WZCC Hong Kong – By Nadir Godrej

17th December 2016

 

A new millennium was about to dawn

Seventeen years ago.

An organisation was then born

But little did we know

 

That where community seniors led

Everyone would go

And WZCC would spread

And over the years would grow.

 

And I was there to sing it’s praise

On that fateful day.

And back to Houston if we gaze

This is what I did say,

 

“The Internet is now at hand

And all can have a shot,

If only we can understand

What latest trend is hot.

 

Now Parsis are spread everywhere.

And they can choose their land.

If you in the Diaspora dare

Then once again we’ll stand

 

In the big league of enterprise

Renowned in every place.

I know we can attain the prize

If we just join the race.”

 

What I said then, has now come true

The Internet is hot.

Disruptive models that are new

Can strike at any spot.

 

And politics is not immune,

Big data plays a role.

It’s possible to fine tune

A message for a goal.

 

And truth is of no consequence

In using this technique.

And lies that seem to make some sense

Are all that readers seek.

 

Both Trump and Brexit won this way

And Russia played its hand.

What will come next we cannot say

But we must understand

 

The world’s becoming very strange

And nothing is for sure,

Except that we will see much change

A fact we must endure.

The markets took an upward bump

Much to my surprise.

They very warmly welcomed Trump

But still it would be wise

 

Not throwing caution to the wind

And being circumspect.

For mavericks cannot be pinned.

Who knows what to expect?

 

Indeed it may turn out quite well

And yet an ill thought tweet

Could be enough to quickly fell

The euphoria on Wall Street.

 

And climate change will be denied

And coal and oil will gain.

An energy rush will be supplied

But followed by great pain

 

Unless businesses take the lead

With green technology.

Fortunately they can succeed

For certainly we’ll see

 

Technology that paves the way

For a future that is green.

Technology can save the day.

Great progress will be seen.

November eighth is the date

That saw the rise of Trump.

But on that date, such is our fate

Our Mody chose to dump

 

All bigger notes. He thought it bold

With just a little pain.

The economy began to fold

With little sign of gain.

 

Most benefits were soon disproved.

The opposition screamed.

The goalposts then were quickly moved.

To most of us it seemed

 

The secrecy was overdone,

The planning was at fault.

The endless pain was no fun.

Our wounds were rubbed with salt!

 

The GST might be delayed,

A heavy price to pay.

And when the pros and cons are weighed

There’s little good to say.

 

And China’s debt is mounting high.

The risks are growing fast.

All sorts of props they can try,

I doubt their growth can last.

And China says that it is one.

Its military is strong.

But Trump will try and have his fun

And who will say he’s wrong?

 

Trump now thinks he is the boss

And boldly spoke to Tsai.

Convention then went for a toss.

And what will he now try?

 

Of course I may well be wrong

But Trump could up his game.

His next call might be Hong Kong,

Much to China’s shame.

 

World affairs will zig and zag.

And business must adjust

Quite rapidly without a lag

Or they might well go bust.

 

Sudden change will come about

And some will see a threat

But others will then work it out.

The challenge will be met.

 

Entrepreneurs must be prepared

For a changing world.

They can’t be unduly scared

As new threats are unfurled.

Agility will be required

And innovation too.

Entrepreneurs should be inspired

By trying out what’s new.

 

But those in WZCC

Have nothing much to fear.

For everyone can clearly see

That here there’s much to cheer!

 

New training courses are at hand

To help the members out.

Experienced hands that understand

Show how to get about.

 

Experts are there to give advice.

And they know how to spot

Young talent, which is very nice.

The awards that they have got

 

Encourage them to rise and shine

And serve the community.

All this of course is very fine

I hope that we will see

 

That these awards will quickly bring

More youngsters in the fold.

I also hope the Women’s Wing

Will make our Ladies bold.

Those with drive might need a skill

As well as good advice.

A course in business basics will

Most certainly suffice.

 

When they see it can be done

Some novices will try.

Though it is hard, it can be fun.

Soon more will try to fly.

 

As a consequence of the China trade

Parsis came to Hong Kong.

And their philanthropy’s what made

This city very strong.

 

Star Ferry had a Parsi role

As did HSBC.

Hormusje Mody’s funding goal

Was the University.

 

And to this day they are known

For their Philanthropy.

Their global charity has grown.

A model for all to see.

 

What better place for us to meet

Than beautiful Hong Kong.

If we work hard and stay upbeat

We will be very strong.

 

 

Our numbers now are in decline

But our impact could be great.

If we try hard, we will be fine

Let’s not think it’s our fate.

 

A prize might stimulate the mind.

Good thoughts should be applauded.

Solutions we will surely find

If action is rewarded.

 

And some day at a future meet

We will cross a million.

That would be quite a feat.

But there’s no hope for a billion!

 

Our journey has been truly great

From Houston to Hong Kong.

Together we can contemplate

Becoming very strong!