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"The few children in our 240-strong community in Madras are rarely exposed to our religion’s history, tenets and teachings,” stated Madras Parsi Association (MPA) honorary secretary Zarin Mistry.  While the community has "for over two decades” held a celebratory jashan on the salgirah of the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher followed by a get-together at the Phiroj Clubwala Memorial Hall (Parsi Club), this July 11, 2019, community members, including children, presented a mini symposium on the religion and community, Mistry noted.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The goodness that our religion asks of us, is not only in our public speech and actions, but even in our private thoughts,” 10-year-old Cyrus Poncha told the audience while speaking on Asha (truth) and Vohu Mana (the good mind). Another 10-year-old, Zahaan Parakh’s talk focussed on the religion’s respect for nature. He recalled that 3,000 years ago our religion enjoined respect for nature. Eight-year-old Eruch Poncha extolled the virtues of Cyrus the Great while lighter moments were injected into the proceedings with 11-year-old Samaara Parakh who gave a humorous account of the Parsi’s zest for life. Arrzaan Jila discussed the concept of accountability in Zoroastrianism. Rayhan Dastur explained the grades of fire temples, calling the holy fires a "friend, a source of strength, and a guide in times of difficulty.” Parsi idioms and sayings came alive with Mehernaz Jila’s talk, Mistry noted. Each speech was illustrated by a slide show prepared by Vantage Advertising. Community member Tehnaz Bahadurji and MPA president Jasmine Kabrajee conceptualized and formatted the symposium and coached the children. "Our Association committee members and proactive mothers helped bring the performance together,” appreciated Mistry.
"This event was a great learning experience for all of us, especially the youngsters who appreciated our culture and religion even more and formed close bonds during rehearsals. They are already enthused about putting up a similar performance next year and are discussing topics and roles!” noted Mistry.
As with previous years, a festive dinner was sponsored by Mani Clubwala. The four-mobed jashan was led by Udwada High Priest Dastur Khurshed Dastoor with the participation of Ervads Bamanshaw Vazifdar, Dar-e-Meher panthaky, Pourushashp Vazifdar and Kairus Pir. "We appreciate the services of all the panthakis who have loyally served to preserve and maintain the holy fire.  Special mention needs to be made of the Daji family: Ervads Rustomji, Tehmurasp and Peshotan, who together served for over 70 years,” wrote Mistry. The Dar-e-Meher will celebrate the 110th anniversary of its founding in 2020. The community is looking forward to "reinforcing bonds of community, friendship and goodwill” then, noted Mistry.
For over a century after the arrival of the first Parsi in the south Indian city, there was no place of worship. The absence of an agiary was felt most acutely by Phiroj Clubwala who lost his son Jal in 1907, when the boy was only 13 years old, wrote Mistry. The philanthropist decided to construct an agiary on a piece of land across his residence and donated the land and building to the Anjuman (see "Madras musings - I,” Parsiana, September 7, 2010).