Achievers in Ahmedabad

While addressing a gathering of over 600 persons at the Lalkaka Hall on the Parsi Sanatorium grounds of that city on January 11, 2015, Lord Karan Bilimoria recalled spending many of his childhood vacations in Ahmedabad with his grandparents. He was chief guest at the annual gahanbar in memory of Prof Firoz Davar and his wife Sunamai, sponsored by their daughter Dr Armaity Davar, an educationist and trustee of the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat (APP). Bilimoria also spoke of his experiences while taking the oath at the House of Lords, he being the first Parsi to be granted that honor. He served as an inspiration to the youngsters present, mentions a write-up sent to Parsiana by the APP.

Since the Davar family has long been associated with the field of education, and Armaity is convener of the education sub-committee of the APP, it was decided that the Panchayat’s felicitation for achievements in education, sports and extracurricular activities, which was earlier convened every two years, should be made an annual affair conjointly with the gahanbar. This year two lifetime achievement awards were given, the first posthumously to the late gynecologist Dr Behramgor Sarosh Anklesaria, received by his wife Persis, and the second to renowned astrologer Bejan Daruwala. Ervads Mehruz Dastoor and Burgis Shroff of the Vakil Adarian were felicitated for their dedicated services to the fire temple. For excellence in education and sports, awards were given to 75 youngsters from the community.
Guest of honor Dinshaw Tamboly, former Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee and managing trustee of The WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds, explained that he is not the philanthropist he is usually made out to be. He is merely a facilitator of funds received from benevolent donors for the needy who really require help and support from the community. Both Bilimoria and Tamboly presented awards to the winners.
APP president Brig Jahangir Anklesaria (retd) thanked the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and encouraged the youngsters to achieve greater heights in academics and sports. He also spoke about recent activities of the APP for the benefit of the community, promising many future occasions for people, especially the youth, to meet at get-togethers like this one.
The event concluded with a meal comprising ravo, akuri, papdi dana, sali marghi and dar chawal catered at a highly subsidized rate by Nozer Daruwala, the write-up concludes.