Fifteen asopalav trees were planted on the grounds of the newly renovated Surat Parsi Gymkhana in Athwalines by the members of the Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS), mentions a note received by Parsiana from ZWAS trustee Maharukh Chichgar. This was part of a summer camp with the theme of "Conserving the environment” organized by the Assembly for 60 children between five and 15 on May 5 and 6, 2017. Chief guest on the occasion, Surat Parsi Panchayat and Gymkhana president Jamshed Dotivala and guest of honor Gymkhana trustee Jimmy Kharadi joined in the tree planting,
The camp commenced with a visit to the Seth Dadabhai Naoshirwanji Modi Atash Behram and a humbandagi, followed by a two-hour aerobics session with a fitness instructor. Breakfast done, the children settled down in three groups according to age. Dance inputs were provided by Mahazarine Variava; Parsi songs were taught by Chichgar, while Perin Karanjia trained the young ones in speech making and delivering one-liners. Kainaz Variava helped the budding actors with preparations for two comedy skits. Decoration of flower pots was the next item on the agenda. The afternoon was devoted to sessions on etiquette, a handwriting competition and a culinary exercise — the children made vegetable sandwiches and chocolate cookies. All the events on the first day were held at Anti ni Dharamshala, mentions Chichgar.
Above: Children at the ZWAS camp; greening the Surat Parsi Gymkhana
The second day’s session began with a presentation by Chichgar on the life of Zarathushtra. After a welcome by ZWAS president Mahtab Variava, saplings were planted in pots decorated by the children on the previous day. A treasure hunt followed lunch. Monajats by children, dances, songs and speeches learnt on the previous day were delivered by the children. The vote of thanks was given by program committee chairperson Benaiffer Engineer. Lunch on both days was provided by caterers Nozer and Freny Daruwala at concessional rates, with pastries and cakes provided by Dotivala Bakery, mentions the report.
In response to Parsiana’s follow up questions, Chichgar mentions that ZWAS has been organizing camps for Surat’s Parsi children for the last 12 to 15 years; parents do not have to be members of the 40-member Assembly, which is all set to celebrate its silver jubilee this year. ZWAS was started with a view to make the youth more confident, mentions the trustee. They want to make "life happier and more comfortable for the older generation and see that the children…bloom out to be adults whom the community and country can be proud of,” wrote Chichgar, who is a member of Yazdi Karanjia’s Drama Group.
The Assembly joins hands with Make a Wish Club, run by Yazdi Karanjia and Gul Dabhoiwala, which emotionally supports terminally ill children of lower income groups. Chichgar’s co-trustee is teacher Piloo Bhathena. Since January of this year, ZWAS has had a sports day for children and youth, celebrated Women’s Day "in a retro way” and conducted grooming sessions for the women of Surat.