Sanaya Master –

Young Zoroastrians vowed to carry the traditional, religious and social values of their fast depleting community and promote the life and spirit of Parsis across the Continents at a global event held in Auckland recently.

More than 250 young people from various parts of the world deliberated on a number of social, community, religious and other issues at the six-day Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress held at King’s College in Otahuhu. They were supported by their parents, caregivers and elders with money, time, effort and most important of all, encouragement.

A group of young Parsis in Auckland, led by Tinaz Karbhari as the Chairman of the Organising Committee worked for almost four years to put together the Congress, which it had its hours of seriousness and evenings of fun and entertainment.

Intellectual stimulation

Sanaya Master, who has been writing for Indian Newslink, said that six days of fun, frolic and intellectual stimulation had the delegates from several countries including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, North America and United Kingdom treated to a plethora of activities.

These ranged from ‘The City Blitz,’ amazing race around Auckland that had them make human pyramids, a laugh-a-minute Hypnotist Show that had everyone in splits and talking in Moon language, a highly entertaining Zoro X-Factor in which team Canada proved that they reigned supreme on Traditional Night and the fabulous ‘Glo’ (in the dark) New Year Eve Celebration at which 1500 white balloons magically descended from the ceiling at the stroke of 12. It was indeed a sight to behold,” she said.

Ecological Event

Promoted as an ‘Ecologically conscious Conference,’ the programme incorporated for the first time the ‘12 Legacy Series’ (honouring selected Zoroastrian individuals, families and organisations that have made a difference in the community as well as humanity) and the launch of two books. These were the highly acclaimed ‘An Uncensored Life,’ a biography of British lawmaker Zerbanoo Gifford (by Farida Masters), published in Indian Newslink December 15, 2015 and January 15, 2016 issues; and ‘Gatha’ by Dr Irach J S Taraporewala (edited by Behramshaw Jal Kalianwala).

The Dignitaries

Among those present at the opening ceremony on December 28 were Michael Fisher (Fisher and Paykel), Members of Parliament Su’a William Sio (Labour) and Alfred Ngaro, Speakers Ms Gifford, Jimmy Madon and Jimmy Antia and the Editor of this newspaper. They were earlier accorded a traditional ‘Aacho Michoo’ welcome by Navaz Karbhari and Delzin Balsara.

True to the Kiwi spirit, the visiting delegates witnessed Powhiri by the Kapa Haka group.

Jazeel Mistry was the Master of Ceremonies at the inaugural ceremony and an enthusiastic participant in the proceedings of the Conference.

Heart into future

In her farewell speech, Tinaz quoted the late Sir Winston Churchill, saying that “The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.’

“Take this week-long of experiences, knowledge and understanding that you have collected and return to your homes not just thinking, but doing and actively making the changes that need to be made to achieve the impossible. We are the heart and soul of the future, so let us continue reflecting just that.”

Members of the Organising Committee as seen in the photography here are (from left) Burzin Fatakia, Xerxes Sukhia, Sanaya Master, Tinaz Karbhari, Karmin Homavazir, Roxanne Medhora, Cyrus Daji, Nazneen Sukhia, Delzin Balsara and Piran Tata.

With reporting by Sanaya Master. Another report of the Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress will appear in our next issue.