Art and Rangoli competitions were held by ZOSTA for the Parsi/Irani children of ZOSTA Member schools on 5th July, 2014 at Sir Cowasjee Jehangir High School (Primary section), Tardeo, Mumbai. Students of Class III, IV, and V participated and showcased their creativity through this competition. They created various designs through vibrant colours of rangoli as well as drawings in colour pencils, crayons and water paints on a Zoroastrian theme.

The Judges for this competition were Mrs. Navaz Sanjana and Mrs. Rukshana Variava.

The Schools that participated in the Art competition were The Alexandra Girls' English Institution, Bai Ratanbai F. D. Panday School, Girton High School, Bai Avabai Petit, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution, Dadar Parsee Youth Assembly, J. B. Vaccha Girls' High school and Lady Engineer High School.

Light refreshments were served to all the participants and guests by the host school.

The Winners of the competition were:-
ART
First Prize
Zenobia Paowala – Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School
Second Prize
Armin Taraporewalla – Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School
Third Prize
Nainaz Jhaveri - The Alexandra Girls' English Institution

RANGOLI
First Prize
Aliza Bhathena The Alexandra Girls' English Institution
Second Prize
Varun Italia – Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution
Third Prize
Parinaz Cooper – J. B. Vachha High School

These competitions not only brought out the talent of students in this age group but promoted religious awareness and knowledge too.

Today, amongst the younger generation, the desire for religious knowledge appears to be increasing. So a talk, interaction and discussion on the Zoroastrian Religion was organized by ZOSTA with DR. ERVAD RAMIYAR KARANJIA at Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School, Bandra on Tuesday 29th July for the students of STD VIII to X. Bus Service had been specially arranged by ZOSTA for the children and the teachers.

The students were enthralled by the talk given along with a well displayed Audio visual presentation. Pupils were interactive and asked Ervad Karanjia a number of questions on varied Zoroastrian topics, which were answered with great aplomb by the Scholar. The over 100 pupils who attended this session, thus gained a lot of knowledge about our religion, customs and traditions.

A Cooking competition was also organised on the same day by ZOSTA for Parsi teachers and staff members of Life Member Schools. A team of 2 teachers had to participate from each school. The participants had to make two dishes namely Sagan Ni Sev and Chicken croquets or balls. The competition was judged on the preparation, taste, flavor, originality, over all presentation and the menu card with recipes of both the dishes.

The Judges for the competition were the noted Chef, Mr. Shahzad Variava and Mrs. Benaifer Mehta. The Winners were as follows:
1st Prize
BAI R. F. D. PANDAY GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL
Dinaz Irani, Hutoxi Mistry

2ND Prize
THE ALEXANDRA GIRLS' ENGLISH INSTITUTION
Meher Katgara, Kainaz Amrolia

3rd Prize
THE BJPC INSTITUTION
Pinaz Sahiwala, Tanaz Engineer

Refreshments were served to all participants, ZOSTA committee members and Judges. Delicious lunch was also organized by the school for the Committee members and Judges.

ZOSTA is very grateful and takes this opportunity to sincerely thank the Principal, Mrs. Sandhya Balkrishnan, and Superintendent of the Boarding section, Mrs. Yasmin Charna for their warm hospitality. We are also grateful to Head, Accounts & Administration, Mrs. Kashmira Marolia for the success of both these events.

The Zoroastrian Student Teacher Association had organized an interesting Literary Quiz Competition at The Alexandra Girls' English Institution, 31, Hazarimal Somani Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 on Saturday, 30th August 2014.

Each school had to send a team of 3 Zoroastrian / Irani students from any classes from the middle school, i.e. from Stds. V to VII.

The reporting time was 10.00 a.m. and the children came in their school uniform.

The Quiz included rounds of Spelling Bee, Word Search, Word games, Puzzles etc testing the Vocabulary of the children. It was a team event and the Quiz was conducted with the use of audio-visual presentation.

6 ZOSTA Member Schools sent their teams for this competition.

Mrs. Z. Daroga, Chairperson, ZOSTA welcomed all the children, parents and teachers present. It was a fun - filled learning experience, greatly enjoyed by all the children and adults present.

The results of the Literary Quiz was as follows :-
First Prize
Bai Avabai F. Petit High School
Roshni Sidhwa, Avan Navdar, Mahusna Avari

Second Prize
Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School
Pakshan Badhniwalla, Tushna Batliwala, Kharmin Pithawala

Third Prize
Bai M. N. Gamadia Girls' High School
Ruby Kermani, Sharevar Mehenty, Farishtey Chithiwala

Refreshments were served to all the participants by the venue school.

The adults and students present requested the ZOSTA Committee to hold such competitions regularly to develop the literary skills of the Parsi youth.

Every year ZOSTA tries to give the ZOSTA member Principals, Teachers and Non-teaching staff members a fun-filled, relaxing day on the occasion of Teachers' Day at different venues. This year, a Social was planned on Saturday, 6th September 2014 at The Alexandra Girls' English Institution, Fort, Mumbai.

45 Principals and Teachers from over 10 schools attended the Get together and had a rollicking time. It was an amazing fun-filled morning with innovative games organized by our ever obliging Sharukh Shroff and his Adventure Team. A very energetic compere coaxed the usually 'prim and proper ma-ams' to loosen up and participate in the most rib-tickling team games. And of course the morning would not have been complete without the ever popular game of Housie. As always, Team Adventure gave useful prizes to the winners and during the lunch time distributed their own souvenirs to one and all.

The sumptuous lunch was catered by the large-hearted Ervad Nariman Dalal at a very nominal cost. The delicious meal was relished by all the teachers and ZOSTA really appreciated his generous gesture towards the teachers of our community.

ZOSTA would like to place on record its deep heartfelt appreciation to the Trustees and Directors of The Alexandra Girls' English Institution for allowing the use of the school premises, and sincerely thank Mrs. Freny Mehta, Principal, the Office Staff - Mrs. H. Panthaki, Mrs. K. Dhondy, Mrs. T. Shroff and all the hard working helpers of the school for the success of this function.

An Elocution Competition was organized for the students of Stds. VIII, IX, X by the Zosta Committee Members at The Alexandra Girls' English Institution for the Parsi /Irani pupils.

Each member school could send up to 10 Parsi/Irani students from Stds. VIII, IX & X only for this competition.

The reporting time was 10.00 a.m. Children were told not to wear their school uniform and instructed to come in casuals only. Each child was given only a number. Each participant could select any piece/poem/extract of his/her choice and speak for not more than 3 minutes.

The Elocution Competition was judged on the following criteria: Choice of piece, Delivery, Clarity & Diction, Voice Modulation and Overall presentation.

The competition was ably judged by Ms. Freyana Pardiwala, Ex-teacher of J. B. Petit High school and Mr. Hoshang Gotla, Executive Assistant, Hiranandani Developers Pvt. Ltd and the initiator of ZYNG and XYZ.

46 students from various schools participated in this event and exhibited their oratory skills. The students spoke confidently on a plethora of topics and were a treat to hear.

The results of the competition were as follows:-
First Prize
Anaita Karanjia – J. B. Vachha High School

Second Prize
Pashaan Gandhi – Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School

Third Prize
Kareena Katrak – Gopal Sharma International School

Consolation Prize
Hufrish Sethna – Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School
Arnaaz Bharucha - Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School
Niyosha Irani - Bai Avabai Petit Girls' High School
Farzad Driver - Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Charitable Institution

Refreshments were served to all by the venue school.

On Saturday 17th January 2015 ZOSTA organized a Cooking Demonstration for the Zoroastrian teachers and staff members of ZOSTA Member Schools.

The venue chosen was the B. J. P. C. Institution at Charni Road. Each Member school could send up to 10 teachers/staff members. The Demonstration was given by Chef Shahzad Variava, Master Chef Finalist, India. He brought his own oven and induction stove to give this demonstration.

Mr. Variava demonstrated the preparation of one Italian Main dish, one starter and one sweet dish. The Parsi teachers took great interest in the preparation process and quizzed Mr. Variava on the finer points of the preparation.

Mr. Variava answered all their queries patiently.

The dishes were most tasty and well presented.

It was a fruitful learning experience for the ZOSTA teachers and staff members and they carried home the recipes to try them out themselves at home.

ZOSTA expresses its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Shahzad Variava for sparing his entire morning to share his expertise with the teachers.