Archive

With almost 400 registrants for 36 events, the Bangalore Chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) held a series of online events titled "The Marketplace: a virtual symposia for charity” from December 6-13, 2020. Chapter secretary Shernaz Siganporia noted that some registered for a single event, others for many. The event had separate tracks for families and children. Events for adults included dance workshops, talks on cooking, jewelry and makeup. Children’s events included magic shows, crafts workshops and sessions on creative writing. The events were kicked off by Chapter chair and Bangalore Parsi Anjuman president Air Chief Marshal Fali Major (retd). Speakers and performers included actor Boman Irani, film director Sooni Taraporevala, journalist Meher Marfatia and dancers from Shiamak Davar’s dance academy, among others. A musical event by Ambi and Bindu Subramaniam rang down the curtain.
"We believe that creating successive lines of leadership will ensure that our Chapter is never short of sound leaders who have learnt the ropes in their climb to the top… The (event) has done just that,” Siganporia stated. The secretary is proud of having "fostered team spirit, built confidence and nurtured lasting relationships… We were able to address two pillars… mentoring and hand-holding (youngsters) to take their first steps towards planning and executing projects… the second being networking…bringing in so much talent under one umbrella.” The measure of the success of their event, she said, was "how well prepared each host/presenter was, the interaction between the attendees and the presenters and the learning that team members took back with them at the end of each day.”

 

 

 

 

Siganporia elaborated that the idea for the "virtual symposia” took seed from a series of Zoom meetings they held on managing change. "We felt that just discussing on how one can manage changes in life and work as a result of the pandemic was not enough…We needed to put it into action…That is how we conceived this idea of pivoting from a live charity bazaar to a virtual one.”
Kinder Trust was the "chosen charity” for the event, stated the portal created for the events. The Trust aims to assist and enable physically and mentally challenged individuals to lead a confident and fulfilling life, noted the announcement. "What we have collected in terms of funds is not the end of the drive… It was a by-product of our objectives… Kinder Trust is in need of funds to set up a physiotherapy center in the Nilgiris and we have attempted to contribute a small part to the large budget requirement,” Siganporia conveyed in an email to Parsiana.
Managing trustee of Kinder Trust Diana Bharucha wrote that "it was really heartwarming to know that the community stood by and partnered our cause and gave wholehearted support to fulfill our aims.
"It was unbelievable that so many celebrities agreed to do the shows for WZCC gratis. Something we were trying on our own but were unable to do. The amount of awareness that our Trust has received is enormous… This (will) help us in future funding. Many unknown people sent donations to us directly as a result of the publicity. It also gave Kinder Trust a chance to showcase our food preservation products…which we plan to make commercially available once the pandemic situation is over.”
Bharucha referred to the bonhomie at work during the planning phase. "The event brought us members so close together, meeting, laughing, joking and having fun discussing and planning every event meticulously past midnight almost every other night… It brought out the talent of our member kids… Such programs build character and confidence in our children.” An offsite visit by the children and members is planned next year to witness the working of the Trust and probably get even more involved, she stated.
Thirty-one members ranging in age from seven years to 70 were involved in the planning effort spearheaded by Siganporia, with members Dilshad Jalnawalla and Zarine Kharas, mentioned Siganporia.