Navroz in Delhi

"I have always felt warmth, happiness and an automatic connect to the Parsi community from my childhood,” said Nadir Patel, high commissioner of Canada to India. "This sense of homecoming is heightened by my visit to the DPA (Delhi Parsi Anjuman) today. This is my first visit here, but it certainly won’t be my last! The warmth, openness and diversity of the small Parsi community in Canada are celebrated here tonight,” stated Patel, who was the chief guest at DPA’s Navroz celebration in the Anjuman’s Pirojsha Godrej Cultural Centre Auditorium on March 21, 2018. The high commissioner began his address to those present in Gujarati and was accompanied by his Parsi mother Nargis Patel and wife Jennifer Graham (see "Privileged to be here,” Parsiana, October 21, 2017).

Patel said he looked forward to forging new friendships in accordance with Canada’s policy of inclusiveness and leveraging diversity and multiculturalism. He also spoke of the abiding relationships formed in India which remain as special as the people, food and warm Indian welcome. When the high commissioner appreciated "the very warm welcome” and conveyed great pride of his Parsi heritage and the presence of his mother in the audience, the audience broke into an appreciative applause.
Outgoing DPA president Yezad Kapadia, who retired after 27 years as trustee, including five as president, was felicitated that evening. "Doing things unanimously is what leadership is all about,” he said. He extolled the Anjuman’s role in welcoming those not welcomed elsewhere and showing the path ahead. "The DPA does what it says... The acting president (Ava Khullar) is a lady married outside the community,” he said.
"The manner of our upbringing determines the manner in which we respond to events in our lives,” said Kapadia. He reminisced how his parents imbibed in him the Zoroastrian work ethic, the need to fight evil and the meaning of Ashem Vohu. An ordained priest, Kapadia recalled his mother’s advice to him: that it is an honor to wear a pugree and to allow no disrepute to it.
Khullar, addressing the gathering earlier, had highlighted how spring is celebrated as New Year in the Middle East where "the warm weather means renewal of life, rebirth and the earth taking on a new color and personality.” She detailed the seven items on the Haft Seen Navroz table that was set at the entrance to the Auditorium.
DPA honorary secretary Adil Nargolwala congratulated Kapadia’s "long innings as trustee ending as president” and requested his continued guidance. Community members received an update on the Anjuman’s efforts in renovating the Kaikhusru Pallonji Katrak Daremeher and installing a solar plant for the Mengusi Parsi Dharamshala.
Delhi’s recently ordained young navars Ervads Malcolm Bajan and Jehan Madan were felicitated by Graham, who was wearing a purple gara. A Parsi dinner catered by Rustom’s Parsi Bhonu, the eatery located within the renovated Dharamshala complex rounded off the evening.
Feroza C. Jassawala