and most of all pray.”

After a vote of thanks by RSMCT trustee Ardaviraf Mehta, the function ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti and the national anthem, followed by a sumptuous dinner for around 750 community members.