The XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians) Foundation raised Rs 15.52 lakhs from individuals and charitable organizations, sponsorships and advertisements in their souvenir during their December 2019 fundraiser, noted founder Hoshaang Gotla, speaking to Parsiana on January 9, 2020. The funds will be disbursed to two nongovernmental organizations, Ahura Support and Mann Foundation, both of which work with the differently abled, he stated. XYZ promotes togetherness and camaraderie among children aged five to 15 via eight centers in Bombay by conducting fun-cum-learning events around religious, environmental and cultural issues, notes their brochure.
Clockwise from alongside: Xtremely Young Zoroastrians’ awardees Riyaan Kolahi, Dr Zirak Marker;
team members with Hoshaang Gotla (center, in white); performance by Darius’ Daredevils, Colaba
and Fort, at their annual day
The fundraiser event, XYZ Extravaganza, held on December 21, 2019 at the K. C. College Auditorium, marked the completion of five years of their founding. XYZ Seniors, a new initiative of the Foundation, comprising of "alumni” of XYZ, youth between 15 and 30 will now take on organizing events for the children, Gotla announced at the Extravaganza. Currently the events are organized by elected children-presidents, who are assisted by adult volunteers and parents.
Psychiatrist Dr Zirak Marker was recognized with an XYZ ACE (Achieving Continuous Excellence) Award for his work in the area of mental health, especially with children. The doctor’s advice to the assembled parents: Be supportive…guide, but do not instruct…allow (the children) to flourish. The XZ (Xceptional Zoroastrian) Award was given to 10-year-old Riyaan Kolahi from Behram’s Battalions, the center that bands together children in the Dadar, Wadala, Parel areas. Riyaan has had "amazing” academic success in "various math, science and English (local) Olympiads,” announced Gotla.
The theme for the entertainment for the evening was "Human Emotions.” Children of each of their eight centers portrayed the "emotion” (ranging from courage, terror and wonder to laughter, among others) assigned to them via dance. The competition was judged by dancers Natasha Irani Desai, Friyan Navdar, Prerana Patel and Nitin Nair. Ketayun’s Conquerors, the group comprising girls from Bandra’s Avabai Petit School won the Extravaganza trophy for their rendition of Lord Shiva’s tandav (dance), to show their assigned theme of anger.
Points are given to each center based on the number of activities and participation levels, among other criteria, for their annual activities. For 2019, Darius’ Daredevils (Colaba and Fort) was declared the best group for 2019.
During a previous fundraiser in 2017, the Foundation had collected Rs 10 lakhs which was used for aiding cancer patients, Gotla told us.