Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 12, 2021
Dinner, dance and dazzle on July 17, 2021 at Picton Event Centre, Howick
More than 200 men and women will get together on Saturday, July 17, 2021 in East Auckland to dine, dance, and funds in the process for supporting India’s efforts in combating the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
Organised by Viraf Todywalla of ‘Viraf 4 U Events’ for the Zarathushtrian (or Zoroastrian) Association of New Zealand, the event will be held at the Picton Event Centre, located at 120 Picton Street, Howick, East Auckland, also marking its Silver Jubilee.
Mr Todywalla said that among the highlights of the Programme will be the performance of ‘Brazilian Divas,’ a popular dance group based in Auckland, foot-tapping music and dance, Face Painting, games, prizes and other attractions.
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Brazilian Divas, an attraction at the ZANZ event (Picture Supplied)
The pandemic in India
“We are all aware of the difficulties and strife perpetrated by Covid-19 since the beginning of 2020. The pandemic continues to rage much of the world and its effect in India has been really adverse in recent months. Our people there are facing extremely tough times and challenges. We are organising this event to give a little back to our brothers and sisters in India struggling for food, oxygen, medicines and other supplies. Every bit will be helpful to the people in India,” he said.
Mr Todywalla said that all the proceeds of the show will be sent for Covid-19 Relief in India through organisations such as UNICEF New Zealand, Petit Parsee General Hospital and F S Parukh Dharamshalla through the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO).
“While we believe that we cannot help everyone, we know that everyone can help someone. Our forthcoming event will provide a good opportunity for local businesses to promote their image, products and services, while simultaneously participating in a good cause. We are seeking the support of businesses and other organisations to take up sponsorship, set up stalls, offer prizes and purchase tables and individual tickets,” Mr Todywalla said.
Tickets on Sale
Early Bird tickets for the event, priced at $50 per person until June 30; from July 1, 2021: $70 per person; those under 15 years of age: $30 per person, with terms and conditions applied. For tickets and other information, please call Viraf Todywalla on 021-0424245.
Viraf Todywalla at his ‘Star of New Zealand’ contest held on July 10, 2010 (INL File Photo)
About Zoroastrians
The following is an extract of an article written by former President of the Zarathushtrian Association of New Zealand Rashna Tata in our November 15, 2014 Anniversary Special.
The Zoroastrian Parsee community of New Zealand traces its lineage to the Golden Age of Persia (modern Iran).
The Zoroastrian religion, recognised as one of the oldest in the world, was founded and preached in Eastern Iran in 1700 BC by Prophet Zarathustra.
He was among the earliest Prophets to teach monotheism, and his followers prescribed the doctrine of “Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.”
Parsees are of Iranian Persian stock, the present day descendants of our forefathers, who fled their homeland in the mid-7th Century AD because of religious discrimination and persecution by invading Arab tribes.
Zoroastrianism is an ancient, Pre-Islamic religion of Persia. As one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world, its people, referred to as Zoroastrians, are the followers of Prophet Zarathustra, who propagated a religion based on good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
from December 28, 2015 to January 2, 2016 (INL File Photo)
The global Journey
The global journey of Zoroastrians began as they sought refuge in a new land rather than forfeit their religion, beliefs, practices and way of life in Persia. They sailed to various parts of the world but the largest contingent was destined to India.
The early settlers chose the west coast of Gujarat and found that the Hindu rules of the era were benevolent. They started a long and harmonious relationship with the people of India, even adopting Gujarati language as their lingua franca and many local customs.
The steely determination of this migrant community coupled by their firm religious beliefs of ‘Ushta Te’ (Happiness onto others), inspired them with a desire to give back to the country which had offered them a new home.
Pioneering Entrepreneurs
Many Parsee families took on the challenges of trade and commerce and started business ventures, becoming pioneers in various fields. Several of them have become multinationals, known for their spirit of enterprise, corporate and social responsibility and a penchant for community involvement.
The Zoroastrian way of life does not focus on the profit motive and individual opulence. Increasing prosperity in India intensified the tenets of the Zoroastrian faith. Parsees have been givers with a deep sense of integrity and the desire to do the right thing.
They established charities on a massive scale and this large-hearted munificence continues to this day throughout India and abroad.
Viraf Todywalla: Return of the Zoro
The Parsee community in New Zealand
Zoroastrians have always been a small but pragmatic minority in every country of their settlement (including New Zealand). The population of Parsees is declining in India, (currently just 122,000) orchestrated by large migration to other countries.
New Zealand accounted for only one Parsee family 45 years ago. According to Census 2018, there are about 2000 persons of Zoroastrian origin, making this community among the smallest in the country. Most Parsees live in East Auckland (Howick, Pakuranga, Dannemora and Flat Bush). As elsewhere, the community is closely-knit and gets together on social and religious occasions.
New Zealand is home to one of the smallest migrant Zoroastrian communities, with many of its people members of the Zarathushtrian Association of New Zealand. It was established in 1996 to (a) preserve the cultural identity of Zoroastrians in the multicultural society of New Zealand (b) preserve and advance the tenets of the Zoroastrian religion amongst the members of the association and the Zoroastrian community in New Zealand and (c) make a cultural contribution to New Zealand’s society.
Over the years, ZANZ has facilitated the integration of newly arrived Zoroastrians into the Zoroastrian community as well as into New Zealand’s society. The Zoroastrian community has grown rapidly in the past decade and it aims to reach out to the wider community of New Zealand and its leadership, in order to firmly establish the important role and contributions of Zoroastrians in New Zealand.
In the past, the non-profit organisation has organised several successful events, including Navroze (New Year), sports competitions and plays. The youth organise Christmas parties, prayer classes and holiday events.
