The XYZF (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians Foundation) that has catered to the development and entertainment needs of children in the five to 15 age bracket for the past eight years, formally launched "XYZ Juniors” on its Annual Day at the K. C. College auditorium on December 18, 2022. Founder Hoshaang Gotla explained in a chat with Parsiana that this is a group especially created for children from ages one to seven. "These children will register with XYZ and partake in activities throughout the year in various centers all over Bombay… They will also participate in some XYZ events and will have different fun days in their locations based on art, movement, Gujarati, games, sports, food, and trips to various places in the city,” specified Gotla. Other age groups are XYZ Seniors (15 to 25-year-olds) XYZ Volunteers (25 years and above) and XYZ Silvers (55 and above).
The Annual Day included the fourth edition of the "XYZ Being Parsi” competition, in which "30 adorable performances” were displayed by the XYZ Juniors and XYZ Members (under 15) who showcased various Parsi customs and traditions. Friyan Elavia dressed as Sali per Edu (eggs on potato slivers) from Behram’s Battalions (BB) group won the prize for the Under 7 fancy dress competition. The pre-wedding rituals dramatization in the Under 16 age group was won by Rustom’s Rockstars (RR) and the overall winners of "XYZ Being Parsi 2022” were the BB group.
Top: Hoshaang Gotla; children participating in XYZ’s annual day event
Thirteen-year-old Dinaz Dalal, president of RR for 2022 told Parsiana after the event that "practicing for Being Parsi helped me and my RR members know and understand our Parsi culture and rituals in a better way.” A resident of Bandra, Dalal also collected the Maneckji and Shirinbai Netarwala Foundation Award for outstanding administration on behalf of RR. "The administration award was a great achievement for RR as it was won after a long time… We truly worked very hard this year and will do even better next year,” promised the teenager.
The competition was hosted by the members of the XYZ Seniors, and they entertained the audience with their quirky jokes and Parsipanu, stated Gotla in a detailed note to Parsiana. Principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia was the judge for the competition. He informed the audience that what was showcased that day in two hours would have taken someone a year to learn in any class and he applauded the excellent work done by the parents and volunteers in training the children. Karanjia, who also judged the events on Parsi food and dressing, later told Parsiana that "While preparing for and participating in such events, children learn more about our culture and traditions than perhaps attending hours of lectures.”
XYZ’s ACE Award for achieving continuous excellence was presented to couturier Ashdeen Lilaowala who "has revived authentic Parsi embroidery with his beautiful garas.” XYZ’s Exceptional Zoroastrian Award 2022 was bestowed on Ava Mistry from XYZ’s BB for the laurels she has won in judo and karate.
Zayan Sanga, the new director for XYZ Seniors 2023, introduced his coordinators and organizing committee and they spoke about the various activities planned for their group in the coming year.
The other annual awards presented comprised the Best President Award 2022 given to Xerxes Billimoria from Cyrus’ Superstars, while the overall winners of XYZ 2022 were Jamshed’s Giants who won the trophy for the third time in a row.
XYZ is organized geographically and bands together children in predominantly Parsi localities with names that are evocative of Persian might. Approximate group size ranges from 11 (Noshirwan’s Knights, Thana) to 111 (Ketayun’s Conquerors, mainly girls from the Avabai Petit School). Their Seniors are labeled Xerxes’s Invincibles. Their nine-member advisory council is named Pourushasp’s Platoon and their 10 member executive committee, Artaxerxes’s Army.
XYZF is a registered charitable trust whose goals are "to promote togetherness and camaraderie within the youngsters… mold the children to become better individuals (and) inculcate Zoroastrian values,” states their website, xyzfoundation.net. XYZF trustees are Gotla and Bazyan Mistry. F. J.