Excited to see the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation (OZCF) Dar-e-Meher get started, Khorshid Jobani who celebrated her 100th birthday on July 12, 2021 is known in the community to be a passionate fundraiser. "She is a beautiful lady who we all in Toronto call Khorshid Mumma,” noted Meher Panthaky, former OZCF director, when forwarding Parsiana the highlights of Jobani’s life. A mainstay of the Parsi community in Toronto, although the pandemic has curbed her social interactions, she continues to be active on virtual social events and online yoga classes. Her daughter Gulrukh Patel in her email response to Parsiana’s queries reiterated, "Yoga she enjoys a lot. My husband Cawas Patel sets it up on television for her, so she gets to see and follow better.”
Due to lockdown restrictions, her birthday could only be celebrated with her doting family comprising three children Gulrukh, Adi and Dara, their spouses, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. In addition to the traditional flower garland, on July 11 her grandchildren showered her with rose petals. A champagne toast and songs by her great-granddaughters who play the guitar made the day memorable for her. The following day the family planned a drive-by for her with friends and loved ones coming to honor her. On her roz birthday, the family started the day with a traditional milk, rice and rose petal bath followed by a hearty breakfast that included sev and cake.
Top and above: Khorshid Jobani celebrating her 100th birthday with family
Although Jobani had lost her mother Goolkhurshid at childbirth in Quetta and father Ardeshir when she was quite young, she had been taught the Parsi traditions, prayers and cultural practices when under the care of her paternal grandfather Sheriar Jobani. While her formal education was limited, she taught herself how to stitch sudrehs, make bhakras, nankhatai and delicious achars for which she became well known in the community. At 13 years of age, she was married to Rustom Anary in Yazd. To ensure that their children got a good education, the couple relocated to Poona. With a flair for languages, besides Dari and English, Khorshid speaks Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi.
After the passing away of Rustom, she emigrated to Canada to be closer to her children who are her "pride and joy.” An epitome of "strength, devotion and goodness in thoughts, words and actions, her mantra in life has been ‘trust in God, lead your life with love and peace, be tolerant, wish nothing but the best for all,’” revealed Gulrukh.
"These days she spends most of her time in Mississauga, Ontario usually enjoying episodes of ‘Family Feud’ and ‘Indian Idol.’ She is a true testament that prayers, the pursuit of health and the blessings she gives and receives from Ahura Mazda keep her young in mind, body and spirit,” added the daughter.