Current Issue - Business

In 2025, promoted by the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) as the "year of the youth,” 33-year-old Burjis Godrej, managing director of Astec Lifesciences, was chief guest at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the India Region. Twenty-five years earlier WZCC was launched in Houston by his father Nadir Godrej (then managing director of Godrej Soaps), mentioned Capt Percy Master, global president of the Chamber. 

With the Chamber now encompassing 12 chapters globally, the silver jubilee of the organization will commence with a celebratory jashan at Saher Agiary on January 7, 2026 where attendance will be limited to 250 invitees. From January 8 to 10, the WZCC Global Convention will be held at Bombay’s Taj President when they hope to see a good turnout, announced Master. Registration details are available on their website wzcc.org.

"Zoroastrianism has never frowned upon becoming wealthy,” stated Burjis when addressing the members assembled at the Mayfair (Banquet) Room, West End Hotel on September 20, 2025. The Zoroastrian legacy emphasizes "creating wealth for society.” He cited the example of the founder of the Godrej empire, "Ardeshir Godrej, a lawyer who chose to abandon his profession to launch a surgical instruments plant despite having no background in manufacturing or economics. But unfortunately doctors then were reluctant to buy ‘Made in India’ products.”

Locks, safes and almirahs manufactured by Godrej were however better received, more so when they withstood the Bombay docks explosion in 1944 and the Godrej made ballot boxes were used for the first elections in independent India. Godrej was also the first to make soap from vegetable oil instead of tallow. Ardeshir personified atmanirbharta (self reliance) before it became a buzzword in India, commented Burjis.

Trust, respect and humility were the three key values that stood Ardeshir and the company in good stead. "He never let success go to his head. He was known to use public transport and wait at bus stops. His younger brother Pirojsha, my great-grandfather, had the foresight that the city would expand and bought land in Vikhroli” where 2,500 acres of mangroves continue to be preserved.

Burjis credited the pioneers with showing "incredible resilience despite personal setbacks” when they lost their young wives. Taking pride in representing the fourth generation of "a legacy company that is 128 years young,” he jested that "picture ajun baaki chhè (the film is not over yet)…  We now face a different India with over a billion customers, free trade, where the service sector contributes 56% to GDP (gross domestic product) but manufacturing only 15%, where massive skyscrapers and slums coexist, where aspirational young members constitute nearly 65% of the population.” 

He alluded to the ‘China Plus One’ strategy where companies are urged to diversify their supply chains by establishing operations in a second country to reduce the risks and costs associated with over-reliance on China for manufacturing and sourcing. Knowing that India’s investment in research and development is only 0.64% of its GDP, he recommended greater investment in this sector as also taking digital technology to the farmer.

Looking to a future while respecting the heritage and values of his forebears, Burjis emphasized the need "to be open to new technology, accept change yet respect people’s sensibilities.” For companies focusing on growth he advised the team to avoid the comfort zone as also the panic zone but remain instead in the learning zone always. Convinced that reputation and integrity are indispensable for long-term continuation of a business, he quoted billionaire investor Warren Buffet: "Lose money for the firm and I will be understanding. Lose reputation and I will be ruthless.”

  Jimmy Khan, Capt Percy Master, Daara Patel, Farrokh Bhathena

Adapt and evolve

"Let us set short-term goals that culminate in a long-term journey,” urged Zerick Dastur, president of the India Region. Referring to "a vibrant energy flowing through WZCC... connecting individuals, promoting entrepreneurship, creating opportunities,” he was keen that the youth find sufficient openings in India to encourage reverse migration. While adapting to the requirements of changing times, "WZCC has evolved as an organization. Today there are so many youth. Each of you is our brand ambassador. Start getting involved. The journey starts with taking a single step. We want each of you to contribute. Bring your unique strengths to the table, culminating in something useful… We are here for the long haul, to play Test cricket in T-20 style.”

He referred to WZCC’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) that has been advancing loans to deserving candidates from the Minoo Shroff Memorial Fund. Further internship opportunities are being created with manufacturing, engineering and technology companies evincing an onboarding interest. Additionally mentorship (one-on-one guidance to youth) is being offered that has helped propel careers. Dastur gave credit to the "three wise men of WZCC — Phiroze Kharas, Adi Siganporia and Aspi Antia, the dynamic Behroze Daruwalla, the visionary leadership and guidance of Master, and the administrative support from Hormaz Randelia and Zarine Khan” for ensuring that the wheels of WZCC keep turning. Developing a user friendly website and a good communication system would help propagate the message of WZCC, he believed. Their quarterly online newsletter is interspersed with a monthly spotlight on successful businessmen.

The WZCC chapters were likened to the limbs of a body that sets an organism in motion. There are three active chapters — Bombay, Poona and Bangalore — that constitute the India Region, stated honorary secretary Yezdi Batliwala. India is one of the eight regions of the global body. Workshops targeting the youth, leadership training, empowering the mind, sessions on Artificial Intelligence, legal forums creating awareness in the community on laws dealing with redevelopment, prevention of sexual harassment, cyber crime, data protection, the making of wills were some of the activities organized. 

Before outlining the activities of the Mumbai chapter, chair Daara Patel stated tongue-in-cheek that when the new team took office, "Captain told us about our duties and responsibilities but did not tell us of our rights!” Poona chapter chair Farrokh Bhathena referred to the informative sessions they had on keeping the mind young, among other activities. Bangalore chapter chair Cyrus Bharucha and a few others who had joined the hybrid meeting virtually had to wait patiently till the wifi connection was restored. Bharucha referred to "nurturing growth with shared purpose and collective exchange of ideas, enhancing opportunities for the youth whilst leveraging the strength of the WZCC global network.” Bangalore chapter honorary secretary Dr Sanaya Patell spoke of their activities including  their largest winter bazar during the year that promotes local entrepreeurship.There was participation from around 40 vendors including brands like Parsi Dairy Farm, Sir Ratan Tata Industrial Institute (RTI) and Women’s India Trust (WIT). The winter bazar will now be seen in its new avatar of spring bazar. 

"We received a corpus donation of one crore rupees from (noted lawyer) . Burjor Antia,” announced India Region treasurer Jimmy Khan when presenting the highlights of the audited statement of accounts for the year ended March 31, 2025 that are featured on the WZCC website. "The net surplus of Rs 82.75 lakh is a misnomer. It is only a book entry,” clarified Khan. A substantial portion of this amount, concerns repayments form BAC loans advanced to startups. Describing auditor Farhad Hozdar as "brilliant; he is a blessing,” Khan recommended that he be re-elected as auditor.

In his brief presentation of the BAC, Kharas mentioned that those seeking financial assistance are give key documents to study including guidelines for preparing a presentation. A leaflet to confirm the heartening response of the entrepreneurs was distributed to the members to show that "BAC is on the right path.” Valuing the interest-free loan extended to them, a few of them expressed appreciation for the additional mentorship. Mahiyar Jokhi, founder of Ahura Beverages, specified that "sharp questions from respected trustees have helped to chisel my perception about the market and sales.” Nariman Kasad of SNP Logistics learnt to "manage day-to-day cash flow and gained confidence to onboard new customers smoothly.” Dr Kayannush Dadachanji of Sparkle Dental Care acknowledged Kharas for his "mentoring and guidance… His insights provided me with clarity and confidence in making decisions that have had a profoundly positive, long-term impact on my practice.” Founder of Radiance and Finesse, Cyrus Mistry advised the youth to "act fast, gain your experience and branch out early in life.”

Delaveen Tarapore Mistry, youth director of India Region mentioned that after Coffee with WZCC they now have Chai with WZCC. At their youth conclave in Khandala they planned a heritage visit, business games plus recreational activities. Also popular among Indian and Iranian youth is the Zoro Chit Chat.

Master mentioned there are 12 chapters of WZCC all over the world with a special platform for the young, including the Iranian youth. "Encourage the youth to become free members if they are between 16-18 years of age. For those between 18 and 35, membership is at reasonable cost,” he stated. "We need to help youngsters to take the legacy forward,” reminded the president, adding, "Unless we are united we will not be able to succeed. We have to keep aside the orthodox/liberal labels… We have not lived life unless we have done something good for the community.” 

  Clockwise from top row, l: Hafeez Contractor, 

  Cyrus Katgara, Sam Choksey, Diana Pundole

Outstanding Awards

The remaining three WZCC Outstanding Awards for 2024 that the recipients had been unable to collect in person at the time of the global conclave in Toronto (see "Paths, panels and portals,” Parsiana, August 7-20, 2025) were presented to Cyrus Katgara of Jeena and Company (Outstanding Entrepreneur), Dilshad Kotwal on behalf of architect Hafeez Contractor (Outstanding Professional) and car racer Diana Pundole (Outstanding Young Professional). With Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat, Contractor as the designer of the project was required to be in Lothal on September 20 and hence was unable to receive the award in person, conveyed his colleague Kotwal.

Yet another unassuming individual to be felicitated that evening was Sam Choksey, "a source of encouragement for WZCC who believes in work more and talk less,” as noted Siganporia in his introduction. He is managing trustee of The Bandra Parsi Convalescent Home that had distributed Rs 12 crore in 2024-25 towards relief of poverty, education and medical needs of the community. Besides being an office bearer of the Bandra Parsee Association for nearly 50 years he is a trustee of the Iran League and the Lonavala Khandala Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman.

Immediate past president of the India Region and honorary global secretary of WZCC, Daruwalla expressed gratitude for the dedication, hard work and selflessness of those at the helm, naming the administrative staff, chief executive officer Aspi Antia who has been involved despite his recent open heart surgery, the donors, sponsors, the Press, the information technology team… She further reiterated, "Our work is far from over. We request support through time, donation, sponsorship and commitment to make a lasting impact. There are too many charitable organizations in the community but only one business organization. Alone we can do very little but together we can do much. Let us flourish ethically and in unity.”