FEZANAbulletin Newslet ter o f the Federat ion of Zoroast r ian Assoc ia t ions of Nor th Amer ica

May 2017 / VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 5

At FEZANA’s 30th Anniversary Gala in Houston on April 29, 2017, FEZANA bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli. The glittering Gala, hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, was held at the Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center, concurrently with the FEZANA AGM. All seven past FEZANA Presidents along with current President Homi D. Gandhi were present to honor Ervad Dr. Bagli. In a moving acceptance speech, Ervad Dr Bagli thanked the community for giving him the opportunity to serve and shared the award with his wife, Freny, who was present along with his son, Darius. Read more at: https://fezana.org/fezana-bestows-lifetime-achievement-award-ervad-dr-jehan-bagli/

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FEZANA Bestows Lifetime Achievement Award to Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli

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U P C O M I N G D A T E S June 4, 2017

ZAMWI Night of Music and Talent and Cooking Competition. Boyds, MD www.zamwi.org

June 4, 2017 FEZANA UN-NGO Committee presents “Conservation of Oceans” at New York Dar-e-Mehr

June 7, 2017

Focusing on the Legacy of Ancient Persia’s Last Major Empire, “From Oxus to Euphrates: The Sasanian Empire 226-651 C.E.”. Library of Congress, All Day Symposium, Washington D.C.

June 11, 2017 Ladies Club Meeting with Guest Speaker, Ashdeen Lilaowala (textile designer). ZAC-LA Center, Orange, CA.

June 14, 2017 Portents, Presages, and Predictions: Art and Divination in Pre-Modern Iran. Lecture. Asia House, London U.K.

June 16-18, 2017

2017 Zoroastrian Youth Camp. Camp Ma He Tu, Bear Mtn, NY. www.zagny.org

June 16, 2017 Painting with a Needle – Saris and Soul. Ashdeen Lilaowala in USA. Hand embroidered styles. www.zagny.org

(Dates continued on page 4)

Left (L to R): Rohinton Rivetna, Dolly Dastoor, Framroze Patel, Firdosh Mehta, Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli, Rustom Kevala, Bomi Patel, Katayun Kapadia and Homi Gandhi.; Right: Homi Gandhi presents Lifetime Achievement award to Ervad Dr. Jehan Bagli.

FEZANA Unveils New Logo in Celebration of 30th Anniversary Winning design by Vancouver-based graphic artist, Zara Contractor, selected for accentuating elements of air, earth, fire and water and strong Zoroastrian identity.

Earlier this year, FEZANA held a Logo Redesign Competition as part of its 30th Anniversary celebrations. The winning logo was unveiled at the 30th Anniversary Gala in Houston last month. Designed by graphic artist, Zara Contractor, the logo was selected through an exhaustive independent evaluation of more than 100 outstanding logo design entries submitted by Zoroastrians from around the world. To read all about the winning entry visit this link.

The logo competition was managed by FEZANA Vice President Arzan Sam Wadia, and judged by leading Zoroastrian marketing, design and public relations industry professionals. “On behalf of FEZANA’s executive team, our member associations and corresponding groups, I want to personally thank each designer who took the time to think through our need, develop innovative design concepts and put their artistic skills to the test,” Wadia said. “We salute Zara Contractor for her winning design, and believe it best represents FEZANA’s mission, vision and religious identity.”

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Last month, FEZANA held its 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Houston, hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH). Homi D. Gandhi, President of FEZANA, opened the AGM on April 28, 2017 and welcomed representatives from member associations, corresponding members, past presidents, committee chairs, and Zarathushtis attending in the audience. The meeting was attended by all five of the current executive officers of FEZANA, all seven of the past presidents of FEZANA, 18 of the 26 member associations representing 53 out of a total of 66 eligible votes, and 22 out of 26 FEZANA committees. Sister organizations such as the North American Mobeds Council and World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce were also represented.

Prior to the AGM, on April 27, 2017, the FEZANA Information, Research and Education System (FIRES) held an exhibition of Zarathushti cultural treasures, along with a keynote speech delivered by Aban Marker Kabraji, renowned scientist and biologist, and Regional Director of the Asia Regional Office of IUCN. Earlier the same day, the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce organized a field trip to Coating Industries, local Zarathushti-owned business and held its North American Regional Meeting.

After the AGM, attendees were provided the opportunity to take a delightful narrated tour of the Silk Road Exhibit at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Read more about the AGM at: https://fezana.org/fezanas-30th-annual-general-meeting-a-report/ .

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Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA)

President Homi D. Gandhi president@fezana.org

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NGO in consultative status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

FEZANA’s 30th Annual General Meeting

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The Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Washington Inc. (ZAMWI) hosted Zerbanoo Gifford, from the United Kingdom, founder of the Asha Center and guest editor of the Fezana Journal themed on Gender Equality, with her biographer Farida Master from Auckland, New Zealand, in the Nation's Capital, on 16 May 2017.

Zerbanoo's life and the power and passion she brings to all that she engages in, living in the moment, in the now, was brought forth in shared experiences by Farida Master, an accomplished story teller, if ever there was one.

"Zerbanoo's commitment to peace, to young people and to creating a better world is evident from her track record. As the first Asian woman in modern British politics elected as a Liberal councilor, her vision led to alternative ways to make a real difference in the world -- and she trod that path regardless of the challenges. Today we can see that journey has borne much fruit and give thanks for all she stands for."

-- BISHOP DESMOND TUTU, NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE

"Zerbanoo Gifford: An Uncensored Life" by Farida Master Published by Harper Collins, (India, United Kingdom, USA, Australia and Canada) ISBN 978-93-5177-636-9 www.harperCollins.co.in

Plant Visit WZCC [World Zoroastrian Chamber of Commerce] North American Regional Meeting on April 27, 2017, started with a tour of Coating Industries, Inc. and J.R. Manufacturing, L.P. owned by our local fellow Zarathushtis and WZCC members, Mrs. Aban Rustomji and her son Mr. Arish Rustomji. Over 50 participants from across USA and Canada were present.

General Session

1: Panel Discussion: Financial resources available to New and Existing Businesses Afternoon session started with short welcome speeches by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston Chair, Mr. Aderbad Tamboli and the WZCC Global President, Mr. Edul Daver. The moderator Mr. Pradeep Anand was introduced by Mr. Rustom Engineer. Mr. Anand has been a keynote speaker at

Women’s Empowerment – My Life is My Message A Biography of Zerbanoo Gifford, Asha Center, United Kingdom

[above] Zerbanoo Gifford and Farida Master on a book Tour of the USA feted in Washington DC by ZAMWI [Left to Right] Standing: Behram Pastakia, Rustum E. Bankwala, Shahroakh Bankwala, Rohinton Tengra, Kamal Tengra (with book); Roksana Veraharami, Shehernaz Joshi Veraharami, Mahavash (Mimi) Agvald, (with book); Erv Jimmy Antia, Farida Master (biographer from New Zealand); Rubina Patel, Zerbanoo Gifford from the United Kingdom, Farzad Aidun, Kersi Shroff (with book), Bahram Soroosh. Sitting: Navroz Gandhi, ZAMWI President, Behnaz Mistry, Parinaaz Gandhi (with book).

WZCC North American Regional Meeting

FEZANA supports Sustainable Development Goal Number 5 of the United Nations on Gender Equality

BOOK AWARENESS

Feroze: the forgotten Gandhi by Bertil, New Delhi, Lotus Collection, 2016

Feroze Gandhi is often remembered as Indira Gandhi’s husband and Jawaharlal Nehru’s son-in-law. But who was Feroze Gandhi? A Congress worker, a young freedom fighter, a parliamentarian, or just another Gandhi? Bertil Falk, a Swedish journalist, brings together his 40-year old research in this biography of Feroze Gandhi that include some rare photographs, first-hand interviews of people close to Feroze and personal experiences of the author. There are also Interesting details about Feroze as a young boy in Allahabad, to his years as a freedom fighter, journalist, Congressman and a politician, this volume examines the chronology of events that shaped the life of Feroze.

Visit our website at http://www.fires-fezana org/

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many business workshops and conferences in North America, UK, Continental Europe and India. His consulting business Seeta Resources, helps clients accelerate their firm's revenue and growth margins.

2. Keynote speech by Edul Daver – WZCC Global President. After a short tea-break (courtesy Nazneen & Kershaw Khumbatta), the next session started with a benediction lead by WZCC founding member Mr. Kaemerz Dotiwalla. Mr. Jehangir Mistry introduced Mr. Daver, who presented WZCC goals with 8 areas of high priority. They were, Chapter Growth and Sustainability; Worldwide Communication; Focus on Fiscal Discipline; Website Development; Iran Business Exploratory Expedition; Socio Business Project (Solar Energy and Clean Water); WZCC Business Venture Fund and Expand Reach (working closely with local Zarathushti Associations, Youth Organizations and the newly created WZCC youth group). Read the full report with photos: http://wzcc.org/wzcc-north-american-regional-meeting-report/

The Zoroastrian Population is growing in Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds. This is no more apparent than in the San Diego Community. The families are blossoming and more dedicated than ever. Also, more members have immigrated into San Diego from Iran. The need for a center in San Diego has never been so evident. It is an exciting time for our Community. The Board of Trustees has risen to the challenge and have finally found just the right place to develop a San Diego Zoroastrian Center!

The potential site for the new center is at 12657 Poway Road near Pomerado Road. The building is a Great Size – 4,500 sq. ft. with plenty of parking and a half acre lot. We would like to cordially invite everyone interested in helping us realize this ambitious dream to come to planning meeting on Sunday June 4th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Funds are greatly needed to make this happen. Every contribution makes a difference! This is your opportunity to be a part of something great! Ba Sepas San Diego Zoroastrian center For details, contact arman.ariane (at) gmail (dot) com

World Oceans Day - June 8 World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. This year, people all over our blue planet are celebrating with the theme "Our Oceans, Our Future." Organizations and individuals around the world are encouraging solutions to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter for a healthier ocean and a better future with events in their communities.

Submit your event : www.worldoceansday.org

FEZANA Supports Sustainable Development Goal Number 14 of the United Nations

Proposal for Zoroastrian Center in San Diego

Artist’s rendering of future San Diego Center

U P C O M I N G D A T E S (Continued from page 1) July 10-12, 2017

Spark Business Academy for Youth. Suffern, NY. Sponsored by WZCC-NY. Financial incentives available to first registrants. eduldaver (at) gmail.com

July 15, 2017 Third Annual Kamran Seminar www.zamwi.org

August 6, 2017 Zoroastrian Association of Quebec (ZAQ) 50th Anniversary Celebration. Saint-Laurent, QC. http://www.zaq.org/50years

August 28-30, 2017 67th United Nations DPI/ NGO Conference. New York City. UN Headquarters.

September 2-3, 2017 10th Zoroastrian Unity Cup Soccer Tournament; Redondo Beach, CA

October 14, 2017 Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference. Detroit, Michigan.

December 15-17, 2017 WZCC Global AGM. Bangalore, India.

December 23-25, 2017 Iranshah Udvada Utsav. Udvada, Gujarat, India.

June 1-4, 2018 11th World Zoroastrian Congress, Perth, Australia http://11wzcperth.com.au/

November 1-7, 2018 Parliament of the World’s Religions, Toronto.

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FEZANA is pleased to announce the new Chair for the FEZANA Research and Preservation Committee to be Mr. Dinyar Patel. Dinyar Patel is an assistant professor of history at the University of South Carolina. He received his PhD in history from Harvard University, where he completed a dissertation on Dadabhai Naoroji. He has co-edited two books, Dadabhai Naoroji: Selected Private Papers (Oxford University Press, 2016) and From Ghalib's Dilli to Lutyens' New Delhi: A Documentary Record

(Oxford University Press, 2016). He has written for BBC News, the Hindu, Scroll.in, and the New York Times online. He is married to Parinaz Madan and they split their time between South Carolina and Mumbai. FEZANA welcomes Mr Patel and looks forward to his contributions on many future projects. Naomi Mobed was born in Karachi; raised in Tehran; lived in Hong Kong; educated in Princeton, Boston and London; worked in New York, Paris, then Dubai, then

Muscat, then Johannesburg and all points in-between. She states “For as long as I can remember, food has given me a sense of belonging wherever I was in the world. It was, at once, familiar and new; both, a reminder of my history and a call to adventure. My family traveled on its stomachs and wherever life’s journey took us, we embraced local customs, quickly adopting and fusing them to our own culinary traditions. Through these voyages, food bound us and enabled us to communicate with the world – to show both our differences and similarities – to

help us assimilate, make friends and settle into the ever-changing landscape.“ Le Bon Magot will be exhibiting from June 25-27 in the Summer Fancy Food Show, Javits Center, New York City, NY. Visit: www.lebonmagot.com to learn more and to order online

© 2017 FEZANA. The FEZANA bulletin is an official publication of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America.

FEZANA Announces New Chair of Research and Preservation Committee

A One-Woman Condiment Company