Events & Personalities
DAI’s annual day
Lauding the long line of Zoroastrian luminaries in every profession, Perin Bagli, principal of Activity High School and regional secretary of the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools lamented that we have been losing our edge as a community. The key to restarting this saga of success is to focus single-mindedly on any work undertaken, she advised those gathered at the annual day function of the Dadar Athornan Institute (DAI) at the Institute’s Mancherji Joshi Hall on December 15, 2012 where she was chief guest. Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada’s Iranshah presided over the function, reveals a write-up sent to Parsiana by Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, principal of the Institute.
Present that evening were Athornan Mandal trustees Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji, Vispi Dastur and Parvez Bajan along with committee members, prominent community members, parents and ex-students of the Institute. Two young students, Ervads Jehan Bhesania and Ardeshirshaw Nariman conducted the proceedings. The humbandagi was followed by a tribute to the memory of the late Ervad Jimmy Unwala, joint honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal, who had passed away recently. Karanjia presented the annual report and spoke of the measures taken by DAI to enhance the performance of the students. He lauded stellar students like Nariman who had secured 21 medals in sports along with four championship trophies. Thanking donors, staff members and parents who had assisted the Institute, he made special mention of the Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School, its managing committee, principal and staff, as DAI’s students are provided secular studies there.
The Rustomji Panthaki Ex-student Award went to Ervad Yazdi Bamji, who was introduced by joint honorary secretary Ervad Cyrus Darbari. Bamji, a full-fledged priest also holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in computer engineering and is an entrepreneur. A computer consultant and proprietor of a hardware firm with top level clients, Bamji has several other business interests as well, the write-up mentions. As a priest he occasionally serves at the Sethna Agiary in Tardeo and also gives talks on religion. When Dastoor presented him with an inscribed silver salver, Bamji acknowledged the honor with humility and paid gratitude to the Institute, its teachers, his parents and family. He spoke briefly to the students on how to succeed in life. Dastoor also felicitated Freddy Karanjia for his long, honest and dedicated services to the Institute.
Bagli then released a special three dimensional issue of Knowledgiate, DAI’s annual in-house magazine, edited by Ervad Cyrus Sidhva, now in its 28th year of publication. This is available at the Institute for Rs 50. Bagli gave away the trophies, inscribed mementoes and cash prizes to students in various categories such as bhantar (prayers), school studies, religious knowledge and extra-curricular activities. She commended the Institute, its principal and staff for the work they are doing. Education is not just about lessons in text books; it develops a perspective of looking at life and enables people to interpret things correctly. She remarked on the memorization skills of young athornans and requested behdins to observe proper etiquette inside the agiaries, the write-up notes.
Students presented a Shahnameh recital in Persian and Gujarati, a brief talk in English and a humorous skit explaining the significance of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti. Dastur, honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal proposed a vote of thanks and the evening concluded with the singing of the community and national anthems, after which light refreshments were served.
Present that evening were Athornan Mandal trustees Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji, Vispi Dastur and Parvez Bajan along with committee members, prominent community members, parents and ex-students of the Institute. Two young students, Ervads Jehan Bhesania and Ardeshirshaw Nariman conducted the proceedings. The humbandagi was followed by a tribute to the memory of the late Ervad Jimmy Unwala, joint honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal, who had passed away recently. Karanjia presented the annual report and spoke of the measures taken by DAI to enhance the performance of the students. He lauded stellar students like Nariman who had secured 21 medals in sports along with four championship trophies. Thanking donors, staff members and parents who had assisted the Institute, he made special mention of the Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School, its managing committee, principal and staff, as DAI’s students are provided secular studies there.The Rustomji Panthaki Ex-student Award went to Ervad Yazdi Bamji, who was introduced by joint honorary secretary Ervad Cyrus Darbari. Bamji, a full-fledged priest also holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in computer engineering and is an entrepreneur. A computer consultant and proprietor of a hardware firm with top level clients, Bamji has several other business interests as well, the write-up mentions. As a priest he occasionally serves at the Sethna Agiary in Tardeo and also gives talks on religion. When Dastoor presented him with an inscribed silver salver, Bamji acknowledged the honor with humility and paid gratitude to the Institute, its teachers, his parents and family. He spoke briefly to the students on how to succeed in life. Dastoor also felicitated Freddy Karanjia for his long, honest and dedicated services to the Institute.Bagli then released a special three dimensional issue of Knowledgiate, DAI’s annual in-house magazine, edited by Ervad Cyrus Sidhva, now in its 28th year of publication. This is available at the Institute for Rs 50. Bagli gave away the trophies, inscribed mementoes and cash prizes to students in various categories such as bhantar (prayers), school studies, religious knowledge and extra-curricular activities. She commended the Institute, its principal and staff for the work they are doing. Education is not just about lessons in text books; it develops a perspective of looking at life and enables people to interpret things correctly. She remarked on the memorization skills of young athornans and requested behdins to observe proper etiquette inside the agiaries, the write-up notes.
Students presented a Shahnameh recital in Persian and Gujarati, a brief talk in English and a humorous skit explaining the significance of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti. Dastur, honorary secretary of the Athornan Mandal proposed a vote of thanks and the evening concluded with the singing of the community and national anthems, after which light refreshments were served.
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From the archive