The fifteenth Annual Zochild Day organized on 3rd December, 2017, at the Shanmukhananda Auditorium commenced with Founding Trustee, Vispi Kapadia unfurling the Zochild Day and the Indian flag, a tradition that has been followed since its inception, followed a tribute to the inspiration behind Zochild Day, Farina Kapadia, as well as to Marazban Mehta, Dr. Daizy Sidhwa and Dadi Engineer. Packed with eclectic performances and talks by various experts, compere, Hoshedar Khambatta who flies down from Dubai to be a part for the Zochild day every year, kept the spirit of the function high with his quips for every performance. The day began with the students of the Avabai Petit School invoking the blessings of Ahura Mazda with a melodious rendition of the Monajats, followed by felicitation of German scholar and chair of Zoroastrian studies at the University of London, Almut Hintze, who spoke about her extensive research on various aspects of our ancient religion. Er. Dr. Pervez Bajan credited Almut on her extensive research about Zoroastrianism for over 30 years, and also gave a talk about the glorious days of ancient Iran and the Avestan scriptures.

The entertainment quotient for the day began with a performance by ‘Swingers’ from Surat, followed by a diya performance by visually challenged students of NGO Udaan. True to the occasion, Zochild Day Trustees – Vispi and Shiraz Kapadia and Perin Bagli felicitated ‘Jewels of the Community’, who have contributed to the community and society at large, as well as honoured students who have scaled heights in various fields. Felicitating the donors who make Zochild Day a huge success each year, the Trustees also felicitated BPP Trustees Zareer Bhathena, Kersi Randeria, Armaity Tirandaz, Noshir Dadrawalla, Viraf Mehta and Ex-Chairman, Dinshaw Mehta. Post the felicitations, Vispi Kapadia’s karate institute displayed various techniques with a special focus on women’s safety. This was followed by a gymnastic dance performance by the students of Avabai Petit School whose flexibility and agility left the audience cheering for more.

BPP Trustee and CEO of Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy (CAP), Noshir Dadrawalla, addressed the audience elucidating the importance and relevance of truth and righteousness, and how we must all truly live and not just exist. Post that, over two hundred students of Activity High School performed the evergreen musical, “Mamma Mia”, along with foot tapping ABBA songs, while enacting the film. Directed and conceptualized by Perin Bagli and shot by ace photographer Sam Bagli, the act received a standing ovation.

Following a delicious Chinese lunch, Malcolm Baug put up an innovative play on a murder mystery that left the audience in splits, followed by an enthralling dance performance by Pune girls. Over the past few years, Zubin Sanjana has been belting out some melodious songs at Zochild Day and this year too, he sang out a number of chart-topping Hindi songs. The Salsette colony then performed the ‘All is well’ Joker dance. There were more lovely dance performances by Gamadia colony, followed by the finale dance performance by Godrej Baug. Sanaya Kapadia then gave a vote of thanks to everyone who made the 15th edition of Zochild day a possibility. The Zochild and national flags were lowered, with the reiteration of ‘Chaaye Hame Zarthosti’ and the national anthem. Vispi Kapadia wrapped up the day by thanking his entire committee for working tirelessly for over six months to make Zochild Day a success.