The grand finale of the four-day celebrations (October 2-5, 2019) of the 124th salgirah of Nagpur’s Hirabai Mullan Dar-e-Mehr started off with a 10-mobed hama anjuman jashan at the fire temple. "It has been the tradition for the past many decades to put together a few days of programs to bring together the entire community,” wrote Khurshid Dalal, editor of bawabuzz, the publication of the Nagpur Parsi Gymkhana (NPG). Rhoda Patel was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her service and generous contributions to help the sick, ailing and needy Parsis of the city by chief guest and Nagpur Parsi Panchayat (NPP) president Aspi Bapuna. Rooshad Patel and Shernaz Daver were presented with a Service above Self award for their contributions to the NPP and NPG, wrote Dalal. Prizes were awarded to school and college children for academic achievements and co-curricular activities; an Outstanding Parsi Achiever Prize for Dr Jerestin Watchmaker for her participation in marathons and triathlon races; Best Sportsperson of the year prize to Aaron Bapuna for ranking eighth in the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association’s under-10 category, noted Dalal. The NPG cricket team was felicitated for their victory in the T10 tournament held recently in Bombay. "Gymkhana president Shiraz Doongaji gave away various other cricket prizes too,” wrote Dalal.
"Best from waste” at the Dharamshala Hall on October 2 saw participation from children in two age groups — the under-10s created "artwork” from peanut, pistachio and walnut shells while the older children recycled glass bottles. Mixed teams of elders and juniors whipped up a salad and beverage meal. In the evening, social worker Pearl Mistry of the Jiyo Parsi team made a presentation on the need for large families. Mementoes to elders with large families followed. Dance performances by Zahaa Rana and Zarah Doongaji; Delzeen Dumasia’s rendition of My heart will go on; and Zahveer Jall strumming on the guitar "enthralled the audience,” wrote Dalal. Championship trophies for performance at the Dadi Balsara Indoor Sports Tournament were presented to Rashid Karbhari, Dumasia, and Zaran Kapadia. The evening was presided over by chief guest and honorary secretary of the NPP, Shiraz Gimi.
Bonding at the Hirabai Mullan Dar-e-Mehr salgirah (clockwise from top) Rhoda Patel, 3rd from l felicitated
by Aspi Bapuna, 2nd from l, for "service and generous contributions" to the Nagpur community,
with Patel’s family members; jashan in progress; Dr Jerestin Watchmaker; Shanoor Mirza;
Rooshad Patel; Shernaz Daver; enacting a scene based on the Shahnameh
Games evening on October 3 "had everyone running, scrambling, screaming, displaying different levels of skill, and also acting.” Shanoor Mirza, headmistress of the J. N. Tata Parsi Girls’ High School was the chief guest of the evening. Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh took center-stage on the next day. Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan of Bombay’s B. M. Mevawala Dar-e-Meher narrated anecdotes of Ferdowsi’s life and his creation, followed by four small skits highlighting stories from the epic. Panthaky of the fire temple Ervad Percy Panthaky was the chief guest.
A vote of thanks from NPG secretary Tauby Bhagwagar expressed gratitude to the NPP for the use of the Dharamshala premises, to the headmistress and trustees of the Tata School for use of their premises, to various donors and all the organizers of the multiple events. Dinner was catered by Meheroo Watchmaker and drinks were sponsored by the Bapuna family.