[Courtesy: Ayesha Z. Mehta]

Over 1,500 people walked into the Dadar Parsee Gymkhana grounds on 21^st March, 2025 to celebrate Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust’s annual ‘Jamshedi Navroze Ghambhar’. Leading up to the main event, MEJMT organised numerous competitions and events including ‘Creative Minds’; ‘Anything with Bread’ – a Masterchef-like contest; ‘Brain Teaser Quiz’; a Tambola Night; Raffle and a foot-tapping Musical evening.

The main show, hosted by the Master of Ceremonies, Trustee Mahiyar Dastoor, began with monajats performed by students of Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia’s Dharmgyan Class. The performance, sponsored by Roshan and Sanobar Nanavati in memory of Late Piyoo Nanavati, included favourites like ‘Bawaji’ and had the audience in raptures. This was followed by the felicitation ceremony – honouring the community’s achievers and legends. Noted orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, was the Chief Guest, amongst the dignitaries awarded. In his address, he spoke of the Parsi contribution of Indian sports, mentioning greats like Jamsetji Merwanji and Lady Meherbai Tata, and emphasized the need for greater encouragement needed for participation in sports today, at a competitive level as well as for health and personal fitness.

A tribute to MEJMT’s Founder Trustees – Mr. Jimmy Jesia and Mrs. Mithoo Jesia, received a standing ovation, for their dedication and support of the community and trust. Other recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award included Dr. Cyrus Karkaria (Bio Pharmaceticals), Hormuzd Khambatta (Performing Arts), Dr. Firdosh Gardin (Pharmaceutical consultant) and Meher Jesia and Kainaz Unwalla (Union Press).

The Jal Mistry Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Colonyite was presented to Burzin Dubash – a leader in risk management, governance and internal audit, by Arnavaz and Yasmin Mistry. Architect Rooshad Shroff received the Kavina K. Karkaria Award for Most Promising Colonyite. Er. Adil Jalejar Bhesania and Er. Tehmasp Cawas Jijina were awarded for excellence in Mobedi by Nasha Jassawala. Over 12 students were felicitated for outstanding academic results in CETs, 12^th and 10^th grade board exams as also excellence in sports, sponsored in memory of Late Dinaz and Rohinton Chinoy (Union Press). Trustee Homai Daruwalla extended gratitude to supporters and benefactors, including Yasmin Mistry, the management of the Dadar Athornan Madressa, J. B. Vaccha High School, DPYA High School and DPCG, amongst others.

After the felicitations, came the time to dance the night away in a grand entertainment show with dance, drama and singing! Singers for the evening- Shehzad Karanjia, Kayo Billimoria and Rae Billimoria lit up the stage with Bollywood classics and Rock and Roll, alongside dazzling dance performances – all performed exclusively by DPC residents and choreographed by Sunil Rao, Rhea Vesuwala, Nushad Irani and Burzin Engineer, under the leadership of show director Arnaaz Rustom Irani. The grandeur of the performances hit new heights with the astute excellence of Zenobia Unwalla’s costume coordination, Zal Shroff’s music expertise and Shernaaz Dadachanji’s magic with make-up and hair.

All the glitz and glam of the evening was possible through the support and skill innumerable people working through the night – including Sarosh Daruwalla’s Mazda Audio Video Lab which provided the dazzling Lights, Sound and A/V & LED screens, ably executed by Aarish Daruwalla, with photography by Rehan Daruwalla. The Mandap décor and lighting by Roxana Pavri’s Dream Design added to the electric atmosphere. The show ended with the entire congregation singing Chaiye Hame Zarathosti and the National Anthem.

The perfect celebration concluded on the perfect note with culinary queen Tanaz Godiwala’s mouthwatering Patru! Kudos for a truly commendable organizational effort put in by the MEJMT Trustees – Dinyar Panthaki, Zareen Engineer, Jimi Jesia, Mithoo Jesia, Tina Patel, Daraius Zaiwala, Mahiyar Dastoor, Homai Daruwalla and Behram Rabadi, alongside a brilliant team of volunteers who work tirelessly each year to ensure the success of this colossal month-long extravaganza, and of course, the generous sponsors: Central Bank of India, Sterling & Wilsons Group, Dadachanji Group, Rustomjee, The Bombay Parsee Punchayet, The WZO Trust Funds, Tata Sons, Bakhtawar Gandhi and Zoroastrian Bank, and associate / supporting sponsors: Della Adventures & Resorts, Union Bank of India, Raj Shipping Agencies, Eric Anklesaria, USCPL, Well Wishers, WAPIZ, Master Group, Durand Forms India and Settna Memorial Foundation.