Welfare by WZO Trust

The construction of the eighth building by The WZO (World Zoroastrian Organisation) Trust Funds at Aspar Street in Navsari at a total estimated cost of Rs 86,00,000 is proceeding as per schedule, reveals a synopsis of the multifarious welfare activities in India conducted by The WZO Trust Funds and The World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust in 2010. A copy of this annual roundup was sent to Parsiana by the Trust’s chairman, Dinshaw K. Tamboly. Funding for the building came from the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Deed of Settlement Fund, the document notes. For rural housing the Trust, which had converted 118 huts into cottages till end-2009, completed 18 additional cottages in 2010. The approximate cost of upgrading one hut into a cottage is Rs 3,00,000.

In keeping with the Trust’s policy, 15 Zoroastrian farmers in 12 villages were rehabilitated during 2010 by sinking tube wells, giving them submersible pump sets, leveling fields, installing pipelines and providing seeds and fertilizers. The total cost for these activities worked out to Rs 22,77,251 in the past year. Self employment for 50 Zoroastrians was encouraged at 13 urban, semi urban and rural centers by providing assistance in endeavors like rickshaw plying, sub-broking, starting a gymnasium, photo studio, textile trading, tire dealership and setting up provision-cum-grocery stores. The cost of these initiatives in 2010 was Rs 1,08,88,000. Mobed welfare, education, medical and relief from poverty, running of senior citizen centers in Navsari and the sanatorium at Sanjan were other areas where the Trust extended help.

File photos of residential buildings in Navsari put up under the aegis of the WZO Trust Funds

Financial assistance was provided to enable indigent Zoroastrians, mainly elderly couples and widows in need of recuperation, to go on holidays. An annual gahanbar is funded from income generated from a generous corpus donation by the late Muljibhai Narsi of Bombay who held the community in high esteem. Encouragement is provided to youth, especially in south Gujarat to excel in sports by organizing an annual athletic meet in Navsari. The WZO Trust also sponsors a cricket team from Navsari and encourages players to participate in tournaments in Gujarat and Bombay. Students faring well academically are felicitated at a special function where teachers who have been in the profession for 25 years and more are also honored. At a Trust sponsored get-together in Navsari on Khordad Sal, Zoroastrian residents display their talent by participating in the games and contests and generally have a good time.

The WZO Trust gratefully acknowledges the role of the "main pillars of encouragement, motivation and support” for its welfare activities, listing them as: Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao; Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Deed of Settlement Fund, Bombay; Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Bombay; Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust, Bombay, World Zoroastrian Organisation, London for raising funds from the Erach and Roshan Sadri Foundation of UK; Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America; Mancherji E. Joshi Trust, Bombay; and executors of the estate of late Jehangir Burjor Marshall in Bombay. The Trust also invites donations for its projects which may be sent by cheque/draft to The World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust or The WZO Trust Funds at Shanti, 5th Floor, 6, Banaji Street, Fort, Bombay 400001. Both trusts are authorized to receive funds from overseas under the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act 1976. Donors in India are eligible for exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.