Chalo Udvada: The First Iranshah Udvada Utsav 2015

The Foundation for Development of Udvada & the Udvada Samast Anjuman are very pleased to announce that the first ever ‘Iranshah Udvada Utsav’ will be celebrated on December 25-26-27, 2015 at Udvada.

Hon’ble Narendra Modi, in 2014, just a couple of weeks after assuming office as Prime Minister, had invited Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, Mrs. Homai Engineer, late Mr. Jehangir Cama and Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly, all of who are connected with Foundation for Development of Udvada (FDU) to meet him and provide an overview of the strategic plan to develop Udvada as a pilgrim centre being undertaken by UADA (Udvada Area Development Authority) set up by the Government of Gujarat.

At that time he reiterated what he had mentioned earlier when FDU was under formation, that our community’s contribution towards nation building was unparalled and appreciated that ever since we Parsis arrived as migrants, had abided by a code of conduct through which we have preserved our identity without offending the sensitivities of any other community. He mentioned that Udvada showcases the glorious history of the Parsi community of over 1300 years and that he was very keen to project Udvada as a place of harmony, religious tolerance and opportunities provided to a miniscule community to realise their full potential.

He urged us to organize, preferably an annual festival at Udvada, failing that once every two years, when community members from all over the world would be able to visit Udvada, and participate. He also recommended that we plan the same sometime in December as many Indians visit the country at that time of the year.

Honouring the wishes of our dynamic Prime Minister, Foundation for Development of Udvada & the Udvada Samast Anjuman along with a group of dedicated volunteers have together been working on bringing this project to fruition. We have developed a tentative plan that will be finalised shortly, after which the same will be announced to the community at large.

A galaxy of eminent Parsees will be invited to attend. It has also been decided to felicitate the leading present day icon of our community Mr. Ratan N. Tata on December 27, 2015. Mr. Ratan Tata has accepted our invitation and has agreed to be present at Udvada on December 27, 2015.

With Iranshah Udvada Utsav being the brainchild of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an invitation has been extended to him as well to participate in the celebration on December 27, 2015.

This advance information has been given to enable our community members from all parts of the world to firm up their schedules to be present at Udvada on December 25-26-27. Please await further announcements and the programme; these will be announced in the media from time to time.