Countdown to the Congress

The early bird offer for delegate fees for the fast approaching 10th World Zoroastrian Congress (10WZC) to be held in Bombay on December 27-30, 2013 have been fixed at Rs 8,000 plus Rs 990 service tax per Indian delegate, and US $ 200 plus US $ 25 service tax for foreign delegates. From August 1 the price goes up to Rs 12,000 plus Rs 1,485 service tax per Indian delegate, while for those from overseas it will be US $ 300 plus US $ 37 service tax. These amounts are inclusive of all Congress proceedings, meals for four days and access to entertainment programs. Booking will stop once the quota for delegates is reached. No limit has been mentioned so far but estimates range at around 2,000.
According to a Press release received from the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) which is hosting the event, individuals or families wishing to register as delegates may visit www.wzcmumbai.com to view and fill the online registration form. Copies of the form will also be available at the BPP office (209, Dr D. N. Road, Fort, Bombay 400001; tel no: +91-22-22617421/22/23) and in every issue of The BPP Review, starting from April 2013.
The theme of the Congress is "Zoroastrianism in the 21st Century: Nurturing Growth and Affirming Identity,” mentions an earlier press release dated April 18 detailing the progress made by the apex body. The WZC describes its aim as "projecting the past into the future.” The venue is the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point.

NCPA,: venue for the 10th WZC

Envisioning about 50 sessions and panel discussions to be addressed by "eminent speakers and scholars from India and all over the world,” the morning segment of the Congress will "comprise keynote speakers and panelists” while the afternoon sessions "will be dedicated to breakout sessions, with experts speaking on topics as diverse as socio religious issues; lessons from history; youth affairs; arts, theater and law — aspects of community living; the correlation between rituals and religion; and a dedicated Iranian session.”
The list of speakers is still to be finalized. Differences between the trustees over the issue have resulted in the delay.
An exhibition "From Canton to Mumbai — The Story of Parsi Textiles” will showcase Parsi and Iranian textiles and costumes such as garas and tanchhoi saris, jhablas, ijars, embroidered shawls and traditional Zoroastrian garments from Yazd in Iran. The last were "worn by immigrant Zoroastrians from Iran (popularly referred to as the Iranis in India) when they arrived in Bombay in the 19th century.” The exhibition, the only certain item on the agenda so far, will also have a section on Canton from where Parsi merchants initially brought garas to Bombay, the press release mentions.
To mark the occasion the Alpaiwalla Museum in Khareghat Colony is being restored and refurbished to create better display areas for the more than 1,800 rare artefacts there.
The 10WZC’s chief sponsor is Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla, chairman of Serum Institute of India Limited and well-known stud farm owner with a donation of reportedly about Rs 2 crore (US $ 3,70,370). The House of Godrej is an event sponsor. Anyone interested in supporting the WZC through sponsorship may email the Organizing Committee at sponsorship@wzcmumbai.com