Our trip to Perth for the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) was a great success. Our gratitude goes to the chair Firoz Pestonji, his wife Mahrukh, daughter Farzana Khambatta and the Congress team. To our dismay, someone had circulated a nasty mail stating that the Congress was meaningless and showing anger at the two beautiful and brave ladies, Awat Darya of Kurdistan and Mobedyar Rashin Jehangiri of Iran.
From left: Firoz Pestonji, Rati Wadia, Farzana Khambatta, Dilshad Homavazir, Mahrukh Pestonji
At this Congress the speakers were very forthright and all the controversial topics were discussed openly which is a very healthy sign. Why should anything be hush hush? How can we think of solutions if we don’t discuss uncomfortable issues? Here I would like to quote the Zarathushti Member of Parliament of Western Australia, Yaz Mubarakai: "Let this Congress be the forum where we can discuss freely what we must preserve, and what we must change so that our youth are positioned successfully for the future.”
I was delighted I was granted a half hour slot for my slide presentation on "The Contribution of the Parsis, Zarathostis to India and the world, from Dadabhai Naoroji to present times” just as I had made at the sixth WZC in Tehran, at the seventh WZC in Houston besides other cities in India, USA and Canada.
Among the other events at the Congress that left a mark on me was Mani Rao’s monajats; Dinshaw and Bachi Tamboly’s work for our brethren who have been living in abject poverty; Tanya Balsara, as the founder of Tanya’s Computer Centre for the blind in Bombay exemplifying "Zarathushti Women, The Power Unleashed;” Berjis Desai’s speech on "Intelligent Conservatism Can Improve Parsi Survival Prospects;” Rohinton Rivetna’s speech on "Zoroastrians as bridge- builders in the interfaith world.” Roshan and Rohinton Rivetna were praised for their tremendous and consistent contribution to our religion and community. They have attended practically all the WZCs. There was an inspiring panel discussion on entrepreneurship for our youth.
The food was excellent and the night cruise was good fun.