Emotions ran high that sultry evening of June 1, 2025 — ranging from jubilation to despondency. Jubilation because the 120 Parsi youngsters had just completed their 28-day 38th Holiday Programme for Youth (HPY); despondency at not being able to regularly meet new friends with whom they had bonded.
Sponsored by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), this year’s HPY created history on two accounts. First, there were an equal number of girls and boys (60 each). Second, the introduction of a "University Fair” that enabled youngsters to explore academic pathways, interact with representatives of colleges and gain first-hand insight into courses, scholarships and campus life beyond school. As always, youth from Bombay comprised the largest number of participants with a few others from Navsari, Poona and Surat.
Top row, l-r: Diana Marfatia, Dr Kayan Siodia, Suzanne Chowdhry,
Dr Rashneh Pardiwala, Ayesha Billimoria;
above: participants and organizers of HPY 2025
The valedictory function in the cavernous hall of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution saw heart specialist Dr Kayan Siodia as chief guest and educator and sports personality Suzanne Chowdhry as the guest of honor. Acknowledging that "change is the only constant” Siodia referred to the time before mobile phones and the internet when finding a simple explanation required reference in a library. "Today the same can be done in a few seconds in the comfort of one’s house. With the advent of artificial intelligence it will not be long before you may not even have to type in the search bar as mind reading will be a reality,” predicted the 40-year-old doctor, a trailblazer in the field of interventional cardiology, whose career spans over a decade of excellence in critical care, internal medicine and advanced cardiac interventions.
During his days at medical college, doing an angioplasty was a great deal, he recalled. But he now uses a device called ‘impella’ which functions as an artificial heart. "The human heart may stop with a flat line on the monitor, but the patient is talking to you… There was a time when valve replacement entailed a high degree of mortality, morbidity and prolonged hospital stays. Today I specialize in replacing valves without even an incision. I can pass the valve through a needle,” he smiled.
He reminded the participants that "though your marks are a testament to your diligence, hard work, discipline and family support… they are not your identity. Marks are simply a foundation. You have a long way to go to prove your mettle. What will define you will be your perseverance… Whatever your path, walk it with courage; the sky is the limit with effort.” He always wanted to be a cardiologist since his days at Jamnabai Narsee International School. "I didn’t have any other option in my mind,” Siodia confessed. Youthful in appearance, had the doctor not donned a suit, he could have passed off as a participant, he was told! Inspired by religious scholar Khojeste Mistree, the medical man is also a para mobed.
Hailing from the small town of Dahanu, Chowdhry reminisced about her HPY journey in 1995. "I didn’t know a soul. I walked into this big fast-talking, fast-dressing Bombay crowd. It was intimidating, scary. But HPY made it easy, made it fun. It made me feel like I belonged,” she admitted.
From l, 1st row: Ervad Kerman Fatakia, Ayesha Mehta, Marfatia, Viraf Mehta, Chowdhry,
Siodia, Anahita Desai, Maharukh Noble, Armaity Tirandaz, Hoshang Jal;
2nd row: Best group, Achievers, with their trophy;
3rd row: Rayess Surti, Merwyn Patel, Kiya Lord, Zelina Master; Benaisha Irani,
Tianna Sidhwa; Mirron Daruwalla, Danesh Kakalia;
4th row: Malcolm Irani, Tia Nakra, Nasha Tantra, Sean Todiwalla
A passionate educator, athlete and changemaker, Chowdhry is one of the founders of the Rustomjee Group of Schools. Her belief that "sports is a vehicle for growth” led her to establish Iron Born FC — a pro bono football club that identifies and trains players solely on merit. Starting with only 26 boys in 2016, the club trains over 120 boys at present. She has represented Maharashtra and the Bombay University at the national level in basketball and competed as a state level shot putter.
Her three points of advice were: "Look for opportunities. Wherever you go, you’ll see that things aren’t working as well as they should. Instead of complaining, ask ‘Can I do something about it? Can I make it better?’
Secondly, find something that you can do which you truly love. When you love what you do even the hard days won’t feel heavy. And thirdly, give back in whatever way you can. Generosity, kindness and service are at the core of our Zoroastrian value system. You don’t need to be rich or famous to make a difference. Carry your confidence, curiosity and values. Laugh a lot, learn a lot and don’t take yourself too seriously. Life’s way more fun that way,” ended the 46-year-old mother of two.
HPY mentor Diana Marfatia (who has been the mainstay of the Programme from its early days) mentioned that at HPY confidence replaces anxiety, knowledge replaces ignorance and strangers become friends. She cautioned the participants: "There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world – those who are afraid to try, and those who are afraid you will succeed. Keep away from both.”
"You only lead two lives. Your second life begins when you realize you only have one!” smiled BPP chairman Viraf Mehta who regretted that he "never had the opportunity to do what you guys did (HPY).” He reminded parents that "your kids are at a very, very tricky age (when) they need a friend, a person to support them, not scold them.” To the children he said: "The numbers of followers you have, the number of likes that you get on your windows and posts, isn’t what makes you who you are… The future is only what you make of it. Do not strive to be somebody’s copy-paste version. Social media today is full of influencers who tell you how you should… dress, behave, make money. Do not get engulfed in such false propaganda,” he pleaded.
Top: Organizing committee; center: audience at the valedictory function;
above: Burzin Patel (l) and Ervad Firdaus Pavri
Young initiate
The first day of HPY 2025
"Dive into this HPY with your head and heart. Do not judge one another because everyone’s different. It doesn’t matter what you look like, how you dress. What really matters is how you think, how you behave and finally and most importantly what you take away from this course,” advised Dr Rashneh Pardiwala, chief guest at the HPY inauguration on May 4 in the compact, airconditioned hall of the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution.
Founder director of the Centre for Environmental Research and Education, the environmental scientist likened HPY to a five-star buffet. "Everything is laid out before you, well curated, well presented. Finally it is up to you to go there and serve yourself. If you are one of those finicky eaters, then you are going to end up with an empty plate. But if you are hungry for knowledge, to learn, to explore, then this Programme is really going to serve you well,” she mentioned. "What you all do in the world is going to reflect on all of us. Make us proud,” she concluded.
The guest of honor that morning was as old as HPY. "I was born in the year HPY started (1987),” chuckled Ayesha Billimoria, a dynamic force in the field of athletics and fitness being three times national champion in the 200 m sprint.
The sportstar who experienced HPY in 2003 considered this platform a "great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals… Attend and be part of every (activity) even if you are not good at it. Enjoy the learning, make new friends. Just have fun. Forget everything to do with studies,” she grinned.
Assuring the 120 youngsters that this month will "be one of the best experiences you will ever have before you embrace adulthood,” BPP trustee Anahita Desai was certain the participants would gain "amazing confidence, ready to step out of your sheltered environment into the real adult world… Some of you may even meet your life partners here, God willing,” she smiled while raising crossed fingers.
The morning started with a humbandagi by Ervad Firdaus Pavri. Often asked the question "why does one need to go to an agiary to pray?” he told the young audience that "prayer is your communication with God.” Praying at home is like your your mobile connectivity being restricted — 1 GB, 2 GB or maximum 3 GB. "But when you go to a fire temple and present yourself in front of the holy fire — atash puthro Ahure Mazdao — the son of God, you get an uncompromised wifi connection.”
From 1987 to 2025
Thanks to the initiative of the late Dr Mehroo Bengalee, an educationist and BPP trustee, the first edition of HPY was born in 1987 with 96 participants — 51 girls and 45 boys. The maximum number (220 – 99 girls, 121 boys) participated in the 17th edition in 2003.
The organizing committee begins preparations months in advance, holding regular meetings at Marfatia’s house, exchanging emails and letters, organizing events and outings, coordinating with speakers, the caterer, school authorities and participants.
Among their regular activities are the blood donation drive, a visit to Ahura Support (a charitable trust working with differently abled individuals and their families) and the navjote of an underpriviledged child. The blood banks of the Tata Memorial Hospital and St George’s Hospital benefitted from the 150 bottles collected this year. Also, plastic wrappers collected over the month for recycling were handed over to the Safai Bank of India, a nongovernmental organization.
The winner takes it all
Kiya Lord was crowned Ms HPY 2025 and Merwyn Patel, Mr HPY with Zelina Master and Rayess Surti as runners-up. Factors such as charm, camaraderie, attitude, regularity, punctuality, proactive and enthusiastic behavior and success in various events and competitions are the criteria on which winners are judged.Tia Nakra was HPY Bawi while HPY Bawa was Malcolm Irani. Nasha Tantra and Patel were runners-up. Best participants from each of the four groups were Tianna Sidhwa (Achievers), Mirron Daruwalla (Creators), Danesh Kakalia (Enactors) and Benaisha Irani (Performers). While Sean Todiwalla was the best sportsperson, Lord was the best literary arts all-rounder. Best performing arts all-rounder was Master with Tyra Dalal and Rushan Bhot as the best female and male on the catwalk. Jehan Hansotia was the best male model; Lord, the best female model. There was a tie for the best actress title with Binaisha Kapadia and Aryana Mehta; Zeus Sirvala was the best actor. Katrina Besania was the best supporting actress while Zian Irani and Zarir Shroff tied for the best supporting actor title. Achievers was named the best group.