The DD Mehta Memorial trust and The Parsi Food and Trade Festival commemorated Jamshedi Navroz on 21^st march, 2018, with the hit play ‘Kutra Ni Punchhdi Vanki’ performed by Gujarat’s  theatre stalwart, Yazdi Karanjia and his troupe at Y B Chavan auditorium, Mumbai. Dedicated in memory of Yazdi Karanjia’s younger brother, late Mehernosh Karanjia who recently passed away suddenly, the play received a round of applause for its comic timing and hilarious dialogues, backed by Yazdi’s power-packed performance. “We organised our first Navroz Dhamaka program in 1996 because we believed that not only will our fellow Zoroastrians enjoy a dose of Parsi theatre on such an auspicious occasion, but this will also help in keeping the art form alive. However, these nataks usually commence by 7:30pm and wrap up late in the night, leaving no time to enjoy a family dinner.  Hence we came upon an idea of providing eatables at the conclusion of our event,” said Chairman of DD Mehta Memorial Trust, Diniar Darab Mehta.

Formulated in 2001 in memory of Diniar’s father, late Darabshaw Dhanjishaw Mehta, the DD Mehta Memorial Trust has been felicitating achievers in numerous fields with the ‘Darabshaw Achievement Award’ and the ‘Parsi Ratna Award’ since 2010 and 2013, respectively. Making the most of the celebratory atmosphere within the auditorium, this year the Trust recognized Medical Oncologist, Dr. Boman Dhabhar and thespian veteran, Bomi Dotivala with the ‘Parsi Ratna Award’. Recognizing and felicitating them in the field of medicine and entertainment respectively, in his acceptance speech, Dotivala dedicated this award to his wife, late Dolly Dotivala. Further felicitating dynamic achievers in diverse fields, Parsi Times Editor, Anahita Subedar was awarded with the ‘Darabshaw Achievement Award’ for her contribution to the field of journalism, followed by Surat’s 19-year-old Ruzbeh Master honored with the similar recognition for innovating the ‘First Solar Bike’. 

Felicitating the awardees with garlands and plaques, the Chief Guest for the evening and Consul General of Iran, Ahmad Sadeghi expressed his pleasure on being surrounded with his fellow Indian brethren on the day of the Spring Equinox. “Thanks to the support of our community as well as other community members who enjoy Parsi plays and variety entertainment programs, we have been able to organize such successful ‘Navroze Dhamaka’ events since the past eighteen years,” said Diniar. The event concluded with distribution of food packets consisting of lip-smacking delicacies, to all present.