The renovated Muncherji Jamshetji Wadia Agiary at Lalbaug celebrated its 11^th Salgreh on the eve of 28^th February, 2018, with a jasan ceremony led by Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor and performed by eight mobeds including Panthaky of the Agiary, Er. Kersi Bhadha.

Attended by Chairman of M J Wadia Charitable Trust, Kersi Limmatwala, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor; Trustees, Dara Mehta and Shyam Wadia and Secretary, Tehemtan Karma, the event continued with Director of the Structured Religious Course, Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia delivering the welcome address and stressing about the importance and relevance of Meher Mahino-Meher Roj, followed by a monajat by Jamshed Kotwal. Felicitated for commencing the religious classes at the Agiary hall, Chairman, Limmatwala credited the ever-rising numbers of attendees to the innovative manner in which Er. Karanjia structures the course.

Felicitated for his association with the class as a faculty member, Vada Dasturji Khurshed said, “We have to think with our ‘Vohu Mano’ – the Good Mind. We pray to attune ourselves to Ahura Mazda, by venerating his creations. If you attune yourself with God, you can attune yourself with anybody in this world.”

Er. Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia introduced senior faculty member at Bergen University, Michael Stausberg who encourages especially Zoroastrians, to get into the field of academic scholarship and into the world of western academia of the Zoroastrian religion. He recounted various religious topics touched upon in the previous year, followed by a Shahnameh recital with Er. Hormuzd Karanjia reciting the stanzas in Persian while Karl Sidhwa translated the same in Gujarati.

The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion on ‘Has my study of religion influenced the way I live? If Yes, how? If not, why?’ by class students, Er. Viraf Dadachanji, Lily Daruwalla, Dr. Hutoxy Zaroliwalla and Parindim Bamji. Moderated by Zarine Commissariat, the panellists drew upon their various academic, vocational and domestic backgrounds and validated that the study and practice of religion creates domestic harmony and strengthens us to tackle health problems, thereby influencing our way of life.

Another Monajat was rendered by Jamshed Kotwal along with Havovi Karanjia and Navaz Dadachanji, followed by Dr. Michael Stausberg delivering a lecture on Mithraism, touching upon the festivals of Meherangan and Mithragan. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Kersi Limmatwala, followed by a short prayer and dinner.