This year’s mega-celebration – ‘The Festival of Spring 2024’, organised by the Dadar-based Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust (MEJMT) presenting the ‘Jamshedi Navroz Gambhar’, was indeed an evening to remember for a long time! Outdoing its earlier successes, this 21^st March witnessed a massive gathering of over 2,000 community members all coming together to celebrate Jamshedi Navroz in the absolute spirit of Parsipanu!

The grand function commenced on an auspicious note with a melodious welcome song rendered by the students of the Dharmagnan class conducted by Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia; co-ordinated by Shernaz Talati, Hufrish Bamji and Havovi Karanjia; and sponsored by Roshan and Sanober Nanavati.

One of our community’s most respected personalities – Mithoo Jimi Jesia, Trustee of the Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorail Trust (MEJMT), under whose aegis the annual Festival of Spring’ is held, welcomed the Guest of Honour – the community’s much-loved ace actor and motivational speaker – Boman Irani along with his lovely wife Zenobia. Chief Guest Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla was unable to make it due to a family bereavement. The dynamic Mahiyar Dastoor as Master of Ceremonies.

A number of contests, coordinated by Daraius Zaiwala and Navroze Siganporia, which were held earlier in the week included ‘Decorate The Cake’ and ‘Your Special Rice’ sponsored by Dinshaw Mehta, ‘Creative Minds’ sponsored by Packwell Industries, ‘Car Treasure Hunt’ sponsored by Eric J. Anklesaria, Tambola (Housie) conducted by Adi Pardiwala and sponsored by a well-wisher and a fun Musical Eve co-sponsored by World Zoroastrian Organisation and Roshan and Sanober Nanavati. The proud winners were Dr. Parniaz Elchidana, Drs. Armaity and Cyrus Contractor, industrialist Kairus Dadachanji, Zarine Y. Daruvala and Sarosh Daruwalla.

One of the main highlights of the evening was the launch of the ‘Tamām Khordeh Avesta’ in English, compiled and translated by Zoroastrian scholar and priest – Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia, over nearly ten years of dedication.

Community members were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in 2024: Behzad Khambata received the Jal Mistry Award for Outstanding Colonyite; Delraaz Bunshah received the Kavina Karkaria Award for Most Promising Youngster; the Rustom Framna Agiary Mobed Awards were bestowed upon Er. Jamasp B. Tarachand, Er. Jehanbux E. Chithiwala and Late Er. Zarir Tata. The Rohinton P. Chinoy Young Achievers Awards 2024 for academics, sports and culture were given to Khusnuma B. Vimadalal, Kiana P. Pavri, Mikhail A. Tamboly, Shahnaya F. Adarian, Kiara P. Jassawalla, Sheen N. Turel, Zal T. Sidhwa, Darayus N. Daji, Jiyaa A. Elavia, Zerxes Daruvala and Kayomarz Y. Dhabhar.

The Farzeen & Late Naju Davar Gara Collection Auction was conducted in aid of ‘Ahura Support’.

‘Lime Light 24′ – the solid entertainment package for the evening, conceived and directed by Arnaaz Rustom Irani, ensured everyone had a rocking time, with Sarosh Nanavaty and Farah Ghadiali belting out hit songs, choreographed dances, enthralling costumes designed by Zenobia Unwalla, Fashion shows by Ashdeen Lilaowala, Bianca Dastur, Dilnaz Karbhary and Tianna Khambatta. The aroma of Tanaz Todiwala’s traditional Parsi dishes was all around the ground!

Sarosh Daruwalla of Mazda Audio Video Lab provided the mesmerizing music, lights, AV and sound; Rehaan Daruwalla of Mazda Events provided the photos; Aarish Daruwalla of Mazda Events did the sound recording and Zal Shroff provided the Sound Edits for the show; Roxana Pavri of Dream Designs designed the spellbinding décor. Neeta P. Kocharekar (Artfarm Designing Services) excelled at designs and graphics of ‘Festival of Spring’ while the general lighting was courtesy Rafique (Modern Electricals).

The Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust also provides numerous philanthropic activities including educational aid, medical aid, poverty relief, Dharmagnan classes, cultural events, sports, summer camps for children, sponsoring houses in the interior villages of Gujarat and the food scheme for poor and deserving Parsi families, Doongarwadi staff, students, etc.

The ‘Festival of Spring 2024’ sponsors include: House of Tatas, Sterling & Wilson Group, World Zoroastrian Organization Trust, BPP, Rustomjee – Keystone Realtors, Reliance, Smart Money, Union Bank of India, the Zoroastrian Cooperative Bank Ltd., Dadachanji Group, IIFL Securities, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd., Vizag Seaport Pvt. Ltd, Central Bank of India. Associate sponsors were Della Adventure & Resorts, Master Group, Raj Shipping Agencies Ltd., Serum Institute of India, Universal Speciality Chemicals, WAPIZ, and a well-wisher.

Excellent back-office support was provided by Dinmeher Bunshah, Shazneen Mehta, Rashna Amroliwala, Pooraan Bunshah, Diana Tolat, Firdosh Tolat, Adil Daruwala, Pervez Palkhiwala, Ashish Billimoria, Jeroo Medhora, Katy Bhakka, Arnavaz Siganporia, Pervez Chinoy, Sarosh Dumasia, Maharukh Engineer, Kashmira Palkhiwala and Rukhshana Dhabhar.

MEJMT also extends gratitude to Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana, J.B. Vachha High School, DPYA High School and the Dadar Athornan Institute.

Kudos to the trustees of MEJMT – Dinyar F. Panthaki, Jimi J. Jesia, Mithoo J. Jesia, Zareen J. Engineer, Tina P. Patel, Daraius R. Zaiwala, Mahiyar G. Dastoor, Homai A. Daruwala, Behram N. Rabadi, and Homi N. Daruwalla – for yet again conceptualizing and presenting to the community, one of the year’s most looked forward to events!