Facilities at Bharda House and Katila Lodge, boarding houses run by the World Zoroastrian Organisation (India) (WZOI) in Udvada are being upgraded, noted an email from secretary Bakhtwar Shroff giving an account of the Organisation’s annual general meeting (AGM) held on September 8, 2018 at the Freemason Lodge. The refurbishment is being overseen by committee member and caterer Jamshed Gadiwala, she noted in a phone call with Parsiana on October 8. A music and sound system has been donated by an anonymous committee member. One hundred free passes were distributed to deserving WZOI members for SillyPoint Productions’ play Sahebji Sorabji on April 15.
World Zoroastrian Organisation (India)’s AGM: keeping members bonded
WZOI is "consolidating (its) data (base of members) and putting the house in order,” Shroff noted. While there are over 4,500 active members on their register, they have current contact details only for about 600 members. "A long way to go before reaching a point where one can be satisfied,” notes Shroff’s write-up. The Organisation plans to hold at least one event each month to keep the members bonded. On the cards are plans for an eye camp and dental camp, one day and overnight picnics, food distribution to widows and at old age homes in addition to trips to Sanjan and Navsari. "Monthly charity to those deserving is a continuing process,” explained Shroff’s note.
As noted president Kersi Limathwala in his welcome address at the AGM, WZOI works towards advancement of the Zoroastrian religious faith by publishing literature relating to religion or history; advancing studies and disseminating information about the faith; relief of poverty and increasing "contact, cooperation, unity and solidarity among Zoroastrians.”
The current office bearers, besides Shroff and Limathwala, are vice president Nozer Meherji and treasurer Percy Mistry. Mistry’s vote of thanks at the AGM recorded WZOI’s appreciation of the efforts of Tanaz Kerawala of Kerawala and Company "for always willingly assisting;” Limathwala for "bringing about a change by example, not by opinion”; Meherji for "his year-round support, monetary and otherwise…a person whose heart beats for WZOI, a connection that is difficult to fathom.”