Meher Medora, noted social worker of Ahmedabad was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayet (APP) at its annual awards functions on January 10, 2016. Her Gatha Study Circle, an offshoot of the Ushta-te Foundation, recently printed a calendar and posters with Zoroastrian motifs. The large gathering of Parsis gave her a standing ovation when she received a bouquet, shawl and memento. Other achievers in academics, sports, research and extracurricular activities were also recognized on the occasion, notes a write-up received by email from the APP. The awards were presented by chief guest Gautam Shah, mayor of Ahmedabad who was welcomed by APP president Brig Jahangir Anklesaria. Dr Armaity Davar, APP trustee announced the names of the awardees with a brief description of their achievements.
L-R (top row): Ahmedabad achievers Arex Jambusarwala, Zinaz Dumasia,
Parinaz Gandhi, Binaifer Dordi, Khushnuma Manager, Haavani Kapadia;
(2nd row): Mashiya Daruwalla, Eric Patel, Kainaz Wadia, Arzaan Dordi, Julie Pardiwala, Kaizad Dastoor;
(3rd row): Meherzad Bhagwagar, Ruzbeh Hodiwala, Vahista Gandhi, Yazdan Bokdawalla,
Meher Medora receiving salver from Gautam Shah; (Top l) Brig Jahangir Anklesaria
Davar made special mention of two other APP trustees, Mehernosh Dastoor, chief fire officer, Ahmedabad Fire Brigade for his contribution to earthquake and chemical disaster management, and Merzban Lahewala for receiving the Customer Satisfaction Award 2015 from the Karnataka Small and Medium Manufacturers’ Association. Lahewala has also earned mention in the Guinness and Limca Books of Records for having designed and made the longest incense stick (see "Agarbatti maker awarded,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, August 21, 2015).
In his speech Shah dwelt at length on the contribution of the Parsi community in all walks of life, making special mention of Dastoor’s intrepid tackling of various crises at risk to his personal safety, the email notes. The mayor appealed to the community to help control pollution by using public transport and minimizing the use of private vehicles.
The function was preceded by a jashan ceremony and a dance performance by children of the Zarthushti Awareness Group of Ahmedabad (ZAGA). Dinner, provided from a donation made by Davar in memory of her parents Soonamai and Prof Firoze Davar, was catered by A1 Caterers of Surat, the write-up notes.