Nina Godiwalla – Wall Street Banker turned author

12 February, 2012 — yazdi

Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.” Nina Godiwalla’s smartly narrated, heavily autobiographical Suits looks at the not-so- noble qualities of this greed as it motivates, lures and tricks the men on Wall Street into surrendering their essential human values at the altar of money, power and prestige.

Nina, a bright Parsi-Indian girl from Houston who has just completed her freshman year in college, arrives in New York City to join JP Morgan as an intern. Fired with ambition to prove herself to her father, she would do everything it takes to be a successful Wall Street professional. Suits is her story as she experiences the brutally competitive, appallingly insensitive atmosphere of investment banking that forces her to reassess her own core values in life before it is too late for redemption.

Click Here for the full story

Click Here for another story

Click Here for her profile and website

Nina’s interview on Bloomberg TV

Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney

Posted in Arts, Books, News. Leave a Comment »

Astad Deboo

9 February, 2012 — yazdi

Posted in Arts, Calendar, News. Leave a Comment »

Vispi Kasad – Guinness Record Holder

2 February, 2012 — yazdi

Most layered bed of nails sandwich (1 inch) consisted of 5 people and was achieved by Vispi and his Team (all India) on the set of Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega in Mumbai, India, on 23 February 2011.  http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-3000/most-layered-bed-of-nails-sandwich-(1-inch)/

Posted in Arts, Notable Zoroastrians. 1 Comment »

Homai Vyarawala dead

15 January, 2012 — yazdi

Vyarawalla captured key events that had a decisive impact on India’s history, including a meeting where leaders voted for the June 3 plan for India’s partition.

India’s first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawalla died at a private hospital here this morning at the age of 98.

She fell from her cot three days ago and was hospitalised at a private hospital, officials said.

Her husband Maneckshaw Vyarawalla predeceased her in 1970.

She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in January last year.

Click Here for the full story.

Also check rediff.com’s tribute – Click Here

An NPR piece on Vyarawalla done by a young Parsi photojournalist, Kainaz Amaria - http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2012/01/20/145484804/indias-first-female-photojournalist-captured-a-nation-in-transition

Biographer Sabeena Gadihoke’s book on Homai Vyarawalla tells the story of India’s first woman photojournalist who passed away on January 15 2012.  First published in Parsiana, April 21, 2006. Click Here to read further

When I heard that Homai Vyarawala had died, I remembered taking Mona—my dear friend with whom I made the book Myself Mona Ahmed (Scalo Publishers, 2001)—to meet Homai in the year 2000. Homai was then staying at the Parsi Dharamsala in Delhi, close to the graveyard where Mona still lives after leaving the world of eunuchs. Read the full report – Click Here

The life and times of Homai Vyarawalla


Click Here for the full story in Indian ExpressBarely four days before she passed away, Homai Vyarawalla attended a function where the Parsi Anjuman of Vadodara honoured her for receiving the Padma Vibhushan last year. At the function, Vyarawalla sat on an open stage in the winter and refused to cover her head to keep herself warm. Those who were present recalled how she accepted the felicitation with dignified restraint. It was this very quality I had witnessed when we attended the investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vyarawalla, who would be 98 in a few months, left her wheelchair and chose to walk up to the President to receive one of the highest civilian awards of the country.

The evening was cold and windy, but she refused to cover her head. When after the hip fracture she had to leave for the hospital, she insisted on packing her own suitcase despite the excruciating pain. That was Homai Vyarawalla, proudly self reliant till the very end.

Click Here for the full story from Asian Age

 

 

 

 

HOMAI VYARAWALLA was not only India’s first woman news photographer but had the privilege of capturing exclusive shots of momentous events in the country’s history. This correspondent met her last July while on an assignment in Vadodara, where she lived alone. The Vadodara Parsi Panchayat, which alone could reach Vyarawalla, organised a meeting with her. Its authorities warned me that she was 97, was hard of hearing, and therefore might not respond to all questions.

This correspondent found her sitting alone reading newspapers at the entrance to her tiny apartment in a nondescript locality of the city. A petite lady with a shock of short grey hair and dressed in a skirt and T-shirt, Homai Vyarawalla did not seem her age. A photograph of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hung by her bedside. When she understood why I was there, she was wonderfully warm and soon happily settled into a conversation about her career and the current state of news photography.

Homai Vyarawalla had an amazing memory for a nonagenarian. She spoke with great clarity and a sparkle in her gentle eyes. It was fascinating to hear her recount incidents that took place 50 years ago. Click Here for the interview

Posted in Arts, News, Notable Zoroastrians. 1 Comment »

Nosh Nalavala, the MediaGlobal News bureau chief

11 January, 2012 — yazdi

At a glittering event here Dec. 14, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon awarded the Silver Medal in the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation/UNCA Global Prize to MediaGlobal News, a non-profit media agency based at the United Nations Secretariat, for its reporting on issues related to climate change and its disproportionate impact on the least developed countries and the small island developing states.

Nosh Nalavala, the MediaGlobal News bureau chief, received the award.

The UNCA awards are given annually to honor the best media coverage of the United Nations, and are open to worldwide media. Previous winners of the award include the Associated Press and The Economist.

Click Here for the full story

Posted in Arts, News, Professionals. 1 Comment »

Know the Acting Secrets of Hollywood stars

30 December, 2011 — yazdi

Know the Acting Secrets of  Hollywood stars 
Do you want to learn the acting technique followed by Johnny Depp, Anthony Hopkins, Jack Nicholson, Marilyn Monroe and many more Hollywood stars join the THE MICHAEL CHEKHOV ACTING TECHNIQUE Weekend Course By Oorvazi Irani
January 2012 – 7th Sat, 8th Sun, 14th Sat, 15th Sun

Venue: Malad East
Fees Rs 5,500
Contact: 9821082944   

www.facebook.com/oorvazi.irani

www.oorvazichekhovindia.com
oorvaziirani@gmail.com



Testimonials for the Dvd on the Chekov technique created and produced by Oorvazi Irani :

” It is superbly done. There is a lot of intrigue in this method, the way you have described it. I feel you might need some fierce marketing for its awareness to spread. Very well packaged tutorial on the Chekhov technique ! Wish you all the success with it ! “

–Ashutosh Gowarikar

” In Oorvazi Irani’s sensitive presentation of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, she guides the actor through Chekhov’s psycho-physical process with, grace, elegance, intelligence and joyfulness. Oorvazi is an articulate actor and teacher, profoundly moved and motivated by Chekhov’s lifelong study of the art of acting. In this formidable and artistic presentation, Oorvazi provides a progressive journey for actors, inspiring them to explore their untapped imaginative resources, deepening and enriching their creative individuality. “

– Joanna Merlin, President of the Michael Chekhov Association -New York, USA

Video Testimonials of the students who have attended Oorvazi’s course available on the main home page of the project website  

www.oorvazichekhovindia.com

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Teenaz Javat presented 2011 Premier’s Award.

11 December, 2011 — yazdi

Mississauga’s Teenaz Javat, a 2008 graduate of Sheridan College’s Canadian Journalism for Internationally Trained Writers program, has been presented with a 2011 Premier’s Award.

Presented annually to six recipients, the Premier’s Award celebrates the contributions college graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. Nominations are submitted from each of Ontario’s 24 colleges in six categories: Business, Creative Arts and Design, Community Services, Health Sciences, Technology and Recent Graduate.een presented with a 2011 Premier’s Award.

Click Here for the full story

 

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Minoo Jokhi

26 November, 2011 — yazdi

MEMORY PAR EXCELLENCE: MINOO JOKHI

What Is Cube Root of 667627624 in 5 seconds. It is 874. That is Minoo Jokhi for you. A Mathemagician cum Memory Development Trainer. For Minoo; Life is a NUMBERS GAME and the joy he gets and also shares with others is amazing.

Was Minoo a child prodigy? He was so weak in his school days that he couldn’t do simple tables of 4 or 9. He had practically lost hope that he would ever do something in his life till his 10th grade when an amazing transformation took place.

People normally avoid improving their weak areas. But not Minoo who made his weakest point his greatest asset. To the amazement of all his school mates; he mastered the very subject where he was a BIG  ZERO. Today; over 80 Leading Indian Magazines and Newspapers have featured him. Also he has come more than 10 times on Television.
He has been invited to many prestigious schools, colleges, clubs and companies. He has performed more than 600 shows at this young age.

Today Minoo remembers Tables up to one Crore, can also multiply huge figures mentally at amazing speeds, can remember over 2000 Birthdates and Telephone numbers, can tell you the Day of any Date from 1st January 1600 to date and remembers Cube Roots up to 1000000000.

Minoo Jokhi is the second person after General Sam Maneckshaw to have been conferred the prestigious Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Bombay Hills South. He has performed abroad too at the 7th World Zoroastrian Congress, USA in the year 2000 and at the International Medical Congresses held in Sri Lanka in 2002, 2003, 2004  2005 and 2007. He was invited to attend and participate in  the Parliament of World Religions held in Spain, Barcelona in July 2004 and represented India as the only youth Speaker at the Quest for Global Healing Conference in Indonesia in May 2006. He also performed a series of shows at the 14th North American Zoroastrian Congress held in Toronto, Canada in July 2007.

Minoo Jokhi is a friendly and a helpful person by nature. He conducts classes in Memory-Development, which is his specialty where he has various levels of Memory Enhancement Techniques Courses and also teaches Personality-Development, Public Speaking, Mathematics and Basic cum Advanced English and is not just a teacher but also a friend cum guide to his students. He can be contacted by anyone who desires his services. He also is a Numerologist and provides NumerologyConsultations. His future plans include writing books on Memory-

Development and to be involved in Acting and Modelling. He has a passion for giving speeches and has given speeches at public forums including Parsi Religion speeches at the fire temples and he loves children very much.

The best thing about this Mathemagician is that he is hungry to learn constantly and is amazingly versatile. He is a brilliant public speaker having won 15 first prizes, is into Insurance, Acting, Karate, Yoga, etc.
He has also made a name for himself in Lawn Tennis where he has won various trophies at the club level and wishes to go further in it. He is a brilliant tutor who specializes in teaching Memory-Development to people of all ages. People of all ages have learned the Memory Enhancing Program from him and all have immensely benefited. He
has trained over 3000 students todate. He can be contacted on Mobile No 9821407519 and his e-mail is minoojokhi@rediffmail.com and landline no is 91-22-22182246.
He also has a website: www.minoojokhi.in

Posted in Arts, Miscellaneous. Leave a Comment »

Museum of World Religions (MWR)

22 November, 2011 — yazdi

Brief report on MWR

Who raised the consciousness of all humanity to One Divine?…….. Zarathushtra.
Who was the first Great Poet of epics even before the Mahabharata?…….Zarathushtra.
Who was the one who revealed the attributes of the Almighty?………….Zarathushtra.
Can we ask why His name, His deeds, His wisdom is not recognised amongst the Greatest.
This was my feeble attempt to take up the project of representing “The Religion of
Zarathushtra” in the Museum of World Religions.

 

Observe the writing on the main board, The Religion of Zarathushtra is not mentioned.

It broke my heart. I was persistent in my attempts. It finally paid of.
The Religion of Zarathushtra is now represented in the Museum of World Religions.

The Dharma Master Hsin (heart) Tao (the way), originated the idea of the museum of world religions. A way to show the beauty of all religions. The museum is not just a collection of artefacts, it employs modern technology to reveal the truth in every religion. It is a living breathing entity, that can stir the visitors heart. His dream is to create a world Global body of Tolerance, Love and Peace.

MWR Decennial Celebrations, were celebrated on Nov. 9th, 2011, with affection, pomp, style and genuine Taiwanese hospitality. May I mention here that the Taiwanese people are one of the most affectionate people in the whole world.
The Master’s message was “…. nothing is impossible for a true heart.” His life proves it. He laid stress on the plans for the next ten years. He invited experts from all over the world to share their ideas and make his dream of having numerous museum of religions in major centres of the world. There is one group whose plans are already on the way for making one in Birmingham, UK. I believe the Zoroastrians are involved. There are hopes for museums mushrooming in India, Middle East, China etc.

The MWR authorities were kind enough to inaugurate the display of our Zarathushtrian stand in this event. Over a 100, 000 people local & foreign visit every year. It will give our religion a much needed exposure.

An international symposium on: How to create a Museum of World Religions was held. Many experts gave their views. The hope is that the symposium will be the starting point of strengthening collaborations of similar ventures between various countries and cultures.

As with all births, there were birth pangs in starting a venture like this. Sometimes it looked like an impossible task. One lady came to the rescue. Her name is Alison Liu. She is the Asst. Curator of the museum. She took up the task. The global Zarathushtrian community owes her a lot for her devoted effort to our cause.

Finally the day arrived. The Religion of Zarathushtra is now represented in the Museum of World Religions.

Many, many Zarathushtrians helped from all over the world, one way or another. This is truly a Zrathushtrians United effort.

…… Perviz Dubash

 

Posted in Arts, Galleries, History, News. 3 Comments »

Jamshed Bharucha – President of Cooper Union

1 November, 2011 — yazdi

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ushered in a new era for the esteemed 152-year-old institution with the inauguration of its 12th president, cognitive neuroscientist Jamshed Bharucha.  The ceremony took place in the historic Great Hall on October 18, 2011.

Drawing inspiration from the genius of founder Peter Cooper, President Bharucha, standing at the lectern where candidate Lincoln spoke in 1860, pointed to “four areas that stand out as academic challenges and opportunities: fostering innovation, promoting access, serving the public good and embracing a global perspective – while maintaining the highest standards.”

Click Here for the full story

Courtesy : Maneck Bhujwala

Posted in Arts, News, Professionals. Leave a Comment »
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