It was in the last month of the 20^th Century – December 2000 just before the onset of the 3^rd millennium that a bright spark gave birth to a noble and Global Organisation called WORLD ZARATHUSHTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (WZCC). This shining star has been in existence since the last nineteen & a half year and has been performing successfully in the service of our Community.

It is gratifying to note that our worthy predecessors selflessly devoted their time, energy and money for the benefit of our Community at large. They gave us on a silver platter Housing, Educational Institutions, Medical facilities and many more facets of life, that too in abundance. Moreover Industrialists like Tata, Godrej, Wadia and many others provided the Community a honest means of livelihood for times immemorial.  We proudly salute them for their spirit of dedication and commitment.

However, besides these worthy benefactors there have been well accomplished individuals who have contributed towards making our Community vibrant and achieve economic prosperity. We therefore cannot thank enough the Global -Founder President of WZCC  – Mr Rohinton Rivetna, who is now Global President Emeritus. He with his foresight & along with his equally accomplished team established this Organisation. He laid a very distinguished and firm foundation so as to keep the spirit of Entrepreneurship/ Professionalism active and achieving milestones as time goes by.

The “Preamble” of WZCC world body quoted below gives an insight for all to understand the essence with which it was conceived.

“COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ENTREPRISE ARE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS OF HUMANKIND. PROFESSIONALISM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, COMMERCE & BUSINESS ENTERPRISE FOUNDED ON PRINCIPLES OF GOODNESS, HONESTY, CHARITY HAVE BEEN ZARATHUSHTI HALLMARK RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE INTERMINGLING OF ZARATHUSHTI HISTORY AND COMMERCE DURING THE PAST TWO CENTURIES IS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT AN ESSENTIAL INGREDENT OF PROSPERITY OF THE ZARATHUSHTI COMMUNITY ARE ITS PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND ENTREPRENEURAL ACHIEVEMENTS.

WORLD ZARATHUSHTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS THUS ESTABLISHED TO KEEP ALIVE THE SPIRIT OF ZARATHUSHTI ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM. ITS MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE TRADE AND COMMERCE, PROVIDE A LINKAGE BETWEEN ZARATHUSHTI PROFESSIONALS, ENTREPRENEURS AND FINANCIERS AND BE THE CATALYST, SO THAT THE ZARATHUSHTI COMMUNITY MAY REMAIN VIBRANT FOR CONTINUING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, BY THE GRACE OF AHURA MAZDA.”

It is heartening to note that the above mentioned Preamble has been continuously followed with the same zeal and sincerity of purpose which was ingrained since it was formulated years ago. Here again we need to express our gratitude to one more extremely well accomplished individual who is none other than Mr Minoo R. Shroff who was also the Global President of WZCC and is now Global President –Emeritus. He is the individual who raised this Organisation to greater heights in all the spheres of its activities. In his tenure, the Global Community became increasingly aware of WZCC and its achievements.

Over the years excellent individuals have given their might for the growth of this Chamber of Commerce – the only Chamber effectively existing in our Community. Even now all the concerned officials have effectively contributed so as to enhance the basic essence so aptly stated in the Preamble.

ACTIVITIES OF WZCC

This Global Organisation has a very wide spectrum of activities spanning across all the relevant aspects of Trade, Commerce & Industry, Entrepreneurship & Professionalism. All these activities are enumerated below :

1. Chapters across the World organize Events covering Trade, Business, Commerce, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Professionalism.

2. Entrepreneur Development Programmes.
3. Training Programs for Entrepreneurs and Professionals.
4. Business Plan Contests
5. Annual Regional Meetings.
6. Annual Global Meetings in India and Abroad.
7. Honouring Outstanding Entrepreneurs / Professionals through Annual Awards
8. Establishment of “WE” – Women Entrepreneur Wing _ Organizing Events for their special needs.
9. Establishment of “YOUTH” wing.
10. Formation of Business Advisory Committee.
11. Extending financial support to promising small and medium size business Enterprises / Professionals for Start-Ups and business growth – in collaboration with WZOTF (World Zoroastrian Organization Trust Fund).
12. Creation of Zoroastrian Faculty Network with focus on students going abroad for further studies.
13. Talks / Lectures by Celebrities / Leaders from well-known Business Houses and others like TATA, GODREJ, CITIBANK, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, EX-SHERIFF OF MUMBAI, Lord Karan Billimoria, Lord Meghnad Desai and Senior Consulate Staff of various countries, together with world renowned scientists.
14. Talks on Leadership / Discipline by Ex-Senior Defense Officials of our Country.
15. Events covering Health Issues by eminent individuals.
16. Speeches by Social Entrepreneurs.
17. SynergyZ a crown jewel of WZCC in terms of Annual exclusive business journal having articles by Leading, Successful, Experienced Entrepreneurs / Professionals.
18. Publication of Book on “Management”.
19. Organizing “Zoroastrian Shark Tank” Event for Promising Business Youth.
20. Members of IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry
21. Events to provide Networking for mutual benefit.
22. MOU with Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
23. Field visits to gain practical perception.
24. “Coffee with WZCC” is an effective mode of Communication – particularly amongst Youth.
25. E-Blasts connect people worldwide.
26. WZCC along with Fezana has formed “Zarathushti Entrepreneurship Development Foundation” – a new independent entity to enable Funding of Entrepreneurs in North America.

The aforesaid scenario indicates sufficiently the value that one could derive from such an ever active, vibrant and robust Chamber Of Commerce.

Any member of this Chamber can therefore have a very broad perception and gain immense knowledge, expertise, business contacts, networking which will ultimately result in actual increase in the quantum of his/her business growth, volume of customer base, which will ultimately result in improving the bottom-line – namely profits.

However, one should of course note that he/she has to take initiative and make efforts to grow & prosper. All the concerned officials, past & present, have given their sweat & blood and have personally contributed their time, energy and financial resources for the growth of this useful & prestigious Organisation. The members therefore can contribute further and in turn receive benefits out of their membership. In fact several members in the past have gratefully acknowledged the assistance they have received in various forms from this world body.

Coming to the most recent Global scenario, it is now an established fact that the Corona Virus will have a big adverse impact to all job seekers in the Corporate world. This has been well recognised and accepted by Industrialists across the Globe. It is therefore the right time for individuals to shift to the world of Entrepreneurship and become masters of their own. Opportunities are galore and will continue to grow. WZCC will therefore be an excellent entity to create successful Entrepreneurs and Professionals. In times of crises, like what we have been experiencing the world over, almost all business entities will certainly go for cost-cutting, will reduce their manpower and various overheads. They will have to, by force, think of innovative approaches to improve the quality of their products, supply chain, marketing network and add values keeping ultimately customers’ interest in mind. Unless this is done they will cease to exist.

WZCC, therefore, will welcome with open arms individuals of our Community, to become its Member, and those who are genuinely interested in expanding their horizon and become successful Entrepreneurs and Professionals. The present team of dedicated officials in India as well as in various Chapters abroad are well qualified, very well experienced and successful to guide and hand-hold its Members and lead them to their final GOAL which is “SUCCESS’.

WWW.WZCC.ORG

BY ADI B SIGANPORIA – GLOBAL CORPORATE SECRETARY – WZCC