The Pune Chapter of World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) held a packed, gala Members’ Nite, on 18^th June, 2022, at a hotel. The members met after a gap of over two years due to pandemic restrictions and enjoyed the almost 4-hour long event, relishing fine conversations, cocktails and cuisine. Attending dignitaries included WZCC Global President – Captain Percy Master, India Region President – Behroze Daruwalla, CEO – Aspi Antia, Xerxes Dastur – International Director, Trustee of BPP and Chapter Chair of Mumbai; Jamshed Mistry – Vice-Chair of Mumbai,  Viraf Deboo – International Director, Porus Dadachanji – Director India Region and many senior members from Pune and Mumbai Chapters, and guests.

Tehmasp Bharucha – Chapter Chair, Pune, gave a warm welcome address and briefed the audience about the activities of Pune Chapter. Keynote speaker, Noshir H. Dadrawala – CEO, Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy, enthralled the audience with his informative talk on ‘Zoroastrian Ethics & Values as Drivers of Success in Business or Profession’. He touched upon the scientific side of our great religion, explaining its relevant even after thousands of years. The ethos and principles preached by our prophet Zarathustra are and will remain the guiding force in our professional and business world. He praised the working of Pune Chapter and thanked all for felicitating him.

Captain Percy Master felicitated Armene Modi from WZCC-Pune, awardee of the Outstanding Zoroastrian Social Entrepreneur Award, 2021, for her outstanding work in Pune’s rural areas via her NGO – Ashta No Kai (ANK) – which successfully transformed the lives of thousands of women and girls across 10 villages.

Newly elected trustees, who are part of WZCC, Xerxes Dastur and Adil Malia (BPP) and Tehmasp Bharucha and Yezdi Motiwalla (Poona Parsi Panchayat), were felicitated, alongside Captain Percy Master on his elevation as WZCC Global President, Behroze Daruwalla as India Region President, Viraf Deboo as Director on the International Board and Porus Dadachanji as Director, India Region.

Captain Master praised the Pune Chapter and lauded the good work done by Armene Modi. He explained various steps initiated by WZCC to provide funding for start-ups and education scholarships and appealed to Zoroastrians and specially to the youth to come forward to avail these opportunities. Viraf Deboo encouraged the growth and participation of members in the Pune chapter to further the promotion of trade, commerce and networking.

Farida Deboo gave a cordial vote of thanks to the Keynote speaker, the dignitaries and audience and emphasized Noshir Dadrawala’s saying in that we have to live the religion and experience the power of religion in the successful approach for business and profession.