FEZANA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of our community in North America through The FEZANA Awards

• Past Award Cycles: 2014 | 2012

The Awards are administered by FEZANA’s Awards Committe.

Noshir Langrana and Astad Clubwala currently head this committee.

History of the Awards

The first North American Zarathushti Community Awards were presented at the Sixth North merican Zoroastrian Congress, which was held in Toronto, Canada, in 1988. Since then, North American Zarathushti Community Awards have been presented biennially at each North American Zoroastrian Congress.

Before 1998, the awards process was the responsibility of the FEZANA member association hosting the Congress. However, in 1998, in order to ensure consistency in judging and regularity of administering the awards, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA) took over the responsibility and created an Awards Committee with Dinshaw F. Joshi appointed as its chair. Under Mr. Joshi’s leadership, the Awards Committee developed a standard nomination procedure, and established the Terms of Reference for the awards process.

Five award categories were initially formulated along with their definitions and criteria, and an impartial judging process was created. A sixth award category – the Dinshaw F. Joshi Excellence in Performing Arts, Painting or Literature Award – was added in 2002. This year, a seventh award category was created – the North American Mobeds Council (NAMC) Community Services Award.

Independent panels of respected North American Zarathushtis judge the nominees for the original six awards, and a committee appointed by the NAMC judges the nominees for the NAMC Community Services Award. The Awards Committee coordinates the evaluation process, tabulates the results, and determines the winner based solely on the judges’ evaluations.

In addition to Mr. Joshi, past committee chairs have included Yasmin Pavri and Framroze Patel, Shehernaz Joshi Verahrami and Navroz Gandhi.

Award Categories

Rohinton Rivetna Outstanding Zarathushti Award

To recognize a Zarathushti who has made outstanding and well-recognized contributions, through outstanding leadership and service, to further the cause of Zarathushtis in North America and internationally. Such contributions can be in, among other things, Zarathushti history, theology, culture, religious education, community affairs, and interfaith activities.

Dinshaw Framroze Joshi Excellence in Performing Arts, Painting or Literature Award

To recognize a Zarathushti who has excelled in the performing arts (dance, music and drama), painting or literature, and whose achievements have been recognized by peers within his/her country of residence and internationally.

Jamshed and Shirin Guzdar Excellence in Business or Profession Award

To recognize a Zarathushti who has reached the pinnacle of prominence in his/her profession or business, and whose achievements have been recognized in both North America and internationally.

Jamshed Pavri Humanitarian Service Award

To recognize a Zarathushti who has made significant contributions in advancing social and humanitarian causes in general and for the Zarathushti community in particular, and whose humanitarian service achievements have been acknowledged in his/her local community, in North America and internationally.

Shirin Nariman Dastoor Outstanding Young Zarathushti Student Award

To recognize a young Zarathushti student, 30 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2014, who is studying at the university level, has achieved academic excellence in his/her scholastic studies and extracurricular activities, and has made substantial contributions to the community affairs of his/her local Zarathushti community.

Mehraban Zartoshty Outstanding Young Zarathushti Award

To recognize a young Zarathushti, 30 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2012, who, after achieving high grades as a student in his/her scholastic studies and extracurricular activities, has subsequently achieved excellence in his/her chosen profession, is deemed to be a rising star by his/her peers, and has made substantial contributions to the community affairs of both his/her local Zarathushti community and the North American Zarathushti community.

North American Mobeds Council Community Services Award

To recognize a young Zarathushti Mobed or Mobedyar, 35 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2014, who has provided exemplary services to the Zarathushti community.

Paradise Award

The Paradise Award recognizes an individual or group who has contributed to spreading the message of Asho Zarathushtra through the composition of an artistic and educational play, poem or song capable of being transcribed on film, video and/or DVD for dissemination among the Zarathushti communities in North America and internationally.

Previous recipients

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a highly-respected North American Zarathushti, who through his/her personal achievements and meritorious service has brought recognition to the Zarathushti community worldwide.