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"Man is born to work and prosper; not to rest and rust,” stated Capt Percy Master, global president of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) in his opening remarks at the world body’s hybrid annual general meeting (AGM) on January 5, 2024. "It is difficult to build a name; it is more difficult to retain the name. Have a strong willpower and courage to speak what is true and do what is right,” he impressed on the members, most of whom were present at Hotel Crowne Plaza in Poona with a few joining on Zoom. 

His comments appeared to reiterate "Industry” and "Integrity,” emblazoned in the WZCC logo seen on the flag. Master along with Pune chapter chair Tehmasp Bharucha and international director Viraf Deboo unfurled for the first time a WZCC flag. 

The 13th distinguished individual to be made an honorary member of WZCC was respected transactional and dispute resolution lawyer Berjis Desai who is expected to be "a great asset and valuable addition” to the organization. As acknowledged lawyer Zerick Dastur who had worked under him at J. Sagar Associates, Desai "has made careers of individuals in the legal fraternity. He is a giver, supporting a lot of charitable and philanthropic causes. He is interested in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) activities and believes it can be done at a much greater scale.”

In his prerecorded acceptance speech relayed to the gathering, Desai noted, "I’ve always admired the initiative of WZCC, overcoming scepticism… to encourage entrepreneurship…” He referred to fears of early Parsi settlers losing "their identity in the great Indian melting pot. However, we not only survived but we thrived. Of course it was due to the ethos of hard work and vision of our forefathers who graduated from being farmers to traders and builders of modern India… An important factor in their success was risk-taking which is sorely missing today in the community. Professional success is there on a very large scale. However there is no risk-taking ability… 

"It is time WZCC expands its initiative in creating a private equity arm on the lines of private equity funds and gathering a corpus of about Rs 100 crore (USD 12.02 million) over a period of two years. It may sound difficult but it is possible to achieve. Where there are ideas and ability, capital will follow. This will not only give a sense of identity to our community, it will dissipate the indifference which is our main enemy today and our community as an anthropological rarity… will continue to thrive and, who knows, even overcome our declining demographic trends.”

   top: Berjis Desai’s acceptance speech relayed

"Create a brand”

Referring to the 14 chapters and five area regional officers across the globe and the potential for expansion, global corporate secretary Behroze Daruwalla stated, "We need people to step forward and market WZCC; create a brand.” As per global treasurer Ratan Mistry’s report, the year 2023 showed a total income of USD 356,522 (Rs 2.96 crore) and expenditure of USD 283,410 (Rs 2.36 crore). The closing balance for the year showed a profit of USD 73,112 (Rs 60.80 lakh). Not all chapters have been paying their WZCC membership dues, he stated when joining in on Zoom.

The working of some WZCC committees was highlighted. The Women Entrepreneurs wing organized six activities during the year. With Jehaan Kotwal’s term as youth director ending, Rashna Jehani as the new youth director referred to engaging with nine regional youth directors on a "dynamic WhatsApp network to exchange updates, insights and strategies.” BAC has succeeded in mentoring and funding 17 startups with funds between five lakh rupees (USD 6,013) and Rs 25 lakh (USD 30,063) each. It is now left with a balance of Rs 45 lakh (USD 54,113), not sufficient to fund even two entrepreneurs, mentioned special advisor Pheroze Kharas, advocating the need to raise donations of "at least one crore rupees (USD 120,299)…from high net worth individuals in the community.” 

"The global president should be allowed to serve two terms,” proposed immediate global past president Edul Daver, but since this would require an amendment of the constitution, the decision will be reviewed by the constitution committee. It was also recommended that while the AGM be held every year, the conclave should be held every two years to ease costs for members. Since there are "too many (community) global events,” for the convenience of those planning to attend WZCC should "latch on to other community events like the North American Zoroastrian Congress in Houston in end 2024 or the World Zoroastrian Congress in Singapore in end 2026,” suggested Arzan Wadia, president of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America.

WZCC founder member Rohinton Rivetna recommended that the passing away of WZCC stalwarts like Homi Davier and Sarosh Collector be featured on the WZCC website to record the "fine services” they had rendered. In his closing remarks former global secretary Adi Siganporia thanked the WZCC team and specially Deboo and Bharucha of Poona for "they work more and talk less.” Commending Master’s leadership, Deboo mentioned, "He carries the full team with him in all matters… Many think he is too soft and too bending but he’s nothing of the sort!”

  

   From l, 1st row: Zerick Dastur, Sam Balsara, Rohinton Rivetna, Farrokh Mistree, Jamshed Mistry; 

Lend a ear

To give erstwhile directors and senior members of the community an opportunity to briefly share their views and offer suggestions for the improvement of WZCC, the last session of the second day was titled "You talk, we listen.”

WZCC should start investment clubs (where individuals contribute money to a pool that is then invested), recommended Rivetna. "Other organizations run on bequests, not on nickel and dime,” he added.

We need to find out the number of our members who are active in business, even a simple small business, and increase that number to make the concept of WZCC come alive, recommended WZCC honorary member Sam Balsara. We have such few (between 25 to 30) young members below 40 years of age. Appoint a WZCC representative in each Parsi baug. Our immediate priority should be getting people like Boman Irani (founder of the Rustomjee Group and keynote speaker on the first day of the conclave) as WZCC members. Businesses have to scale up. WZCC could honor 100 iconic Zarathushtis of the world with a badge as an inducement for fellow Zarathushtis to contribute on a similar scale, added Balsara.

Wadia divided his suggestions into three categories with regard to what the WZCC could start doing, continue doing and stop doing. "Truly empower the youth. Let them do what they want instead of showing lack of confidence in their ability to do it right. Plan a trade mission to a country. It will bring about a great amount of publicity. Match mentors and mentees with a more robust data base,” he recommended. "Continue funding businesses and share more of those stories. Amp up the social media presence with one Instagram post every week,” he urged. Knowing the prevailing Zoom fatigue he felt WZCC should not get into areas which do not fall within its domain and restrict programing that is not relevant to WZCC’s functioning.

To encourage networking among members, a business directory with ample data would help, felt Cyrus Bharucha, chair of the Bangalore chapter. Their activities are mainly undertaken by the lady members. "All I have to say is ‘yes!’” he added. He too felt the "need to get the youth involved. They don’t speak our language.”

"Let WZCC be the first place for entrepreneurs/professionals to turn to for advice/mentoring/guidance,” stated WZCC global director Dr Zubin Sethna of UK. "We aren’t giving the youngsters anything of value. How many have offered young Zarathushtis any placement in the last year?” he asked of the audience. Seeing about 10 hands go up, he felt a show of 80-90% hands would have been more reassuring.

"Set performance standards for all chapters,” urged erstwhile global director Kharas. "These should be evaluated every quarter.”

"To consolidate our organization’s strengths, there should be unity in diversity, unity between religion and commerce,” believed Dastur who assists WZCC with its legal compliance. "The success of this community lies in the system of values associated with the Zoroastrian community.” He further felt the need for "a convergence of experience and youth” citing the instance of Kharas and Siganporia who regularly visit the WZCC office, ever willing to offer guidance to any youth who walks in. "A circle of opportunities is driven by wheels of effort and incentive… Back those willing to take risks. Any recognition bestows tremendous motivational impact. Let WZCC represent the fire of Zoroastrianism that is never dormant, never stagnates but inspires us to move forward with the right mindset,” Dastur added.

Taking leads from the GenZ survey findings in 2023 which showed that 16.4% Zarathushtis are entrepreneurs, with 23.4% stating they would like to be entrepreneurs and 29% saying maybe, Daver felt WZCC should target an increase in entrepreneurship level from 16.4% to 25% by 2030. Considering that 70% of the respondents said that finance was a hurdle, he felt strategies should be introduced such that the BAC has funds of Rs 10 crore (USD 1.20 million) and the Zoroastrian Entrepreneurship Development Fund, a similar fund of one million dollars (Rs 8.31 crore) by 2030. While generating new opportunities for trade and business, he sought to impress that "entrepreneurship is for all ages. You can become an entrepreneur even after retirement.” To make WZCC a "recognizable, household name,” he felt the need to educate and encourage young parents and discuss youth success stories at the dining table. "Calculated risk is necessary; risk is not a four-letter dirty word. Low aim is a crime; not failure. Enable the youth to have a ‘can do’ attitude,” Daver reiterated. 

Admitting that he was "a disruptive thinker” Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Dr Adil Malia regretted that WZCC does not have "a strong business model to generate a private equity fund... No chamber of commerce survives on munificence.”

"We are not thinking big enough,” commented Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, founder of Avesthagen. "We are working in a pond when we need to work in an ocean.”

A progressive path

In the "Strategy planning and implementation” session on the third day of the conclave, Master rhetorically enquired, "Looking ahead, where do we want to go and how do we want to do it? How are we going to measure progress?” Concerned that "the future of the community in India is at stake,” he sounded a warning, "If we don’t take corrective action we will miss the bus. The community needs a path which the seniors and juniors must follow.” Looking at the passive audience, Master admonished, "Don’t go to sleep. It would be a real tragedy.” 

The activities, tactics and strategies to be adopted in the six delineated thrust areas were then outlined by the key WZCC personnel. Farrokh Mistree summarized how they propose to promote intellectual, economic and social value. Jehani referred to plans for the youth. Daruwalla spoke of women empowerment. Deboo elaborated on chapter development and membership. Daver and Dastur conveyed their goals to empower entrepreneurs. Jamshed Mistry outlined plans to build a nexus with chambers of commerce in India, USA and Canada. Aspi Antia assured support on behalf of the Central Administrative Office. Communications and outreach are within the domain of global vice president Perses Sethna. An audio clip was played in a foreign language by Zubin Sethna. The object was to deliberately confuse the members and leave them with the query: "Are we the right content curators for the youth?”

A leader is not expected to dictate but to indicate. "Leadership requires trust and compassion,” declared Master. He recalled the words of English writer and philosopher John Ruskin: "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.”

The third instalment of the global conclave report will be carried in a forthcoming issue of Parsiana.