Tales from Zoroastrian lore were enacted at the Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat (ZWAS) summer camp for children held from May 5 to 7, 2023. After a session on the "importance of being a Zoroastrian,” trustee Maharukh Chichgar told the children stories of Homaji, the victim of an alleged accusation during the calendar wars between the Kadmis and the Shahenshahis and the story of the "miracle” of finding water for Bombay’s Thoothi Agiary. These were later dramatized by the kids, noted Chichgar in a belated report to Parsiana. Scholar-priest Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia helped in collecting material for the plays, she acknowledged. Chichgar and Dilnaz Besania directed the children on stage. The children presented the names of the 12 mahs, 30 rozs and five Gathas of the Zoroastrian calendar.
Above: children at Surat’s summer camp;
top: with organizers, trustees and well-wishers
Fifty-seven children attended the camp, noted the trustee. Other activities included the making of name plates and pen stands; group dancing; Parsi songs; Zumba and self-defence; crafts; cookery. On the last day of the camp the children visited Noah’s Ark, a shelter for rescued reptiles and animals. "The children got informative inputs on our duties towards the protection of animals and nature,” stated Chichgar. The finale was a program in the auditorium within Surat Fort. Chief guests Monaz and Meherzad Jamadar’s "generous donation had catalysed the organizing of this event.” Surat Parsi Panchayat trustee Yazdi Karanjia and his wife Vira were present, as was Ervad Mehernosh Gulestan, trustee of the Nanpura Parsi Anjuman along with his family. The finale included a religious quiz and a summary of the events of the previous three days.