"It was really satisfying to see kids and parents turn up on a Sunday morning… We touched (upon) various aspects of the… values of our religion. We had some enactments displaying different rituals and ceremonies which play an…. essential part in the lives of Parsis,” noted Hyderabad based Zoro Kids Club co-founder Nazneen Reporter who, with Armaity Debara, Kunashni Daver and Ruksha Hormusjee organized Parsipanu 2.0 on May 26, 2019. About 40 children and adults from the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad participated.
Above: children of Zoro Kids Club making paper torans at Parsipanu 2.0 at Zoroastrian Club,
Hyderabad; bottom: participants and parents
The program included making paper torans, chalk patterns and enactments depicting the life cycle of a Parsi – agharni (celebratory ceremony for an expectant mother), to birth, to navjote, lagan, besna (ceremony performed when a child first sits on its own) and pug laadu (ceremony performed when a child takes its first steps). Lunch and desserts were accompanied by falooda made by the children. "We ended the day with a giveaway for all kids – The story of the religion – Zoroastrianism by Ava Mehta,” courtesy Daisy Chenoy, Percy Rustom Daver and Mehroo Patel, noted Hormusjee.
The event was held at the Zoroastrian Club, which also provided lunch and logistic support. Refreshments were personally sponsored by Club president Rohinton Noria. While Fram Desai compered the event, Reporter shared her knowledge about each of the rituals. Volunteer support was provided by Zenia Bhatela, Cheerisa Jilla, Armaan Chenoy, Anaisha Chenoy, Roxanne Kanga and Shiamak Bhatela. Beyniaz Edulji