On Sunday, August 15, 2021 on Tarka Indian Eatery Botany
Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 6, 2021
‘Double Dhamaka’ is the theme of an event being organised by the Zarathushtrian Association of New Zealand (ZANZ) on August 15, 2021 to mark the 74th Anniversary of India’s Independence and Parsi New Year.
The twin celebrations will be held from 12.30 pm at Tarka Indian Eatery, located at 302 Te Irirangi Drive, Botany, East Auckland.
ZANZ Vice-President Viraf Todywalla said that while the Parsi New Year falls on Monday, August 16, 2021, the Association decided to celebrate the festival along with India’s 74th Independence Day to show the community’s solidarity and unity.
Traditional values upheld
“Our community is small but we are well-knit and work in close cooperation, love and mutual respect. Parsis will certainly mark their New Year with traditional observances on August 16 but we hope to have them along with others at our event on August 15, 2021,” he said.
Mr Todywalla said that the event will include solemnity, fun and music.
“Centuries ago, we blended like sugar in milk. To date, we continue to sweeten everyone’s lives. We are passionate about bringing all communities together and hope that people from the Auckland region will be able to attend the event and spread happiness and goodwill,” he said.
Ticket details
The event is being managed by V4U and entry tickets, priced at $35 (adult), $25 (under 15) for Members; $45 (adult), $30 (under 15) for Non-Members and $25 (senior citizen) are now on sale.
Mr Todywalla said that ZANZ is also looking for sponsorship from commercial and non-commercial organisations and individuals.
Further details can be obtained from him on 021-0424245.
About India Independence Day
India will embark on its 75th Year of Independence on August 15, 2021. India’s High Commissioner Muktesh Pardeshi will lead the celebrations with a flag-hoisting ceremony in Wellington and Auckland.
Since obtaining Independence from British Rule on August 15, 1947, India has not only preserved the ideals of democracy but also promoted it, despite some serious challenges that it has had to face with differing political ideologies.
India is perhaps the only country in the world that has accommodated a variety of political philosophies, ranging from the extreme right and left, to the moderates. Yet, the penchant for the rule of the people, by the people and for the people has remained strong, although the political scenario has vastly changed, prohibiting a single party rule in the centre and in several states.
That said, Indians have demonstrated their remarkable and innate capacity to self-governance, never permitting either the goings on in some of its neighbouring countries to influence its own political system, or the emergence of extreme forces from within.
India remains a country with a myriad of problems, with a runaway growth in population and with an increasing number of people below the poverty line.
About Parsi New Year
A 3000-year old Zoroastrian tradition, the Parsi New Year Day was created by Prophet Zoroaster according to legends. It was celebrated by the followers of Zoroastrianism in Persia (now Iran), who migrated to places like Gujarat in India in the 7th Century owing to the Islamic invasion. Although the festival originated in Persia, it is celebrated with much fervour in many Indian states. The day is also referred to as Jamshedi Navroz after the Persian King Jamshed who founded the Parsi calendar.
Zoroastrians in New Zealand
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.
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.
This non-profit organisation organises several successful events, including Navroze, New Year, sports competitions and plays. The youth organise Christmas parties, prayer classes and holiday events.
Common theme
New Zealand and Zoroastrianism have an important common theme.
New Zealand is known as a clean and green country and Zoroastrianism is recognised as an environmentally conscious religion with its rituals and injunctions that aim to safeguard nature from polluting influences.
In the light of this commonality, ZYNZ launched a few years ago the ‘Green Initiative,’ which formed an integral part of the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress held in Auckland from December 28, 2015 to January 2, 2016.
“Our aim is to increase the world’s awareness of New Zealand’s pristine environment along with Zoroastrianism’s customs and demonstrate how a combination of the two will make a difference to the world through the younger members of the society,” Mr Todywalla said.
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