GYAG celebrates Navroz, appoints new cabinet
By Arzina Jahan
Keeping the zest of momentum intact, Ghulkin Youth Association Gilgit (GYAG) held its 4th annual general meeting here, following the festive and auspicious occasion of Navroz, evaluating performance of out-gone members and electing new members.
The closing in of erstwhile teams usually coincides with New Year of Persian calendar.
The newly elected on the team include Ali Rehman, Ejlal Karim, Abdul Ali, Arzina, Muthahir, president, secretary and the rest members, respectively.
Additional Read: Backgrounder on Navroz
Pamaris whose livelihood is dependent upon agro-pastoral activity follow this solar seasonal calendar for at least beginning of the year. The Gregorian 21st March 2017 AD can be read in other way as 1st Farvardin 1396 AP (Anno Perisico)!!. The attendees of the meeting were appreciative of youth efforts in promoting healthy activities and promoting positivity through intellectual and social work. Youth and new day are harbinger of hopes and good promises.
Couple of days before in this very space Fariha Mansoor wrote about ‘the new day’, and I would also like to supplement it with our readers. The 10th-century scholar Biruni in his book provides description of the calendars of various nations, in the section on the Iranian calendar, he mentions Nowruz. According to him, it is the belief of the Iranians that Nowruz mark the first day when the universe started its motion. The Persian historian Gardizi mentioning Zoroastrians festivals specifically points out Nowruz celebration.
As the writer mentioned of Achaemenid Empire of Iran; no king was legitimized unless he participated in this annual festival. King of different of nations used to bring gifts on this auspicious occasion to the king of kings in Iran. In the book Nowruznama, Omar Khayyam( the Persian poet and mathematician) gives vivid description of the royal custom celebration in the courts of the kings of Iran, the king of Zoroastrians used to bring gifts a golden goblet full of wine, a ring, some gold coins, a fistful of green sprigs of wheat, a sword, and a bow. He would in Persian glorify God and praise the monarch thus;”O Majesty, on this feast of the equinox, first day of the first month of the year, seeing that thou hast freely chosen God and the faith of the ancient ones; may Sraosha, the angel-messenger, grant thee wisdom and insight and sagacity in thy affairs. Live long in praise, be happy and fortunate upon thy golden throne, drink immortality from the Cup of Jamshid; and keep in solemn trust the customs of our ancestors, their noble aspirations, fair gestures and the exercise of justice and righteousness. May thy soul flourish; may thy youth be as the new-grown grain; may thy horse be puissant, victorious; thy sword bright and deadly against foes; thy hawk swift against its prey; thy every act straight as the arrow’s shaft. Go forth from thy rich throne, conquer new lands. Honor the craftsman and the sage in equal degree; disdain the acquisition of wealth. May thy house prosper and thy life be long!”
Though its origin can’t be precisely authenticated, however it bears the touch of religion with Zoroastrianism, a more royal traditions during Sassanid era; royal audiences with the public, cash gifts, and the pardoning of prisoners etc. It was also celebrated a royal holiday during the Abbasid period. After collapse of Soviet Union, Caucasian and Central Asian countries are observing it a national holiday. The UN recognized the day an intangible heritage of a spring festival of 3000 year-Old Iranian origin. The GYAG wishes observers of Navroz a happy year full of prosperity.
