Noted orthopedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala spoke about the contribution of Parsis to sports in India and sporting legends like Jamsetji Merwanji and Lady Meherbai Tata, urging members of the community to participate more not just at a competitive level but for health and personal fitness. He was chief guest at the Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust’s (MEJMT) annual Jamshedi Navroz gahanbar attended by over 1,500 people at the Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana grounds on March 21, 2025, mentions a detailed write-up by Ayesha Mehta.
Children performing at Dadar Parsee Colony’s annual Jamshedi Navroz function
Top row, from l: Mahiyar Dastoor, Hormuzd Khambatta, Rooshad Shroff, Burzin Dubash, Dinyar Panthaki,
Farzana and Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala; middle row: Dr Firdosh Gardin, Dr Cyrus Karkaria, Kainaz Unwalla,
Meher Jesia, Homai Daruwalla, Tina Patel; Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia with children;
bottom row: Mithoo and Jimi Jesia, Armaity Tirandaz, Dinshaw, Delna and Bachi Tamboly
All photos: Jasmine D. Driver
After the singing of monajats by students of Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia’s Dharmagyan Class, master of ceremonies, MEJMT trustee Mahiyar Dastoor conducted the felicitation of achievers, stalwarts and legends of the community. Mithoo and Jimi Jesia, founder trustees of MEJMT received a standing ovation for their dedicated service. Outstanding achievement awards went to biopharmacist Dr Cyrus Karkaria; founder of the Hormuzd Khambatta Dance Company, Hormuzd Khambatta; pharmaceutical consultant Dr Firdosh Gardin; and Union Press’s Meher Jesia and Kainaz Unwalla, as per the write-up.
The annual Jal Mistry Memorial Award for outstanding colonyite was presented by Arnavaz and Yasmin Mistry to Burzin Dubash, a leader in risk management, governance and internal audit. The Kavina K. Karkaria Award for most promising colonyite went to Rooshad Shroff, architect and interior designer. Ervads Adil Jalejar Bhesania and Tehmasp Cawas Jijina received awards for excellence in mobedi by Nasha Jassawala of the Rustom Faramna Agiary. Over a dozen students were felicitated for excellence in academics in memory of the late Dinaz and Rohinton Chinoy of Union Press. Several awards for sports were also presented.
In her vote of thanks MEJMT trustee Homai Daruwalla thanked supporters and benefactors, the principals and management of the Dadar Athornan Institute, The J. B. Vachha High School, The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School and others, notes the write-up.
Many events and competitions are organized for all ages by MEJMT in the weeks leading up to the main function, including the creative minds competition sponsored by the Dadachanji Group and conceptualized by Navroze "Sigi” Siganporia on the theme of spring. The WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds sponsored "Anything with bread” for aspiring masterchefs. Jasmine Siganporia came first with her bheja pav, Parsi style. The fiercely contested brain teaser quiz was sponsored by Durand Forms India and conducted by Pranav Kulkarni. There was a tambola night and a musical evening. The famous raffle for Rs 100 per entry gives the winner a Naju Davar gara, while the proceeds are used for Ahura Support, a nongovernmental organization for the differently abled.
Talented musicians and dancers, all residents of Dadar Parsee Colony, regaled the gathering on Navroz Day. Sarosh Daruwalla’s Mazda Audio Video Lab provided sound and lighting executed by his son Aarish, while his other son Rehan handled photography. Roxana Pavri’s Dream Design provided the décor. The patra nu bhonu was by Tanaz Godiwala.
The MEJMT trustees, Dinyar Panthaki, Zareen Engineer, Jimi and Mithoo, Tina Patel, Daraius Zaiwala, Dastoor, Daruwalla and Behram Rabadi, ably assisted by a team of volunteers including Shazneen Mehta, Rashna Amroliwala, Pooraan Bunshah, Zarine Rabadi, Rashna Bharucha, Arnavaz Siganporia, Ervad Kaizad Karkaria, Dinmeher Bunshah, Ashish Billimoria and "Sigi” Siganporia put together this mammoth annual event.
S. V.