Known for conducting various cultural and social programmes for the Zoroastrian community in Surat, the city’s Parsi Pragati Mandal (PPM) celebrated India’s Independence Day amidst much patriotic pomp and splendour.

A fancy dress competition and talent show, across different age categories, was organised in the Pak Kadim Atashbehram Saheb compound to unleash the budding talents. It was judged by make-up artist and trainer Aaliyah Pirzada and Megh Pandit – theatre artist and acting coach.

Mahtab Bhatporia, President – PPM, gave a warm welcome to the gathering and convened the competition, alongside the ever-charming and effervescent Master of Ceremony for the event – Maharukh Chichgar.

The Vice President of PPM, Daizy Patel announced the names of students who were awarded scholarships for their brilliant academic performances, across important junctures of their academic career. The eve concluded with dinner catered by Freny and Nozer Daruwala.

Winners of the Fancy Dress Competition were Rizina Shroff (1^st place); Persheus Shroff (2^nd place); and Jeraz Patel (3^rd place) – all under age 4! The top winners of the Talent Show were Rizina Shroff and Taisha Gandhi (age: 3-5 years); Meherzad Shroff (age: 6-9 years); Vahishta Umrigar (age: 10-13 years); and Aanoash Chichgar (age: 14 years and above).