Dear Members of our respected Zoroastrian Community.
The Managing Trustees of Mancherji Edulji Joshi Memorial Trust Wishes all our dear Zoroastrain Brethren A Very Happy Jamshedi Nawroze, in health and happiness with your dear ones. And may DAADAAR keep Covid-19 at safe distance from you and your dear ones.
Dear Brethren, The year 2022 was comparatively a much better year for our Food Scheme Members compared to 2020/21. In 2022, the trust was able to reach out to 100% members registered with the trust, with daily tiffin services, breakfast, brunch and monthly ration services throughout the year, taking advantage of the relaxations given by the Government from time to time.
We were forced to suspend our services or give partial services for many in 2020/21, as per the Lockdown orders. As no tiffin services were permitted to operate. Credit goes to the Trust Members, Trust Officials, The Caterers and the Delivery team, who were able to provide services to the poor and infirm without a single day’s break throughout 2022.
We are now once again approaching all Zoroastrian Brethren for donation towards the ‘FOOOD SCHEME’ which we run for old and infirm Members of our Community.
There are many old and infirm members in our community, neglected by the Society, some of them by their own children and family, and who are fighting for their survival. Who need your attention. Most of them are frail, weak and bed ridden and do not have even strength to go to the roadside food stall to eat and depend on their neighbours to bring some food for their survival.
The Food Scheme is run by Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust, to feed such old and poor infirm of our community, which not only supervises the cooking of the food, but also deliver the same to the community members through Dabbawallas.
We are fortunate enough to get good donations past many years, which has helped us run the above Facility for deserving Zoroastrians.
Today the Trust provides 65/70 Old and Infirm with daily tiffin services, to provide two times meal, Doongarwadi Staff with Breakfast, and 28 families are provided with monthly Food Grain Ration, mid-day meals to poor Parsi students.
The Trust also provides meals to Parsi Infirmary, Navsari and Bai Dosiben Kotwal Parsi Boys Orphanage, Navsari on Jamshedi Nawroze. The Trust also provides special meals on Parsi New Year to Dasturs and Helpers at Rustom Framana Agyari, Dadar on Jamshedi Nawroze.
The annual expenses of running the Food Scheme for above deserving members of the community comes to Rs 37.50 Lakhs.
As on 31st December 2022, the cost of feeding all the members of the Food Scheme for one day comes to Rs 10,500.
Your generous contribution will help us in reaching out to our poor brethren.
Our Trust is a Public Registered Trust, registered with the Charity Commissioner, under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.
The Trust Accounts are duly audited and filed with the Charity Commissioner and every donor, small or big, is issued a receipt. We also provide 80G Tax Exemption certificate so that Donors can avail of IT reduction towards the donated amount, while filing their tax returns.
On behalf of the Trust, I appeal for your generous support to our Food Scheme. Your donations can be made by Cheque in favour of “Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust”.
Request all to Kindly give widest possible publicity to this appeal, by forwarding the same to your family members and friends, to get maximum support to this noble cause.
We have now added a new scheme into our Food Scheme.
We have started a facility now, where in, Donors desiring to donate food on a particular day, may be a happy occasion in the family, Birthday, Navjote, or a Lagan, or a remembrance day, can do so by paying Rs 10,500 per day. We will distribute the Food to the Food Scheme Members, on a particular day from your donation and communicate the members accordingly through flyers in each tiffin.
Hoping to receive favourable response from you to our appeal.
Wishing you all once again Very Happy Jamshedi Nawroze.
The WZO Trust Funds requests donors, friends and well-wishers to extend timely financial support towards medical treatment of Mrs. Roshan Bharucha resident of Dadar, Mumbai who is suffering from a very rare disease called MYELODYPLASTICITY SYNDROME (MDS) which is a rare type of blood cancer for which stem-cell transplant is required.
The applicant is a widow having a young son and daughter aged 27 & 26 years.
The applicant’s husband passed away in 2018 on account of Liver Cancer and Cirrhosis with Hepatitis C which he was suffering from since 2010. During this period the family had spent Rs,3,500,000 for his treatment.
Ever since the applicant was diagnosed with MDS in 2019, she has already spent close to Rs.1,100,000 so far. The Mediclaim amount of Rs.500,000 has also been exhausted.
The estimated cost of treatment to be undertaken at Nanavati Hospital, which will be spread over a few months is as follows:
If the Donor Is a family Member:
Treatment
Cycles
Cost
Total
7 days Immunotherapy, followed by 23 days of oral medication and monitoring.
3
800,000
2,400,000
Stem Cell Transplant
2,000,000
Total
4,400,000
If the Donor is NOT a family Member:
Treatment
Cycles
Cost
Total
7 days Immunotherapy, followed by 23 days of oral medication and monitoring.
3
800,000
2,400,000
Stem Cell Transplant
5,000,000
Total
7,400,000
Upon request of the family, WZO Trust Funds have undertaken to collect donations on their behalf towards the medical treatment.
It is requested that cheques may be sent in the name of:
THE WZO TRUST FUNDS
and sent to Trust Office at:
C-1, Hermes House, 3rd Floor,
Mama Parmanand Marg,
Opera House,
Mumbai 400 004.
Donations can also be sent directly into the bank account of The WZO Trust Funds through NEFT / RTGS as under:
Name of Bank
DEUTSCHE BANK
Branch Address
DB House,
Hazarimal Somani Marg, Fort,
Mumbai 400 001
Account Title
THE WZO TRUST FUNDS
Account No.
400004256780019
Account Type:
Savings
IFSC Code
DEUT0784PBC
It may be noted that:
1) IFSC Code (DEUT0784PBC) is common for all Branches of Deutsche Bank in India. For example, if Khar Branch or any other Branch gets displayed while keying inputting this IFSC Code, please go ahead and complete the online transfer
2) After doing online remittance please inform us by e-mail on admin@wzotrust.com, and quoting your PAN details.
Donations to The WZO Trust Funds are eligible for exemptions under Income Tax Sec. 80G(5)
We look forward to receiving support from community members for this very urgent and deserving medical case.
We are pleased to share a short video (12 minutes) that was released yesterday (04 Jan) at a function held at Navsari to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The WZO Trust Funds – Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Centre, Navsari.
Thanks to the support received, financial as well as by way of good wishes, and cooperation extended by all, the first 25 years have not only gone by in a flash, but have also established our Centre as a role model of a vibrant institution where residents live as an extended family with self respect and dignity.
We are looking forward to your support and cooperation to reach further milestones in the future.
Parsi Times is delighted to announce that Noshir H. Dadrawala – one of the community’s most dynamic personalities, Zoroastrian Scholar, a globally renowned consultant on Charity Laws, a prolific writer, and our very own, much sought-after PT columnist – has been invited as a member of the Governing Council of the Bombay Stock Exchange’s (BSE) ‘Social Stock Exchange’.
BSE’s ‘Social Stock Exchange’ (SSE) is the first of its kind in India and will soon have nationwide trading terminals permitted to register Social Enterprises and / or list the securities issued by Social Enterprises. The SSE will list only securities that raise money for ‘non-profit’ or ‘for-profit’ ‘social enterprises.’
Speaking to Parsi Times on the occasion of this prestigious appointment, as member of the Governing Council of the BSE’s ‘Social Stock Exchange’, Noshir Dadrawala said, “It is both, an honour and privilege to have been invited to serve on this Committee along with other eminent professionals. The Social Stock Exchange is not a new idea from a global perspective. However, it is India’s first SSE and designed very differently. I personally see a lot of opportunity for genuine charitable organisations, both, in terms of enhancing their credibility as also to fund-raise. To be listed on the SSE will require organisations to meet very high and stringent standards of Capacity, Compliance and Capability. It’s a great journey to look forward to in 2023!”
A Social Enterprise means either a ‘Not-for-Profit Organization’ or a ‘For Profit Social Enterprise’ that meets the eligibility criteria specified by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). ‘Not-for-profit Social Enterprise’ includes charitable trusts, charitable societies, companies licensed under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act 2013 and any other entity as may be specified by the Board.
A ‘for-profit’ or ‘not-for-profit’ entity must first be identified as a ‘Social Enterprise’ by establishing primacy of its social intent. Corporate foundations, political or religious organizations or activities, professional or trade associations, infrastructure and housing companies, except affordable housing, will not be eligible to be identified as a Social Enterprise.
Getting listed on the SSE would entail going through a vigorous due-diligence processes. Once listed, it would be an important recognition and enhance credibility of the social enterprise. Social enterprises listed on the SSE will also be subject to regular audits to measure social impact and reports shall be disclosed to stakeholders just like for-profit, listed companies, on regular stock exchanges.
It is a story about a family’s love for their community and the lengths they went to.
I am writing about the Ostowari family of Sydney and especially Akhtar and Nawzar Ostowari.
Nawzer Ostowari
Akhtar Ostorawi
Akhtar was born in Kerman, Iran while Nawzar was born in Bombay and grew up in Poona.
Nawzar was one of 9 siblings, 6 boys and 3 girls.
Akhtar was sent to India from Iran when she was fifteen to get married. Nawzar’s father, her uncle, came to meet her at Poona station with all his sons. Akhtar famously narrated that on her arrival he lined them all up at Poona station and asked her to choose one for her husband. She chose Nawzar for his good looks. He did look like Omar Sharif as photographs show. Apart from his looks, Nawzar was a highly skilled and talented man. He was a glider pilot, a mechanical engineer, a very good photographer, an accountant and a natural with his hands. Apparently he was asked by the Shah of Iran to come and start a Glider training school in Tehran. Nawzar accepted this invitation and moved with his young family to Tehran.
In Tehran apart from running Glider training Nawzar also started a photography business and combined his aerial and photography skills to do photogrammerist work to produce maps for surveys done by oil companies of possible locations for oil exploration sites. His sister Shera had a daughter Marokh who was married to a Canadian oil driller working on the BHP Bass strait oil fields in the mid sixties. That induced Shera and her family to migrate to Australia. Shera’s husband Fereydoon had throat cancer and was dying. Nawzar decided to migrate to Australia to be with his sister to help out. Nawzar, Akhtar and the children came to Sydney in 1967. Nawzar bought a large house in 14, Nelson Road, Lindfield and put his inventive skills to work and started a successful Labels printing business in Australia.
When I came to Australia in 69 that house on Nelson Road, Lindfield was the focus of community meets. I landed at the start of the Labour Day long week end and went to visit Akhtar and Nawzar the next day. A knock on the door was opened by this beautiful lady who looked like Princess Soraya. It was Akhtar in her late 30s. I did not know her from a bar of soap but the warmth of her welcome was so overwhelming that as a stranger in a strange land I immediately felt at home. This was the magic she had on people. Nawzar and Akhtar’s generosity and hospitality did not just extend to me alone. I know of several families who stayed at their house in the first months of arrival until they had found work and could move out. This was a true Zoroastrian act, asking for nothing in return, they just got pleasure from giving!
I would visit Akhtar and Nawzar regularly. There were only about 20 Zoroastrians then but growing very slowly. One day when I visited, Akhtar said she was going to start a Zoroastrian Association and ask for government land for our community. At that time such allocations were being done in new suburbs like Terry Hills. We were between 25-30 people at this meeting. Some were brand new arrivals who I had not even met. After a discussion of the aims and objects we passed the hat around and close to a $1000 were collected with the Ostowaris putting in $500. The next day Akhtar went with Jehangir Mistry and Pervez Kolsawalla to register our association in the Corporate Affairs Commission office in Clarence Street, Sydney and AZA was born. This was also the occasion for the first “jashan” in Sydney with Zoroastrian hymns chanted by the late Jangoo Unwalla who was from a mobed family. A write up of this event based on material provided appears on the AZA website.
As the 70’s moved on the community grew. I lost touch with the Ostowaris and I got caught up in my work and moved to study in the UK. Cyrus, Akhtar’s eldest son, went to Texas to do a PhD and teach Aeronautical Engineering. Akhtar and Nawzar also went to the US and considered settling there but eventually decided against it.
When I returned to Sydney in 1981 I married Dinaz Sadri who got involved in fund raising with the Foundation Committee and other AZA activities. After a lot of both written and verbal communication, in 1982 a pledge was gained from the Guiv trust for US$60K to purchase land for a Darbe–Meher and community centre. To push for early release of these funds Akhtar and Nawzar rushed to California at their own expense to make direct representations to Dr Sarfe the chair of the Guiv trust. They also went to Canada to appeal to Mr Meherboon Zarthosty for funds. They got an encouraging hearing.
A debt free property of $143,500 with legals etc. of an extra $4000 was purchased by AZA by the end of 1985.
How was this possible? There were no funds from the Guiv or Zarthosty trusts and by Dec.1985 only 49K had been collected in community donations[1]?
The answer is straight forward.
The Ostowari family contributed the rest. Their contribution was given in stages at different times, by different members of the family and in different lots and therefore there is much confusion around how much they actually gave. What is clear is that Nawzar’s parents gave 15K of which receipts are available with the AZA. Akhtar and Nawzar gave 50K initially as per a note by Peshotan Katrak in his Memorial article to Nawzar in the December 2008 issue of Manashni. A further $1900 was given by the children bringing their total contribution to 66K+. An additional 12K+ was given which brings their major donor contribution to 78,927. This amount squares with the amount shown in a spreadsheet on pp4 of the Souvenir Issue published when the new Darbe-Meher was inaugurated in July 1994.
The funds collected to the end of Sep. 85 were:
Direct Ostowari Family contribution: $66K+
Community Donations $49K
Interest $8K
TOTAL (about) $124K
As the MC of that time was also looking for suitable property for a Community Centre, they felt they were short of funds by around 24K considering the prices prevailing for properties in those days. To back up this shortfall there is a communication by Dr. Boman Kalapesi (then MC President) to this effect. In the community there was a general expectation that any such shortfall would be made good from Guiv Trust funds which had already arrived in Sydney and were sitting in a Guiv Trust account in the Turramurra Branch of the Westpac Bank. However, by a turn of events this was not to be! Peshotan Katrak writes in the Manashni issue I mentioned earlier, that there were “protracted negotiations lasting 12 years” (starting from 1980, 1982 when the pledge was given, 1987 when the Deed of Release(DOR) was signed) to 1992 when funds were actually released to AZA. Unfortunately there is a false belief that the Guiv Trust released funds straight away for purchase of Annangrove property. Some believe that the funds were released when the DOR was signed which is again simply not true. In reality the precious funds were only released after AZA passed resolutions at an EGM in 91/92 to meet stringent Guiv Trust conditions to appoint trustees etc. to protect their donation.
So who made good the shortfall of close to 24K?
It was the Ostowaris.
How do I know this? Akhtar told us in 2011, when Dinaz and I were seeing her virtually every day that Nawzar did not want to miss out on purchase of the Annangrove property. A deposit had been paid which would be lost if AZA did not go to settlement like any conveyancing deal. Furthermore, to meet a stringent condition set by the Guiv trust that the AZA community should match their contributions as well, Nawzar made the decision to increase the Ostowari contribution to AZA. He also made contributions in other AZA members’ names to increase community contributions. Dinaz in fact remembers that one day in 1985 when I was at work we got a call from Nawzar asking if he could make a donation of 2-3K in our name. They were going round asking the old original AZA members to use their names. This indirect contribution done by the Ostowaris privately in other people’s names saved the day. It buffered the community contribution so strongly demanded by the Guivs and Zarthoshty Trusts, satisfied the strong preconditions and finally enabled AZA to purchase Annangrove.
In private conversations, 27 years after Annangrove was purchased, Akhtar spoke of this modestly, recalling the many hurdles they had faced. Furthermore we have to keep in mind that AZA’s records as minuted at the time are unreliable as they are incomplete and not all available. The MC in the past have claimed many times when questioned in AGMs that many minutes and other records have been lost or inadvertently destroyed.
A similar group of direct and indirect contributions were made by Nawzar Ostowari when money was collected for the new Darbe-Meher. However here there are well documented figures available of their generosity. Akhtar said that a family property was sold by Nawzar whose proceeds were used to fund these AZA donations.
In addition to their donations for the purchase of Annangrove and the building of the new Darbe-Meher the Ostowaris gave material things such as Fridges, Ovens, Stoves, Pressure Cookers and so on both for the old and the new building. There are people still alive who went with Akhtar to purchase these things. In addition to this, Nawzar worked night and day come rain, come shine to oversee the construction of the new Darbe-Meher. The landscaping at the front, namely the rockery and the fountain were his pet projects. I have some photographs of the building getting constructed which I will post with this article.
As if this was not enough of Ostowari contributions, Cyrus Ostowari built, all by himself, the beautiful furniture in the library and paid for all the materials and quality timber. The shelving, the tables and chairs are all done by Cyrus. But there is more. The pergola at the back of the Darbe-Meher with the paving was designed and built by Cyrus with the help of the Working Bee group. Special timber was ordered and paid for by Cyrus from a timber yard in Orange. There are back issues of Manashni that the curious can look up on this. We don’t know what Cyrus spent on these two projects but the raw materials themselves would have been over at least $10K- he never accepted any reimbursement for his expenses.
Further to all this contribution Akhtar did three more major things for AZA.
First, as a major donor she chaired the joint MC and Trustees meetings at which improvements and maintenance matters were discussed and funded. It was not just chairing as most of the time she was the first port of call for funding. Putli has told me that she carried $1000 in cash every time she went to AZA and spent it as she saw fit. There is no accounting for the total spent by her in this. Even if we take one visit a year (which is totally absurd) then over 40 years it amounts to $40K. We know she went at least once a month.
Second, she started with Dinaz the highly successful monthly Seniors program in 2008 after Nawzar’s death. This program is still running (with a name change!). At the Seniors meet alone she came with fruits, nuts, yogurts and other goodies of close to $100. For every prayer meet held at the AZA she would discreetly donate anything from 100-to 500/- dollars.
Finally as an outgrowth of the Seniors, Dinaz and Akhtar conceived of building a new modern commercial fully fitted out kitchen to replace existing facilities which were inadequate for feeding so many people monthly as also creating a modern facility suitable for the growth of an expanding, burgeoning community. The funding was kicked off by Putli whose generosity resulted in her being named a Major Donor by AZA. Again, we will never know the exact amount spent on the kitchen. A separate account was opened with $244K+ deposited over time but in addition many cash ex-gratia payments were made by Akhtar. A lavish inauguration jashan was funded by Akhtar attended by 425 guests with food and drink and catering to both Indian and Iranian menus. I estimate that as some teething repairs also have to be taken into account a figure of $280K-ish would be near the actual cost of the new kitchen.
Note that the new kitchen has been a great success and it is used by both AZA for its functions and rented out for private navjote and wedding functions. It provides income to AZA as it is separately charged when booked.
Finally it would be amiss of me not to mention individual charities, scholarships, medical bills, and other good works of Akhtar. Many AZA members visited her and she discreetly helped all.
So far I have mentioned how Akhtar, Nawzar, Cyrus and Putli have donated to AZA. The final one to mention is Kaikhosrov’s contribution. If you enter AZA from the front door, then in the porch outside the front door sit two beautiful solid marble sculpted lions. These were donated by Kaikhosrov, and are very valuable costing tens of thousands of dollars each.
It is amazing to find that one family has shown such munificence and generosity.
No one else comes anywhere close.
There are no also–rans and it is highly unlikely that there ever will be. The mighty heart of this one family is self evident. I do hope it stands as a beacon to inspire future generations.
All up they have given well over half a million dollars.
Of course there will be the knockers, “gold-coinwallas” as I call them who give a gold-coin and ask for a receipt. They will want to knock off a dollar here and there of my figures. To them we have to say that we will never know the actual amount given by the Ostowaris and what we give here is a low end estimate.
For the Ostowaris’ actions one can only dwell on an interpretation of a part of the Yatha Varyo which says that:
“Happiness comes from making others happy”
By being instrumental in buying and developing Annangrove, lots of happy events have been held for the Zoroastrian community and many people have been happy.
I started this piece saying this was a love story. You can see after reading it why, for unless the Ostowaris truly had a love for their AZA community, they would never have bothered. They could have simply enjoyed their life and their money in peace and quiet and done nothing for us. After all there are other wealthier Zoroastrians in Sydney, who do little to nothing for AZA and that is their call. Two generations of the Ostowari family were not only generous they are truly unique!
Paradoxically ZAV started in Melbourne about the same time as AZA but they regret that till today they do not have a place of their own as ‘finance is a problem’ and doubts they will ever get one. Their President rues this fact in the June 2022 issue of Parsiana. Why? I say because they did not have far sighted visionaries like the Ostowaris championing their cause. The same could be said for Perth or Adelaide or Auckland.
Putli
Kaikhosrov
I believe my life was enriched in being fortunate enough to know the Ostowari family so well and today where the community is we can truly say that:
“We stand on the shoulders of giants”
In the Zoroastrian tradition there are four wonderful gathic hymns. They are: the Ashem Vohu, the Yatha Varyo, theAiryema Ishio and the Vengha Hatam. The first two all Zoroastrians know while the last two are known by few of us. The Airyema Ishio enjoins us to always remember and emulate the example of those people who have followed the good religion by doing good works. That is why we are asked to remember and never forget them and place them in our thoughts and in our prayers. I ask you my dear readers to do that, to remember Akhtar and Nawzar and Cyrus next time in your prayers.
Dinyar Mistry
[1] Ref. AZA House Inaugural Jashan Souvenir, Feb.9, 1985
Here is the link to the youtube video of the Asia Society program on the Doing Good Index and philanthropy.
For all those who missed attending this event live at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai last week, here is your opportunity to watch it at your convenience on YouTube.
Gain insight on where India stands on the Doing Good Index (challenges & opportunities) followed by an enthralling conversation between CEO of Godrej & Boyce Ltd Jamshyd Godrej; Founder and Managing Trustee of Swades Foundation Zarina Screwvala; and Managing Director of Bain Capital India Amit Chandra which was moderated by CEO of the Hong Kong-based Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) Dr. Ruth Shapiro.
The wisdom and experiences shared by the distinguished members of the panel is insightful and inspiring.
Covid-19 has exacerbated inequalities, and hard-won progress in social and economic growth has been undone. An estimated two-thirds of those newly forced into poverty live in South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific.
Despite significant hurdles during and after the pandemic, India’s social sector has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and stepped up in a multitude of ways to help those in need. Going forward, however, all parts of society—individuals, companies, government and the social sector—must work together to drive more resources towards building a better future. Governments must find a balance between regulations that support transparency and accountability of social sector organizations on the one hand, and ease of doing good on the other. Companies can help mitigate talent, capacity and funding shortages for nonprofits. Donors can step up by being nimbler in their giving for a more rapid and effective response.
Join us for a discussion on 27 July, 2022 featuring CEO of Godrej & Boyce Ltd Jamshyd Godrej, Founder and Managing Trustee of Swades Foundation Zarina Screwvala, and Managing Director of Bain Capital India Amit Chandra at the Hall of Harmony, Nehru Centre in Worli. The discussion will be moderated by CEO of the Hong Kong-based Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) Dr. Ruth Shapiro.
Dr. Shapiro will kick off the discussion with a brief presentation of the Doing Good Index 2022—a biennial CAPS study which spans 18 markets in Asia including India. The Index sheds light on the factors which enable or impede private social investment (which includes philanthropy, CSR and impact investing). It also offers insights on how India’s social sector and doing good ecosystem is faring in comparison to the rest of Asia. Significantly, it provides a roadmap for mitigating the trust deficit; leveraging local support; and facilitating cross-sector collaboration.
Following the presentation, the expert panel will discuss the extraordinary ways in which the social sector responded in India during and after Covid-19, and how to support nonprofit organizations going forward. They will also deliberate upon the broader shifts in the funding and regulatory landscape in India in recent times that have both helped and hindered the social sector. Panellists will provide their perspectives as India’s leading philanthropists on the policies and practices that can unleash more capital toward impact.
Jamshyd N. Godrej is the Chairman of the Board of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited. Godrej is the former Chairman of Ananta Aspen Centre (previously known as Aspen Institute India), Chairman & Trustee of Ananta Centre. He is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, India Resources Trust and Council on Energy, Environment and Water. He is also the Director of World Resources Institute, USA. In addition to being a Trustee of World Wide Fund for Nature – India, Godrej is also a Trustee of the Asia Society, USA. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society. In the past, he has served as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association. His profile of work also includes his Chairmanship at the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre. The President of India conferred on Godrej the Padma Bhushan award on 3rd April 2003.
Amit Chandra joined Bain Capital Private Equity in 2008 as a member of its Asia-Pacific leadership team. He is the founder and Chairman of its India office. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Chandra spent most of his professional career at DSP Merrill Lynch, a leading investment bank in India. He retired from DSP Merrill Lynch in 2007 as a Board Member & its Managing Director. Chandra has worked at India’s leading engineering & construction firm, Larsen & Toubro. Over the years Chandra has served on the Boards of many leading corporates and not-for-profit organisations including Tata Sons, Genpact, Ashoka University, Piramal Enterprises, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Akanksha Foundation, Tata Investments, and Give India. Along with his wife, he received the “Asia Heroes of Philanthropy Award” in 2016. In the year 2007, he was named by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader.
Zarina Screwvala is an Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 1990, Zarina co-founded United Television (UTV). She is an award-winning producer of numerous TV shows. From 2004 onwards she led UTV’s entry into the broadcast space where she created and launched several highly successful channels. In 2011, after UTV was divested to the Walt Disney Company, Zarina moved full-time to philanthropy, working to empower rural India through the Swades Foundation which she co-founded with her husband. The Foundation has a mission to empower 1 million lives every 5-6 years through a unique 360-degree development approach which includes Health, Education, Water & Sanitation and Economic Development. Along with her team, her work has positively touched 2,700 hamlets across the Raigad & Nashik districts of Maharashtra impacting over 748,000 people from 160,000.Zarina is deeply interested in philosophy, which she peruses as a member of New Acropolis Cultural Organization.
Dr. Ruth A. Shapiro is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive of the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS), a research and advisory non-profit organization based in Hong Kong and working throughout Asia. Dr Shapiro is the primary author of Pragmatic Philanthropy: Asian Charity Explained, published by Palgrave Macmillan in January 2018. She is the editor of The Real Problem Solvers, a book about social entrepreneurship in America. She also co-authored the book, Building Energy Efficiency: Why Green Buildings are Key to Asia’s Future. She has published articles in Nikkei Asia, the South China Morning Post, Alliance and Philanthropy Impact and is a regular speaker on issues related to private social investment in Asia. Dr. Shapiro founded the Asia Business Council and served as its Executive Director since its inception in 1997 until May 2007. She spent the early part of her professional career in the field of international development. Within this field, she held management positions and built new program areas at the Academy for Educational Development, the Harvard Institute of International Development and Global Outlook.
In Collaboration with:
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Time: 6.30 pm – 8 pm IST
Venue: Hall of Harmony, Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai
WZO Trusts are pleased to share for your viewing pleasure a 10 minute video that was screened at the recently concluded World Zoroastrian Congress held at New York (July 1 to 4, 2022).
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