“A dream to live for”

"Youth is like a fire, a spark that grows into a flame and then starts blazing,” observed noted ophthalmic surgeon Dr Keiki Mehta who was chief guest at the annual prize distribution function organized by Iran League on March 12, 2011 at Cama Baug. To the seniors he advised, "Give them a dream to live for and aspire for… Nurturing of the youth is so important.” To the youngsters, "the shining luminates,” he impressed, "Youth is a time for discovery… If you don’t aim for the tree you will hit the ground.”

Guest of honor, veteran social worker Kumi Daroowala likewise had a different message for the elders: "One is never too old or too infirm to participate in community activities or to do the community proud;” and the juniors: "Besides education, religion should get top priority. Don’t underestimate prayers.” Instead of viewing the sudreh-kusti as an armor, it is seen "as a commodity and not a necessity,” she regretted.

"He who gives succor to the poor acknowledges the kingdom of God,” is the basic philosophy of the Ahunavar prayer included in the kusti ritual, reiterated Vispi Dastur, president of Iran League, which was founded 89 years ago to generate among the youth reverence for the ancient land of Iran. In the past it would regularly send financial aid to Zarathushti educational institutions and deserving individuals in Iran until foreign exchange regulations made it difficult. Besides publishing books and organizing lectures on Zoroastrian religion and Iranian history, cultural exchange between the civilizations of India and Iran was promoted since its institution in 1922 with Sir Hormusji Cowasjee Dinshaw as its founder president.

Kerzin Mogal receiving the Hataria Trophy from Dr Keiki Mehta and Vispi Dastur

For the last several years the Iran League has been conducting competitions in Shahnameh recitation, essay writing, elocution, religious quiz, drawing, rangoli, western and Indian vocal and instrumental music, Parsi songs and monajats for different age groups. This year nearly 350 participants competed in the different events and the Iran League presented 30 trophies plus 104 cash prizes and 246 consolation prizes. For the organization of these competitions credit was given to chief judge Silloo Shapoorjee as also to Ratamai and Tehmina Peer, and Arnavaz Mistry for their dedicated service. To finance the cost of these competitions they hope they will be supported by philanthropic Zoroastrian individuals and charitable trusts.

The prizes were distributed by Dr Zenobia Keiki Mehta, Daroowala, Iran League trustees Freny Adi Jehangir and Sam Choksey, and Kerzin Mogal who had come to receive the Maneckji Limji Hataria Trophy for Courage and Heroism awarded to her late husband Lt Cmdr Firdaus Mogal. The youngest Parsi to serve in the Indian Navy he had lost his life last year whilst trying to rescue his juniors who had been washed into the turbulent sea from their submarine. In his brief introduction on the valiant Hataria, Ervad Parvez Bajan mentioned how in 1854 Hataria was deputed by the Committee for Amelioration of Iran to proceed to Iran and to bring relief to the hapless Zoroastrians suffering unjust laws like jezia tax.

The evening function commenced with a jashan followed by a humbandagi by the students of the Dadar Athornan Institute and the M. F. Cama Athornan Institute. Those present then stood in silence for two minutes to pay homage to former president of the Iran League Cowasjee Dinshaw and erstwhile chairmen of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet Jamshed Guzder and Eruch Desai who had passed away during the year. After the speeches one of the senior prize winners Pesi Shroff sang a western song. The program ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathoshti and the national anthem followed by a community dinner catered by Jimmy Gadiwalla.

Parinaz M. Gandhi