Towards Greater Entrepreneurial Successes

 Dear Readers,

Parsis are hailed as the pioneers of modern India, despite our minuscule numbers. We make for one of the most successful and smallest minorities worldwide – accounting for less than 0.005% of India’s population! Even so, we command unparalleled respect by all, as our achievements – erstwhile and current – stand out as tall and glowing examples of greatness in every field – especially in that which constitutes the very soul of a nation – it’s industry. And the one name that defines the very founding, growth and rise of India’s industrialization is Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata – regarded as the ‘Father of Indian Industry’.

As we pay tribute to his 185^th birth anniversary on 3^rd March, 2024 (Pg. 16), let us work towards renewing that indomitable Parsi spirit of enterprise, which is synonymous to our identity as a community. Speaking of the Parsi entrepreneurial spirit, we must commend the consistent efforts of the WAPIZ Sale for constantly encouraging and fostering small scale Parsi entrepreneurs, for thirteen years now. Held twice yearly, this leading community event provides the much-needed platform for small Parsi businesses to display their products and skills, in an atmosphere filled with camaraderie and joy.

Parsis are still revered as an industrious lot, driven by ambition. But, our love for entrepreneurship, like our population, seems to have seriously dwindled over time. Our industrious forefathers bequeathed us an entrepreneurial legacy that has held our reputation in good stead, in the hope that we would follow in their footsteps and ensure its perpetuity. We need to deliver upon this expectation and lead the way towards greater entrepreneurial successes, in gratitude for their contributions and for the sake of our oncoming generations. In the words of the great Jamsetji Tata himself, “If you cannot make it greater, at least preserve it. Do not let things slide. Go on doing my work and increasing it, but if you cannot, do not lose what we have already done.”

Have a good weekend!

 – Anahita