"I fervently hope ZTFI (Zoroastrian Trust Funds of India)/ Will always sincerely try/
To help those that are in need,/
And with our help they will succeed!/
I congratulate all on their award,/
Indeed, I’m honored and I’m awed…/
And even if our numbers fall,/
Let’s always strive to stand tall!”
Thus recited chief guest, industrialist and poet Nadir Godrej on November 21, 2017 when ZTFI honored community achievers at the Zoroastrian Achievers Awards Nite 2017 (ZAAN 2017) at the Garware Club. The 17 community members felicitated included educationist Diana Marfatia; tennis player Kyra Shroff; infertility specialist Dr Firuza Parikh; senior journalist Bachi Karkaria; corporate executive Pirojshaw Sarkari; fitness guru Mickey Mehta; entrepreneur Kainaz Messman; stage and screen actor Jim Sarbh; social entrepreneur Shaheen Mistri; researcher and writer Firoza Punthakey Mistree; banker Zarin Daruwala; and Maj Gen Soli Pavri (Retd). The Shapoorji Pallonji Group was recognized for its social responsibility achievements. With three new recognition awards for outstanding contributions to the community, ZTFI felicitated Udvada High Priest and member of the National Commission for Minorities Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, the Dinshaw Tamboly led WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust and community newspaper Parsi Times. Actor Dinyar Contractor was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by Godrej. Vistasp Gotla and Hormazd Daruwala were co-hosts for the evening.
From left (seated): Achievers felicitated at ZAAN, 2017 Delaveen Tarapore, Meherangiz Khodaiji, Anahita Subedar, Zarin
Daruwala, Bachi Karkaria, Dr Firuza Parikh, Firoza Punthakey Mistree, Diana Marfatia, Kainaz Messman;
(standing) Sorab Jesia, Jim Sarbh, Kyra Shroff, Kekoo Colah, Pirojshaw Sarkari, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor,
Yasmin Mistry, Mickey Mehta, Xerxes Master, Maj Gen Soli Pavri (Retd), Dinshaw Tamboly
ZTFI trustee and businessman Xerxes Master had opened the event with a welcome address and shared his experiences as trustee, which was followed by a short film on ZTFI’s efforts in community service. The second such event organized by ZTFI (see "ZAAN awards night,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, February 7, 2016), the jury that selected the awardees consisted of banker Homai Daruwalla, jurist and Parsiana columnist Berjis Desai and advertising professional Sam Balsara.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by songsters Pashmina Chindi, Cyrus Dubash and Hormaz Ragina and stand-up comedian Kajol Srinivasan. After trustee Yasmin Mistry’s vote of thanks and singing of the national anthem, those assembled partook of dinner.
Established in 2009, ZTFI’s website details three key activities: under their Feed-A-Family program, they distribute 300 bags consisting of necessities like rice, dal, spices, oil and butter monthly to the deserving; their welfare activities for senior citizens include day trips to Udvada, entertainment evenings and medical aid on a case to case basis. For youth, ZTFI organizes outstation camps, provides career guidance and educational aid.
Trustees of ZTFI include Master, chairperson Maneck Engineer, manpower consultant Zeree Jehangirji and Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Kersi Randeria.