More than 400 members of the Zoroastrian (Parsi) community across the world will be in New Zealand late next year to participate in what could be a stimulating experience in their lives.
More importantly, all of them would be the younger members of the community, preparing to lead societies and communities as businesspersons, professionals, politicians, cultural ambassadors, philanthropists and entertainers later in their lives.
Auckland based ‘Zoroastrian Youth of New Zealand’ is organising the Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress from December 28, 2015 to January 2, 2016 at the Kings College Campus in Otahuhu, South Auckland.
Although the event is about 18 months away, the Organising Committee, with Tinaz Karbhari as the Chairperson, has finalised almost all aspects of the six-day programme with clockwork precision.
Ecological alertness
A meeting with some members of the Organising Committee last fortnight generated not only a high note of confidence but also pride and inspiration.
Tinaz said that Conservation, Environment, Youth, Responsibility and Civic Conscience would be the keywords of the Congress.
“This would be one of the first ecologically conscious meetings conducted by the Global Zoroastrian community. Young people will come together to experience a Congress that has been designed to educate, engage and motivate them to preserve and promote our treasured culture, resonate our unique traditions and create a forum to brighten the prospects of future generations,” she said.
Illustrious community
The Parsi community is known for its spirit of enterprise, social networking, community work and most significantly, business acumen.
Giving vent to their community spirit, the Organising Committee has organised several fundraisers to offer cost-effective participation to the visiting overseas delegates and assist ‘Kidz First,’ including ‘Jammies in June’ and ‘Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.’
In the Indian context, Parsis have distinguished themselves as businesspersons (Tata, Godrej, Wadia), military personnel (Sam Manekshaw), scientists (Homi Bhabha), composers (Zubin Mehta), authors (Rohinton Mistry, Firdaus Kanga), politicians (Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroz Gandhi, the husband of Indira Gandhi, Smriti Irani, currently Human Resources Development Minister) and many more.
As in other countries, Zoroastrians in New Zealand are among successful entrepreneurs, IT professionals and management consultants. All of them actively promote the wellbeing and progress of their wards, as evidenced at our meeting.
Quadrennial event
Tinaz said that the first World Zoroastrian Youth Congress was held in Westminster, California in September 1993 and that the quadrennial was established to nurture better understanding of the religion amongst the Zoroastrian youth, creating simultaneously a platform for friendships to bloom.
“New Zealand and Zoroastrianism have an important common theme. While New Zealand is renowned for the pristine environment, the Zoroastrian Movement is renowned as an environmentally conscious religion. We therefore found it appropriate to centre the global event as ‘The Green Initiative.’ Following the conclusion of the Sixth Congress, the delegates and their respective organisations will explore ways and means of implementing the decisions taken and resolutions adopted. These will be assessed at the Seventh Congress,” she said.
The Committee
Following are the members of the Organising Committee: Tinaz Karbhari (Chair), Nazneen Sukhia, Roxanne Medhora (Co-Vice Chair), Xerxes Sukhia (Secretary), Burzin Fatakia (Treasurer), Cyrus Daji (Accommodation Portfolio Leader), Karmin Homavazir (Entertainment Portfolio Leader), Ferzeen Dadabhoy (Marketing Portfolio Leader), Zirak & Delzin Vazifdar (Fundraising Portfolio Leaders), Sanaya Master (Speakers Portfolio Leader) and Delzin Balsara (Website Portfolio Leader).
Email: 6thwzyc@gmail.com
Further information about the Sixth World Zoroastrian Youth Congress and the Zoroastrian Movement will appear in an ensuing issue.
