ZWAS or the dynamic ‘Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly of Surat’ brought together community members to commemorate the holy Muktad and Gatha days, with worship, fun and joy, by organizing delightful community activities on 6^th August, 2023, which marked the start of the Muktad.

Over 86 participants took part in this full-day gala. The morning session had the participants gather at Nariman Parsee Girl’s Orphanage, Surat for competitions including card-making, best out of waste and Chalk-Rangoli, which were judged by prominent artists – Gulshan Chiniwala and Shiraz Gandhi. The cooking competition was judged by skilled culinary experts Gulshan Master and Zenobia Dotiwala. The lovely aroma of Parsi delicacies had everyone’s mouth watering!

The evening session was held at the Pak Kadim Atashbehram, Shahpore, Surat, where Prayer and Elocution competitions were held. Children also performed two plays, which were greatly appreciated by the audience. The tots started the Avesta prayer competition with a Monajat invoking the blessings of all the Farohars. ZWAS President – Delnaz Katpitia gave the welcome note. The judges were religious experts – Er. Sarosh Dastur and Viraf Karanjia. The program was compered ably by Mahatab Bhatporia and Pearl Wadia. Daizy Patel, Tanaz Coachman, Afrin Ambapardiwala and Kashmira Palia ably introduced all the judges of the six competitions.

 

The winners of the Avesta Prayer Competition were: Hufriya Singpurwala (3-5 years); Paashan Elavia (6-8 years); and Meherzad Shroff (9 to 12 years). The winners of the Ratan Marshall Elocution Competition were: Meherzad Shroff (8 to 10 years); Yasmin Patrawala (11 to 14 years); and Khushnuma Kolah (15 to 18 years). Khushnuma Kolah was the winner of Extempore. The winners of the Card Making Competition were: Pashan Elavia (5 to 7 years); Zeniska Kadwa (8 to 10 years); Roshan Sanjana (11 to 14 years); and Firozee Elavia (Over 15). The winners of Best Out Of Waste Competition were: Pashan Elavia (5 to 10 years); Yona Dapotawala (11 to 14 years); and Firozee Elavia (Over 15). The winners of Chalk / Rangoli Competition were: Delfryn Jogi (5 to 7 years); Anaisha Bhagwar (11 to 14 years); Firozee Elavia (Over 15). Kashmira Palia was declared winner of the Cooking Competition.

 

Er. Farman Dastur gave an absorbing speech on the Navar ceremony. The two short plays – ‘Thuthi Mai’ and ‘Homaji’ were the highlight of the day. The occasion was also graced by SPP Trustee – Padma Shri Yazdi Karanjia, who added his inimitable charm to the function, alongside SPP President – Dr. Homi Doodhwala and wife – Dr. Persis Doodhwala. Prizes and gifts were sponsored by Minoo Gustadji (Menty Charitable Trust). ZWAS thanked the trustees for their support.

The lovely ZWAS ladies thus organised yet another fantastic show, bringing together the Zoroastrian community of Surat. Kudos to ZWAS members: Binaifer Engineer, Keshmira Cama, Pearl Khandadia, Mahtab Variava, Kainaz Variava, Mahazarin Variava, Behroz Karanjia, Nilufer Bavaadam; and to ZWAS Trustees: Maharukh Chichgar, Piloo Bhathena and Dilnaz Besania.