Know
About Us
Feedback
and Comments
Get
in touch
Subscribe
to JameJamshed
Advertise
Home
 |
With
Great Aplomb Even the Gods must have been pleased to witness a sea of children that flocked to Mumbai for an event, nay, a movement that has now become an annual feature, the likes of which is perhaps non-pareil in the Parsi community! Kyoshi Vispi B. Kapadia, aptly the heart and soul, of the movement, and his dedicated team at Zoroastrian Children's Foundation (ZCF) have done it again for the fifth consecutive year. 23rd December, 2007 marked a red-letter day in the lives of more than 2,600 Zoroastrian children who had come from far-off corners of India and even abroad to participate in this unique and very special event that has taken the community by storm. The logistics for organizing such a mega event is mind-blowing. However, year after year, ZCF conducts this event with a high degree of finesse and élan that leaves detractors stunned and admirers asking for more. ZCF is a unique organization under the pioneering leadership of Kyoshi Vispy B. Kapadia. The other trustees include Mrs. Shiraz V. Kapadia, Mrs. Perin S. Bagli, Mrs. Zenobia P. Daroga and Mrs. Perviz F. Dotivala. It is a registered Public Charitable Trust whose primary mission and vision is to create a well-informed and enlightened cadre of Zoroastrian children and serve as a think-tank on issues concerning children. The Foundation aims to build character and qualities of leadership among Zoroastrian children by organizing various programs and projects for children including the Annual 'Zoroastrian Children's' Day'. Year after year expectations keep soaring and ZCF keeps raising the bar of excellence ever higher. It is one very memorable occasion in the life of every Zoroastrian child. In tune with the old adage, 'Zochild Is The Father Of Man', the Zochild Day truly encapsulates the dictum, 'Of, For and By The Children'. The two-day programme on Saturday 22nd December and Sunday 23rd December 2007 was totally free of cost, to all and sundry. Almost 800 children from various places like Surat, Navsari, Billimora, Valsad, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Belgaum, Nagpur, Jamshedpur, Bangalore, Jaipur, Pune, Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., etc. were put up at Cama Athornan Madressa in Andheri, Cama Convalescent Home in Bandra, Scout Hut Pavilion and Pandey Dharamshala at Thakurdwar. Transport, under the able stewardship of Sharukh and Tanaz Shroff of Adventure Tours and Travels, brought the children to the Parsee Gymkhana on Saturday 22nd December at 12.00 noon. A sumptuous Parsi lunch was served by Mr. Nariman Dalal followed by a Jashan Ceremony conducted by Ervad Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia and the young navars of Dadar Athornan Madressa. Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia gave an enlightening talk on 'Yazatas and Amesha Spentas which the children thoroughly benefited from. Next, Mrs. Lily Patel, Principal of Sardar Dastur Hoshang Boys' School of Pune gave a motivating speech on 'Importance of Discipline'. Ervad Zarir F. Bhandara of Los Angeles, California presented a talk on the opportunities and maintaining our religion and tarikats even when abroad. Young talented children from various parts of India presented items to entertain all gathered at the Parsee Gymkhana. Mr. Minoo Jokhi, a 'Mathemagician', performed feats with numbers. The group from Surat presented a hilarious play which sent the audience in splits. Kaiwan Randelia enthralled everyone with his rendition on the guitar. Young Burzin Contractor from Baroda played a number of old and new hindi film songs on the Casio to perfection and gave encore after encore. A dance item was presented by Alisha Khodaiji and Pearl Mistry. This was followed by a 'Jam Session' in which children danced to the tunes of the latest hits doled out by the DJ. All in all, the outstation children had a gala evening and treasured every moment. The following day i.e. the 23rd December 2007 was celebrated as the Fifth Zochilday. More than 2,600 Zoroastrian children not just from all over India but even abroad, flooded the spacious Parsi Gymkhana grounds on an unusually hot day for the month of December to display their talent, gain recognition and to celebrate the day with dance, music, sport, cultural events and loads of fun. Year after year ZOCHILD DAY sends out a loud and clear message that as a community we are not finished as yet. Our numbers may be diminishing but our spirit to excel burns as bright. Several trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and other Parsi dignitaries graced the occasion in traditional Parsi attire. 56 buses were needed to ferry the children, from the far-flung corners of the city…a nerve-wracking task in itself…a task completed ably. All 2600 children who participated, were showered with several gifts and given a truly rocking time! Said Kyoshi Kapadia - "Our object is to 'GIVE' and not to 'EARN' from this program". The day commenced with a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by the singing of the Zochild Anthem by the children of B.J.P.C. Institution, The Alexandra Girls' English Institution, Girton High School and Bai R. F. Panday High School. Then the Zochild Oath was taken by one and all. The welcome address was given by Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia. In his inspiring address Kyoshi Kapadia urged the youth, "to prove to the world that when it comes to demonstrating excellence, we Zoroastrians are never found wanting". Dasturji Dr.Firoze Kotwal was given a warm reception. The learned Dasturji gave a short thought-provoking speech and said that he was extremely happy to see the children of our community in such huge numbers. The children of Mancherji Edulji Joshi Memorial Trust Dharmagnyan class rendered a few soul-stirring religious songs and monajats. The students of Activity High School demonstrated some aerobic exercises. Lifetime Achievement Awards…the Stars Of the Community! This is now a much-awaited annual feature of the ZCF….. Padma Vibhusan Mr. Fali Nariman, Padma Bhusan Dr. Farokh Udwadia, Former President Indian Women's Hockey Federation, Mrs. Arnavaz Damania, Eminent Banker, Hoshang Sinor, Educationist, Mrs. Silloo Commissariat, Stage & T.V Artist Dinyar Contractor and Scouter Pesi Damania were honoured with "Lifetime Achievement Awards". A large number of community leaders and many well-wishers were also felicitated. Children who have excelled in the field of academics, sports or culture were recognized. It was a joy witnessing such a vast and varied wealth of talent and skills among our youth. Their names are: Farzan Vania, Barzin Contractor, Zena Chipla, Frenaz Chipla, Mazda Disawalla, Pourush Irani, Ava Chiniwalla, Porus Suntoke, Khushnuma Randelia, Khushnaz General, Zenia Bhumgara, Kerman Cooper, Afroze Elavia, Vahbiz Billimoria, Shahzad Faroodi, Nekshad Irani, Spenta Daruwalla, Mioo Jokhi, Hanoz Mehta, Xerxes Bamboat, Khushru Patel, Meherzad Daruwala, Afree Bhathena, Alysha Khodaiji, Farhad Sukhia, Ashrafi Ginwalla, Pearl Sukhadia, Nayenaz Jamadar, Shahan Davierwala. Yezdi Karanjia's group from Surat added a touch of humour with a rib-tickling skit that had the audience in splits. Young Cyrus Dubash belted out songs that had the children swaying and rocking to the rhythm. Eminent legal luminary & Supreme Court Advocate, Padma Vibhusan Fali Nariman, gave an inspiring speech laced with wit, humour and lots of food for thought. He said that in Zoroastrian philosophy "there is no asceticism, no renunciation, no monastic life, no celibacy, no mendicancy, no fasts, no mortification of the flesh - all these have no place in our way of life. Penance, no doubt, is enjoined, but only as a penalty for sins committed by thought, word, or deed." He demonstrated legitimate pride in Zoroastrianism and ended by saying, "never underestimate a Parsi". The students of All India Gojukai Karate-Do led by Kyoshi Kapadia gave a spirited Karate demonstration displaying feats of strength, skill, grace and concentration. Body conditioning evoked a lot of enthusiasm and dozens of young enthusiasts lined up on stage to punch and kick the students who had conditioned their bodies to withstand physical punishment. Eminent physician, Padma Bhushan Dr. Farokh E. Udwadia, in his short but poignant address, said that although he does not pray much nor does he visit the fire temple everyday, Zoroastrianism to him is a way of life. He felt that Zoroastrianism offers a unique moral and ethical code to make one's life more meaningful and happy. Little Parichehr Marker of Pune played some melodious tunes on the violin. The children of Godrej Baug gave a truly heart-throbbing "Dance Dhamaka". The highlight of the day was the play, 'Never Without My Religion' by the students of Mancherji Edulji Joshi Dharmagnyan Class. The play was scripted by Mrs. Mithoo Jesia and Ervad Ramiyar Karanjia. The music, the sets, the period costumes, and direction were awe-inspiring, to say the least. Many were moved to tears witnessing the enactment of the fall of the mighty Sassanian Empire but with the flame of the Zoroastrian religion still burning bright. The enthralling play received a spontaneous standing ovation. Ervad Nariman Dalal, "King of Caterers" did a commendable job keeping everyone's hunger for food satiated with traditional Parsi cuisine. Post lunch, the children of Navsari put up a lively ethnic fusion entitled "Achiever".This was followed by entertaining dance performances by children of Jer Baug, Rustom Baug, Bharucha Baug and Godrej Baug. Zoroastrian Children's Foundation also felicitated the volunteers who clean and maintain our Agiaries and Dokhmas. We owe our heartfelt gratitude to them for their yeomen service. They are: Cyrus Siganporia, Firoze Shroff, Jimmy Siganporia, Kurush Bastani, Kersi Bawan, Nozer Sutaria, Hoshedar Tampal, Ardeshir Khushrowshai, Zubin Mistry, Homiyar Doctor, Darayus Shroff, Mahiyar Udachia, Shirzad Bhathena, Zubin Jasoomani, Urmez Ghadially, Late Dinyar Ichhaporia. Nariman Mogrelia, Jimmy Mistry, Rohinton Daruwalla, Sharukh Irani, Sarosh Iran, Kersi Mistry, Sharukh Gowadia, Kerman Mogrelia, Rohinton Wadia, Cyrus Billimoria, Rumy Marawalla, Farhad Kapadia, Xerxis Siganporia, Jimmy Bhathena, Paraster Sutaria. Mr. Noshir H. Dadrawala gave the children glimpses of Zoroastrian history with special emphasis on why historians have named Kings Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes as 'The Great'. Alysha Khodaiji and Pearl Mistry danced to a medley of tunes. The electrifying finale by the children on Godrej Baug led to an encore. Among committee members who have helped in a significant way are Kersi Mistry, Silloo Commissariat, Diana Marfatia, Freny Mehta, Sanober Kaka, Khorshed Kapadia, Urvax & Yasmin Dhanda, Keki Cooper, Kobad Kerawala, Hutoxi Aibara, Nilufer Mistry, Dr. Daisy Sidhwa, Dilnavaz Billimoria, Zarine Basla and Ruby Fozdar who worked ceaselessly for 364 days to give this beautiful 365th day to the Zoroastrian children. Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia, is perhaps destined to be the 'Statesman' of the next generation, for his vision, commitment and sense of purpose. ZCF has enhanced the benefits to Zoroastrian children by annual activities such as free swimming classes, dance training, use of gymnasium, and so on…. ZCF is grateful to all their donors, especially Mrs. Scylla Vachha who has helped Zochild significantly, with munificent donations over the years, that have enabled to bring the lesser privileged rural Parsi children into the mainstream of the community. ZCF also thanks Mr.Dinshaw Tamboly and the W.Z.O., Mr. Yezdi Bhagwagar and the Settna Memorial Trust, Mr.V. K. Chinoy, Mr. Vistasp Katrak, Mr. Burjor Antia, Mr. Minoo Shroff, Mr. Dinshaw Mehta, Mr. Dadi Engineer, Mr. Maneck Engineer, Bombay Parsi Punchayet, Mr. Zarir Bhathena, Mr. Khodu Irani, Mr. Cyrus Irani, Mr. Hoshedar F. Khambatta, Tanaz and Shahrukh Shroff, Surat Parsi Panchayat, Parsi Ambulance Division, Percy & Freddy Spencer and all well-wishers, advertisers, the media, Mr. Marzban Dhanbhoora and Mr. Pervez Cooper of Parsi Gymkhana and all the wonderful, beautiful children of our great community who have participated and contributed in making ZOCHILDAY such a grand success. ….The ZOCHILD Juggernaut Rolls On…. Yes…and the Gods are smiling….!!! |
