Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2017 Is Here !

What started as a mere idea incubated by Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor with the aim of bringing together Zoroastrians from all across the globe in celebration of our culture and glorious heritage, gained the much-appreciated support from our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and the rest, as they say, is history! Fast-forward to 2015 and Iranshah Udvada Utsav was launched in December 2015, delivering on the promise of a global Zoroastrian reunion, fostering bonds of new friendships, strengthening community identity while celebrating our culture – and the best part was that it was all happening in Udvada, bestowed by the blessings of our Pak Iranshah, on our Holiest of Holy grail! Held once every two years, the much sought after Utsav is back to celebrate its second chapter, the IUU 2017, and it promises to be even bigger and even better! Parsi Times is delighted to be the Media Partner of this mega-cultural event! Asst. Editor Delaveen Tarapore reports…

Zoroastrians from across the globe get together today, all under one roof at our cultural and heritage center, Udvada, to be part of our community’s premier event, the Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2017… over three thousand fellow Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians will have their hearts and thoughts resonate the same emotion of ‘Parsipanu’! Organized by the ‘Foundation For Development of Udvada’ and supported by Department of Tourism, Government of Gujarat and Udvada Samast Anjuman, ‘Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2017’ promises to be a grand affair with lots of cultural insights alongside the much needed dose of entertainment and laughter! Bringing in a sense of belonging, the theme ‘Threads of Continuity’ at IUU 2017, upholds the privilege of rejoicing in our ancestral inheritance that has been passed on to us by our forefathers, and putting together newer ideas to add further value to this legacy.

True to our tradition of encouraging and recognizing distinctive Zoroastrians who have contributed to the growth of our community and that of India, as a whole, IUU 2015 witnessed global icon Ratan Tata being felicitated along with Cyrus Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India, and was graced by luminaries like Arun Jaitley, Saurabh Patel and Boman Irani. This year being no different, IUU 2017 takes the opportunity to felicitate construction magnate, Shri Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, and Padma Bhushan Awardee, Dr. Farokh Udwadia for their outstanding contribution to the field of trade and medicine, respectively. This year, it is an absolute privilege to have the Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, as the Chief Guest, as also eminent Guests of Honour including Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, Shrimati Smriti Irani and Shri. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi presiding over the three-day long events.

A common ground that nurtures the spirit of a young and free mind and the wisdom of the experienced ones, IUU encourages, empowers and collaborates with the young and elderly unanimously, to bring together thoughts and ideas and creates a common consensus on innumerable aspects pertaining to our community.