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Young lasses beat the heat by wearing strappy outfits. The young boys — organizing committee members as well as participants — were dressed in suits, sweat dripping off their brows, shirts clinging uncomfortably to their bodies. Everyone was trying to grab a seat under the fans or in front of the air blowers that dotted the huge hall of the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsee Charitable Institution where the valedictory (colloquially referred to as ‘val’ by participants) function of the 37th Holiday Programme for Youth (HPY) was taking place on the warm and humid evening of June 2, 2024.

Starting out as a 15-day event in the summer of 1987, the annual event was the brainchild of erstwhile Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), trustee, the late Dr Mehroo Bengalee. Implemented by then BPP chief executive officer Rustom Anklesaria and director Ketyun Madon, it is said to be the most successful of the BPP’s myriad activities. This, the 37th year of the Programme, saw 103 registrants, 48 girls and 55 boys, two coming from as far as Muscat and Dubai for the month-long event. The largest number of participants, 220 (99 girls and 121 boys), was in 2003. Changes in academic schedules and a declining Parsi population are the reasons for the fall in numbers.  

Chief guest at the valedictory function, award winning ophthalmologist Dr Cyres Mehta admitting that he was a "lazy chap,” recalled that for his first year of medical college he had to read a pile of books two feet high! This led him to question his father (ophthalmic surgeon Dr Keiki), "Dad do you really think that I can read all this in one year?” The senior Mehta replied, "Decide quickly, otherwise I will take back my fees and you can polish shoes at Churchgate station.” 

Cyres listed five points for one to succeed. "Have a vision. (Fitting advice from an eye doctor — editors) (Ask yourself) what you want to be. Where will you be in the next five years?” Ever since he was in the fourth grade Cyres had made up his mind to be a surgeon… and a bodybuilder (after reading a book authored by Arnold Schwarzenegger). Work harder than the next person,” he advised.  

"Don’t be disheartened when people pull you down. The higher you go, more people will weigh you down. Don’t listen to naysayers, don’t be afraid to fail. Believe in yourself, have faith… Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.” He left the audience with a lasting thought: "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” 

Similar sentiments were expressed by Viraf Mehta, chairman of the BPP. "Do not listen to detractors, to naysayers. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of detractors. People will tell you what to do, what not to do… will talk behind your back. But one thing is very important, believe in yourself, in what you can do.”

Admitting that when he was 16, he knew hardly six or seven Parsis, Viraf was happy that the HPY participants have made 102 new friends. "Treasure this moment as you have been given an opportunity to be amongst your own…

"You all have been given a destiny. Not everyone in this world is born a Parsi Irani Zoroastrian. No community has an institution that houses around 4,400 members, no community has an organization like HPY to help children year after year… (The youth) has to uphold this legacy, to take it forward,” the youthful chairman mentioned. 

Suffering from third degree burns and confined to bed, the guest of honor, triathlete Huafrid Billimoria could not be present that evening. The para athlete is a symbol of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity having overcome severe learning disabilities, dystonia (a condition where a person has uncontrollable muscle movements in some parts of their body), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) while also tackling other mental health challenges. He continues his athletic journey, participating in marathons and ultra-endurance races with unwavering determination. 

Billimoria sent a voice message on WhatsApp to Marfatia but due to time constraints it could not be read out. He introduced himself as a "personification of a loser who woke up one day and decided that I’m not going to let my current fate dictate my future... From being fat, bullied, with a traumatic childhood which later led to clinical anxiety and depression, when I was told I would be nothing, useless and a bad influence on Indian society, I have grown into someone who is looked up to and hope you all do too.”

  bottom: Huafrid Billimoria, Shanaya Saklatwalla, Yohaan Fatakia, Aryana Mehta and Xerxes Billimoria

The essence of HPY

For the benefit of her "young friends who are going to step out into the world, HPY’s mentor and mainstay Diana Marfatia wished that "may you excel in whatever you undertake and do whatever you can to bring a smile on the faces of people you interact with throughout your lives.” Obstacles should not stop you; don’t turn and give up if you run into a wall. Work around it, figure out how to climb it, she advised. Marfatia, whose name is synonymous with HPY, was introduced as: "If HPY is rock, she is roll. If HPY is mac, she is cheese.”

"As you say goodbye to us, go armed with the knowledge that these experiences and friendships will never leave you,” said Ayesha Mehta, master of ceremonies and coordinator of the Programme. "When you find a familiar face in college, thank HPY. When you’re trying out for intercollege fests, thank HPY. When you need a boost of confidence, or push yourself to try something new, thank HPY.” 

The parents must be relieved to have the children back with them, "a little more mature, a tad more confident, a smidge more knowledgeable than before, but definitely a whole lot more tired!” Ayesha smiled. "Be kind but be fierce in your pursuit of excellence, be brilliant, happy, be compassionate. Go forth into the real world safe in the knowledge that all of the HPY family is rooting for you,” was her parting message to the participants, adding, "At the end of the Programme certainty has replaced curiosity, confidence has replaced anxiety, but most importantly, nameless faces next to you have names now, personalities, relationships that will remain a part of your story, hopefully as long as you live.” 

  3rd row: Kashmira Sarkari, Daisy Zorabi, Bakhtawar Dastur

Day one

"You will make friends here, family too. You will discover talents you never thought you had. You will fight over things that never mattered before. You will go to bed exhausted each night. You will hopefully wake up each morning ready for the next competition. But one thing you won’t do is regret spending your time here at HPY,” Ayesha welcomed the young participants at the inauguration on May 5, in the airconditioned hall of The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest that sultry morning was Bombay High Court Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla. He mentioned that in his student days one could only choose between arts, science and commerce to pursue a career, whereas today there are many more options available. He reminisced that when he joined the prestigious law firm of Mulla and Mulla and Craigie Blunt and Caroe, "there was a joke going around that the only ambition in the life of a Parsi boy was to own a bike and get a job in the Central Bank of India… This enraged me and I was determined to prove this wrong… HPY goes a long way in helping Parsi youngsters to achieve something in life and dispelling that preconception,” narrated the jurist. 

"Do something you like, something that you are good at. Develop a hobby. Play a sport or collect something. Be a voracious reader. Read books on a wide variety of subjects. This will help you in your all round development,” he advised. An alumnus of Don Bosco High School and Ramnarain Ruia College, Pooniwalla loves reading British humorist P. G. Wodehouse and takes a keen interest in cricket. He let the children in on a cheeky secret, "While HPY will definitely help you choose a career, your parents are also secretly wishing that HPY will help you in choosing a future Parsi spouse… Think carefully and choose wisely,” he smiled. He concluded with "Zoroastrian prayers and going to the agiary and atash behrams helps one a lot. We hope that you will make the Parsi community proud.” 

Recalling how "horribly boring” his first day at HPY was, guest of honor Zervaan Bunshah, content creator, actor and vocalist, said he had joined the HPY after 10 days due to a prior commitment. "By that time, all the cliques were made, all the groups were formed. I thought to myself ‘baddhu Parsi Parsi chhè (It’s all Parsi Parsi).’ It’s an incestual breeding ground,” he guffawed while addressing participants on the inaugural day.

"Try not missing events; you can miss some lectures,” he winked. On a more serious note, Bunshah, an alumnus of the HPY 2009 batch said, "You are going to fight with each other a lot. Just make up. It’s not that important. You are going to remain friends for the rest of your lives. It’s great to celebrate our culture. The Zoroastrian culture is one that everyone wants to be part of.” With his impeccable comic timing he told the boys, "Please don’t ask any of the girls out. They are going to reject you hard. Don’t sit at Marine Drive, that’s so tacky…

  

"Enjoy, have a blast. It’s your call at the end of the day. Please don’t get disheartened by your (school) results. Believe in good thoughts, words and deeds.” Saying "Atha jamyad, yatha afrinami (as you wish, so it may be),” Bunshah jumped off the stage. 

Chairing the morning function in his capacity as trustee of the BPP was Xerxes Dastur. "The world today is a changed place and traditional careers are not the only available option. There are many cutting-edge technologies and opportunities available to you all. Please take full advantage of these. You are all part of a community of Zoroastrians who have excelled both in this country and overseas and you will be the flag bearers of our community in the years to come…Do what you can for the community, your religion and more importantly for your parents. Look after your parents, as it is their blessings that will protect and guide you always,” he encouraged.

Intended to transform teenage confusion into clarity for those breaking free from the shackles of school, curious and creative 15 and 16-year-olds are run through a gamut of indoor and outdoor activities at HPY. With leadership training, personality development, social service, music, dance, sports and fashion are seamlessly integrated into the Programme. From captains of industry and social workers of repute to internationally acclaimed professionals, gallant men from the armed forces, religious scholars, sports legends and Bollywood stars come and share their knowledge and life experiences with the youth during the four weeks.

Among the various activities conducted during the month-long Programme was one by the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) to introduce youngsters to the concept of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship and professionalism. The children were taught the basics of risk taking, team work, organization, decision making, marketing and most importantly steered  through the various career options ahead of them. Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business, the youth were told. It’s about creating something new, solving problems and making a difference. They were encouraged to be focused, courageous and willing to take risks in order to achieve their goals.   

A blood donation drive yielded 194 bottles of the vital body fluid which was donated to St George’s and the Tata Memorial Hospital’s blood banks. Specially introduced this year was the collaboration with the Safai Bank of India, where the children collected plastic wrappers over the course of the month and handed them over to the nongovernmental organization for recycling. A young Zoroastrian child was also initiated into the faith. 

HPY 2024 winners

At the valedictory ceremony, Aryana Mehta was crowned Ms HPY 2024 as well as HPY Bawi runner-up. Yohaan Fatakia was declared Mr HPY 2024 and HPY Bawa. The runners-up for Ms and Mr HPY 2024 were Shanaya Saklatwalla and Xerxes Billimoria. Yazdin Talati was HPY Bawi. The HPY Bawa runner up was Dashaan Sutaria; best sportsperson: Fatakia; best literary arts allrounder: Zreh Nariman; best actress: Aryana; best actor: Zavish Velati; best supporting actress: Myra Dubash; best supporting actor: Zeus Sirvala; best solo artists: Aryana, Rustom Tirandaz and Dubash; best female models: Priyanka Master and Ariana; best male models: Rayan Raimalwala and Zehaan Najmi; best female catwalkers: Kaira Bhathena and Navaz Mogal; best male catwalkers: Yohaan Sodawatervala and Malcom Dastur; best performing allrounder: Najmi; best participants from each group: Freya Irani (Achievers), Bhathena (Creators), Najmi (Enactors), Nariman (Performers); best group: Performers. The WZCC trophy was lifted by the Enactors who also excelled in the blood donation drive.