First Visit by an Indian Consul General to Zoroastrian New Year’s Celebrations
Shayan Noshir Bhatena is to be commended on her achievement, dedication, and contributions and was the recipient of the 2000 Congress Legacy Award.
HOUSTON: Although the Zoroastrian Association of Houston is now about 35 years in the Bayou City, last week marked the first time ever that an Indian Consul General has graced their Community Center and their New Year’s celebration. The ZAH Community Center keeps on expanding with new contributions and fund raisers. Zoroastrians are better known in India and Pakistan as Parsees.
ZAH’s representative Meheyar Rivetna showed him around the facilities explaining how the Center evolved and how the vibrant community co-exists in harmony, since ZAH’s members are a mix of those who are from India, Pakistan and Iran. Harish took a keen look at the only Zoroastrian Library which also has artifacts of the religion.
Ervad Rayomand Percy Katrak (right) received the “Cyrus Rohinton Desai Award” which was set up by the Desai family in memory of their courageous young son who lost his battle with cancer. It was Cyrus’s ardent desire to go to college but sadly this was not meant to be. That is why this award is given exclusively to the person who is going off to college for the first time.
Harish was well informed was about this minority community in India and recognized their contributions to the Indian business and social environments that has brought about an economic revolution in India. He said that the Zoroastrians had played such a major role in bringing about social and charitable vehicles including hospitals, research facilities and much more for the use and benefit of all Indians, not just for their own community.
Indian Consul General Harish
The evening’s celebration was brisk, then amazing function was delightful and the kids set up a prayer, dance and song routine. It was well choreographed with the events begining on time with a benediction from the youngest priest. This was followed by a performance by little kids on a Zoroastrian theme, with a rendition of a beautiful prayer.
The kids followed up with a fun-filled program of Bollywood dances, especially impressive as some of them had never even been to India or even watched Indian movies. After the Awards presentation dinner was served and then a dancers lit up the floors as a live band played some crazy tunes.
The Zoroastrian Association’s Congress 2000 Legacy Award was established from funds that came from the successfu World Zoroastrian Congress 2000. Each year, the award recognizes young Zoroastrian students who are studying at the University level, have achieved excellence in their scholastic studies and extra-curricular activities and have made substantial contribution to Zoroastrian community affairs.
Homi Davier, the Chair of the Legacy Awards, in his speech mentioned that these students deserved to be recognized as innovators and leaders for tomorrow’s global community. “By supporting the next generation of great minds we pay tribute to the success of Houston’s Zoroastrian Community”, he said, “and its belief in giving back to the mainstream community that gives them so much”. Consul General Harish presented the two awards and handed out scholarship checks.
ZAH lovely hall, kitchen and furniture can be rented out for parties. For further information, visit www.zah.org