"Given the age-profile of our members, community gatherings in the club have been put on hold till it is perfectly safe to meet, which we hope will be soon,” wrote Zarin Mistry, honorary secretary of the Madras Parsi Association (MPA). As the state government has now permitted gatherings of 50% of hall capacity, "we are contemplating re-opening our hall for outside functions,” she stated. The MPA hall has been rented out "for many years now” for events to sister communities, Mistry communicated.
The Madras Parsi Association turned 90: excerpt from a "cheerful video"
Not meeting did not mean complete social isolation for Madras Parsis. A virtual meeting was held on October 4 to condole the passing of past president and patron of the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman (MPZA) Nariman Mogrelia on August 31. "During this meeting, we also welcomed Dadiba Dalal, past president, as the new patron of the Anjuman,” stated Mistry. WhatsApp broadcasts starting September 18 titled "Parsi Talents” showcased the talents of community members. "We have so far highlighted the contributions of Sheetal Parakh, Kashmira Dubash, Erach Satin, Delnaz Kabrajee, Kaety Dalal and Homai Baria. We are pleasantly surprised at the talent and enterprise of our members,” noted Mistry. A mawa-ni-boi on Jamshedi Navroz from MPZA and a dry fruit hamper from MPA on Parsi New Year for all families was perhaps one gesture to compensate for functions that could not be held. The Association celebrated its 90th anniversary with a "cheerful video compiled by Kabrajee for the community.”
A virtual general body meeting of the MPA, MPZA and the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher Trust was held this November 21.
"Our Anjuman committee headed by Darius Bahadurji, assisted by Dadi Dalal, Firdause Jila, Pervez Mulla and Darayes Dalal, has been working hard to maintain our properties in good condition and to see to the welfare of all our workers… MPA has been donating funds and material to worthy causes in the city like old-age communities and shelters for the homeless,” Mistry mentioned. Bahadurji has been sharing "information about achievements within the community and also beyond, for instance World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce events from Bangalore and Jiyo Parsi’s Friday forums,” Mistry appreciated.
Jasmine Kabrajee, Kaety Dalal, Dolly Jila, Shahnaz Rao and Noshir Irani of the MPA have been responsible for keeping community activities going and have more virtual activities planned, starting January 2021. "A special thanks to Tehnaz Bahadurji, Firdause Jila and Pourush and Pinaz Vazifdar and the staff at Vantage (Advertising) for all the help in video-casting various events,” Mistry appreciated.
"We will certainly have the (postponed) three-day celebration for the 110th anniversary of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher when the situation improves,” noted Mistry. Their khushali nu jashan commemorating the landmark anniversary was beamed to community members over Zoom on July 10 (see "Madras’ virtual jashan,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, August 7-August 20, 2020).