Persistently pursuing their dream of having their own center of worship, after raising $ 125,000 (Rs 94 lakh), Zoroastrians in the tri-state area are determined to clutch at every straw, "hoping to raise at least another $ 75,000-100,000 (Rs 56.42-75.22 lakh),” revealed Bakhtavar Desai, president of the Zoroastrian Association of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana (ZAKOI).
For their Fall 2021 fundraiser, Desai was excited to announce that "there is an anonymous donor who has most graciously agreed to match my fundraiser earnings up to $ 10,000 (Rs 7,52,242)! So if I am able to earn $ 10,000 again in this fundraiser, the impact will double with this generous matching donation…Please celebrate a joyous Thanksgiving and holiday season by… using and gifting our products.”
Jashan and sales organized by the Zoroastrian Association
of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana
On offer for the latest fundraiser were delicious Parsi favorites as also beautiful silk scarves with Zoroastrian motifs and floral prints, in varying sizes and colors, designed by Houston based artist Avan Bhathena, priced at $ 75 (Rs 5,654). The treats on sale were a badam ni boi, or a one pound box of toots (Persian mulberry marzipan candies) or a dozen bhakras for $ 20 (Rs 1,508). In the middle range were a pound of batasas for $ 35 (Rs 2,638), one dozen mava cakes for $ 36 (Rs 2,714), or a pound of vasanu for $ 37 (Rs 2,789). A pound of badam pak or kaju pak was priced at $ 45 (Rs 3,392). An array of E. H. Kolah’s pickles and chutneys cost $ 32 (Rs 2,412) for 400 g and $ 22 (Rs 1,658) for 200 g. While 220 g of homemade dhansak powder was available for $ 35, the dry curry masala kit cost $ 50 (Rs 3,769). The charges for handling and delivery were extra.
October 10, 2021 being the last date for placing orders, when Parsiana sent an email to Desai the following day to ascertain the response, she regretted that she had not raised "even half of $10,000! I am pursuing communities around the US but I didn’t get many of my regular clients to purchase from my fundraiser this time.”
Five years ago when Parsiana had written on the Association’s efforts (see "Zestful ZAKOI,” Zoroastrians Abroad, December 7, 2016), Desai had mentioned that they needed $ 200,000 (Rs 1.5 crore) more to buy it. "But the deal didn’t work out for several reasons, main reason of course being lack of money,” she revealed. They need to meet their internal target "before we can approach the worldwide Zoroastrian communities, especially Zoroastrians in Hong Kong to help with a matching amount,” for along with a rise in real estate prices the Association is also providing for a contingency fund for the temple they hope to establish. The ZAKOI Center Fund is handled by Desai as she is "the main if not the only person” who with the help of her husband Fred does these fundraisers every year. She is supported by a small board comprising those who have contributed upwards of $ 500 (Rs 37,612) each year.
ZAKOI treasurer Jimmy Antia handles the Association’s operating funds. As compared to five years ago when Zoroastrians in the tri-state area numbered approximately 150, with the birth of more children and young people getting married, "our population has slightly increased,” confirmed Bakhtavar. The regular events organized during the year include the jashan and muktad prayers, the badam ni boi sales and dinner potlucks besides other initiatives to raise funds. Bakhtavar and Fred also host a Zoroastrian youth camp annually when children affiliated with ZAKOI as also other parts of the country "spend a week together learning about our religion and enjoying social activities, and forming lifelong friendships,” notes their website. To raise awareness about Zoroastrianism they participate in local cultural and interfaith events.