ZWAS (Zoroastrian Women’s Assembly Of Surat) recently organized a 3-day long thrilling celebrations program, from 5 – 7 August, 2022, to commemorate 30 years of its commendable journey in serving the society, under the diligent duo Trustees – Maharukh Chichgar and Pilu Bhathena.

The first day was an exciting mix of colour, creativity and culture exhibited by the children through with a ‘Chalk & Rangoli’ and ‘Card Making’ competitions. The children, distributed across 4 categories based on age, displayed amazing talent with Delfryn Jogi, Ruhi Dastur, Khushnum Khambhatta, Firozi Elavia and Firoza Jivasha winning the Card-making competition; and Delfryn Jogi, Anaisha Bhagwagar, Jesmin Ankleshwaria and Firozi Elavia winning the Chalk & Rangoli competition.

Fortifying the legacy of Surat’s Dr. Ratan Marshall, Day-2 saw Elocution and Extempore competitions taking place, and different topics for different age groups. Children spoke on topics including, ‘Varsad ni majaa ke sajaa’, ‘My Role Model’, ‘Humata Hukta Huvarashta’, ‘Role of Parsis in Development of India’, ‘The Power of Gratitude’, ‘75 years of Independent India’, etc. The winners were Zaina Variava, Marzee Kolah, Aanoash Chichgar and Firozi Elavia. This was followed by a fun game of Housie – the national game of Parsis! ZWAS also felicitated Aazmin Gandhi, a young, promising and spirited Gold Medalist MBA.

The last day was dedicated in the honour of late philanthropist – Minu Mehenti, with an Avesta Prayer Competition, which received a handsome response, with participants as young as 3-year-olds to 12-year-olds wowing one and all, by reciting our prayers. Judges Er. Sarosh Dastur and Viraf Karanjia spoke on the importance of prayers in our daily lives and for our betterment and existence of the Mazdayasne Din. The winners were Naira Kasad, Paashan Elavia, Jezaan Daruwala and Zaina Variava.

Kainaz Variava presented a self-written and composed lyrical theme of ZWAS. After the prayer competition ZWAS Antakshari brought out the singers in the Bawajis of Surat – curated by Mahazarin Variava and hosted by ZWAS nightingale – Dilnaz Besania, with winners from Group Dhokla (Maharukh Chichgar, Yasmin Mirza and Pariyaz Ankleshwaria); Group Khaman (Benaifer Patel, Afrin Ambapardiwala and Firdosh Dadina); and Group Fafda (Azmin Gandhi, Arnawaz Gandhi and Keshmira Ichhaporia).

Graced by dignitaries – Padmashri Yazdi Karanjia, Trustees of Pak Kadmi Atashbehram – Burzin Chiniwala and Hormazdiyar Patel, the event was attended by packed audiences who enjoyed the various food-stalls put up by enthusiastic and upcoming food-preneurs. ZWAS President – Delnaz Katpitia gave a warm welcome note and Vice President Aafrin Patrawala gave the vote of thanks, alongside delightful comperes Kainaz Variava, Mahtab Bhatporia, Dilnaz Besania and Maharukh Chichgar.