The WZO Trust Funds Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Sanatorium at Sanjan has served as a cherished retreat for generations of Zoroastrians, offering not just comfort and affordability, but also the serenity of a verdant, eco-friendly environment. Beyond providing clean and comfortable accommodation, it has nurtured togetherness and well-being within the community.

With news of the Sanatorium’s proposed sale, members of the community have expressed a desire to better understand the vision behind this significant decision. Acknowledging the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of WZO Trusts towards the welfare of Zoroastrians in India and abroad, Parsi Times reached out to esteemed Chairman, Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly, who graciously shared answers to questions which capture the community’s sentiments, while honouring the Sanatorium’s enduring legacy.

PT: The Sanjan Sanatorium has been a cherished retreat for Zoroastrians for decades. Could you share the key reasons behind the decision to sell this property?

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly: The reason to dispose off the Sanatorium was taken after due consideration, based on prevailing realities, mainly our rapidly diminishing numbers. Community-centric institutions such as sanatoriums, dharamshallas, other boarding / lodging facilities at places such as Udvada, Valsad, Navsari etc. are affected on account of very poor occupancy and thus suffer continuous losses. Our Sanatorium, though a cherished retreat as you have referred to it, was not economical to maintain.

Over the last 5 years, the Average Income was Rs. 3.20 lakhs per annum, whilst the average expenditure on the upkeep of the estate was Rs. 12.60 lakhs per annum, as evident  from the statement below:

YEAR	INCOME (Rs.)	EXPENSES (Rs.)
2020-21	1,81,110.00	7,93,765.00
2021-22	3,32,370.00	8,42,115.00
2022-23	3,71,110.00	14,96,679.00
2023-24	3,56,240.00	15,02,032.00
2024-25	3,51,049.00	16,78,754.00
TOTAL	15,91,879.00	63,13,345.00

The average utilization of beds was just 10.95%. Trustees therefore unanimously held the view that it would be more prudent to monetize a non-performing asset and utilize the proceeds towards various other worthy causes like providing relief from poverty, distributing food grains to the indigent, extending support towards medical needs for our aging and ailing community, encouraging the pursuit of education, encouraging entrepreneurship and other charitable activities.

PT: The Sanjan Sanatorium has played a vital role in fostering community bonding and well-being. Many in the community will miss the greenery and peaceful retreat offered by the Sanatorium.

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly: The Trusts’ efforts were to provide a peaceful retreat to those availing the facilities, but with the income-to-expenditure ratio being heavily lopsided, there was no option but to take the decision to monetize the asset and utilize it for productive purposes.

PT:  Will the proceeds from the sale be utilized to further strengthen WZO’s charitable and community-focused initiatives, ensuring that the Sanatorium’s spirit of service lives on? How does the decision to sell the Sanatorium reflect WZO’s commitment to channel resources where they can have the maximum impact for Zoroastrians today?

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly: As shared earlier, the decision to sell this asset was reached after careful consideration of present-day realities, and only after consulting the original donors and obtaining their consent. At WZO Trusts, every step we take is guided by transparency and accountability – informing and engaging our benefactors who so generously support our diverse, community-focused initiatives, while ensuring that the broader and long-term interests of the community always remain paramount.

PT: There have been some adverse reactions to the decision to dispose off the property. What would your response be to the nay sayers?

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly: In a democracy each one is entitled to express their views. We have taken the decision based on our objective assessment of prevailing ground realities. We firmly believe that our decision will largely benefit our community in various areas, when compared to the loss of an institution that was a drain on resources.

PT: WZO’s work is globally respected. How do you see this decision strengthening WZO’s ability to serve both, the local and global Zoroastrian community in the years ahead?

Mr. Dinshaw Tamboly: Over the decades, WZO Trusts are recognized by donors worldwide for the policies they pursue – transparency and accountability, dealing in a humane manner with beneficiaries keeping intact their self-respect and dignity and shall continue to do so in the same vein.

The Sanjan Sanatorium will always remain a treasured part of community memory, having served generations with comfort and care. While its closure marks the end of an era, the decision to repurpose its value reflects WZO Trusts’ unwavering commitment to channel resources where they can make the greatest impact. Guided by transparency, accountability and compassion, WZO Trusts continue to uphold its mission of uplifting Zoroastrians in India and worldwide, ensuring the Sanatorium’s spirit of service lives on.