Rejuvenation at Navroz

Navroz that is celebrated throughout the world ushers in a harmonious era for mankind, remarked Minoo Shroff, president of the Indo-Iranian Friendship Society (IIFS) at a function jointly celebrated by IIFS and the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran on March 20, 2010 at the Walchand Hirachand Hall of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber to further strengthen the bonds between Iran and India. To Mohammed Reza Mirzaei, director of the Culture House, Navroz signified a new beginning for the spiritual upliftment of mankind. He referred to the custom of celebrating the festival in Iran for 13 days, notes a news report by Shernaz Avari.

Chief guest Ali Mohammadi, Consul General of Iran viewed Navroz as a gift for entire humanity, an opportunity for renewal, re-growth and re-start, and an occasion to spread glad tidings and hope. IIFS secretary general Godrej Dotivala recited a Persian poem on King Jamshid.

Alongside: Barzin Contractor; below (from left): Ali Mohammadi, Ramiyar Karanjia, Godrej Dotivala, Jimmy Mistry, Minoo Shroff, Mohammed Reza Mirzaei and Iranian troupe at a function hosted by the Indo-Iranian Friendship Society

The evening function commenced with a welcome song by Parsi children trained by Ervad Yezdi Panthaki after which Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute recited passages from the Shah Nameh referring to Jamshid and the Navroz festival. The talented musicians and singers specially flow in from Iran entertained the guests with their Mashq-e-Ishq performance, a rare treat for the Indian audience. Finally 12-year-old Barzin Contractor of Baroda regaled the audience with his musical aptitude on the keyboard, rendering old and new songs with equal confidence.

A sumptuous dinner, exchange of greetings and general revelry brought to a close the function supported by the Iran Culture House, Jimmy Mistry, founder trustee of the Parsi Resource Group and Zarir Bhathena, managing director of Hilla Builders. Mistry was hopeful of celebrating the next Navroz at Della Towers in Dadar which has provided for a permanent exhibition space for Zoroastrian culture and artifacts.

On March 26, Hamid Baghaei, the Vice President of Iran and head of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Handicraft and Tourism Organization met the principal office bearers of the IIFS at the Trident and discussed various socioeconomic issues concerning the two countries.