Parsi Pragati Mandal baj

Today, at a time when the world is unfortunately experiencing a glimpse of God’s fury, our religious rites, rituals and recitals as well as wearing the sudreh and kusti serve as armaments to protect us in our existence on earth, explained Dastur Kaikhusroo Navroze Dastoor Meherji­rana of Navsari in his hour-long sermon on "Spiritual Institutions of Zoroastrianism.” He was addressing a gathering of Zoroastrians in Surat who had come to attend the 11th baj nu jashan on March 25, 2011, Adar roz, Avan mah for Mehru Noshir Dabhoiwala, a philanthropic citizen of that city. The program, organized by the Parsi Pragati Mandal, was held at the Seth Vakil Kadim Atash Behram, Rusi Besania, program committee chairman informed Parsiana in a write-up. Besania introduced Meherjirana to those present as a learned scholar, an ardent Ilm-e-Khshnoomist, a powerful writer/editor and a convincing orator.

(Clockwise, from top left): Mahrukh Noble, Minnie Patel; Meher Medora, Dr Armaity Davar, Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla; Kersi Shethna, Shirin Kanga; Justice Jamshed Pardiwala; performances by children; section of the audience with (from left) Noble, Kathawalla, Persis Khambatta and Pardiwala with daughter

Chief guest for the evening, Surat’s Vada Dastur Cyrus N. Dastur recited Avesta prayers before he addressed the gathering. Parsi Pragati Mandal president Mani Jehangir welcomed those present while Yasmin Dotivala recalled Dabhoiwala’s service to the community and proposed a vote of thanks. Meherji­rana was felicitated by representatives of nearly 20 religious, charitable, cultural and educational institutions. The high priest honored Surat’s Vispy Kharadi for making it to the Guinness Book of World Records Ab India Todega by creating a "multi-layered bed of nails sandwich” along with his team, notes Besania.

(From l): Aspi Rao, Dastur Cyrus Dastur, Rusi Besania, Dastur K. N. Dastoor, Meherjirana, Mani Jehangir, Yasmin Dotiwala and (right) Noshir Dabhoiwala

Through the Mehru Noshir Dabhoi­wala Memorial Trust, her husband Noshir has continued his wife’s charitable mission, helping meet the needs of many Zoroastrians and others as well. The Trust presented Rs 51,000 to Surat’s Goti Adarian, Rs 25,000 to the Parsi Pragati Mandal and Rs 15,000 to the local Athornan Mandal, according to the write-up.

Trustees of the Mahuva Parsi Jarthosti Anjuman Hosi Bajina and Hoshang Mogal had come specially to attend the event. Dilnaz Besania anchored the program and Noshir Dabhoiwala organized a dinner for the community later that evening, the write-up concludes.