Ahmedabad’s achievers

The newly renovated Lalkaka Hall in Ahmedabad was the venue for the 10th awards and prize distribution function of the Ushta-te Foundation on February 27, 2010. It was an evening where awards galore were presented to achievers in various fields, followed by entertainment and a contributory dinner, Navroze Kanga, trustee of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayet (APP), informed Parsiana via e-mail on behalf of his wife Shirin who is active in the Ushta-te Foundation.

The proceedings began with managing trustee Meher Medora welcoming all, especially the chief guest, Dr Behram S. Anklesaria, also an APP trustee. Anklesaria spoke briefly about the past history of the community, with emphasis on the declining numbers, suggesting some concrete measures to rectify the situation.

A book containing monajats and religious information, titled Illumination, compiled by Dilshad Sui, was released by Noshirwan Daboo, patron member of the Foundation.

Awards in the names of Meher and Rustomjee Contractor were distributed to achievers in the fields of puppetry and doll-making, social services and to a visually impaired lady who had made a brilliant career for herself, the e-mail reveals. A special award in the field of sport and community service, the Khurshid Randeria Award, was won by twin brothers, Ervads Kaivan and Kaizad M. Dastur, who have been garnering gold and silver medals in shooting during the past two years. Their frequent offering of priestly services was also appreciated by the community in Ahmedabad.

Fredy Contractor received the Ushta-te Foundation award for academic excellence for having done well in both the MCom and CA examinations in 2009. Many youngsters fared very well in the X and XII board examinations in April 2009, and 10 of them who had scored over 80 percent marks received recognition and special cash prizes.

After a vote of thanks by Dr Armaity F. Davar there was entertainment from children of the Zarthushti Awareness Group of Ahmedabad (ZAGA). Kazvin and Havani Kapadia performed a very energetic and entertaining dance item. This was followed by the tiny tots, attractively dressed to represent the different creations of nature like the sun, animals and plants, reciting and enacting the poem The Little Seed written by Perin Unwalla, conveying the need to preserve and protect nature. Three young lads then regaled the audience by dancing to a song from the movie Three Idiots, followed by a natak directed by Kety Daruwala and performed by teenaged children. All the youngsters who participated in the program were presented gifts by Medora.

"It was such fun being with the children,” appreciated Ankle­saria, after the singing of both the Parsi as well as the national anthem. In the time honored bawa tradition, the evening concluded with a repast, the e-mail concludes.