Women of the Year

Among those who received awards from the Zonta Club of Bombay on March 5, 2011 were Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee and social worker Arnavaz Mistry and Firoza Mullan (née Driver) while Afsheen Irani was given the Special Recognition Award 2011, as per a press release sent to Parsiana by Freny Paghdiwala, past director of Zonta Clubs of Area I. The Zonta Club of Bombay I, whose president is Khorshed Billimoria, and Zonta Club of Bombay III which is headed by Zarine Khambatta, are part of Zonta International, a service organization of executives in business and professions who work for the advancement of the status of women. According to the write-up the Zonta Club was founded in the USA in 1919 and "Zonta” is derived from a Sioux Indian word signifying the quality of being honest and trustworthy.

Zonta Club awardees: (right) Arnavaz Mistry with Naheed Moyeen and Khorshed Billimoria; (center) Firoza Mullan with Zarine Khambatta; (ext right) Afsheen Irani with Havovi Dotivala

For the Zonta charter night project Mistry donated Rs 10,000 toward the solar plant at Prerana, Kharghar. Mullan, winner of the Asia Pacific contest of Asian Secretaries Association in Taiwan last year (see "Double win for Driver,” Parsiana, December 7, 2010) was honored by Zonta Club III. Irani’s worth was recognized in the area of youth with concern, courage and commitment. An Encouragement Award was given to Mena Honorate, a woman with a physical handicap.