The Zoroastrian Youth Association (ZYA) of Poona has stepped forward to perform the navjotes of four Parsi children under the age of 11 studying at the city’s J. N. Petit Technical School. The families of the children due to be navjoted are unable to spend for the event. "Many well-wishers have already come forward and sums required have been collected,” wrote advisory committee member and ex president Mabrin Nanavatti, adding that the event will take place during the Diwali or Christmas holidays. "We are awaiting the formal consent from parents and relatives regarding the same. Since we don’t want any legal issues we would prefer that the relatives and school authorities give proper no objection letters so that we can proceed,” Nanavatti explained in response to Parsiana’s follow-up questions.
Poona volunteers serving at the gahanbar in memory of Noshir Nanavatti
A total of 1,400 community members attended a gahanbar in memory of Mabrin’s father, late Noshir Nanavatti on September 19, 2018. "Full service for the food was done by volunteers from Poona with no reimbursement of any kind…The volunteers are not necessarily members of ZYA and don’t belong to any particular age group,” he revealed. "We had kids of eight serving saria and bread and we had senior citizens too. Majority of the volunteers were in the age group of 20 - 30…Their contribution to society is made this way, which is quite appreciable.”
President Hormuz Pundole (34) of Pundole Watchmakers has led ZYA for the last six years and is "awaiting the arrival of new responsible and committed members of the Zoroastrian community to take over charge” from him, noted Mabrin. He lamented, "The youth sit idle, engrossed with their electronic devices, not bothered about what is happening to our kom (community). Parents, frustrated at their child’s inaction and non participation, have no say in their social lives, no matter in which direction it goes.”
The ZYA conducts Navroz and Khordad Saal gahanbars. "Hormuz and (secretary) Farah Khambatta along with Fram Taraporewalla, who has been the treasurer for the last eight years, are continuously struggling to collect funds and find new members... Ervad Ardaviraf Sinor (ex member of ZYA) and myself are always there to help them, not only to organize but to get them donations from known sources.” Mabrin noted that appeals to the Poona Parsi Panchayat for funding have gone unheeded.
"When a gahanbar is hosted, (many) Parsis attend the same with more requesting entry at the last minute…When it comes to a paid social evening, even if the passes cost only Rs 200, everyone has an excuse not to attend... The members of our community should encourage these youngsters… by way of financial assistance which is required to host these events to bring down costs.”
Small contributions in any way are always welcome, Mabrin noted, adding that to know how community members can contribute towards ZYA’s activities they could call Khambatta on +91 91303 77764.