The members’ night for the current quarter of the Poona chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) saw 45 of their 80 members gather at Boat Club on July 20, 2017 in that city. Keynote speaker Dr Kayanoosh Irani Kadapatty spoke on "Roles of relatives in critical care – Effective communications, informed consent and end of life decisions.” Head of the department of intensive care at Jehangir Hospital since 2010, having joined there nine years ago, Irani shared with the audience insights on the functioning of an intensive care unit, emphasizing the requirement of "prompt response time,” according to a note received by Parsiana from Viraf Deboo, immediate past chairman of the Chapter. The medico spoke on basic issues that cause cardiac arrest and stroke, infection risks in intensive care units and the need for trust and clear communications between patients’ relatives and doctors. "Information on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and similar critical measures were covered, with a promise to conduct more intense sessions,” notes Deboo’s email.
Top row, from left: Mahrukh Bharucha, Viraf Deboo, Dr Kayanoosh Irani Kadapatty,
Khushru Minocherhomji, Tehmasp Bharucha; Second row: participants at members’ night
The program began with a welcome address by chairperson Mahrukh Bharucha who recapped the events of the previous quarter and shared information about events planned for the rest of 2017. Deboo urged members to participate more actively and invited them to "take on roles on the committee.” Vice chairman of the Chapter Khushru Minocherhomji served as compere for the evening which ended with drinks and dinner.
The Poona Chapter was started in 2003. Committee meetings are held once a month and members’ night once each quarter, informs Deboo. Their annual general meeting will be held in October this year, he adds.
Coffee with WZCC, a new initiative of the Bombay Chapter offers an "open networking platform to enthusiastic professionals and entrepreneurs on the last Monday of each month,” Xerxes Dastur, vice chairman and honorary treasurer of the Chapter, informs Parsiana. The meetings are open to non-members of WZCC too. The idea is to "to network and touch base over a self bought cup of coffee (currently at a downtown coffee shop, after business hours),” he adds. Started by Dastur seven months ago, the meetings attract around 30 people each month.
Above: participants at the coffee meetings with Xerxes Dastur, first row, far right
"The profiles (of the attendees) are varied and range from financial services, travel and tourism, event management, solar power, human resource training, law, catering services, logistics to manufacturing,” states Dastur. The vice chairman highlights that the forums offer an opportunity to attendees "to build contacts with fellow Zarathushti entrepreneurs and professionals.” Engendered with the idea of building a sense of camaraderie and sharing experiences, the participants are a balance of experienced and young startups and professionals.
While there is no structured agenda for the meetings, Dastur informs that they start with a "standard introduction round first, then specify industry assistance which any member wants, followed by any one topical subject for the month.” Previous discussions have centered on topics such as Goods and Services Tax, finance for non finance professionals, networking process, self actualization needs, training and mentorship. A ‘junior’ version of the initiative every Wednesday draws 10 to 15 participants each week, informs Dastur. "We are seeing the relations being built,” he beams.
Written and compiled by Farrokh Jijina