World Zarathushti Chamber Of Commerce
On 16th October, WZCC-Pune had organized an in-person Annual General Meeting at Hotel Shree Panchratna, Tadiwalla Road, Pune. This was the very first meeting which was physical meeting in stead of on virtual platform and got good response from the members and their guests of Pune chapter.
Addressing the gathering, Tehmasp Bharuca- Chapter Chair of WZCC-Pune welcome the guests and thank one and all for attending the meeting. In his inaugural address, Tehmasp mentioned that the Pune chapter was happy to put up an in-person meeting considering receding cases of COVID, easing restrictions and improving in pace of vaccination. For last two years, the meetings were held on a virtual platform and all were missing the opportunity to meet and mingle personally. He mentioned that all COVID-related stipulations are strictly followed ensuring the safety of the attendees.
Presenting the Annual Report of the activities carried out by the Pune chapter during the year, Tehmasp informed that couple of webinars were held and well attended by audiences all over. Starting with the webinar on the topic of Nuts and Bolts of Digital Marketing by young and dynamic speaker Parinaz Buhariwala, the next webinar was on Oral Hygiene and Dental Care by the husband and wife team of Dr. Taronish and Dr.Farzana Bharucha of Pearl White Dental Clinic at Mumbai and Pune. Thereafter, a very informative talk on the topic of the Journey of Dark Web- Riding the Wave- a guide to safe surfing on the internet was delivered by young and promising speaker Meherzad Motafram who is a partner of Proteq-me, holistic risk management and threat protection solution provider. Next in line was the webinar on Linked In which was very ably taken by Dinyar Mehta who is a Growth Hacker and Digital Marketer. He took Linkedin Masterclass to find out whether we are Linkedin or Linkedout. After this, the last webinar was by Rishi Gupta, Managing Partner with Shepherd’s Hill Group, Pune who spoke on an unsual topic of Where Not to Invest. This talk was also quite informative with tips for the audience.
Tehmasp also informed the audience that the next Global AGM of WZCC will be held in Pune on 7th and 8th of January,2022 and requested them to attend in large number and to also come forward with their views and suggestions for making the event grand success.
Next in line was introduction of new members who had joined Pune chapter during the year and they were asked to say in brief about their business/profession etc. Dr.Dilshad Patel (Dentist ), Mr. Mehernosh Bobinmaker ( from real estate ) and Adil Rustomjee ( writer ) from amongst the new members spoke about themselves. Mr. Bharucha informed that there are 90 members of Pune chapter consisting of 3 Corporate Life members, 40 individual life members and 47 individual ( annual ) members. He urged the audience to get more new members from Pune .
Thereafter, Mr.Bharucha presented audited accounts of the Chapter for the period ended 31st March,2021 which were unanimously adopted by the floor.
Mr.Xerxes Dastur- Hon. Treasurer of WZCC-India who specially came from Mumbai to attend the AGM spoke in detail about the new normal trend of work from home and the pros and cons of this method.
Next was the informative talk by Viraf Deboo- senior member of WZCC Pune and Director of WZCC-India. He spoke about the upcoming Global AGM of WZCC which is being held in Pune. The global even which is held every alternate year in India was last held at Lonavala in the year 2020 and thereafter it was hosted by UK on the virtual platform due to the onset of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed on physical meetings. So now for the year 2021 the turn is of India to hold the global AGM. The venue of the event to be hled in Pune during 7th and 8th of January will be The Ramada Plaza located at Hinjewadi near Balewadi Stadium on the beginning of Express way from Pune. This venue has international standard of banquets and enough rooms of different budget. Viraf explained the tentative format of the AGM—the first day starting with registration in the morning and Global AGM in the second half and talk by eminent speaker followed by entertainment programme of dance and music in the evening. Next day will start with networking/quitz, panel discussion and address by guest speakers. The evening will be Gala Award Nite when awards will be given to the Outstanding Zoroastrians in the field from amongst the entrepreneurs, professionals , social and youth icons. The audience will also be served with delicious meals through both the days with cocktails. Viraf informed that the Pune chapter Committee is looking forward for the volunteers to come forward to offer their services and suggestions . During the meeting few of them came forward and gave their names .
The AGM was concluded with vote of thanks from Farrokh Bhathena, member of the Working Committee of Pune chapter followed by delicious dinner and cocktails served by the Hotel Shree Panchratna.