Nagpur school’s Parsipanu

As the audience sat surrounded by the sonorous chants of a jashan to celebrate the 181st birth anniversary of industrialist Jamsetji Tata on March 3, 2020 at the Nagpur School for girls that bears his name, many would have marveled at the greatness of the patriarch who founded the conglomerate. Belonging to J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ School has been a matter of great pride for the students, staff and trustees of this School, over the years. Despite the minuscule number of Parsi students today out of the total 2,499 enrolled, and a few Parsi teachers, it is praiseworthy that Parsi hymns are always sung and Parsi culture spoken of and displayed in one way or the other. Many would have felt proud of the way Parsipanu and Zoroastrian values were accepted and emulated by the predominantly non-Parsi students and teachers of the School.

The jashan was performed by the Nagpur agiary’s head priest Ervad Percy Panthaky and his young son, Ervad Zarvan. Principal of the School Shanoor Mirza, trustees Dr Thrity Patel, Edul Bhagwagar and Aspi Bapuna were present, along with the present and some past Parsi teachers and students. After the jashan, the iconic statue of Tata (bequeathed to the School after the closure of the Empress Mills) was garlanded by Shanoor’s husband Khushru. Those present for the ceremony partook of the malido prepared by Percy’s wife Khursheed, and fruits. Khursheed teaches English at the J. N. Tata Junior College. A table full of similar malido, and fruits which was not used in the jashan was set out for the other teachers and guests.
The monajat Khudavind O Khavind, O Parvardegar flagged off the informal entertainment program. A Bharat Natyam dance performance and a display of gymnastics followed. The most impressive item was put up by two young class I students. They spoke with emphasis and confidence on the importance of a woman — wife, mother and girl child — and the need to protect her honor. "Mai Stree Hu, Mai Draupadi hu, Mai Sita hu [I am a woman, I am Draupadi, I am Sita (venerated names of exemplary women in Hindu mythology)].” The key message was an exhortation to society to safeguard women, and for women to stand up for their rights. Another meaningful song Koi mané bataav avo Jamsetji (show me a man like Jamsetji) extolled the visionary. A round of tombola and snacks and sev-dahi rounded off the evening.
Started with a handful of students taught by Tehmina Karani, this year the School celebrates its centenary. Painting of the School building and repairs where- ever needed have been done, giving it a "new face.”

Dilnavaz E. Bhagwagar