Bats and slippery tunnels aren’t really normal props to celebrate 75 years of an association. But when it comes to Jamshedpur Parsi Association’s (JPA) platinum jubilee, expect the unexpected.
Published in the Telepgraph India
Members of the feisty and adventurous community enjoyed a two-day stint at an adventure camp in Tumung in East Singhbhum, 25km from Jamshedpur, on May 12 and 13 to celebrate their special day. Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) gave them logistical support. Participants, who ranged between 11 and 61 years, took part in team building games, cooking on the field, caving, rappelling and freehand rock-climbing.
“The camp was great fun. All the action and adventure helped us to combat fears and develop self-belief,” said former JPA chairman Navsar Dotiwala, who at 61, was the oldest participant and is already looking forward to organise a sports events for children for the ongoing platinum jubilee celebrations.
The JPA, formed in 1937, is serving the interests of about 200 members of the Parsi community in Jamshedpur.
The Parsis are one of Jamshedpur’s most prominent communities, with the city’s founder J.N. Tata himself a Parsi. Now, they are dwindling in numbers, but their infectious enthusiasm is unimpaired. Before the camp, they held an entertainment programme on March 21.
“We celebrated Jamshed-e-Navroz (Parsi New Year) with a cultural programme, dinner and distribution of scholarships to meritorious students,” Dotiwala recalled.
TSAF secretary P.P. Kapadia, who also happens to be the JPA’s assistant secretary, said he enjoyed conducting the camp with his team of instructors.
“The camp was a great learning experience that brought together participants of all age groups and developed close bonds. Everyone enjoyed the stay at Tumung and looked very refreshed once it was over,” he added.
Kapadia said they had plans to host more such camps for the Parsi community. “Their interest plainly showed that they are very inclined towards adventure,” he smiled.