Steel City celebrations

"We as Zoroastrians, pledge today to try our best to conserve water. That we shall make an effort to spread this message amongst all, so that future generations get to enjoy the same facilities. We reaffirm our faith in you Oh Avan Ardivisur Banoo. May you always guide and enlighten us in our endeavor to save water.” About 50 Jamshedpur residents repeated this pledge after Katy Narielwalla, president of the Jamshedpur Parsi Stree Mandal on Avan Yazad nu parav (day to venerate the water deity) on March 24, 2018 at the Jubilee Park Lake. Slips of paper, with a pledge to conserve water were distributed among the gathering. Each one had to read aloud his or her pledge. For example, "I will not keep the tap running, while brushing my teeth.” "I will collect rain water and put it to domestic use,” among others. Earlier, young girls applied kankoo ni teeli (auspicious vermillion mark) on the foreheads of all those who came to join in the worship of water. Ervad Mehernosh Dastur had lit the divo and afargan and urged the group to join in the prayer to Avan. A jashan at the Cursetji Maneckji Shroff Adarian had preceded this event. The meet ended with a repast of dar-ni-pori, vada-chutney, chips and tea.

Shereen Kapadia; Deean Palia, Amy Billimoria, Dr Bachu Master

The Jubilee Park in Jamshedpur comprises a lush lawn, rose gardens, fountains, a lake and a zoo. One of the more beautiful spots in the Park is a larger than life statue of Jamsetji Tata, surrounded by a garden of roses and multi-hued flowers. Earlier, one could walk up to the statue. Now one cannot go within touching distance on account of a small garden and fencing that surrounds it. The number of people who stop here — and not just Parsis but many who have lived and worked in Jamshedpur — is amazing. They stop with folded hands and deep reverence. Newcomers and visitors take pictures of the entrepreneur and humanist.
Though dwindling in numbers (presently around 200 individuals), the Parsi community of Jamshedpur celebrated Navroz this March 21 with enthusiasm. There was a jashan at the Adarian in the evening. Later the same night there was a get-together of the community at the Parsee Hostel. Senior pediatrician Dr Bachu Master, dressed in a traditional kor ni sari, lit the divo in the ses to mark the start of the proceedings. Though retired, she continues to visit, help and advise older community members on their health issues. Mediomah Patel, chairman of the Jamshedpur Parsi Association (JPA), welcomed those assembled.
Awards for scholastic excellence were announced by Amy Billimoria, principal of Tarapore School and were given away by Master. Sherwin Mallegamwalla, Shereen Kapadia and Jehan Hiramanek, all of whom scored above 70% in the Middle School category walked away with the prizes while Deean Palia was the winner for Class 8 and Delzeen Dumasia for Class 9. The Rolling Trophy for Sportsperson of the Year instituted by Behram Aibara in memory of Naju Dastur went to Vir Bagli for athletics, football and cricket. The entertainment program included dances by Shereen Kapadia, punctuated by a popular Hindi song sung by Hilla Mehta. A short film on the Jiyo Parsi scheme previously aired at the December Udvada Utsav (see "Faith, fun and food,” Parsiana, January 7, 2018) followed.
A song composed by Pesi Wadia on Tata followed. Compered by JPA honorary secretary Maharukh Mehta, the program ended with the audience rising to sing Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti. Dinner catered by Hormazd Mehta and family brought the evening to an end.