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With the support of India-based and overseas donors in response to their appeals, the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds (WZOTF) has distributed food grains totalling Rs 37.67 lakhs (USD 48,522) to 715 Zoroastrians affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic in various towns, villages and cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat, chairman Dinshaw Tamboly wrote in response to Parsiana’s queries. Under another scheme, applications received from 703 individuals financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic have "been evaluated and financial disbursements have begun to be made to individuals whose requests merit consideration,” he wrote. Applicants included salaried employees, those self-employed, agriculturists and even priests. "With offices shut, it was a major challenge for the trust’s administration team, sitting at home to collect and collate bank details of applicants, feeding them into the system, and thereafter making electronic remittances,” Tamboly stated. "I am extremely proud of every member of the team.”

 

 

 

 

 

Of the Rs 2.61 crores (USD 345,192) received as donations by WZOTF till June 9, 2020 Rs 1.41 crores (USD 186,451, 52%) came from Pervin and Jal Shroff of Hong Kong and Rs 80.75 lakhs (USD 106,812, 31%) from the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hongkong, Canton and Macao. A total of Rs 12.96 lakhs (USD 17,000) was received from the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America and Rs 10 lakhs (USD 13,227) came in from the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Deed of Settlement Fund, he noted. Covid-19 was a "challenge to test our courage and willingness to take it on, for it would not wait or look back,” Tamboly commented.
For how long will the assistance need to be given? "That will depend on the situation as it evolves post lockdown and how commercial enterprises emerge out of crisis,” he replied. "Support is being given to assist those affected in their hour of need and not for making them in any circumstances ‘charity dependent.’”