Children’s competitions in art, prayers and elocution marked the Gatha and muktad celebrations over three days organized by the Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS). The event on July 21, 2022 marked the completion of 30 years of the Assembly’s founding. Envisaged by trustee Maharukh Chichgar with co-trustee Pilu Bhathena, the events were marked by "Assal Surti majaa (original Surti fun),” noted Chichgar. These included "color, creativity and culture… exhibited by the children through chalk designs and card making.” Judges Zenobia Mistry and Nafisa Poonawala, both art teachers, were "awestruck” seeing the art displayed on tile and paper, stated a note from ZWAS. Daizy Patel had taken the lead in organizing the competitions.
Top and above l: participants, trustees and well-wishers at Zoroastrian
Women’s Assembly of Surat events; right: Aazmin Gandhi
The Assembly has "revitalized the dream” of Surat Parsi Panchayat trustee Dr Ratan Marshall to "make every young Parsi eloquent” by organizing an elocution competition on August 6, stated Chichgar. The bilingual competition had youngsters speaking on Varsad ni majaa ké sajaa (Rains: blessing or punishment?); Mari navjote no divas (My navjote day); My role model: humata, hukhta, hvarashta (good thoughts, good words and good deeds); Pollution due to urbanization, among other topics. The event was judged by school principals Persis Hilluwala of Hills High and Sonal Patel of K. S. Joshi School who "encouraged the participants and shared tips and intricacies of being a good orator.” Housie and recognition awards followed, including one to Aazmin Gandhi, "a promising young, highly spirited gold medalist MBA.”
The next day’s prayer competition in memory of philanthropist Minu Mehenti saw participants ranging in age from three to 12. Together they recited the Yatha Ahu Vairyo and Ashem Vohu prayers at the start. Judges Ervad Sarosh Dastur and Viraf Karanjia explained the importance of prayers to those assembled. Mahazrin Variava and Dilnaz Besania, "our nightingale,” curated the program. An antakshari competition rounded off the event.
Attendees at the events included dramatist Yazdi Karanjia, Burzin Chiniwala and Hormazdiyar Patel, trustees of the Kadmi Atash Behram. "Many food stalls were put up by enthusiastic newbies,” noted Chichgar. ZWAS president Delnaz Katpitia welcomed guests and vice president Aafrin Patrawala gave the vote of thanks. Comperes for the events were Kainaz Variava, Mahtab Bhatporia, Besania and Chichgar.