The achievements of 47 persons were recognized at the annual awards function of the Ushta-te Foundation on January 21, 2017 at the Thakorebhai Desai Hall, Law Garden, Ahmedabad. Three awards were presented in the names of Meher and Rustomji Contractor for noteworthy achievements by a blind person, a social worker and a puppeteer. Recognized for academic achievements were Marzun Jokhi and Edwin Pithawala who had obtained their PhDs, Alisha Sethna for becoming a chartered accountant, Pervin Gandhi and Zinnia Bharucha for papers and publications at Harvard and London University respectively, notes an email received from the Foundation. The Foundation also honoured two young maratabs, Arzaad Khambatta and Vazaan Dastoor.
Clockwise from above left: Dr Makrand Mehta and Meher Medora felicitating
Ervads Vazaan Dastoor and Arzaad Khambatta; Marzun Jokhi, Damjibhai Hadiyal,
Pervin Gandhi, Bimla Hurra, Keyzad Anklesaria, Kinnari Parikh
A soulful monajat with musical accompaniment by Kaizad Dalal on his synthesizer opened the program. Meher Medora, managing trustee of Ushta-te Foundation welcomed all, especially chief guest Dr Makrand Mehta, well-known historian. Dr Armaity Davar spoke about Mehta, who has studied the contribution of Parsis to the city of Ahmedabad. He, in turn, appreciated the achievements of the awardees. The secretary’s report was read out by Minnie Patel who highlighted two major activities of the Zarathushti Awareness Group of Ahmedabad (ZAGA) children: their visit, along with parents and volunteers, to an orphanage where they shared gifts and played with the inmates; and a tree planting drive on the Doongerwadi lands where 500 saplings were planted.
The ZAGA children, in the age group seven to 14 years, not only danced but also showcased salient features and rituals of the Zoroastrian religion. The volunteers, especially coordinator Pervin Watchmaker, choreographer Khushnum Solai, director Kety Daruwalla and resource person Ruzeen Daruwalla were thanked, notes the wrote-up