The Mancherji Joshi Dharmagnan Class at Dadar, organised its annual Prize Distribution ceremony on 2nd December, 2018, at the J B Vachha High School, with Chairman of WZOT, Dinshaw Tamboly; BPP Trustees, Armaity Tirandaz and Zarir Bhathena; Er. Asphandyar Dadachanjee, Er. Dr. Parvez Bajan and Diana Marfatia in attendance. In keeping with their protocol of inviting an accomplished ex-student as the Chief Guest for the day; this year, writer, actor, producer, director and Founder of KD Productions, Kayan Dadyburjor was bestowed the honour.

Compered by Zrey Dodhy and Khushnuma Vimadalal, the event commenced with a Humbandagi followed by children trained by Shernaz Talati, Hufrish Bamji and Havovi Karanjia reiterating devotional and fun songs. A humorous interlude by Kayomarz Dhabhar and Yazishni Daji had the audience in splits, followed by a skit depicting the working of the Dharmagnan Class, directed by Jasmin Siganporia and a Shahnameh recital by Mazdaa and Mafrin Davar.

The highlight of the event was the play, ‘Mehrangeez’, written and directed by Mithoo Jesia portraying the story of a young girl, enacted by Myra Dubash, who overcomes all her struggles with her faith in prayers, God and her religion. The play concluded with a wonderful portrayal of the character of Prophet Zarathushtra by Zervan Bunshah. The prize distribution ceremony conducted by Janine Khajotia and Kaaizin Jassawala, witnessed Jehan Bajan and Khushnuma Vimadalal adjudged ‘Best Boy’ and ‘Best Girl’ for the year, respectively, while ‘Team Ahura’ was recognised as the ‘Best Team’. In his nostalgic and touching address, Chief Guest, Kayan Dadyburjor mentioned the significant role that the Dharmagnan Class played in his life that inspired him to make prayers an integral part of his daily routine.

Zeush Bhathena and Varun Elavia delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to Rukhshana Dhabhar for coordinating the program, Aarish and Rehan Daruwalla for ably managing the logistics, Navroz Siganporia and Darayas Zaiwala for designing the sets for the plays, Burzin Engineer, Delna Mehta and Natasha Dubash for choreographing the dances, and the Management and Trustees of the Mancherji Joshi Memorial Trust, J B Vachha School and DPYA School. Er. Dr. Ramiyar thanked the parents, Mithoo Jesia and Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor for their co-operation, followed by Vada Dasturji Khurshed addressing the gathering. The event concluded with the reiteration of ‘Chhaiye Hame Zarthoshti’ and the National Anthem.

Started under the auspices of the Mancherji Edulji Joshi Memorial Trust by Late Er. Rustomji Panthaki in 1980, the Dharmagnan Class has been running under the able leadership of Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia since 1982.

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Photos Credit: Rehan Daruwalla