Tinaz Karbhari –
Tow ‘Jimmys’, one an ordained priest and a software engineer are the keynote speakers thus far confirmed to address young Zoroastrians at their global meet later this year.
Jimmy Madon from the United States of America and Jimmy Antia from the United Kingdom will throw a few challenges to their peers at the Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress scheduled to be held at the King’s College Campus in the South Auckland suburb of Otahuhu from December 28, 2015 to January 2, 2016.
Innovative approach
Jimmy Madon hopes to reach modern young Zoroastrians, whether they are sceptic freethinkers or conformists. His presentation promises to be an unconventional discussion on how to practically use Zoroastrianism – beyond the Good Thoughts, Words and Deeds cliché, taking the Jashan beyond the Malido and the Navjote beyond the birdy dance or the ‘patra-ni-machi’!
Jimmy Antia will explore the connection between ecology and the human mind and explain how they are rooted in Zoroastrian philosophy.
Navar Martab
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Ervad Jimmy Khushroo Madon moved to the United Kingdom five years ago where he obtained a First Class Honours degree in Computer Science from the University of East London.
He is now employed as a Software Systems Development Engineer at GENEO Software Ltd., a Warwickshire based company that specialises in the field of Lean Engineering and Consultancy.
Ervad is a ‘Navar-Martab (an ordained priest),’ which qualifies him to carry out higher liturgical ceremonies for the Zoroastrian community.
He has been performing Jashans, Navjotes, weddings and funeral ceremonies for the community all over the world for the past decade.
Community work
As the youth coordinator of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) and the Social Secretary for the Young Zoroastrians of the UK (the youth wing of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe), he helps in organising community events and volunteers to teach at the ‘Young Flames’ religious educational class in London for children and adults.
Understanding how to distinguish religion from culture, race and ethnicity while knowing the gist of our simple daily prayers, one can put Zarathustra’s time-tested ethical framework to good use. Such a rational take should leave the ‘young’ Zarathushti wondering if he/she ever truly lived this wonderful way of life called Zoroastrianism.
Accomplished youngster
Jimmy Antia is an International Security and Development Analyst with experience in Latin America and Southeast Asia. His work experience includes the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he focuses on working with other components of the American government to promote resilient and sustainable use of water resources.
He previously worked as a consultant at the Department of Defence, where he investigated programmes, objectives and strategic goals to create solutions that enhanced strategic planning process.
He also worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to create new programmes to increase resource conservation.
Jimmy Antia has extensive experience in politics, having worked for the 2012 re-election campaign for Barack Obama and the US House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure committee as well as working on transportation issues post-9/11.
A graduate (BA) in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a postgraduate (MA) in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy he was a 2003 Fulbright scholar to Costa Rica, where he examined sustainable development issues.
The Congress not only promises to connect Zoroastrian youth from across the globe but also inspire delegates to carry on the proud Zoroastrian legacy.
The Zoroastrian Youth of New Zealand (ZYNZ), the Youth Wing of the Zoroastrian Association of New Zealand is organising the six-day Congress, highlighting the social and community responsibilities that elevate the meaning and purpose of human existence.
We are fortunate to have a highly motivated team with the objective of providing a memorable religious and social experience to all participants, in addition to examining the issues that confront the human society and its natural environs.
For further details, registration, please visit www.6wzyc.co.nz
Tinaz Karbhari is Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress 2015. Email: 6thwzyc@gmail.com
