Zoroastrian Return to Roots

RTR Alumni .zeets presenting at the FEZANA Annual General Meeting! They spoke about the most recent RTR trip to all in attendance and shared trip highlights.

Ashdeen indulged us with the ultimate luxury of draping all the participants in a unique priceless gara. The RTR fellows were enthralled and strutting around as fashionistas in the gorgeous Garas.

We had a chance to visit the ASHDEEN store today and meet with the brilliant Ashdeen Lilaowala who gave us a fascinating talk about Parsi textiles and Garas. This was our first visit to his shop here in Mumbai and this will be a permanent pitstop on future RTR trips for sure

At the Bombay House.....the headquarters of the Tata Group, one of the largest business conglomerates in the world. We got to see the TataXperienceCenter and also the Dog Kennel!!

Food coma ready to set in ...and nothing can be more perfect that the Parsi Easy chair at Ripon !

A fantastic afternoon session on Day 2 with Dr. Kurush Dalal who spoke about Parsi food through history and also delved into the archeological digs in Sanjan and many other topics.

Lunch at the Ripon Club !! Ripon has been a pit stop on every RTR trip and this year it's no different. The Fellows are feasting on Dhansak &Kebabs. Custard for dessert all washed down with Raspberry and Mangola drinks.

We start Day 2 with a seminar on Zoroastrianism 101 led by Khojeste Mistree. In a free wheeling discussion that followed the talk RTR Fellows could engage in a robust Q&A.

And after a long first day.....chilling on Marine Drive

Our next stop on the first day was the Sir Ratan Tata Institute. We had an amazing lunch followed by hands-on cooking demonstration learning tobmake Bhakras.

Pics by RTR Fellows Meherwan Patel and Persis Bhadha.

Our first stop today is Doongarwadi or Towers of Silence in Mumbai. We have Khojeste Mistree explain the salient features of the Doongarwadi and the funeral rites of the Zoroastrians consigned here at the Towers of Silence

And we are off to the races. The 7th Return To Roots kicks off today with our orientation at the Cusrow Baug Pavilion. 25 RTR Fellows and 3 Alumni make this our largest group ever. Participants are from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Iran, Pakistan and India.

Twas the night before Return to Roots 7
And all throughout the hotel
A handful of Zoroastrians are sleeping
Excited for the day ahead as well

The programme is ready
There’s a lot to be done
But what’s most important for the next two weeks
Is making memories and having fun ✨

We’re excited to have a new cohort of RTR Participants experience our trip starting tomorrow and can’t wait to share what they are up to. Make sure to follow and share news about this trip with your family and friends!

Poem by legendary Canadian poet

All the Return to Roots Alumni at the 🙌🏼

Our alumni are highly active members of the Zoroastrian community and congresses are a great opportunity for them to reunite with their fellow trip participants.

Want to become an alumni? Apply to participate in this years RTR Trip - applications are open!

RTR will be from Dec 22, 2023 to Jan 4, 2024.

Visit zororoots.org and apply by our Oct 31, 2023 deadline. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis so don’t wait or the trip will be full!

🎉 We’re finally back!! Join us on a trip of a lifetime this December in India 🇮🇳

🌎 This two-week trip is a youth-initiated program designed to connect Zoroastrians in the diaspora with their ancestral communities in India.

🗓️When: Dec 22, 2023 to Jan 4, 2024
😊Ages: 22-35 years old

🔗For more information, please visit our website zororoots.org and read the FAQ section thoroughly.

Our trip fills up fast, so apply soon!

A few of our Canadian RTR alumni had a reunion brunch today! It was nice catching up with everyone and seeing program director while he was in town 🇨🇦

We have just heard that Marzban Giara passed away suddenly. RTR alumni will remember him from the time we visited the Senior Citizens home in Navsari. He was always very welcoming and took his time to share his knowledge and stories with us.

He was a prolific author and the community's de facto chief historian. Garothman Behest to his ruvaan.

Parshan Khosravi is an RTR Alumni....and is now running for Laguna Hills City Councilman position. Support him. Share his story. Donate to his campaign if you can.

Here's what Arzan Sam Wadia writes...

I've known Parshan Khosravi since early 2017 and over the years he's become a dear friend. We have had amazing times collaborating on Zarathushti activities... Return To Roots, his chairing of the 7th World Zoroastrian Congress, his role in reinvigorating Zoroastrian Youth of North America as Co-Chair, and his role in leading youth activities at the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress. Today I count him as one of my dearest friends....someone who I would go out to bat for, in the blink of an eye.

His is an amazing dream come true immigrant story. He's truly passionate about advocacy, higher education, and bringing to the fore, issues that affect everyday Americans.

I have no doubt that one day he will become (the first Zoroastrian) US Senator or State Governor. And this November marks the begining of this journey as he runs for elected office as a Laguna City Councilman.

Help spread the word. Support his campaign with small or big donations. Every dollar counts.

Find out more on his website below and you can directly donate here:

Parshan Khosravi for Laguna Hills City Council We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Congratulations to our RTR Alumni Tanya Hoshi, Sheherazad Pavri and Parshan Khosravi who were 3 of the 5 Awardees of the Rising Young Zarathushti Star Award at the 2022 World Zarathushti Community Awards.

We are proud of the work you do, and may you continue to inspire other youth in the years to come.

Read about all the awardees: https://wzc2022.nyc/awards-2022/

Iconic Zarathushti Award
Fali & (late) Bapsi Nariman
Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla

Community Service Award
Shernaz Cama
Edul Daver

Science/Technology/Engineering/Medicine Award
Dr. Firuza Parikh

Social Entrepreneur Award
Zerbanoo Gifford
Ruyintan E Mehta
Zarina & Ronnie Screwvala

Creative Art/Design/Literature/Culture Award
Bapsi Sidhwa

Diversity Award
Farah Bala
Michelle Mama

Rising Outstanding Young Zarathushti Stars Award
Tanya Hoshi
Parshan Khosravi
Mehrzaad Mogrelia
Sheherazad Pavri
Rishad Surti

RTR Alumn speaking at the World Zoroastrian Congress via the Zarathushti Youth Across Borders initiative!

Yaaay !!! We are going to present a session at the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress. We are excited to be there with over a 1000 other Zarathushtis from all over the world. A huge contingent of our alumni will be there too !! Come say hi and hear about our journey so far.

Zoroastrian Return to Roots: Looking Back to Move Forward

Abstract

Since 2012, Return to Roots (RtR)has supported nearly 100 Zoroastrian youth from around the globe to visit India to explore their religion and community. The idea of a Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program was born out of the increasing disconnect between those Zoroastrians in the diaspora with their ancestral communities in Iran and India. It is a unique means of fostering community links and identity by taking small groups of youth on trips to explore their religious, social, and cultural heritage.

This session will provide a retrospective from three alumni who will share their experiences of the trip and how they see RtR supporting the next generation of Zoroastrians as they negotiate their ideas of home, belonging and identity in the diaspora. It will also explore challenges and prospects for the program in the future as we emerge out of the pandemic.

Speaker

Leea Contractor lives in Vancouver, Canada where she is an MDes candidate at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She has a deep interest in reconnecting Zoroastrian youth to their roots. Leea is the first WZO International Youth Representative and Social Media Manager. She is also a volunteer graphic designer for the WZC 2022 and the WZYC 2023. As an RtR fellow, Leea continues to engage with the program by volunteering her time and expertise to support RtR’s media and design strategy. Leea graduated from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, Pakistan with a distinction in Communications Design. Leea participated in the 6th Return to Roots trip in March 2020.

Speaker

Nerissa Mavalvala lives in Toronto, Canada and works for Reckitt Canada as the HR Manager for the Health & Nutrition business units. Professionally, Nerissa is a certified Human Resources Leader with an undergraduate in business from the Institute of Business Administration, Pakistan, and a master’s in business from Queen’s University, Canada. She is an avid traveller and a sports enthusiast with a passion for community service. Nerissa was part of the entertainment committee of the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal and participated in the 5th Return to Roots trip in 2019.

Speaker

Mahfrin Santoke lives in Orange County, CA where she works as an elementary school instrumental music teacher and flute player. She is a member of ZAC (Zoroastrian Association of California) and the socials co-chair of ZYNA (Zoroastrian Youth of North America). She has attended several congresses and was a participant of the 6th Return to Roots trip in March 2020. Her hobbies include playing her instruments, hot yoga, travelling, and outdoor activities such as paddle boarding and hiking.

Moderator

Kayras Irani lives in Richmond, Canada and is a paramedic with the British Columbia Ambulance Service. For nearly fifteen years he has served members of his own community as a volunteer with the Zoroastrian Society of British Columbia (Z.S.B.C.). He has taught classes on the Zoroastrian religion to school-aged children and has organized social gatherings for the community. In 2013, he organized a Zoroastrian Youth Professional’s Retreat in Vancouver and in 2011, he volunteered with planning and fundraising for the 5th WZYC. Kayras has also volunteered and/or been a speaker at eight different congresses between 2009 and 2019.

He was in the 2nd Return to Roots trip and has helped run four Zoroastrian Return to Roots trips by providing logistical and medical support for the participants as a team leader. He currently serves as the Vice President of ZSBC and is happily married to Sanaya Master. They are both the proud parents of their daughter Spenta.

RTR Alumni Parshan Khosravi and Tanya Hoshi will be speaking on the youth panel at the 12 World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 NYC!

Title

The Youth and Young Adult Track

Abstract

Young Zoroastrians shape the future of Zoroastrianism. Our presence will be felt every day of the Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress 2022.

Today’s Zoroastrian youth face a new set of issues. These issues, though varying, share one common thread - the desire to build connections within our community. The youth programming aims for participants to learn from each other, network, build rapport and encourage authentic expression.

Join other Young Zoroastrians for these three days (and nights) of exciting experiences and refreshing sessions. When we come together to recognize and acknowledge what is important to us throughout the diaspora and reflect on our unique identity, we will build connections for a stronger future together.

The youth and young adults at this Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress will participate in these events.

Pre-Congress Soiree

In true Zoroastrian congress fashion, we will start things off at a thrilling local venue to gather for conversation, music, and drinks. Welcome to NYC!

Day 1:

Youth for Youth

Targeted towards participants aged 18-40, this first session provides an opportunity for interactive exchanges through icebreakers and games. If you’ve never experienced how easy it is to connect with another Zoroastrian, you certainly will in this session.

In the evening, come mingle at New York’s iconic Central Park. We will have life-size lawn games and snacks to enjoy.

Day 2:

We’ve Got the Power, Now We’re Getting Louder

Let’s discuss the topics and issues most relevant to us. Do we like our dhansak with kebabs or without? Are the women really getting the upper hand? Are we as apathetic as the narrative from our elders suggests? In small group discussions, we will answer and ask questions related to our unique identity. A place for conversation on modern outlooks and opinions.

Day 03:

Leaders Asking Leaders – Q&A with Youth Leaders from Around the Globe

Abstract
Here’s your chance to gain perspective on what youth leadership really looks like in practice. Leaders will share their experiences of community involvement and take questions from their peers and the audience. A time to feel reassured that leaders are emerging in all regions of the world and that the destiny of our faith is secure in the hands of passionate and visionary young Zoroastrians.
Speaker

Delzin Irani Banajee is a second generation Iranian Indian, born in Mumbai and brought up in Dahanu, a small town famous for chickoos and Irani farmers. Delzin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Pune University, a Master’s in Business Administration from S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, and a Master’s in Information Technology from Virginia Tech. She has been with Tata Consultancy Services for fourteen years, in various leadership roles within the pharmaceutical, consumer and medical technology industries across geographies.

Delzin is passionate about preserving and passing on the Parsi Irani Zoroastrian legacy to the next generation. She attended her first Zoroastrian youth congress in Jamshedpur at the age of fifteen. She has organized and led various programs and events, to bring youth across India and other countries closer.

Speaker

Tanya Hoshi is a Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto, who has built a portfolio of award-winning films. She is a Lead Producer at Shopify where her productions have been viewed by millions of aspiring entrepreneurs, broadcast on NBC, and won a Telly Award.Tanya has secured over a million dollars in financing for her independent films, which have screened in several festivals. Her film Turning Tables (2018) was featured in school curriculums across Canada.

Since 2018, Tanya has been the lead coordinator for the Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program. She was a participant in the world’s first Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum in the United Kingdom and was a speaker at the Seventh Zoroastrian Youth Congress.

In 2020, Tanya was appointed to be FEZANA’s the first Chief Social Media Officer. She was awarded the FEZANA Performing & Creative Arts Scholarship in 2019.

Speaker

Parshan Khosravi is an education advocate, grassroots organizer, and unapologetic voice for equity-driven public policy. As a first-generation Iranian refugee and a former English as a Second Language (ESL) student, Parshan has seen the power of education as a mechanism for community empowerment, as well as the numerous roadblocks that face nontraditional and low-income students.

Parshan is a devout Zoroastrian and spends most of his spare time organizing within his community. He believes that one of the key elements to the preservation of the Zoroastrian faith and way of life is to establish an active and unified presence of Zoroastrians worldwide.A double alum of the University of California, Parshan received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Education Sciences from UC Irvine and his Master’s Degree in Public Policy from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Speaker

Having graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from King’s College London, Shazneen Munshi works as a policy adviser to the CEO and Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service, an alternative dispute resolution organization.

Since 2014, Shazneen has led the Extra Young Zoroastrians (XYZ) Fun Club Zoroastrian religious education classes for children in the United Kingdom. This has involved putting together a comprehensive syllabus and finding innovative ways to teach children about the beauty of the Zoroastrian religion and how to apply the teachings to our everyday lives.

As the youngest elected member of the ZTFE Managing Committee, Shazneen has represented the voices and interests of the younger generation, having been the Young Zoroastrian president for five years. Shazneen has also given several BBC interviews to raise awareness and understanding of our religion.

Moderator

Benafsha Shroff has worked as a political strategist and communications specialist for over a decade. Her vast experience in political campaigning ranges from organizational to state legislative to city councils. She has developed unique experiences by living and working in the United States, India, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Benafsha was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Denver.Some of her contributions to the Zoroastrian community include co-founder of Agiary Connect; Youth Coordinator of Zoroastrian Association of the Rocky Mountains (ZARM); organizing committee member of Zoroastrian Youth of the Next Generation (ZYNG); Lead Volunteer for Xtremely Young Zoroastrians (XYZ); participant at the First World Zoroastrian Youth Leadership Forum; moderator and panelist at the first-ever youth women’s panel at the Seventh World Zoroastrian Youth Congress (WZYC); and Program committee member for the Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress.

She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Moderator

Pearl Jimmy Mistry joined the family business in 2014 while pursuing her undergraduate studies and worked her way up to become a director at Della Group. She graduated from the London Business School with her Master’s in Management. Pearl is on the Advisory Board as a corporate mentor of the Institute of Risk Management (India Affiliate) and an active member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Future Leaders.

She is also a committee member of Women’s Wing, the Youth Team of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) and the organizing committee for the Twelfth World Zoroastrian Congress. She is a strong advocate for women in business and Parsi entrepreneurship. She is revitalizing her family NGO, Parsi Resource Group, and has been invited to speak at global platforms such as the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Los Angeles, United States.

Audience Leaders
• Mantreh Atashband
• Jamshed ‘Jim’ Engineer
• Kayras Irani
• Sanaya Master
• Layla Mazdyasni
• Ervad Sheherazad Pavri
• Arashasp Shroff

The Youth Track Planning Committee:
• Benafsha Shroff
• Parshan Khosravi
• Pearl Mistry
• Malcom Bhot
• Shazneen Limerjiwala
• Nadia Jam
• Arashasp Shroff

The 12th World Zoroastrian Congress is delighted to announce

Keynote Speaker

Rohinton Fali Nariman

Ervad Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman (Retd.) shall be the keynote speaker at the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress 2022 in New York City.

This talk is the Professor Kaikhosrow D. Irani Memorial Lecture 2022 and made possible by ZAGNY & FEZANA.

Ervad Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman (Retd.) was the judge of the Supreme Court of India from July 7, 2014, to August 12, 2021. This crowning achievement was preceded by many successively significant positions, including the role of the Solicitor General of India from July 27, 2011, to February 4, 2013.

Justice Nariman was recognized as one of five “World Heroes” by Access Now, an International Human Rights Organization, for his concurring judgment in K. S. Puttuswamy versus Union of India (2017), recognizing the Rights to Privacy as a Fundamental Right under Art. 21 of the Constitution of India. He is an expert in Comparative Constitutional Law and Civil Law.

Justice Nariman obtained his LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School, with his thesis on Affirmative Action: A Comparison between Indian and US Constitutional Law. He was selected by Harvard Alumni Association for interview with four distinguished alumni worldwide in December of 2020.

Justice Nariman is a compelling speaker and has delivered many lectures over the years. A selection of some of the subjects he has spoken about shows his remarkable range: Musings on Music; World War II: The Victor Writes History; India and the World’s Great Religions: Zoroastrianism through the Ages; Great Women in History; Origins of the Constitution of India; Great Dissenters of the Supreme Court; and Mahatma Gandhi and Mediation.

Justice Nariman is an Ordained Priest (Navar). He is the author of three books:

The Inner Fire: Faith, Choice, and Modern-Day Living in Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism in Other Faiths
Discordant Notes: The Voice of Dissent in the Court of Last Resort

Justice Nariman has a passion for, and deep knowledge about, western classical music. He has great interest in and is an avid reader of history, philosophy, literature, and science. He enjoys nature walks.

This talk is the Professor Kaikhosrow D. Irani Memorial Lecture 2022 and made possible by ZAGNY & FEZANA.

Image © Navroze Contractor

Register now before rates go up !!

https://wzc2022.nyc

Return To Roos is thrilled to announce that Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla has been awarded the Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India. This is India’s third highest civilian award and Dr. Poonawalla is truly deserving of it. We congratulate Dr. Poonawalla and wish him, Adar and the entire Serum Institute the best in the years ahead.

We have had the opportunity to meet Dr. Poonawalla and visit the Serum Institute on many of our RTR trips and we are grateful for the opportunity provided.

Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla to be conferred with Padma Bhushan 2022 Parsi Khabar is thrilled to announce that Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla has been awarded the Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India. This is India’s third highest civilian award and Dr. Poonawalla is truly deserving of it. We congratulate Dr. Poonawalla and wish him, Adar and the entire Serum In...

🚨 Registration is officially opened for the 2022 World Zoroastrian Congress!! We are expecting over 1000 Zoroastrians to attend - a rare chance to be surrounded by so many global Zarathushtis 🤩
🗽We will be ready to roll out the red carpet to all of you as we welcome you to New York City and the venue of the Congress.
✍️ On our registration portal you will find all the information you need to register yourselves and also book the hotel rooms that we have negotiated at an incredible discount. Take advantage of the early bird rates!
Register here: https://wzc2022.nyc/registration/
If you have any questions regarding registration, please email [email protected]

If you know outstanding Zarathushtis in the following seven categories, nominate them for the World Zarathushti Community Awards.

The Award ceremony will be held at the 12th World Zoroastrian Congress in July 2022 in New York City

Full details here: https://wzc2022.nyc/awards/

🚨 Take advantage of the Early Registration for 2022 World Zoroastrian Congress!! We are expecting over 1000 Zoroastrians to attend - a rare chance to be surrounded by so many global Zarathushtis 🤩

🗽In exactly 218 days we will be ready to roll out the red carpet to all of you as we welcome you to New York City and the venue of the Congress.

✍️ On our registration portal you will find all the information you need to register yourselves and also book the hotel rooms that we have negotiated at an incredible discount. Take advantage of the early bird rates!

Register here: https://wzc2022.nyc/registration/

If you have any questions regarding registration, please email [email protected]

Graphic by RTR Alumnae Leea Contractor