Parsi founded and/or run corporates such as Vistara Airlines, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore airlines, Rustomjee builders and the Gold Seal group of companies have added their mite to assist in combating the Covid scourge.
Vistara has offered to fly doctors and nurses representing government organizations free of cost across its domestic network, according to news reports. Stating that they welcomed requests from accredited organizations representing the union and state governments and union territories, the airline will "evaluate these to extend as much support as possible, based on the availability of cargo space.” Usha Padhee, joint secretary in the ministry of civil aviation, stated that she "wish(ed) to commend the generous offer by Vistara to (those) in immediate need of air logistics… Let’s fight the pandemic together!”
Rustomjee Cambridge International School, a permanently unaided, Parsi- minority, private institution founded in Bombay’s western suburb of Dahisar by the Rustomjee group has converted 25 of its classrooms to a Covid care facility, according to news reports. Reportedly, each classroom will house six beds. The Rustomjee group is in the business of real estate development and construction and is headed by chairman and managing director Boman Irani.
Gold Seal group of companies has supported automobile giant Mahindra & Mahindra with spare parts for their project "Oxygen on wheels,” informs director Pilloo Aga. "We have continued to supply Ashok Leyland accessories for their trucks to transport oxygen in the Indian Air Force planes and Force Motors for their ambulances,” she noted. The group is "studying the feasibility to put up a free quarantine center in Bombay’s eastern suburb of Bhandup by vacating a rented banquet hall,” she stated.
Due to the lower "cash inflow and decrease in liquidity, we have had to relook and cut down our stock levels… We had foreseen that this pandemic would not go away in 2020, so we have a Continuous Improvement Project to reduce cost and to reduce waste with standardization of process,” Aga noted.
The group manufactures rubber extruded products like door seals, window glass channels, windscreen weather strips for vehicles, radiator hoses and coolant conveying systems.