"The PM (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) spoke to us like friends and he was really happy to meet the Parsis,” reported Hoshaang Gotla, one of 16 community members who met Modi at Parliament House on March 20, 2018. "He has always held Udvada close to his heart and tells people that (Udvada) is one of the best examples of religious harmony,” he said. The meeting that lasted 25 minutes was requested by Udvada High Priest and National Commission for Minorities member Dastur Khurshed Dastoor "to wish our Prime Minister on the occasion of Jamshedi Navroz and keep him informed about the activities of the community,” said Gotla. Parsiana’s request for details of the meeting sent to Dastoor was responded to by Gotla who added that Modi was not accompanied by any one from his office.
From left, standing: Hoshaang Gotla, Natasha Dubash, Zubin Khapoliwala, Tina Patel, Cyrus Engineer, Adil Nargolwala,
Ashdeen Lilaowala, Xerxes Master, Dr Niloofer Shroff, Aneez Patel; sitting: Homai Engineer, Sam Balsara, Narendra Modi,
Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Havovi Dastoor, Dr Shernaz Cama, Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia
"He was in the know (of) the Jiyo Parsi schemes and was glad we were trying to increase the population of the community and applauded the fact that 151 new babies were born post the inception of the scheme,” said Gotla. Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) trustee Adil Nargolwala spoke about the activities in Delhi and also showed him his achievements of running and his medals and records. Speaking to Parsiana on March 23, Nargolwalla added that the Prime Minister addressed the community members mainly in Gujarati. "He conveyed his wishes for Navroz to the whole community,” said the DPA trustee.
Modi was also "informed about the activities of XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians) and the social service done by the children of the community. He was thrilled to hear… that the youth are involved in making a difference,” exulted Gotla who founded XYZ. Other matters touched upon were preservation of (Parsi) heritage and culture, land encroachment and protection of Parsi property, he said.