With the threat of the pandemic waning, the Poona Zoroastrian Youth Association (ZYA) and the Poona Parsee Panchayat (PPP) were emboldened to hold physical get-togethers.
Bonhomie, tattoos and tombola marked the Khordad Sal (August 21, 2022) get-together for "an overwhelming crowd" of 500 Parsis organized by ZYA at the Sardar Dastur School grounds, noted past president and mentor Mabrin Nanavatti. Having met after a gap of nearly three years, the community made the "most of it with people meeting and greeting each other with warmth and excitement." The evening commenced with a short welcome address by committee members Behnaz Nanavatti and Eden Beramfram. Game stalls and a tattoo artist "gave a break" to young mothers and kept the children occupied. Thirty volunteers dressed in red "helped the evening program go smooth." Prizes for the tombola sponsored by grocery chain Dorabjees, Bounty Sizzlers and other restaurants "were an instant hit in the crowd," Mabrin noted.
The ZYA felicitated Poona’s pallbearers and "gave them the recognition they rightly deserved for their services given to the community… Having lost four pallbearers during the last two years, the ZYA felt it was necessary to acknowledge their presence and give them a feeling of love, appreciation and belonging." The gesture was highly appreciated by the attendees, noted Mabrin. After Behnaz gave a vote of thanks, those assembled dispersed for dinner. The meal was catered by Jehabux Desai of Hott Catering Services. "The crowd parted with loads of memories, noted Mabrin.
The Association "requests all parents to send their children to join in the ongoing events at Poona to bring the community closer." More information can be obtained from ZYA secretary Farah Khambatta on +91 9130377764, Mabrin stated.
[Khambatta can also be contacted for more information on the 29th All India Youth Meet at Deolali, October 27-30, 2022 being organized by the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations. Other resource persons: Pearl Tirandaz (Bombay, 9820158874) and Ariz Bokdawalla (Gujarat 9825285549)].
Top and above: prayers, food and bonhomie at functions organized by
Poona Parsee Panchayat and Zoroastrian Youth Association
Battling the heavy rains, over 150 community members attended the mah Fravardin, roz Fravardin jashan organized by the PPP at the Kayani Bungli at Doongerwadi, Lullanagar. Bus services from the Camp area were organized for members and as the transport could ply only to the gate on the main road, ZYA volunteers ferried members to and from the bungli using their personal vehicles. The red clad volunteers also handed the chasni, malido and the sumptuous snacks provided by the PPP to seated members. PPP chairman, Tehmasp Bharucha, thanked members for coming in such large numbers and the volunteers for their help in managing the transportation and parking at Doongerwadi, writes Mabrin in an email dated September 6, 2022