Behnaz Nanavatti (pictured) was awarded a gold medal at the convocation ceremony at MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Loni Kalbhor in Poona on October 19, 2024, for the hard work and dedication she exemplified during her studies. Prof Sanjay Kumar
Pandey, of the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, presented the award. Having stood first in her class for all five years and securing the highest cumulative grade point average in her batch, Nanavatti was the only honors student in the 2024 batch, notes an email sent to Parsiana by her father Mabrin. Behnaz has secured two bachelor degrees — Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Law (LLB).
She has done several internships during her college years and has also been active in Zoroastrian community affairs. She is vice president of both the Zoroastrian Youth Association and the Federation of Zoroastrian Youth Associations based in Poona. The latter brings Zoroastrian youth from all over the country and even abroad together on a single platform, notes the email.
As the India Region youth director of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), Behnaz is known for her organizational skills and has conducted the "Chai with WZCC” event in Poona several times, usually drawing a full house. Her recent event, "Overnight Youth Conclave with WZCC” at Khandala was a success, with 40 delegates attending from all over Maharashtra and some from Gujarat, notes the email. She also volunteers with the Indian Red Cross Society and worked with dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Behnaz acknowledges, "Achieving this milestone has been both humbling and rewarding. Balancing my studies with organizing meaningful community events and actively volunteering has made this journey more fulfilling. It was the support of family, friends and mentors that helped me keep going. This accomplishment isn’t just mine — it’s shared with all those who inspired and believed in me.” S. V.