"Get involved in public life — be it politics, bureaucracy, medicine, judiciary. Our country is desperate for talent and integrity,” chief guest Justice Shiavax Vajifdar of the Bombay High Court counseled achievers at the 33rd annual prize distribution function of the Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association (ZOSTA) held at Allbless Baug on February 2, 2013. "There is a tendency among young people to ignore their mother tongue and state language. Knowledge of the local language, e.g. Marathi and Gujarati is very useful as government circulars often come in the local language. (Bombay High Court) Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla is an outstanding judge who can read, speak and write Marathi,” Vajifdar lauded.
About 600 community members had congregated to honor 300 young students in 14 categories under the aegis of ZOSTA, formed in 1979. The event started with a jashan followed by students of the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution rendering the ZOSTA song, specially composed for the occasion by their teacher Gulnar Tafti, mentions Marzban Giara in a write-up sent to Parsiana. Navaz Sanjana, ZOSTA committee member who compered the function, urged, "Be involved in mankind… develop empathy, sensitivity and compassion. India is a young nation and all power lies with the youth,” She suggested many ways of involvement like serving the community or supporting a worthy NGO (nongovernmental organization) and "by judiciously using social media like Facebook for spreading awareness and garnering support for a just cause.” Lawyer, taxation expert, former Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee and founder trustee of World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis Homi Ranina, guest of honor, reiterated, "India is the nation of the future. Look for career opportunities in India (to) bring glory to our community and our country.” Builder Zarir Bhathena, another guest of honor suggested, "Learn to focus on solutions. Give easy, simple solutions to problems,” the write-up mentions.
Zenobia Daroga, ZOSTA chairperson, presented a report of the organization’s activities during the past year. A workshop on stress, anger and time management for senior school students, a creative writing competition, quiz contest, group talent competition, celebration of Teachers’ Day, drama contest and an adventure camp gave a platform to Parsi boys and girls to follow the ZOSTA motto of Frashmi Aethrya (progress culturally).
Each year ZOSTA recognizes the scholastic achievements of Zoroastrian students, presenting trophies, certificates and cash awards to those who have secured high percentage marks at school and college examinations. This year Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla made a donation of Rs 15,40,000 toward the Nawaz Jimi Kathawalla Awards as well as bearing the expenses of the baug and dinner to invitees and awardees. In addition, in memory of his late father Jimi, he presents awards of Rs 1,00,000 each to HSC toppers who have secured admission in medical and engineering courses. Ranina donated Rs 1,50,000 toward cash prizes for graduates and three rotating shields for students scoring the highest marks in the BA, BSc and BCom examinations. Bhathena provided Rs 1,00,000 for three 22 carat gold medals for toppers of SSC, ICSE and HSC exams. Bakhtawar M. Pardiwalla gave a like amount and Bapsy M. Daruwala Rs 50,000 toward the prizes. Names of the winners were announced by Freny Mehta, principal of Alexandra Girls’ English Institution and educationist Diana Marfatia. Prizes were distributed by Vajifdar, Ranina, Bhathena and social worker Mahrukh Noble, states the write-up. As in past years, successful girls outnumbered the boys.
Long service awards were presented to teachers Dr Zarin P. Bhathena and Kerman R. Patel for 25 years and to Hoofriz Balsara, Jasmine Gandhi and Daisy Zohrabi for 15 years’ service each. Trophy winners for 2012 were: Kaizaan R. Navdar (95.4 percent in HSC) from Delhi Private School, UAE; Menaita M. Lala (97.8 percent in ICSE) from Arya Vidya Mandir, Bandra; Khushi M. Asundaria (9.8 grade average in SSC) from Rosary Convent High School, Hyderabad (these three students also received 22 carat gold medals); Afshin Yazdani (89.6 percent in BE); Shahiza C. Irani (62.25 percent in LLB); Farzana Y. Khambatta (67 percent in BEd).
Rotating trophies for excellence in ZOSTA literary activities and overall excellence went to the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution. Rotating shields for 2012 were received by Havovi Aibara (74.75 percent in BA); Mehernaz D. Panthaki (88.86 percent in BCom) and Farzin X. Amalsadwalla (80.57 percent in BSc). Pearl V. Edibam, who secured admission to IIT Roorkee and Pashan H. Irani, who got admission to Grant Medical College, received the Jimi N. Kathawalla Memorial Awards of Rs 1,00,000 each. Anainah T. Patel, Sanober P. Dastoor and Yazdandokht M. Maney received awards for securing admission to medical colleges. Drs Mazda K. Turel and Eruch P. Gorwalla received awards for MCh neurosurgery and PhD in microbiology respectively, states the write-up.
Silloo Commissariat, vice chairperson, ZOSTA, who proposed the vote of thanks advised students: "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do… Strive… for excellence. Do not forget in all this rush of commercialization and materialism to be a kind and helpful Parsi Zoroastrian, to pray and thank Ahura Mazda every day and be respectful and grateful to your parents.” The function concluded with the singing of the Parsi and national anthems followed by dinner catered by Tanaz Godiwalla.