ZAGNY WZO FEZANA Gatha Colloquium 6/27-28/2009 in Doubletree Hotel in New York. What a wonderful experience to attend this colloquim! I was overwhelmed by the impressive line up of 12 distinguished speakers on various aspects of Gathas. I have to admit that most of it went over my head (and I understand of many in the audience). In spite of that, it was indeed a wonderful experience. When I called Lovji Cama 4 weeks before the meeting, he informed me that there were only may be 50-60 attendees! And come Saturday, for the first session, the conference room was overflowing with almost 150 attendees, thanks to some personal follow up by many ZAGNY members and their head Mobed, Ervad Pervez Patel! They had to say no to some late registrants! The colloquim started with a prayer led by Ervad Pervez Patel. Gev nentin, current ZAGNY President, welcomed all the attendees and thanked the 12 illustrious speakers to accept their invitation to speak at the colloquium. The colloquium was sponsored by WZO, London, ZAGNY, NY, and FEZANA. He thanked all the sponsors, workers and the attendees for making this colloquium such a success. He recognized that people were attending from as far as Poona in Maharashtra State, India, from UK, and from Florida, Ontario, etc. He was followed by Shahpur Captain, on behalf of the WZO, who again thanked all speakers and attendees for being there. Firdosh Mehta, Past FEZANA President, then read the message from Bomi Patel, the current FEZANA President, acknowledging the fine work WZO and ZAGNY did in putting together such a historic colloquium. The Saturday morning session was chaired by Keki Bhote who introduced the three speakers: Prof. Kaikhosrov Irani, Prof. Oktor Skjaervo, and Prof. Willima Malandra. Please see the attached photos for their talks. The morning session was followed by the lunch at the Sung Dynasty Chinese Restaurant comprising of a Chinese buffet which was enjoyed by all. The Saturday afternoon session was chaired by Dr. Lovji Cama, Past ZANY President who introduced Prof. Almut Hintze, Prof. Martin Schwartz, and Prof. Gernot Windfuhr. Their talks are covered in the attached photos. After the first day sessions, Homi Gandhi, our host, drove us to Yasmin and Jamshed Ghadialy's home to participate in a Jashan and dinner to raise funds for the Parsi General Hospital in Mumbai, an annual affair celebrated by Ghadialys for over 20 years. It was quite a good Parsi gathering and gave us a warm feeling of home away from home. On Sunday morning, before the start of the first session, a group photo session of all the speakers took place which gave an opportunity to take photos of this unique group of speakers. This was followed by Homi Gandhi, past ZAGNY President, presenting a copy of the FEZANA publication: The Zoroastrian Connection with Judaism and Christianity, edited by Mrs. Roshan Rivetna to all speakers. Shahpur Captain then presented them with a gift from the Colloquium Committee. Sunday morning session was chaired by Faramroze Patel, Past FEZANA and ZAGNY President. He introduced Dr. Ali Jafarey, Prof. Stanley Insler and Prof. Elizabeth Tucker. Their topics are covered in photos attached. This was followed by lunch once again at the Sung Dynasty; however, we were treated to a Parsi lunch of Dhan Dar ne Patio, chicken and fish and desserts. The last afternoon session was chaired by Rustom Kevala, Past FEZANA President. He introduced Dr. Ervad Kersey Antia, Dina McIntyre and Farrokh Vazifdar. Their talks are covered in the photos attached. Well, it was time to say Good Byes to all friends and the session ended with a recitation of Yasna Haptanghaiti Ha 41 requested by Mr Rustom Bhopti of Princeton Jct., for wishing peace in Iran, led by three Mobeds, Ervad Pervez Patel, Ervad Jehan Bagli and Ervad Soli Dastur. What a great conference. We all hoped that the papers of this conference would be published for the benefit of all and the video coverage of the conference would also be shared. On behalf of all the attendees, I want to thank ZAGNY, WZO, and FEZANA for organizing such a wonderful conference and attending to all details of the attendees with such care and efficiency. In the model of Prof. Stanley Insler, let me take the liberty to wish that may Dadar Ahura Mazda grant us all Good Thinking so we follow the path of Truth, there by establishing good rule which gets respect from all which leads to health and posperity! Atha jamyaat, yatha aafrinaami! (This I wish, may it come true!)