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"The month seems to have flown by, yet the quantum of what we all have learnt and gained will stay with us for years to come. Also today, at the end of the month, we can most definitely say that confidence has replaced anxiety, knowledge has replaced ignorance, and strangers have become good friends,” said mentor of the Holiday Programme for Youth (HPY) Diana Marfatia welcoming the gathering at the valedictory function of the Programme on May 27, 2018. Seated in the plush air-conditioned hall of the J. B. Vachha High School for Girls in Dadar’s Parsi Colony were youngsters of this year’s batch alongwith their parents, dignitaries, invitees and guests.
The month-long program is organized under the auspices of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) for community youth who have just emerged from the cushioned life of school. One hundred and forty-one of the 170 (92 girls and 78 boys) children were from the city itself. The other 29 came from Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Bhusawal, Dahod, Illav, Jamshedpur, Navsari, Poona, Surat, Thana and Vapi with one coming all the way from Ajman, UAE.
"Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it,” Marfatia said hoping that the children "will excel in whatever you undertake and do whatever you can to bring a smile on the faces of the people you interact with, all through your lives.”
Canine behaviorist and trainer Shirin Merchant, the chief guest of the evening set an inspiring example of her own life and the struggles she faced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Don’t let people tell you that it cannot be done. Show them how to do it. Too many of us spend time creating artificial friends on social media. Spend real time with friends,” said the founder (with her husband Junaid) and director of Canines Can Care. She is often refered to as a "dog shrink.”
Much to the chagrin of the parents seated, she said, "Don’t worry about your marks. Just do well. Work hard. Don’t choose a profession that is based on money. Get a job that gives you happiness. If you are passionate about your job then the money will come on its own.” She went on to narrate few hilarious accounts of some of her clients and their dogs. One of her Parsi clients called her up and said, "My Elizabeth needs a husband. She is very pretty, has come from England, has good manners. Find me a husband... Parjat nai chalsé (A non-Parsi won’t do).” Merchant said that it took her 10 minutes to realize that her client was talking about her dog and not her daughter! The dog lover was of the opinion that dogs have a sixth sense and another sense that humans don’t possess — common sense!
She ended her address with "I have shared with you my story. I am just an ordinary person. I was not born with any special gifts. But with a little bit of talent, lots of passion about my profession and tons of hard work, I could make it to where I am. And if I can do it, you can do it.”
The community’s star athlete and guest of honor that evening Ayesha Billimoria shared her mantra for success. "Go to college. Have fun, but don’t get into bad habits. Be true to yourself, stand up for your choices.” Suffering an accident in 2012 which resulted in a tail bone fracture and her left leg being paralysed, the national level sprinter said that one doesn’t win just by running. "You win because of your mind… It’s ok to make mistakes. You have to go through the hard way to get to the top.”
Having done HPY about 15 years ago, she mentioned that her favorite events then were the fashion show and the religious lectures by founder of Zoroastrian Studies Khojeste Mistree. "Your parents are your biggest support. There is no one besides them who will stand up for you. Respect them and their decisions,” she ended.
Reiterating the important aspects of life, Yazdi Desai, chairman of the BPP elucidated the importance of hard work and prayers. "Do your kusti at least once a day. Keep on praying Yatha Ahu Vairyo no matter where you are as many times as you can.” He urged the youth to "inspire yourself. For that you need an inspirational model. Select somebody, preferably a Parsi, and look up to him or her. Not someone like (Bollywood actor) Salman Khan! He is not an inspiration, he is an exasperation!” he jested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Felicitating winners
Congratulating all the winners, Marfatia was quick to add "and kudos also to those who are not receiving any prize this evening, as we all know that you all have tried and participated and that’s important.” This year was a year of ties. Two students picked up many awards.
Jasmine Chaina and Cyrus Doctor were crowned Miss and Mr HPY whereas Ushaine Gandhi tied with Zarius Davar to pick up the Mr HPY runners up titles with Bianka Wadia being Miss HPY runner up. HPY Bawa and Bawi were Pakshan Badhniwalla and Spanishta Irani. Khushnaz Deboo was HPY Bawi runner up and Gandhi, HPY Bawa runner up. Chaina was best debater and the literary arts all rounder. Davar picked up the best sportsperson award.
Farhan Icchaporia was best actor. Irani and Freya Bulsara tied to win the best actress award. Farad Daruwalla was best supporting actor with Airyaman Master and in lieu of a single best supporting actress, the honor was conferred on an ensemble by team Creators. In the fashion show segment, Farhan Mistry was declared the best male model. Pearl Irani and Freya Dhamodiwalla were the best female models. Best catwalker title (female) went to Shanaya Anklesaria, and Master and Rukshad Vandrawala shared the best male catwalker prize. Best participants from each group are chosen based on their performance. Mistry and Master from Achievers, Hufriya Driver from Creators, Irani from Enactors and Bulsara from Performers were declared best participants. 
As part of their blood donation drive, 255 bottles of blood were collected in a matter of six hours. Achievers collected 88 bottles, picking up the blood donation trophy. Desai’s personal contribution of Rs 20,000 for the hard work the children put in was specially acknowledged.
Team Enactors bagged the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce trophy and was also declared the best group with 335 marks. Achievers lost by a single mark coming in a close second at 334. Creators scored 309 and Performers, 266.
The evening was also a platform to felicitate three young achievers. Recipient of the Piroja Fali Forbes Award for securing 94.66% in the ICSE stream last year was Arnaz Bharucha of Maneckji Cooper Education Trust. Scoring 91.66% in the SSC examinations of 2017, Udyachal High School student Naasha Pooniwala picked up the Bombay Parsi Punchayet Award. Though stricken with cancer at a young age Kayaan Anklesaria won four medals for his country at the World Children’s Winners’ Games in June last year in Moscow. A ninth grader at St Mary’s he was awarded a cash prize of one lakh rupees, whereas Bharucha and Pooniwala received Rs 10,000 each. 
"When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality,” said Marfatia. HPY 2018 could not have been possible but for the hard work put in by its organizing committee comprising of Huzan Forbes, Khushnuma Daruvalla, Ayesha Mehta, Arzan Mehta, Ferangiz Hozdar, Zaara Dastur, Karl Malao, Shazneen Vazifdar, Farad Daruwalla, Jeyhaan Carnac, Pashang Dadyburjor, Delna Mehta and Urvan Zaiwala.
Due to the munificence of an anonymous donor, Razin Shelangi was initiated into the faith on May 13.