The rains on the morning of March 21, 2023 threatened to be a dampener for the Jamshedi Navroz function planned outdoors that evening. But fortuitously they let up. This was a blessing especially for the residents of the Mancherji Joshi Parsee Colony [better known as Dadar Parsi Colony (DPC)] and others who after a span of four years were gathering to celebrate the Festival of Spring.
The 40th anniversary of Dadar’s Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust’s (MEJMT) Jamshedi Navroz gahanbar, which ranks amongst the largest gatherings of Parsis in the world, provided "a sense of revival of the great tradition of celebration and delight,” MEJMT trustee Mahiyar Dastoor told Parsiana after the event.
"The community’s iconic get-together” was possible due to "the true grit and determination of the organizers” who helped in celebrating the event held in a mandap constructed on the grounds of the Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana (DPGC). This included a jashan performed by the priests-in-training from the Dadar Athornan Institute, healthy doses of entertainment, felicitations of achievers and food.
Top: Colony performers; 2nd row, from l: awardees and dignitaries Jehangir Randeria, Hufriya Dudhmal Kavina, Ervad (Dr)
Ramiyar Karanjia, Yasmin Mistry, Dinyar Panthaki, Justice Rohinton Nariman (retd), Dr Sanaya Nariman, Fredun De Vitre;
3rd row: Nawaz Modi Singhania, Ervad Nadir Modi, Jimi Jesia Photo: Jasmine D. Driver; Capt Percy Master, Zubin Khapoliwala,
Kaiwan Randeria, Dr Mazda Turel;4th row: Mithoo Jesia, Mahiyar Dastoor, Panthaki, Rohinton Nariman, Tina Patel, De Vitre;
5th row: Armaity Tirandaz, Arnavaz Mistry Photos: Sarosh Daruwalla;Bachi and Dinshaw Tamboly Photos: Jasmine D. Driver
Chief guest, former Supreme Court of India Justice Rohinton Nariman explained the significance of the Yatha Ahu Vairyo and Ashem Vohu prayers in detail, emphasizing that it was important to understand the meaning of the words. He stated that "prayers were very powerful and effective.” Guest of honor noted lawyer Fredun De Vitre in his brief address remembered the time when he was a junior member of the team which addressed the courts to protect the Parsi only covenant to safeguard the DPC. He also lauded the immense contribution of lawyer Ervad Nadir Modi towards the case, and that of MEJMT trustee Mithoo Jesia.
The "very popular” raffle for the gara was a give-away from Ferzeen Boomla in memory of her mother, the late Naju Davar. Other prizes were provided by the house of Godrej. "Proceeds from the same are used for building houses for poor Parsi farmers every year in the interior of Gujarat through the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust. The gara raffle was successfully coordinated by Diana and Firdosh Tolat, noted Dastoor.
The four-decade-old Festival "would not have been possible without the unstinted and determined efforts” of Jesia "who has led the Trust in its glorious journey through the decades, ably supported by her husband and trustee Jimi,” said Dastoor.
The Trust offered heartfelt thanks to the DPCG, J. B. Vachha High School for Parsi Girls and The Dadar Parsee Youths Assembly High School for supporting it in all its activities by giving their premises entirely free of cost. "Our trustee, Homai Daruwalla’s continued support is highly appreciated,” noted the write-up.
The activities of the MEJMT include educational and medical aid, poverty relief, religious classes, cultural events, sports, summer camps for children and distribution of food to the needy, Doongerwadi staff and students. The other trustees include Dinyar Panthaki, Zareen Engineer, Tina Patel, Daraius Zaiwala, Behram Rabadi and Homi Daruwala. F. J.