71st East B’bay Guides Commence Silver Jubilee Celebrations

The only Zoroastrian girl guiding group, 71st East Bombay Zoroastrian Guides, commemorated their Silver Jubilee celebrations on 12th August, 2017. Marking the initiation of the 25th year revelries amongst bulbuls, guides, rangers, guiders, along with parents and well-wishers, the afternoon kicked off with prayers, followed by the hoisting of The Bharat Scouts and Guides Flag. Taking the opportunity to thank all parents and young Zoroastrians guides who have grown together through the journey, Group Leader, Maki Majra said, “At the annual prize distribution ceremony of the Young Zoroastrian Society in 1989, the Chief Guest of the event, Late Dr. Mehroo Bengalee, was so impressed by the work of 16th East Bombay Zoroastrian Scouts that she suggested that a girl guide company for Parsi Girls be formed. This suggestion was taken up by late Scouter, Kersi Jilla and thus on 1st August, 1993, the 71st East Bombay Zoroastrian Guide Group came into being. These far sighted senior visionaries have today given us this vibrant group which through guiding, trains Zoroastrian girls to step out into the world and contribute to the society, as knowledgeable and skillful adults.” Adding to this Guide Captain, Binaifer Kandawalla said, “Our Group has taken several successful strides in these 25 years. Besides taking part and winning competitions at District level, the group has till date churned out a number of ‘Heerakh Pankh’ bulbuls and ‘Rashtrapati’ guides. Thus, together as a group we will be celebrating this spirit with various events spanned across 2017-18.” Keeping with temperament of the day that applauded various achievement of the girl guides, the event witnessed enrolment of 9 bulbuls (between the ages of 6 to 10), 5 guides, and 5 rangers, followed by cutting of a 10 kg Campsite shaped cake baked by Armin Wadia, lighting of lamps and recitation of songs. Making sure parents were as involved in the celebrations as were their children, a total of seven games were played that required parents to team up with girl guides other than their own kids. Moving to dusk, the event concluded with recital of the Zoroastrian and National Anthem, followed by refreshments.