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"My son is as generous as his mother,” said a smiling Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Poonawalla Group of his son Adar, chief executive officer of the Serum Institute of India. They were merely continuing the tradition of supporting various charitable causes which his late wife Villoo had done throughout her life, he added.
More than 400 people gathered at the Serum Institute of India in Poona to acknowledge the generous patronage of the Poonawallas to innumerable community causes. At the event organized by the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India (FOZYA) and the UNESCO Parsi Zoroastrian (Parzor) Project, speaker after speaker took to the podium to thank the Poonawallas for their philanthropy. "I am honored by your kind words but I’m not sure that I deserve the praise,” was Poonawalla’s response to all the accolades.
The felicitation coincided with the three-day meet in Poona organized by FOZYA from October 29 to 31, 2016, and sponsored by the Poonawallas. Celebrating its silver jubilee this year, FOZYA has built an outstanding reputation for creating youth involvement through social and community activities at intercity meets. The Poona meet this year attracted 170 delegates from across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master of ceremonies for the evening, Parzor Foundation’s Mahtab Irani thanked Poonawalla for being a "silent giver who believes in his actions speaking louder than his words. This overwhelming turnout is a response to his actions being heard.”
Speaking on behalf of the community’s youth, who are the keepers and promoters of our precious heritage and traditions, Mabrin Nanavatti, FOZYA president, hailed Poonawalla as "the backbone of the Parsi community” and thanked both father and son for their support of the community’s youth, adding that their "magnanimous philanthropy is an inspiration to all.”
Dr Shernaz Cama, Parzor director expressed gratitude to Poonawalla for sponsoring the social and cultural events of the Everlasting Flame International Programme held in New Delhi from March 21 to May 30, 2016. Having drawn more than 80,000 visitors, the exhibition attracted Zoroastrians from every part of the world to make them understand the need to foster their heritage. Cama and Ashdeen Lilaowala, textile designer, author and curator of the "Threads of Continuity” exhibition at the Everlasting Flame event, presented Poonawalla a silver salver with the inscription, "The patrons and trustees of Parzor consider it a privilege and honor to felicitate Dr Cyrus Poonawalla for his dedication and contribution to preserving and promoting Zoroastrianism.”
Dadi Pudumjee, one of India’s best-known puppeteers and Parzor trustee, thanked Poonawalla for "willingly supporting community causes and doing so quietly behind the scenes.” Udvada’s Vada Dastur Khurshed Dastoor followed with the blessing: "Happiness unto him who gives happiness to others.”
Yazdi Desai, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, Mahrukh Bharucha, chairperson of the Pune chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), Khushru Minocherhomji, vice chair of the Pune WZCC, Ervad Ardaviraf Sinor and FOZYA’s youngest delegate Benaz Nanavatti also presented mementos and tokens of appreciation to the Poonawallas.
Parzor released a short film titled The Everlasting Flame Diaries, a compilation of events from the international program celebrating the multicultural ethos of the Parsi Zoroastrian community. This was followed by two young FOZYA members, Vahbiz Nanavatti and Dilzeen Naegamvala, reciting a humorous poem about Parsis, and students of the Poona Zarthosty Seva Mandal’s Sunday school staging a dance performance followed by a rousing rendition of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti.
Thanking his well-wishers, including Armaity Tirandaz, Dinshaw Tamboly, Dr Pheroza Godrej, Dr Parvez Grant, Sir Cowasji and Lady Jasmine Jehangir for gracing the occasion, Poonawalla acknowledged that the Poonawalla Group can take great pride in the fact that an estimated 65 percent of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India. "At least 10 to 15 million lives would have been lost had we not given vaccinations at the price of a cup of tea,” Poonawalla pointed out to loud applause. "I hope to do much more for the community in the future,” thus ensuring that the flame will continue to burn ever brighter for years to come.

 

 

 

Meet, play, learn…
 "This is my eighth meet and the friends I (have) made are now like family, a family that is growing with each youth meet,” commented Aaftab Marzban who was part of the large 35-member contingent that had come from Ahmedabad to attend the 25th All India Zoroastrian Youth meet in Poona from October 29 to 31, 2016. About 170 youngsters from other cities like Coimbatore, Ajmer, Nagpur, Surat, Navsari, Bombay and Poona, aged between 18 and 35, enjoyed three days of fun and fellowship at the meet organized by the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations of India (FOZYA).
Principal sponsor Adar Poonawalla, along with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, World Zoroastrian Organisation and Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat played a significant part as did the trustees and principal Mickey Dalal of the Dr (Mrs) Erin Nagarvala High School in Kalyani Nagar where the delegates were accommodated in dormitories.
Under the stewardship of FOZYA president Mabrin Nanavatti, the volunteers had worked months in advance to organize the program. On registering, participants were given ID cards and complimentary bags with coupons for each event. This was followed by icebreaker games conducted by Rocky Tribhuvan, in charge of entertainment. Learning how to dance the salsa was enjoyed by all, even those who only knew how to step on other people’s toes!

 

 

 

The first day included a tour of the Serum Institute of India after lunch and the inaugural function at the Poonawalla Auditorium where Dr Cyrus Poonawalla was felicitated by Dr Shernaz Cama, head of Parzor Foundation. Dinner with live music followed on the lawns outside.
The second day began with outdoor games like volleyball, throwball, basketball and football. Maj Gen Rumi Jambusarwala spoke on "The Ethos of the Armed Forces” followed by a question and answer round. Fashion designer Ashdeen Lilaowala shared his experiences. Pearl Tirandaz called on Benaifer Sahukar from the Jiyo Parsi project to conduct a small workshop which had some interactive sessions where the gravity of the decline in the Parsi population was emphasized. She also spoke of why Parsis should try and have more children. The use of new age fertility treatments was explained by Pearl Mistry. Music and dance marked the second night at Vivanta by Taj — Blue Diamond hotel.
Nanavatti informed the gathering that it was time for him to step down as FOZYA president and handed the reins to Ariz Bokdawalla of Ahmedabad.  Both had joined FOZYA in 2004 and Nanavatti was elected the president in late 2009. Bokdawalla announced tentative venues for the next intercity youth seminar, Mt Abu, and the 26th All India youth seminar at Navsari or Surat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A workshop by Behzad Randeria on "It’s all in the mind,” helped the youth to exercise their brains on the last day. Randeria and Jambusarwala conducted an open house debate session with interesting topics such as: Which is more important for marriage — love or money? What exactly is love? What is the difference between love and infatuation? What was the youth’s take on live-in relationships? There were huge differences of opinion but those who agreed on live-in relationships also thought there should be a time period and then sealed with marriage. The discussions were intense but had their share of humor. "I did enjoy the debates as we were given a chance to share our different points of view,” stated Michelle Lalkaka of Ahmedabad who was attending the first meet. "The lectures were very refreshing, not just the usual religious talks,” stated Firoz Mehta of Bombay who was attending the  FOZYA camp for the fourth time.
That night there was a photo session of all delegates, organizers and volunteers before a barbecue dinner. In-house talent was showcased by Brandon Lalkaka, a stand-up comedian from Ahmedabad attending his first meet and loving "the company and activities and meeting new people.” A graceful belly dancer enthralled with her moves. Participants were encouraged to sing or dance along with Tribhuvan.
All the meals were seen to by the organizers and volunteers, with the delegates being served lassi during sessions, sponsored by Zubin Chinoy of ABC Farms who also supplied cheese. In addition to the popular dhansak and biryani, one morning everyone was dragged out of bed by bribing them with sausages for breakfast! Cakes, batasas and donuts were appreciated at teatime, courtesy Farokh Irani of Donut Magic and Porusasp Kayani of Kayani Bakery.
Delegate feedback indicated that they would have liked the meet to continue longer: "for four days at least” said Behafrid Motafram of Ajmer. "The meet should last a week,” opined Jamshed Dumasia of Karachi who is currently working in Bombay. Living in a dormitory "aroused nostalgia of college life with good food, interesting lectures and beautiful people,” noted Rayumand Yazdani of Bombay.
Mingling in groups was common, old friendships were renewed and new ones blossomed. Though the event did not claim to be a matrimonial meet, some delegates did pair up. "There were mostly groups of people who stuck together, but they were also interactive and friendly,” observed Hera Havewala of Bombay. "I felt quite at home and made tons of friends,” was the experience of first timer Mahafarin Mehta of Bombay. "I would like to see more icebreakers/team building activities like we had on the first day,” recommended Kazvin Marfatia of Ahmedabad. "Being an introvert it’s difficult to interact with new people, but as the days passed I made some really nice friends,” stated Mehernaz Mavalwalla of Nagpur who had "never interacted with so many bawas and bawis before.” Berjis Sethna of Ahmedabad declared, "Being at the FOZYA youth meet gives us a proud feeling of being a Parsi/Zoroastrian” while Bomi Sethna from the same city summed up "I have really made good use of my vacation. This would be my 10th or 12th FOZYA meet.”                               
                             

Ayesha Shapoorji