The Nowroze Baug Play Centre (NPC) celebrated its 72nd Birthday on 4th November, 2017, by felicitating young academic achievers across the Parsi community. President Homi Ustad delivered the welcome address and introduced Chief Guest and Principal of Udayachal Pre-Primary and Primary School, Binaifer Chhoga, and other dignitaries on the dais, including Economics Professor, Rohinton Sahuraja, Homeopath who conducts a free homeopathic dispensary at Nowroze Baug – Dr. Ardeshir Jagose, Hormuzd and Rohinton Mehta who contribute towards tuition fees of students, NPC Vice President, Gayomard Kathawalla and supporter of the scholarships, Dinshaw Mehta. Homi extolled the qualities and achievements of Binaifer Chhoga who has achieved a Master’s Degree in Child Development (M.Sc.CD) and Education (M.Ed.) and under whose leadership the students have achieved holistic education, while the school has gained recognition by Hindustan Times, Education World, Indian Green Building Council and the British Council. Addressing the gathering and appreciating the intentions and achievements of Parsi baugs, particularly Nowroze Baug, Chhoga explained the importance of sifting information learnt in the classroom and developing qualities of leadership. The evening witnessed a group of differently abled maestros called, ‘Udaan’ displaying an entertainment sequence consisting of music, mimicry and humour, followed by floral felicitations of the dignitaries and members of Udaan.
The prize distributing ceremony commenced with seventy-two academic achievers being felicitated with medals, certificates and cash prizes. Farzan Bharucha of Green Lawns High School topped the list and was florally felicitated along with a certificate, silver medal, cash prize and a plaque for scoring 99.2% in his ICSE examinations, topping the list in Mumbai and being the second highest scorer in Maharashtra. The cash prizes totalling to Rs.1,20,000/- were sponsored in memory of many late stalwarts of NPC, including Founder, late Khody Kolah. With Udaan resuming the stage and entertaining the gathering with melodious songs of yesteryear, the evening concluded with the National and Parsi Anthem, followed by dinner catered by Tanaz Godiwalla.