Platinum Play Centre

"Times have changed, we require at least someone in the government to represent the community. As you have no difficulty learning a foreign language, try to learn Marathi/Hindi and prosper as we still are respected by all as a sincere and honest community,” stated senior police inspector Cyrus Irani, guest of honor at the 70th annual cultural program of the Nowroze Baug Play Centre (NPC). He exhorted the young in the audience to join the police force and make a career in government services. A note on the event was sent to Parsiana by joint general secretary of NPC Yasmin Engineer. Themed "Salaam India” the event, sponsored by the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds, was held at Parel’s Damodar Natyagruha Auditorium on June 2, 2018. Lauding the long years of the Play Centre, chief guest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor said, "With the change of times your Play Centre stood firm and made wonderful progress.” The NPC committee has been selecting "child presidents” since 1954, Engineer informed Parsiana in a conversation on June 22. These children are selected annually from among the Baug children for their academic and extra-curricular achievements and need to be above 10 years of age.

Twenty-five boys and nine girls along with elders up to age 58 displayed human pyramids choreographed by Cyrus Siganporia and assisted by Hosi Tampal, with Naznin Govadia acting as compere for the evening. Felicitations for the chief guest and guest of honor were done by NPC president Homi Ustad. Child president for the year Fravashi Cooper led the audience through the annual cultural activities of the Play Center.
Women power, Swachh Bharat (Clean India) and elements of nature were the themes on which the dances presented by community members were based. Choreographed by Asif Shaikh and his team, Engineer notes that these were "enjoyed and applauded.” The evening included a presentation from counselor Pearl Mistry on the Jiyo Parsi initiative and ended with the singing of the national anthem and Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti.