Nominations are invited by March 1, 2022 for the seven categories of the World Zarathushti Community Awards to be conferred at the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress (12WZC) in New York City on July 2. In addition to the six existing categories there is a new Diversity Award instituted for the first time this year. It will honor an individual, project, organization or institution for outstanding contributions to improving gender and racial diversity, equity and inclusion. This Award will recognize accomplishments and take into consideration a broad range of high impact activities including research, education, and increasing awareness and service to improve diversity.
The existing nomination categories include the Iconic Zarathushti for which the nominee should have reached the zenith of achievement in the chosen field, be recognized as the epitome of a Zarathushti and combine the traits of leadership, honesty, industriousness, hard work, charity and community work. The Community Service Award will recognize an individual who has provided "effective initiative to inspire and pioneer meaningful change” in a local community or on an issue for at least five years.
A nominee for the Science/Technology/Engineering/Medicine Award should be dedicated to the field and endeavor to "forge new roles for people and create opportunities for future generations…” A creator or performer facilitating or promoting the artistic efforts of others or broadening community engagement in the field of art/design/literature/culture would qualify for an award in this field. An individual or company that promotes social entrepreneurship "to advance societies and address social problems in an innovative and effective manner” could be considered for the Social Entrepreneur Award. The Rising Outstanding Young Zarathushti Stars Award will recognize an individual in the 18 to 35 age group who after excelling in scholastics and participating in extracurricular activities is rated an outstanding rising star by peers and is known to have made substantial contributions to Zarathushti community affairs.
Clockwise from top l: Meher Bhesania,
Noshir Langrana, Adil Mistry, Yazdi Tantra
An initiative by the Global Working Group (GWG), these awards have been held in conjunction with every World Congress. The four co-chairs of the awards committee are Meher Bhesania, a banker, entrepreneur and author; Noshir Langrana, distinguished professor, researcher, mentor in engineering and an active member of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut; Adil Mistry, a long-standing and active member of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York and Yazdi Tantra, chairman of The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Limited and information technology wizard whose expertise is sought by major community forums. Every nomination will be vetted by the awards committee before it is forwarded to two or more judges.
The eligibility and evaluation criteria for each of the awards have been detailed on the Congress website. Those who have queries may write to
awards@wzc2022.nyc. While the 11WZC had instituted two additional awards for a Woman of Distinction and for Outstanding and Meritorious Services to Iran, these will not be continued for the 12WZC.