The 4^th edition of Iranshah Udwada Utsav (IUU), held in late December 2024, concluded on a successful note, as did the earlier three editions. Each one earned accolades from most participants and attendees, as well as criticism from a few, some constructive and some not so.

Criticism is always best ignored so long as it is limited to a divergence of views. However, when criticism is aimed at individuals by critics who lack courage of conviction to add their real names and identities, but choose to denigrate and character assassinate individuals and cast aspersions on their integrity under the cloak of anonymity, can only be termed to be rank cowards. Mahatma Gandhi had rightly said: “Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out.

It is time therefore to speak up and refute what those displaying shameful lack of courage or fortitude write anonymously. We have been forwarded from a few sources a mail being circulated on social media (WhatsApp) without the name of the author/s reading as:

Since both the authors of this narrative have been accused of various charges of financial impropriety it is only proper that each one responds individually to specific canards ventilated in the mail above and lay bare facts that distinguishes fact from fiction.

Dasturji Khurshed K. Dastoor:

Clarifications in respect of IUU in particular:

1. The IUU event is organized by ‘Foundation for Development of Udvada’ (FDU); No individual or institution has a patent on use of the word ‘Iranshah’ or ‘Udvada’.
2. Funds to organize the event are contributed by the government as well as through advertising and sponsors who have all been satisfied, which is why they continue extending support repeatedly.
3. The funds raised are utilized towards the welfare of people of Udvada in general and Parsis in particular. A few illustrations of how funds have been deployed are:
   a) Setting up, upkeep and maintenance of Udvada’s ‘Zoroastrian Information Centre’ which provides information, history and contribution of the Parsi community to India’s development.
   b) Maintenance and upkeep of the magnificent entry gate to Udvada.
   c) Repairs and maintenance of the local police station in Udvada town, including roof.
   d) Donating an ambulance for use of Udvada’s residents.
   e) Supplying books and uniforms to children of P P Mistry High School, Udvada.

 

4. Please note that in none of the IUU write ups, has it ever been mentioned that funds are raised for Iranshah. However, Iranshah, as well as local Parsis who sell sandalwood and Kathi, have benefited with there being a marked increase in their turnover and thereby income, as the multitude that attend the IUU all visit Iranshah and make offerings. Perhaps Iranshah has the highest number of footfalls on the days IUU is held. Hotels & Dharamshalla’s at Udvada also enjoyed 100% occupancy during the event, which definitely boosted their incomes.
5. It may be noted that FDU is registered with the office of the Charity Commissioner, and has 80G permission which enables donors to claim tax exemptions. FDU accounts are all filed with the statutory authorities. The earlier three IUU editions were held in consultation and cooperation with the ‘Udvada Samasth Anjuman’ (USA) without any slander or canard being heaped on FDU. However, ever since new members have joined the USA committee, the serenity with which the earlier members used to function, has been disrupted.

Dinshaw K. Tamboly:

1. Allegation: None of the money collected has ever been received by the trust managing Iranshah! When questioned, Tamboly even threw Khurshed (his comrade in deception) under the proverbial bus, distancing himself from this year’s event.

Response: I have not distanced myself from IUU even though I could not attend the last event which was due to two occasions in the family, my granddaughters Navjote at Mumbai (21^st December, 2024) followed by my great granddaughters Navjote in Navsari (27^th December, 2024).

2. Allegation: If nothing else, this is a clear wake up call to Parsi donors across the globe. Please get a full account of where your hard-earned money is being used. Do not fall into the trap of glib talking and ppt/excel sheet waving “trustees”, look at the audited financials. If, despite raising money in the name of Iranshah for a decade, Tamboly and Khurshed have not given any fraction thereof to the trust managing Iranshah, what would be happening to the money raised for “Empowering Mobeds” (not a single new mobed initiated who knows the whole Yasna by heart)…

Response: Donors who have been entrusting their hard-earned funds to me (WZO Trusts) to undertake various welfare activities have been very satisfied with the levels of transparency & accountability. If the perpetrators of such a canard have any specific evidence to back up such a defamatory statement with evidence, they should have the courage to make it public along with their genuine name/s and be prepared that should their allegations not face the test of legal scrutiny, they would have to face the consequences that will follow.

Allegation: …“helping poor Parsis” (after 3 decades of work, poverty for a rapidly shrinking population has still not been eradicated) or “Medical aid”; one just shudders to think.

Response: Those who have made such a ridiculous statement are obviously unaware of realities. Team WZO Trusts enjoys the confidence of donors worldwide which enables them to raise funds annually for over 650 community members requiring medical assistance, 200+ students being supported in their academic pursuits (in India and overseas), over 500 economically challenged elderly, infirm and poor being supported through quarterly support, over 170 Mobeds being supported financially. Team WZO Trusts have successfully, over the last three decades, assisted in rehabilitating 500+ Zoroastrian farmers, replaced 340 huts into cottages, and extended financial support by way of interest-free loans to over 1,240 Zoroastrians towards their self-employment.

There can be no doubt whatsoever that those circulating such vituperative misinformation are plainly envious of what WZO Trusts have been doing for the community over the last three decades and are sitting in their ivory tower doing nothing except pounding away on their keyboards spreading negativity. Such individuals remind me of the Gujarati adage –   જેહ ના હાથ પગ નહિ ચાલે તેહના ખાલી મોના ચાલે (those whose hands and feet do not move, only their mouths move).

In Conclusion:

We are both aware that the price of success one has to pay is to bear the criticism of envy. Each individual has to decide the path they wish to walk on, either in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.