There are sessions galore, but few details are provided by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet in its recently released plan of activities for the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress
Sherene Vakil
The "proposed” program for the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (WZC) to be held this December in Bombay has been announced by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) who are hosting the international meet. The list of keynote speakers and speakers for the individual subjects however has not been made public as yet nor the content announced for the two slots reserved for "Iran delegation.” All activities will be conducted at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, save an evening at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse for the Zoroastrian Million race to be followed by an award ceremony, entertainment (youth night) and dinner on December 29 and the opening ceremony of the renovated Alpaiwala Museum at Khareghat Colony on January 1, 2014, two days after the WZC concludes.
After registration of delegates on the opening day, December 27, there will be a benediction by a high priest, lighting of the lamp and inauguration of the Congress, followed by the BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta’s welcome address. Keynote speeches are slotted for most days, though their subjects are not mentioned.
A paper on "Splendor of Zoroastrian rituals in the Gathic context and their relevance today” will be held before lunch. A panel discussion on "Affirming the global Parsi Iranian Zoroastrian identity” will be held after the mid day meal. The chief guest will address the gathering in the evening. A dance presentation by Mallika Sarabhai and her Darpana Performing Group will be followed by singing by the Paranjoti Academy Chorus and dancing by Shiamak Davar, with dinner bringing the day to a close.
A panel discussion on "Eminent Parsi businessmen: Reconstructing the community’s skills,” a session by Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation and "Parsi contribution to media, advertising and cinema” will occupy the morning of the second day, December 28. Between lunch and tea delegates can choose to attend concurrent discussions on Parsi philanthropy and poverty alleviation (no details given); providing the elderly a life of dignity; a Zoroastrian legacy through the ages; late marriages and divorce among Parsis; activities of the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation; and the release of Ashdin Lilaowalla’s book on the sudreh and kusti. After being fortified with tea, many more subjects will be covered: why the present day Parsis are not versatile and illustrious as their forefathers; Navsari: home of Indian Zoroastrianism and hub of China trade; Zoroastrian migration into India with an archeological perspective; Gathas in the 21st century; last days of the Sasanian Empire and the disappearance of the family of Yazdigar III; panel discussion on the Zoroastrian link to nature and conservation; legal consequences of being married under non Zoroastrian marriage rites; and a window into Zoroastrian religious shrines of Yazd and Kerman. Entertainment in the form of acts from Parsi nataks will precede dinner.
Two panel discussions on "Demography and way forward: Issues of fertility and solutions” and emerging entrepreneurs will be on the cards for the morning of December 29, along with presentations on Enterprise Dubai, December 19-21, 2014 and challenges for Parsi philanthropy management experienced by the BPP and other trusts. A youth session is planned before lunch. Post prandial discussions include a youth session with Parzor-Roots program; gender and religion: images of women in Zoroastrian history from the past to the present; Zoroastrian Women’s International Network; a session with the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce; Parsi art collections, past and present (Tata, Nicholson and Cowasjee Jehangir collections); youth and New Zealand, a presentation for the Youth Congress in 2015; importance of rituals in perpetuating Zoroastrianism in the diaspora, its theology and philosophy (no details provided). After this erudite fare, the delegates will proceed to the Race Course.
The final morning of the WZC will cover practices of the Zoroastrian faith in India and other parts of the world — future of the Parsi Iranian communities in India and the diaspora; a session with Federation of the Zoroastrian Associations of North America; history of the Iranshah — high priests; a presentation by the National Commission for Minorities and felicitation of the chief minister of Maharashtra or the union minorities minister. The afternoon’s program includes Parsi Gujarati literature and theater; caring for the differently abled and their future — a community responsibility; youth session on nurturing an identity for the next generation; presentation on B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital; Parsis in science; and the Shahnameh. A synopsis of the Congress and wrapping up will be followed by the handing over ceremony to WZC 2017. Entertainment by the World Zoroastrian Symphony Orchestra followed by dinner will bring the 10th WZC to a close.