Double win for Driver

Firoza Driver, who won the contest held by the Indian Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals (IASAP) in August this year (see "Ster- ling secretaries,” Events and Personali- ties, Parsiana, October 21, 2010), was declared the Best Asian Secretary of the Year when she topped the Association of Secretaries and Administrative Pro- fessionals in Asia Pacific (ASA) contest held in Taipei, Taiwan, on September 28, 2010. The competition was part of the 20th ASA Congress, as per an e-mail received by Parsiana from Jeroo Irani, all-India president of IASAP.

Bombay-based Driver, who works with Vodafone Essar India Limited, was presented a crown, a crystal trophy, the rotating trophy (at the hands of Gloria Collaco, who won the ASA Award in 2008 held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

and gifts by association presidents, the write-up lists.

Firoza Driver (3rd from l) was crowned Best Asian Secretary of the Year at Taipei

Three countries participated in the ASA contest — the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. A week prior to the event, contestants were put through a grueling round of tests, including a written application, presentation and questions to be answered by e-mail. On the final day the presentation sent earlier by e-mail had to be made before the judges and presidents of 14 mem- ber countries, and the contestants had to answer questions pertaining to their submissions. That evening an extempore round was held before 400 Congress attendees, followed by voting by presidents from various countries excepting those who were participating. Driver emerged the overall winner — a matter of pride for the country, for the IASAP and for the community, writes Irani.