One of the community’s most looked forward to events – the WAPIZ Sale, was successfully held over 24^th – 25^th February, 2024, at Cama Baug, under the leadership of Anahita Desai and team members. For over 13 years now, WAPIZ has been organising this sale, twice a year – before the two most auspicious occasions of Parsi New Year in August and Jamshedi Navroze in March, at Cama Baug’s small and bit otlas. This year saw the participation of over 100 stall holders, offering all household and utility items, including foods, which are unique and typical to Parsi/Irani households. A huge encouragement for the community’s small-scale entrepreneurs, the WAPIZ sale has been serving as an excellent platform for Parsis to meet and greet while shopping for their favourite items, with many coming down from far-away suburbs too.

Fashion Designer Ashdeen Lilaowalla presided as Chief Guest this year, inaugurating the event, alongside Dasturji Keki Ravji Meherjirana who showered his blessings for its success. In his speech, Ashdeen shared his journey and encouraged budding entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.

Speaking to Parsi Times on the occasion, Chief Guest Ashdeen Lilaowala shared, “It was an honour for me to be a part of this lovely event which has been ongoing for over twelve years now. It’s truly a commendable initiative, encouraging entrepreneurship in the community amongst the young and old small-scale entrepreneurs, via this lucrative platform which showcases their skills and boosts not just their products but also their confidence. The WAPIZ Sale is now like a bi-annual community tradition, which everyone looks forward to. It fosters a sense of community-building and supports the Parsi spirit of entrepreneurship – especially inspiring young entrepreneurs.”

Ensuring good infrastructure and aesthetics to best showcase the products of participating entrepreneurs and their comfort, WAPIZ designed a uniform look for tables with skirtings, offered free tea and water to participants, and ensured cleanliness and hygienic conditions. Recently appointed WAPIZ Trustee, Feroze Sethna, gave away a free hamper of five of his newly launched drinks to all hundred participants.