ZOSTA awards

"Principals of Parsi schools and important personalities should take up the issue of reservation for Parsi students in higher educational institutions,” asserted senior counsel Firoze Andhyarujina, chief guest at the Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association (ZOSTA) awards function. "There is tremendous unemployment among Parsi youths… We see an upsurge in economic values and technology in India. Parsi youths need to think how they will face the vicissitudes of modern times,” he noted. Touching on a theme that is exercising the community today he advised, "Encourage young Parsis to marry before the age of 25. We definitely need to increase our population but not by intermarriage. Parsis are lagging behind in wealth creation. Be hardworking, honest to the core and true to yourself. We came to India to preserve our religion. Preserve our fire temples, religious institutions and religious traditions. Go to a Parsi place of worship every day of your life,” he urged, receiving a standing ovation for his address.
Guest of honor, taxation expert Homi Ranina advised the youth to remain in India rather than go abroad for the country has a great future and more jobs are created here than anywhere else. Another guest of honor, builder and chartered accountant Zarir Bhathena called India "the country of opportunity.” His sage advice was: "Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. Give more and expect less from people.” At the function, held at Allbless Baug on February 1, 2014, students of Alexandra Girls’ English Institution sang the ZOSTA song composed by Gulnar Tafti. Chairperson of ZOSTA Zenobia Daroga welcomed those present and read out the report of ZOSTA activities such as religious and cultural events, composing poems on the spot, recitation of prayers, folk dances, impromptu speeches and a picnic on Teachers’ Day, mentions Marzban Giara in an email sent to Parsiana.

ZOSTA encourages young students and teachers by presenting handsome cash prizes. Among those who received trophies and gold medals were Kety M. Pilcher who secured 94.1% in the HSC exam, Shireen J. Mistry (95.67% in ICSE) and Vahishta C. Dumasia (95.45% in SSC). Shezan Mirza received the Rs 1,00,000 Jimi N. Kathawalla Memorial Award for securing admission in first year engineering college. ZOSTA rotating shields donated by Ranina went to Meher F. Press (80% in BA), Roxanne H. Jehangir (93.29% in BCom) and Nazneen L. Gheewalla (82.37% in BSc). Shields donated by Rohinton Padder were given to Riyasp M. Mistry for CA and Pervez N. Sethna for MBA. Hormazd R. Patel, who scored 85% at the BE examination received the trophy donated by former ZOSTA chairperson Roshen P. F. Driver. Trophies for literary activities and overall excellence were presented to The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution. The Navaz Jimi Kathawalla Memorial Prizes were given to students securing high percentages in the SSC, ICSE, HSC, graduate and postgraduate exams. Shazad Udwadia and Spenta Daruwalla who secured admission to the first year engineering college as well as Pilcher, Jersteen C. Daruwala, Jesica C, Daruwala and Sharmeen K. Vazifdar who were admitted to first year medical colleges also received prizes. Students had come to Bombay from Dubai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Poona, Surat, Valsad and Vadodara to receive their prizes, the email notes.
Recognized for long service was Dinaz Dali Patel who had 34 years of teaching, along with Sarosh K. Jijina and Diana H. Sanjana who had put in 15 years each. Educationist Gool Ghadiali compered the program, while in her vote of thanks ZOSTA vice chairperson Silloo Commissariat thanked Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla for his magnanimity in contributing Rs 11,50,000, Ranina for three rotating shields and cash prizes of Rs 1,50,000, Bhathena for three 22 carat gold medals and prizes amounting to Rs 1,00,000 in memory of his parents. Also appreciated were Mahrukh Noble, Azmin Irani, the Parsi Press and others including Tanaz Godiwalla for the concessional dinner that followed the program. A CD of devotional songs titled Khushali ne Bandagi na Geeto was presented to all the awardees, courtesy the Navrojee Seth Trust, the email concludes.