Ruby Anniversary Marked With Community’s Iconic Jamshedi Navroz Ghambhar

The largest gathering of Zoroastrians in Mumbai resounded with ‘Navroz Mubarak’ greetings all over, commemorating the 40^th or ‘Ruby Anniversary Festival of Spring – 2023’ extravaganza, at the Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana, organised by Mancherji Edalji Joshi Trust, on 21^st March, 2023, commencing with a Jashan performed by the young Dadar Athornan Institute priests.

The excitement started a month earlier with interesting competitions conducted over weekends (under able Contest Co-Ordinator – Navroze Siganporia) including ‘Creative Child Genius’; ‘Funky Fusion Fashion Show’; ‘Cavemen’s Sport’ Telegames; ‘Rangoli and Flower Arrangement’ and the all-time-favourite ‘Housie’.

 

FELICITATIONS:

The function began with the ‘Welcome Song’ rendition performed impressively by students of the Dharmagnan, conducted by Dr. Er. Ramiyar Karanjia. Mithoo Jimi Jesia, Trustee and Hon. Secretary of the Trust, welcomed Chief Guest – former Supreme Court Justice – Rohinton Fali Nariman and Guest of Honour Sr. Counsel – Fredun DeVitre, alongside other senior awardees on the dais. The felicitation function commenced auspiciously with noted Zoroastrian scholar and Principal, Dadar Athornan Institute – Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia invoking divine blessings.

Chairman, Dinyar Panthaki introduced Chief Guest – Justice Rohinton Nariman amidst much praise and applause, felicitating him with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Judiciary of India Award’. Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman (Retd), an LL.M, Harvard Law School, was designated as Senior Counsel, Supreme Court of India in 1993 by Chief Justice Venkatachalaiah, and the Full Bench of the Supreme Court, with their rules amended to designate him as Senior Counsel at the young age of 37, against the minimum age of 45 years. Served as Solicitor General of India and rose to the rank of Judge of the Supreme Court of India July 7, 2014 to 12 August 2021. He has authored 360 judgements as a Judge of the Supreme Court on diverse subjects. A Navar and an author, he has lectured conprehensively on multiple subjects such as law, music, religion.

Mithoo Jesia similarly introduced Guest of Honour – Sr. Counsel Fredun DeVitre who was presented the ‘Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Law Award’. Fredun E. De Vitre, a renowned and multiple-award winning Senior Advocate, has been practising as an Advocate in the Bombay High Court for about 44 years and was designated as Senior Advocate, High Court, Bombay in 1997. He was also Professor at the Government Law College, Mumbai. Also famous for his radio commentary for cricket matches. Both respected awardees then addressed the audience.

 

Sr. Counsel Nadir Ardeshir Modi was presented the ‘Outstanding Legal Luminary Award’ by Trustee, Jimi F. Jesia. Dr. Er. Ramiyar P. Karanjia was presented the ‘Zoroastrian Studies Scholar Extraordinaire’ Award; Capt. Percy Master received the ‘Social Work and Philanthropy Award’; Yasmin Jal Mistry was felicitated with the ‘Entrepreneurship and Social Work Award’; Jehangir Randeria and Kaiwan Randeria were presented the ‘Excellence in the Field of Fitness Award’; Zubin Khapoliwala received the ‘Excellence in the Field of Transportation Award’.

Furzeen Nasha Jassawala, Managing Trustee – Rustom Faramna Agiary, presented the Rustom Faramna Agiary Mobed Awards 2023, with Er. Zahan Meherzad Turel receiving the ‘Young Achiever’s Award’, Er. Pourush Homi Behramkamdin receiving ‘Over-All Excellence in Mobedi’ Award, and Er. Cyrus Rusi Panthaki being presented the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

This year’s ‘Jal Mistry Memorial Award for the Outstanding Colonyite’ was presented to Dr. Mazda Turel for ‘Excellence in the Field of Neurosurgery’ by Arnavaz Mistry, wife of Late Jal Mistry and Ex-Trustee of BPP. Hufriya Dudhmal received the Kavina Karkaria Award for ‘Excellence in the Corporate World’. The Dinaz & Rohinton Chinoy Awards, instituted by Union Press for Excellence in Academics and Sports were presented to outstanding colonyites by Trustee Behram Rabadi, who went on to give the vote of thanks.

The winner of the popular ‘Gara’ raffle, coordinated by Diana and Firdosh Tolat, received the grand prize – a stunning, gorgeous Parsi Gara in memory of late Mrs. Naju Davar, presented by her daughter, Ferzeen Cyrus Boomla. Prizes were also given away by the House of Godrej.

One of the highlights of the function was the ‘40 & Fabulous’ Entertainment Show (sponsored by Gaiatri Pantpratinidhi), which kicked off with Trustee and Master of Ceremonies, the dynamic Mahiyar Dastoor. Singers Zyra Nargolwala, Delraaz Bunshah, Dr. Jamshed Bunshah and Zervaan Bunshah enthralled the audience, alongside mesmerizing dance performances by colony talents on famous dance numbers including ‘Iko Iko’, ‘Jhoome jo Pathaan’, ‘Apna Dil toh Avara’, the Oscar Award ‘Naatu Naatu’ and a girls medley.

Kudos to all for a spectacular show put together by choreographers Rhea Vesuwalla, Rian Mistry and senior choreographer – Sunil Rao; Dance Coordinators – Jahan Nargolwala, Jasmine Siganporia, Colleen Chinoy and Meher Mirza; Costume coordinator – Zenobia Unwalla; Conceptualiser and Director – Arnaaz Rustom Irani, and hosts – Franaita Jijina, Rehan Daruwalla, Tarana Nargolwala, Jeshad Dumasia, Nataliya Batliwalla and Joel Bhathena.

The Grand Finale was a heart-warming sight with all performers singing the Parsi anthem, ‘Chaiye Hame Zarthosti’, followed by the National Anthem amidst a flurry of pyro sparklers. The fest concluded on a delicious note with the aroma of Queen of Caterers – Tanaz Godiwala’s traditional Parsi fare alongside Subash Talwar’s vegetarian fare, exiting everyone’s taste buds.

Other Courtesies include LED Screens and Photography – Sarosh Daruwalla, Mazda Studios; Sound and Lights – Aarish Daruwalla, Mazda Events; Sound Edits – Zal Shroff; Hairstyles and make-up – Shernaz Dadachanji (Xanadu – The Wellness Boutique); Décor – Roxana Buhariwala (Dream Designs); Security Support – Della Group and Fort Colaba Welfare Society.

The gala ‘Festival of Spring’ event, which has been taking place for the last four decades, is thanks to the unstinted and determined efforts of the community’s noted social worker and MEJMT’s Honorary Secretary – Mithoo Jimi Jesia, who has led the trust from the front, ably supported by her husband and Trustee, Jimi F. Jesia. Hearty congratulations to Trustees – Dinyar Panthaki, Jimi Jesia, Mithoo Jesia, Zareen Engineer, Tina Patel, Daraius Zaiwala, Mahiyar Dastoor, Homai Daruwalla, Behram Rabadi and Homi Daruwala – for conceptualizing and organising this mammoth event every year, which has now become a landmark on Mumbai’s Parsi calendar!

The diverse activities of the Mancherji Edalji Joshi Trust include Educational Aid, Medical Aid, Poverty Relief, Dharmagnan Classes, Cultural Events, Sports, Summer Camps for Children, Relief to poor Parsi farmers located in rural Gujarat villages, Food Scheme for poor Parsi families, Doongarwadi staff, etc.

The sponsors of the 40^th FESTIVAL OF SPRING include The House of Tatas, World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust, Sterling and Wilson Group, Zoroastrian Co-Operative Bank Ltd, Packwell Industries, Bombay Parsee Punchayet, Rustomjee’s – Keystone Realty, IIFL Securities, Triveni Engineering & Industries, Reliance Securities, Vizag Sea – Port Pvt Ltd, Associated Alcohol & Breweries Ltd, alongside Associate Sponsors – Della Adventure & Resorts, Raj Shipping Agencies Ltd., Master Group, and Universal Specialty Chemicals.