The 60th anniversary of the Zonta Club of Bombay Chapter I and the 40th of the Bombay Chapter III were celebrated with felicitation of women achievers in social activism against child marriage, cancer awareness, empowerment of girls with information technology (IT), stated vice director Firuza Sena in a write-up to Parsiana. The event on February 11, 2019 at the Cricket Club of India was "an occasion to appreciate commitment of (Club members) to Zonta International’s (ZI) goal and to pledge to empower women with service and advocacy…and to say no to violence,” read Sena’s note. Club members are currently celebrating a biennium (period of two years) towards ending child marriage, she noted.
Award winners of Lady Engineer School (standing) with awardees, office bearers and guests at Zonta Clubs’ anniversary
For her work in annulling 39 and preventing 1,200 child marriages, and rehabilitating 6,000 children and 5,500 women across the country, Dr Kriti Bharati was awarded the ZI Centennial Biennium Country Award. Founder-director of Highways Infinite that spreads awareness on cancer Dr Ritu Biyani, and Bhabha Atomic Research scientist Dr Sunita Mahajan who assists girls with IT knowledge for their corporate placements, were other awardees. Encouragement awards were presented to Anvita Varia and Shalaka Mane for pursuing their academics despite disabilities. Drawing and essay competition winners from Lady Engineer High School were recognized.
"There are men who are supporters of women. Take them along. Each one of us can be a change maker,” stated Jam-e-Jamshed editor Shernaaz Engineer, who was honored for "projecting Zonta to Jame readers,” Sena stated.
Sena noted that Club members present included Dilruba Ahmed from ZI, Fahmida Karim of Zonta District 25, Bangladesh, Lt Gov Errick Elavia and Foundation Ambassador Farida Lukmanji, along with Club presidents Shehernaz Asavaid and Arnavaz Pithawalla. Vice president Arnavaz Kapadia offered a vote of thanks.