Ahmedabad: the extra mile

"The ZAGA (Zarathusti Awareness Group of Ahmedabad) children of yesteryear now bring their children to join the group and that indeed gives satisfaction and the joy of continuity,” noted a report on a "special thanksgiving award program… to acknowledge and appreciate the contribution of some of those who had walked that extra mile to help the community” and specially the Ushta-Te Foundation to achieve its goals. The event was organized by the Foundation on the lawns of Ahmedabad’s Parsi Sanatorium on February 16, 2018. ZAGA was started by the Foundation in 1999. Among its activities are the Sunday classes for children held "once or twice a month.” These are conducted by volunteers "in an interesting and fun filled way,” said their note.

Darshana Thakkar (l) with Meher Medora; award recipients and Ushta-Te members

Convener of ZAGA for "nearly 15 years,” Shirin Kanga was felicitated at the function "for her sincere involvement.” Other ZAGA volunteers who were felicitated were "prayer specialist” Kety Daruwalla, exponent of rituals and Persian history Roshan Rao; teachers who "make learning fun while inculcating good values and Parsipanu” Perin Unwalla, Dogdo Doctor and Pervin Watchmaker; resource person Ruzeen Daruwalla; choreographer Khushnuma Solai; "zealous and enthusiastic supporters” Dilshad Guard, and Shenaz and Kashmera Gandhi. Besides the ZAGA team, those felicitated included educationist Dr Armaity Davar for her services to the community and to the Foundation; chartered accountant Dr Hafez Dalal for his honorary services to the Foundation and other organizations like the Dhunbaiji Dalal Jarthosti Stree Mandal and the Ahmedabad Sarvar Mandal.
The evening began with Ushta-Te managing trustee Meher Medora welcoming Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat president Brig Jahangir Anklesaria (Retd) who gave away the prizes. Guest speaker Dr Darshna Thakkar emphasized how "zindagi (life) can be made a suhana safar (pleasant journey) by being of help to others.”
The program was compered by Pearl Sabawala, while Ushta-Te trustee Delnaz Jokhi "wielded the camera and gave almost professional photographs.” Following a vote of thanks by Foundation secretary Minnie Patel, community members bonded over platters of Mughlai food organized by Khushnum Avari, ends the note.