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Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU) is not only for Parsis… It is intended to show Parsipanu to the world…. IUU is a coming together of like-minded people… it has no trustees, no members,” said Udvada High Priest and member of the National Commission for Minorities Dastur Khurshed Dastoor after the lighting of the traditional lamp at the inauguration of the three-day IUU 2019 that kicked off on December 27, 2019 in the south Gujarat town. Joining him on the dais were administrator of Daman and Dui Praful Patel; High Priest of Bombay’s H. B. Wadia Atash Behram Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal; chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trusts and IUU core committee member Dinshaw Tamboly, IUU core committee member Hoshaang Gotla; advertising guru Sam Balsara and Dastoor’s wife Havovi.
Recalling that IUU "is a dream of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,” Khurshed  mentioned that since he first mooted the idea in 2011 as chief minister of Gujarat, Modi has been responsible for many initiatives for the improvement of infrastructure in the town, thanks to generous funding to the Foundation for Development of Udvada (FDU). In the souvenir released at the Utsav, Tamboly stated that the one crore, twenty-one lakhs and fifty nine thousand rupees were released by the union and state governments when FDU was set up. IUU 2019 was supported by the department of tourism of the Gujarat government and the Udvada Samast Anjuman, and sponsored by billionaire philanthropist Dr Cyrus Poonawalla. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modi’s message to the participants appreciated that the initiative to hold religious discussions, presentations, cultural shows… as part of IUU is "the ideal way to connect youth with the rich spiritual-cultural Zoroastrian philosophy, heritage and culture.” Khurshed emphasized the need for inclusiveness when welcoming chief minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani as a special guest on the third day: "I will not want to share my religion, but I will definitely want to share my thoughts on the religion,” the High Priest emphasized. The Utsav brings benefits to Udvada village, he reaffirmed. "For the first time, local teams are playing at sports events with others from outside Udvada…. This is upliftment,” he stated, referring to the cosmopolitan Winter Fest games conducted by Wings, the sports agency that lined up football, cricket and volleyball matches on the first two days of IUU 2019. "It is time we changed our thinking… Why are we so petty minded?... This is why we have lost out to other communities… Be guided by humata, hukhta, hvrashta,” he exhorted.
Khurshed had answers for his rhetorical question: "We can grow only if we work together… IUU brings a smile to the local communities, be it the rickshaw driver or the vegetable vendor… increase in business for the Parsis (who displayed their crafts and wares at the flea market).”
The venue of the Winter Fest will now be a permanent cricket ground for the village, he said. "Udvada has the blessings of Iranshah…not only for the Parsi community, but for all residents.”
Udvada resident Harishbhai Shirke, librarian at the two libraries in the village considers himself a beneficiary of Iranshah’s blessings. He holds the consecrated fire responsible for his return to good health after a six-month coma induced as a result of an accident. "No auspicious event takes place in my house without us all seeking the blessings of Iranshah from outside… When I am in tension I only go and rest my head against the boundary wall of the fire temple… Solutions come automatically,” he told Parsiana. An auto rickshaw driver who was ferrying the Parsiana representative to and from the Utsav told him that the event is good for business. "Jyaan sudhi Iranshah ahi chhé, tyan sudhi amuné saaru chhé (As long as Iranshah is here, we will prosper).” he told us.
"Amé saathé chhaiyé ané saathé rahisu (we are together and will be together),” commented Rupani on the last day of IUU 2019. The Gujarat government is the partner in the joys and sorrows of the community, he assured the audience, which was received with much applause. Just as the Parsis fled from religious persecution and found refuge in India, the union government is committed to providing citizenship to certain disadvantaged minorities from neighboring countries, he emphasized, in a reference to the recently passed Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Rupani said he considered himself "fortunate” to be able to visit the "pavitra jagah (holy place)” Udvada. Complimenting community members for "never doing wrongs,” he stated that the kom ni mithash (sweetness of the Parsis) teaches "prem ané karuna (affection and compassion)” to other communities.
Khurshed’s welcome to Rupani referred to the chief minister’s empathy for Parsis. He said that the politician was supportive in providing land in the newly developed riverfront in Ahmedabad for the possible relocation of the 134-year-old Seth Navroji and Jehangirji Pestonji Vakil Daremeher from the crowded locality of Khamasa. His benediction was a stanza from the Atash Niyaesh.
Poonawalla, who was to share the dais with Rupani, was unable to attend due to ill health. He was represented by his nephew Jehangir Panthaki. Complimenting the industrialist’s vision, Khurshed stated that "those who change with change will survive, those who cause the change will lead.” Senior jurist Fali Nariman, who also was to attend but could not, sent a message of good wishes via an audiovisual. The High Priest’s welcome ended with a Sanskrit translation of the Ahmai Rascha prayer. 
Gujarat’s tourism minister Jawahar Chavda due to attend on the second day was unable to come. On that day Khurshed welcomed Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustees Noshir Dadrawala, Kersi Randeria, Viraf Mehta and Xerxes Dastur, as also industrialist and social worker "and a well-wisher of the Utsav” Sharad Thakkar as participants to IUU 2019.     
Earlier in her flowery and stylized Gujarati, Surat-based host Maharukh Chichgar complimented Rupani for leading Gujarat with "great zeal” and for being true to Prime Minister Modi’s mantra of "Sauno saath, sauno vikas (with all, development for all). 
"Let us all be united in strength, in righteousness…We shall be friends to all Indians … Amé bhala kaamo karta aavya chhaiiyé ané karta réhsu (We have always done good deeds, and will continue to do so),” stated Kotwal, who expressed his best wishes to the community for posterity — "forever and for eternity.” Referring to the legend of the sugar-in-milk fable and of the "promise” to King Jadi Rana, Khurshed reiterated the "Hindustan na dost bani né réhva nu (to be a friend to the people of Hindustan)” oath. "We have repaid that debt 10 times over ané chukkavta réhsu (and will continue to do so),” stated Kotwal.

 

 

 

 

 

The mythical sugar-in-milk story, the recollection of erstwhile Parsi greats from the fields of business and commerce, the freedom movement, education and the defense services were common reference points for many speakers; as were the benefits that accrue to Udvada due to the Utsav, and the friendship of the Prime Minister and Dastoor. 
The inauguration had commenced about 35 minutes after the scheduled start of 5 p.m. with an audiovisual presentation "Nemasate Iranshah (Greeting Iranshah)” extolling the virtues of the consecrated fire that has been burning in Udvada since 1742. "Devotees may come and go, but Pak Iranshah will go on forever,” hoped the commentary. Principal of Dadar Athornan Institute Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, who provided the voice over for parts of the audiovisual, told Parsiana that the presentation was specially made for the Utsav under the supervision of social worker Mithoo Jesia.
Hosts for this section of the program, actor Nauheed Cyrusi and television and film personality Viraf Patell claimed the event "the biggest congregation of Parsis on planet Earth.” Gotla shared with Parsiana that 1,057 adults had registered for IUU 2019 with an additional unspecified number of children registered for free. Special invitees, volunteers, youth players at the Winter Fest, event management crew, about 24 stall owners and their staff were in addition. Over 1,600 people dined on the first day, he told us. Certain meals were included in the entry/registration fee of Rs 1,000 that was in the form of a donation to the FDU.
Praful Patel, who has "khubaj laagni (much affection) for the community was standing in for union minister for textiles, and women and children Smriti Irani ("the backbone for the improvements in Udvada,” according to Khurshed) who could not attend IUU 2019 though she had been scheduled to. Patel noted that Udvada is not only a geographical entity but a "power center” for Parsis "not only for those who reside there but for all.” The Parsis are not a micro community,” he said. "I prefer to call them a leading community.”
The three-and-a-half years the government official had spent in Gujarat have given him an opportunity to understand Parsis. Admitting that a lot of his information about the community has been imbibed from his interactions with Khurshed, he appreciated that "commitment is an important quality” of the Parsis. This is your country, he said, addressing the community members in the audience. "Tamaro pooro adhikar chhé, vyaj gannvani jaroor nathi [You have total rights (in the country), there is no need to count the interest],” said Patel, alluding to Khurshed’s comment of giving back manifold to the nation. Patel had three pieces of advice: marry within the community; have large families; and for the singles: get married now! "Aavi community mallsé nai, téthi kahu chhu (you will not find a community like this, which is why this exhortation),” he explained.    
As in the prior years, IUU 2019 too came in for brickbats on social media, with some traditionalists even calling for a boycott. When a post on the Facebook page of the Utsav posted a video a comment saying "We are shaking a leg with the much awaited band performance of Garden Groove,” widely circulated WhatsApp messages accused the organizers of short sightedness. "Keep watching as more insults is (sic) done in the name of Pak Iranshah,” said one such message. Besides two bands, the entertainment comprised a docudrama on the life of the Prophet; a comedy revue with Indian dance performances; monajats; a fashion show featuring Parsi garas; a cookery demonstration for traditional Parsi food. Parsiana will carry reports on these events later.     

Awarding and felicitating
"This is my proudest moment as a Parsi,” stated fashion and lifestyle expert Scherazade Shroff who hosts her vlog (video-cum-blog) on YouTube and enjoys a large fan following on social media platform Instagram. She was the first of a dozen community members to be felicitated for their achievements. "My parents gave me the freedom to do what I want,” she appreciated. When Parsiana caught up with her during a break between sessions, she explained that she started her blog with all the information she had collected during her years as a fashion model. "How can Parsis be healthy when they believe in khaavo, peevo, maja karo (eat, drink and make merry)?” asked awardee Mickey Mehta, who advocated exercise and a healthy lifestyle for all. For awardee and president of the Athletic Federation of India, and member of the International Association of Athletics Federations Council Adille Sumariwalla, the proudest moment of his life would be when a Parsi wins an Olympic event.
Filmmaker and Padma Shri awardee Sooni Taraporvala had possibly the shortest acceptance speech of all those felicitated, as did the managing director of Aava, the company that makes bottled mineral water, Behram Mehta. "I left my speech in my purse,” Taraporvala explained, on being felicitated by Khurshed and Tamboly. She departed soon after. Behram stated that he was honored to be felicitated by Rupani and hoped the Utsav would continue for many years.     
Erstwhile computer operator and current superintendent of general sales tax in the audit commissioner’s office at Surat, Malcalm Bhathena was felicitated for his "commitment, dedication and contribution to good governance,” recorded the press note prepared for the Utsav.  
Tamboly’s felicitation for his contribution to social service and philanthropy by Rupani earned a thundering applause.
Other awardees included principal of Activity High School Perin Bagli who has spent 47 years in the field of education; director of Ninat Engineering and Medical School in Bardoli in Surat district Dolly Desai; project director at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory Keki Kapadia who was responsible for the design and development of anti tank guided missiles; Navsari-based caterer Sunnu Kasad ("she and her team make 800 dar ni poris on Ava roz, Avan mah,” noted Tamboly); chief executive officer at his family business JFK Transporters Jehaan Kotwal. The youngest awardee was racing driver Jehan Daruvala who was unable to attend on account of a knee injury but in a recorded message emphasized how thrilled he was to be presented with the special award.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spit and polish
The Zoroastrian Information Centre in Udvada, the venue of the registrations for the three-day event, was refurbished with the assistance of architect Jamshed Bhiwandiwalla and researcher Firoza Punthakey Mistree. "She redid the texts on certain display material… I provided the technical support,” Bhiwandiwalla told Parsiana. The refurbished and backlit display panels gave a brighter look to the exhibits when we visited. Young adults were marveling over the panel displaying traditional wedding food!
Registrations were smoother than at IUU 2017. "Baddhu fatafat thayi gayu (everything happened very fast),” an elderly registrant said. Gotla had told Parsiana earlier that this was the first time that registrations were done online.    
The Centre was also the venue of a three-minute four dimensional (4D) demonstration of a recital extracted from the Yasna prayer. Created by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, and shot while Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji and Adil Bhesania were actually reciting the prayers, SOAS’s project titled MUYA (Multimedia Yasna) will result in the creation of an interactive subtitled film of the entire prayer that lasts about 150 minutes. Researcher and student at SOAS Kerman Daruwalla told Parsiana that his team is also working on a critical edition of the written texts under the supervision of Zoroastrian scholar Dr Almut Hintze. "The two approaches are integrated and will answer questions about the meaning and function of the Yasna,” he said. The 4D film clip was available for viewing on all three days of IUU 2019. "Good response,” said Daruwalla who also made a brief presentation, decked in a dagli and topi, on the first day at the main venue. Reportedly about 150 visitors viewed the film clip.
The team from SOAS has cataloged, labeled and photographed most of the collection of approximately 80 Avestan, Pahlavi and Persian manuscripts at the Kayoji Mirza Library. These manuscripts were from the personal collection of the Mirza family. The 1950s constructed Library building and a viewing of the display of certain manuscripts was the last stop on the  heritage walks organized by Bhiwandiwalla’s team. Among the manuscripts on display, Parsiana observed a prayer book in Avesta, the Khordeh Avesta in Farsi, one titled Afrin Gahanbar in Pazend, and a treatise on the Paragna, which Daruwalla explained is a pre-Yasna ritual.
"Most books written on Zoroaster have been largely academic in nature,” noted Karanjia. His Marvels in the Life of Prophet Zarathushtra, formally released at the Utsav, was among the first few books in the last four decades to simplify the life of the prophet for children, he noted. Karanjia commended book illustrator Katie Bagli for helping him make the book interesting for children. "An immortal life is not a pleasant one,” Ahura Mazda is believed to have told Zoroaster, Karanjia explained, while reading an extract from the book.
My golden book on Zoroastrianism: a basic guide with FAQs edited by Middle East resident Meher Bhesania was released at IUU 2019 by core committee member Homai Engineer, Balsara, Khurshed and Tamboly. The book describes the religion in about 100 pages divided into 12 chapters and includes a DVD on the right gestures to be observed while performing the kusti ritual. Also released was a special edition of the Parsi Times weekly.  

 

 

 

 

 

 
The purpose of the project Iranshah Initiative is to "keep the Iranshah flame alive and active,” stated Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) president Homi Gandhi, who handed over two cheques of unspecified amounts to Khurshed towards the maintenance of the Atash Behram. The project is the result of deliberations at a recent Global Working Group meeting and is being executed by California resident Meher Amalsad. The program is supported by Dadrawala and Malcolm Deboo of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe among others, Gandhi noted. "FEZANA promises to educate North American Zoroastrians on the heritage of Iranshah,” he said, exhorting "other world leaders” to "popularize the Initiative in their respective areas.” FEZANA vice president Arzan Wadia explained, after the screening of a film on the Initiative made by New Zealander Tinaz Karbhari (now in Hong Kong), that the Initiative aspires to "create a limitless stream of finance” for the Atash Behram. The objective of the Initiative is five-fold: to preserve, create, keep, maintain and provide for Iranshah. Wadia invited the audience to "spread the word, make regular financial commitments, and encourage financial commitments from others.”
"We are planning a global birthday celebration in honor of Iranshah on April 21, 2020 (Adar mah, Adar roz),” stated a write-up circulated earlier by Amalsad. The note also lists commitments received by community members in India, US, UK, Iran, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia to popularize the Initiative in their respective territories.
World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) president Edul Davar took the audience through the major activities of the Chamber which include networking opportunities and funding of projects for entrepreneurs. "WZCC aims to collect one million (US) dollars by end 2020” to fund the Zoroastrian Entrepreneur Development Fund initiative, he emphasized.
Great show, somewhat thin on content, was the general observation of those who had attended previous editions of the Utsav. Most were appreciative of the technical efforts of Wizcraft and Mazda Events. A great event for "bringing together everyone,” as noted Wadia.