"We have started doing one activity every month through internet and there is no gathering on our grounds,” noted Nowroze Baug Play Centre’s (NPC) joint honorary secretary, Yasmine Engineer. "Since this is our 75th year, we have started making short videos of old photographs, voice over messages of our past stalwart members and wellwishers and these are sent out to the (Baug residents’) WhatsApp group. This keeps everyone connected and active…We also conducted a craft and drawing competition for children, again through internet,” she communicated.
Above: participants showing off their culinary skills at Nowroze Baug Play Centre’s cookoff
The Centre adapted the format of its annual cooking competition which earlier took place on the Baug grounds so that 26 participants who made up seven teams could participate in the cookoff from their homes on December 13, 2020. "They were given a menu to prepare in their own kitchens within an allotted time frame with their videos on.” Members Meher and Perzon Porbunderwala worked with poultry supplier Zorabian Chicks to provide chicken free of cost for the participants. "NPC also provided the teams a small amount to cover the cost of the ingredients... After the preparations, the teams had to bring a small portion of the dishes to a nominated place” for the judges, food blogger Roxanne Bamboat and restaurateur Shehzad Marolia to taste, wrote Engineer. "NPC will continue having such activities until complete lockdown is lifted,” she stated.
"After seeking permission from the Wadia Trust, we have restarted the homeopathy dispensary which will function every month at the recreation hall,” said the joint honorary secretary, adding, "The dispensary has been running for the last 40 years and many people take advantage of the same.”