Zonta Charter Nite

Freny Zal Tarapore, educationist and vice president of the National Council of Family Planning Association of India, who was presented the Zonta Club of Bombay III Woman of the Year Award 2015 shared her personal observations about the plight of Indian women with those present at the 36th Charter Anniversary celebrations of the Club on March 15, 2015 at Hotel Diplomat in Bombay. Tarapore spoke of the joy of learning experienced by even first and second grade children. Love of knowledge and curiosity to understand concepts should be the basis of education, she stressed. Quoting from her project on rag pickers, she shared that the university should serve the community in the role of an activist, mentions a write-up on the occasion received from Freny Paghdiwala, past president of the Zonta Club.
Other awardees were Sushila Chhadwa, a young beautician who, despite having legs weakened by polio, has trained 150 women to stand on their own feet. She was presented the Zonta Club of Bombay III Encouragement Award 2015. Dhun Panthaki, educator in human sexuality who received the Special Recognition Award 2015, outlined her holistic approach to the subject. The propagation of life needs to be understood in the context of feelings, biological differences and equal rights as human beings, she explained. On behalf of the Club, Panthaki handed over copies of her book to four educational institutions. Her sister, philanthropist Bachu Panthaki, was honored for her unstinting support to various causes utilizing her time, talent and resources, mentions the write-up.

Officebearers and honorees at Zonta Club Bombay III Charter Nite

Chief guest for the evening Mahazaver Dalal, a senior member of Zonta who conveyed greetings from the Zontians of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka of District 25, said there must be equal opportunities for the advancement and evolution of human beings, irrespective of gender. Legal safeguards are important but they do not stop violence against women and the girl child. There is need to understand the psychology and root causes behind acts of violence and approach the issues with gender responsible ethics and social and biological norms. Gender equality is just as good for men as it is for women, she averred.
In her report president Firuza Sena elaborated on the affairs of the Zonta Club of Bombay III in the field of service and advocacy projects covering empowerment, health, education, safe schooling, ‘Say No To Violence,’ relief to victims of floods in Kashmir and of the Hudhud Cyclone, as well as relief provided to Kashmiri refugees in Bombay, notes the write-up. The Club Level Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships were presented to five promising young girls of the Jankibai Bajaj Institute of Management Studies of the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University.
As a result of the Zonta projects for students of the Hellen Keller Institute for Deaf and Deafblind (HKIDB), Mary Amsa, born totally blind and deaf, is today independent and has acquired a variety of valuable skills. She is an artist who makes candles, semi precious stone necklaces, weaves rugs and floor mats with waste material. Amsa was felicitated with a token in memory of the late Beroz Vacha, founder director of HKIDB who was past president of Zonta Club of Bombay III. Two glucometers (to measure blood sugar) with strips were handed over for use by students of HKIDB, mentions the write-up.
The Zonta Club of Bombay III is part of Zonta International, a nongovernmental, nonpolitical and nonsectarian organization of women and men working for Zonta ideals at the international, district and club levels. The function, which was attended by representatives of educational institutions and service organizations, ended with fellowship over dinner.