The World Zarathushti Awards were presented at the 11th World Zoroastrian Congress, held in Perth this month. The awards are coordinated by the Awards committee of the Global Working Group.
Zoroastrian Icon Award
Dinshaw Tamboly
Dinshaw Tamboly is an eminent personality in India. He is well-respected for furthering the cause of Zarathushtis regionally and internationally. He possesses excellent traits of leadership, honesty, parsipanu and community service. He is a role model for many. He is the Trustee of the WZO Trusts in India, which undertakes diverse projects that have resulted in qualitative improvement in the lives of many Zarathushtis and seeds entrepreneurship in the community.
Community Service Award
Meher Medora
Meher Medora is the founder and Managing Trustee of “Ushta-Te foundation” in Ahmedabad, India, that promotes advancement of religious, social and cultural activities in the Zoroastrian Community. Meher also works with under-privileged and physically and mentally challenged persons. She harnesses her time, talent and capacity in identifying problems faced by the local Zoroastrian community and provides effective initiatives to bring meaningful changes.
Science & Medicine Award
Dr. Keki Turel
Dr. Keki Turel is one of the finest Neurosurgeons in the world. He is well-known for setting up the Microsurgery unit at the Masina Hospital in Mumbai, as well as other GCC countries like Oman, Sharjah (UAE) and Bahrain. He provides free service to Parsi Priests, teachers and those in low-income group. He holds free camps in Mumbai, Gujarat and neighboring countries including Africa. He has been decorated with several awards and trophies. On the fateful night of 26/11 he was the only Surgical Consultant attending scores of injured persons brought to the Bombay Hospital after being attacked by terrorists and continued treating several more for three more days and nights. He also organizes world events benefiting the neurosurgical community.
Social Entrepreneur’s Award
Khushroo Poacha
Khushroo Poacha is a firm believer in promoting social entrepreneurship as a key element to advance societies in an innovative and effective manner. He launched the www.Indianblooddonors.com helpline in 2000 to connect blood donors and patients. In 2014, he set up a kitchen for serving meals to patients and later instituted “Seva Kitchens” in 5 cities in India. In Dec. 2016, he introduced the concept “Fridge of kindness” for providing nutrition to poor patients in hospitals. Today there are 10 fridge’s in 7 hospitals and 3 schools in India.
Woman of Distinction Award
Dr. Pheroza Godrej
Dr. Pheroza Godrej is an advocate of fine arts and history. She is a cultural icon of Mumbai and India. Her interest in art includes specialized knowledge of modern Indian paintings, prints and drawings. Over the last 4 years she has curated exhibitions ranging from colonial period to contemporary both in India and abroad. In 2013, she was invited by 3 leading UK organisations – The School of Oriental & African Studies London University, The British Museum and The British Library to co-curate “The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History & Imagination exhibition.” The success and acclaim earned by this exhibition led to the Government of India, Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Culture to sponsor “The Everlasting Flame exhibition” at the National Museum in New Delhi from 19 March to 29 May 2016. Pheroza is the Honorary Director of F.D.Alpaiwalla Museum in Mumbai. She is also a nature conservationist and the Chairperson of the Godrej Archives council.
Young Zarathushti Award
Ziba Colah
Ziba Colah is a bright star among young Zarathushtis in Houston. She has not only achieved high grades in her scholastic studies but also been a winner of several scholarships from prestigious Medical Institutions and Colleges in Houston. Currently, she is doing her MD. Since 2010, Ziba has been making substantial contributions to the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and has helped the Zoroastrian community in that area in many ways.