Awardees in Aotearoa

"For the first time in the history of these awards three Zoroastrian Parsis have been honored in the same year,” wrote Rashna Tata who, along with Dr Philly Karani and Viraf Todywalla, was the recipient of the 8th Annual Indian Newslink Community, Sports, Arts and Culture Awards for 2022 in Auckland. Indian Newslink, a fortnightly, enjoys the largest readership among Indian newspapers in New Zealand (NZ), according to its website. "The awards are a representation of the excellence within the various South Asian ethnic communities which make up the multicultural fabric of Aotearoa,” as NZ, the land of the long white cloud, is known in Maori. "They recognize and honor individuals and associations for the distinction they have achieved in their areas of work,” added Tata in response to queries from Parsiana. The well-attended event on June 20, 2022 at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland had over 800 people with many distinguished guests including ministers and members of parliament, the mayor of Auckland and the police commissioner.

Tata was declared the winner in the community awards category for her services to Indians living in Auckland and presented the award by member of parliament Vanushi Walters. As moderator of Indians Living in Auckland, the largest Facebook group of Indians in NZ with over 50,000 members, Tata considers the group "a true representation of the Indian community that is provided with a ‘collective voice.’” One of the most recognized platforms for the Indian community in NZ, the group provides "a lively and interactive platform for members to share news, views and information and seek policy clarifications on matters that affect the entire Indian community at large.” Once every month she conducts live intervews and discussions on this FB group with important ministers, members of parliament, policy and decision makers. "These discussions work towards bringing the views and concerns of the Indian community before policy makers and opens up valid communication channels,” stated Tata.
Past president of The Zarathustrian Association of New Zealand (ZANZ), Tata also serves as one of the trustees for the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) in NZ. She has also been an active Rotarian for several years. A passionate writer having written for various publications including Parsiana, Tata has worked in the media industry for over 18 years in NZ and is always keen to highlight the achievements of Parsi youth.
Karani was presented the Award for "service to communities and Rotary” by the mayor of Auckland Phil Goff. A consultant oncology surgeon by profession, Karani had joined the Rotary movement nearly four decades ago in Poona, his home for many years before he migrated to NZ. Elected Rotary district governor for the year 1995-96, he had led a group exchange team to Australia, was a representative to the council on legislation and the international chair for Interact where Rotary clubs inspire young leaders in the 12-18 age group. While serving as an advisor for youth services to Asia he also served as a member of various national and international committees including polio eradication. Recipient of many Rotary awards, recently he was conferred The Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor from the Rotary Foundation, and the Service above Self Award that recognizes an individual’s selfless service to communities, locally and globally.
For "Services to the Zoroastrian Community,” Todywalla who is the vice president of ZANZ received the award from Harinder Sidhu, high commissioner of Australia to NZ. Director of V4U Entertainments which has been teaching Bollywood dancing and promoting the Zoroastrian youth of Auckand, he is known to have organized several successful talent shows and competitions in NZ. Last year he conjointly organized the "Dance for India — Covid Relief Fundraising Event” and the silver jubilee celebrations of ZANZ. From the proceeds of the evening they were able to donate more than NZD 2,000 (Rs 1,03,748) to various renowned organizations including the WZO and the Red Cross. During the Covid lockdown in 2021 he initiated and implemented free transportation services to vulnerable and senior Zoroastrian citizens. Along with a group of like-minded people and friends he also contributed towards the renovation of the Foroud Shahlori Dar be Mehr in Auckland.