Events & Personalities
BPA prize distribution
Family togetherness is dwindling with members busy in their own world, mentioned Freny Mehta, principal of The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution, speaking to an audience of about 550 persons on the 92nd annual day function and prize distribution of The Bombay Parsee Association (BPA) where she was guest of honor. Praying together, playing together brings grandparents, parents and children closer, and the BPA encourages the learning of prayers for which it should be congratulated, she added.
The celebrations began with a jashan ceremony performed by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji at the Allbless Baug on November 4, 2012, followed by a humbandagi conducted by young athornans of the Dadar Athornan Institute and Andheri’s M. F. Cama Institute, and two minutes’ silence observed in honor of deceased office bearers and members, mentions a write-up sent to Parsiana by the BPA. The BPA’s president Ervad Vispi Dastur welcomed chief guest, senior solicitor Ervad Burjor Antia who was introduced by Rusi Bhumgara. The highlights of the various BPA activities were read out by Pervin Sidhwa. Anahita Karanjia and Shahzad Faroodi recited from the Shahnameh in English and Persian. A monajat by Kavi Firoze Battliwalla was sung by Bapsy Giara and Thrity Dalal. BPA Achievement Awards were presented by Dastur to Neville Wadia, Jehangir Chaina, Dr Shernaz Avari, Zubin Patel, Sanaya Patel and Kayanush Patel while their bio datas were read out by Adale Patel. On behalf of the other awardees and herself, Avari thanked the BPA office bearers, acknowledging their services to the community. Five Parsi ladies who have been weaving kustis for over 40 years were introduced by Ratamai Peer, felicitated by Dastur and received cash awards sponsored by the Parsee Vegetarian and Temperance Society. Antia asked Parsis, especially the youth not to forget their ancient religion and lead a moral and fruitful life. He laid emphasis on the importance of daily prayers, wearing the sudreh-kusti and sincere dedicated work, the write-up notes.
The Navaz Jimi Kathawalla Memorial Prizes for various competitions were distributed by Antia, Mehta, Anahita Desai, and BPP trustees Yazdi Desai, Khojeste Mistree and Armaity Tirandaz. Each awardee also received a complimentary dinner coupon sponsored by the Kathawallas. Aloo Shroff proposed a vote of thanks. Dinoo Dastur received special mention for helping organize the function. Vispi Dastur was given a standing ovation for his commitment. The evening ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti and the national anthem, followed by dinner.
The celebrations began with a jashan ceremony performed by Ervad Asphandiar Dadachanji at the Allbless Baug on November 4, 2012, followed by a humbandagi conducted by young athornans of the Dadar Athornan Institute and Andheri’s M. F. Cama Institute, and two minutes’ silence observed in honor of deceased office bearers and members, mentions a write-up sent to Parsiana by the BPA. The BPA’s president Ervad Vispi Dastur welcomed chief guest, senior solicitor Ervad Burjor Antia who was introduced by Rusi Bhumgara. The highlights of the various BPA activities were read out by Pervin Sidhwa. Anahita Karanjia and Shahzad Faroodi recited from the Shahnameh in English and Persian. A monajat by Kavi Firoze Battliwalla was sung by Bapsy Giara and Thrity Dalal. BPA Achievement Awards were presented by Dastur to Neville Wadia, Jehangir Chaina, Dr Shernaz Avari, Zubin Patel, Sanaya Patel and Kayanush Patel while their bio datas were read out by Adale Patel. On behalf of the other awardees and herself, Avari thanked the BPA office bearers, acknowledging their services to the community. Five Parsi ladies who have been weaving kustis for over 40 years were introduced by Ratamai Peer, felicitated by Dastur and received cash awards sponsored by the Parsee Vegetarian and Temperance Society. Antia asked Parsis, especially the youth not to forget their ancient religion and lead a moral and fruitful life. He laid emphasis on the importance of daily prayers, wearing the sudreh-kusti and sincere dedicated work, the write-up notes.
The Navaz Jimi Kathawalla Memorial Prizes for various competitions were distributed by Antia, Mehta, Anahita Desai, and BPP trustees Yazdi Desai, Khojeste Mistree and Armaity Tirandaz. Each awardee also received a complimentary dinner coupon sponsored by the Kathawallas. Aloo Shroff proposed a vote of thanks. Dinoo Dastur received special mention for helping organize the function. Vispi Dastur was given a standing ovation for his commitment. The evening ended with the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti and the national anthem, followed by dinner.
◆ ◆ ◆
From the archive