Two Parsi women have been recognized with the Times Power Women 2019 Awards from The Times of India Group: trainer and founder of Panache Academy Khushnum Avari of Ahmedabad in the field of education and professional training; and director of communications and outdoor publicity company Selvel One Sanaya Mehta Vyas of Calcutta as young woman entrepreneur of the year.
Khushnum Avari (l) and Sanaya Mehta Vyas: "powerful" women
A write-up from Avari on the recognition states that she established Panache five years ago to train young people in travel, tourism and aviation hospitality, after a stint as a cabin crew member with Jet Airways. "The Academy has 850 students on its rolls. It operates from four centers (two in Ahmedabad and one each in Baroda and Indore) and offers certificate, diploma and degree courses,” she told Parsiana on June 6, 2019. Avari holds a masters degree in sociology from Bombay University and is certified to teach aviation hospitality in 110 countries. A current trustee of Ahmedabad-based charitable trust Ushta-Te, she has been a past chairman of the Parsi Youth League of Ahmedabad for 10 years. The awards function took place in Gujarat’s commercial capital Ahmedabad on May 28, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
"Women in India are champions... So many more can win medals for the country; all they need is a little help to get there,” wrote Mehta Vyas, the first woman president of the Calcutta branch of the global Entrepreneurs Organization, in an email to Parsiana. Her recently started venture Selvel Next is a business that focuses on innovation in design and new media development, states her profile. "This Award means a lot to me specially now as I am in the process of launching ‘Women in Sport,’ a platform that aims to identify female sporting talent with strong character and promising talent,” she said. The platform will provide them access to world class coaching, health and nutrition, and proper infrastructure and facilities so that that they can reach their full potential, noted Mehta Vyas who plays rugby for Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, and basketball for the Calcutta Parsee Club. Mehta Vyas received her award in Calcutta on April 18, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.