A capital time

Parsis in Delhi are very enthusiastic and scholarly, commented chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit when inaugurating the recently renovated Pirojsha Godrej Cultural Centre on Navroz 2010. She was impressed with the beautiful, air-conditioned hall with its lighting and state-of-the-art sound system, notes a press release from the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) that organized the function.

After Dikshit cut the ribbon, an exhibition of Parsi heritage embroidery was inaugurated by the minister of state, company affairs and minorities, Salman Khurshid. Subsequently the chief minister lit the divo at the traditional Navroz table. Among the other dignitaries present that evening were United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) director Armoogum Parsuramen and Smita Vijay Crishna representing the Pirojsha Godrej Foundation.

Prayers by Ervad Cawas Bagli created the ambience for the evening after which messages from the President of India Pratibha Patil and Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi were read. In his speech Khurshid alluded to the contribution of Parsis to Indian culture whilst Parsuramen referred to Navroz receiving UNESCO recognition in 2010 as an intangible heritage of humanity.

Outstanding members of the community who were felicitated that evening were ophthalmic surgeon Dr Noshir Shroff who was conferred the Padma Bhushan by the President of India in 2010, Anu Aga of Thermax (in absentia) for being conferred the Padma Shri, DPA president Dadi Mistry for completing 44 years as trustee, Bagli for serving the Dar-e-Meher in Delhi for 25 years, Maja Daruwala for espousing the cause of civil liberties, and Meher Sarid for being presented the Pride of India gold medal for her contribution to the Indian wedding industry.

The function included items presented by The Farohars, the tiny tots of DPA who sang traditional monajats as also humorous Parsi songs, performed dandiya and concluded with the favorite Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti.

The renovation of the Hall was a project that had been pending for a long time, acknowledged DPA honorary secretary Adil Nargolwala, appreciating the commitment of the present set of trustees: Mistry, vice president Ervad Yezad Kapadia, joint honorary secretary Veera Mavalwala, treasurer Yezdi Pithawala, Ava Khullar, Navroze Dhondy, Marazban Zaiwala, Dr Niloufer Shroff, Kavas Kapadia and Rohinton Sidhwa. In his vote of thanks he also acknowledged the generous donations received for the renovation, thanked Kavas Kapadia the architect, and Sterling and Wilson, the contractors who did the renovation on a turnkey basis at cost. Parzor director Dr Shernaz Cama’s efforts in getting Navroz recognized internationally by UNESCO were lauded as also the endeavors of Kerman Mehta and Rukhshana Shroff to keep the light of The Farohars burning. Special mention was made of Navroze Dhondy who kept the ‘spirits’ of all the members high.

Kaikhushru Katrak Dar-e-Meher (left) facing Pirojsha Godrej Cultural Centre

The Anjuman finally treated its members to a complimentary dinner catered by Dhun Bagli, manageress of the Mengusi Parsi Dharam­shala. The DJ in attendance playing the ‘oldies goldies’ managed to bring several to the dance floor to bring to a close a satisfying day, mentions the release.