History
WORLD ZARATHUSHTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BUILDING THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
History
Industry and commerce are the building blocks of a nation’s economic progress. It has always been a matter of great pride for our community to know that the seeds of trade and industry in India were sown in the early 1800s by Parsi Zarathushtis. Though minuscule in number, Zarathushti entrepreneurs were recognized as bold, enterprising, intelligent and, above all, honest and dependable. The industrial houses — Tata, Wadia, Godrej and the Shapoorji Pallonji group — all starting from humble beginnings, are remarkable examples of our community’s entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and dedicated efforts at creating wealth with integrity. While creating wealth for their varied enterprises these stalwarts also generated huge employment opportunities and never hesitated in giving back to the community and society at large, sizeable portions of their wealth, through well-conceived philanthropic organizations. Big industrial houses apart, Zarathushtis have been successful in identifying opportunities in the small scale sector and in niche areas and converting them into successful business ventures. Small businesses and professional services are best suited for our community’s psyche. Since the 1950s however, a gradual shift has set in within the community, as the youth concentrating on higher education, began moving away from enterprise to more lucrative career options in the corporate world. Whether it was the security of a steady job or the attraction of higher immediate rewards and recognition or the lack of the right political environment, the community was gradually moving away from entrepreneurship, which was its hallmark till then, to the secure avenues of employment. It was with the idea of reversing this trend and rekindling the spirit of enterprise within the community, that World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), the first of its kind, was conceived. The Chamber was incorporated in the State of Illinois, USA in December 2000, by a core group of Zarathushtis under the leadership of Rohinton Rivetna.
The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) was established by and for members of the community by Mr. Rohinton Rivetna (Global Founder/President of WZCC, who is now Global President Emeritus), to facilitate networking, increase trade, commerce and economic welfare. He, with his foresight & along with his equally accomplished team, established this organization. He laid a very distinguished and firm foundation so as to keep the spirit of Entrepreneurship/ Professionalism active and achieving milestones as time goes by. The “Preamble” of WZCC quoted below gives an insight for all to understand the essence with which it was conceived.
History
Industry and commerce are the building blocks of a nation’s economic progress. It has always been a matter of great pride for our community to know that the seeds of trade and industry in India were sown in the early 1800s by Parsi Zarathushtis. Though minuscule in number, Zarathushti entrepreneurs were recognized as bold, enterprising, intelligent and, above all, honest and dependable. The industrial houses — Tata, Wadia, Godrej and the Shapoorji Pallonji group — all starting from humble beginnings, are remarkable examples of our community’s entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and dedicated efforts at creating wealth with integrity. While creating wealth for their varied enterprises these stalwarts also generated huge employment opportunities and never hesitated in giving back to the community and society at large, sizeable portions of their wealth, through well-conceived philanthropic organizations. Big industrial houses apart, Zarathushtis have been successful in identifying opportunities in the small scale sector and in niche areas and converting them into successful business ventures. Small businesses and professional services are best suited for our community’s psyche. Since the 1950s however, a gradual shift has set in within the community, as the youth concentrating on higher education, began moving away from enterprise to more lucrative career options in the corporate world. Whether it was the security of a steady job or the attraction of higher immediate rewards and recognition or the lack of the right political environment, the community was gradually moving away from entrepreneurship, which was its hallmark till then, to the secure avenues of employment. It was with the idea of reversing this trend and rekindling the spirit of enterprise within the community, that World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), the first of its kind, was conceived. The Chamber was incorporated in the State of Illinois, USA in December 2000, by a core group of Zarathushtis under the leadership of Rohinton Rivetna.
The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) was established by and for members of the community by Mr. Rohinton Rivetna (Global Founder/President of WZCC, who is now Global President Emeritus), to facilitate networking, increase trade, commerce and economic welfare. He, with his foresight & along with his equally accomplished team, established this organization. He laid a very distinguished and firm foundation so as to keep the spirit of Entrepreneurship/ Professionalism active and achieving milestones as time goes by. The “Preamble” of WZCC quoted below gives an insight for all to understand the essence with which it was conceived.
Commerce and business entreprise are major institutions of humankind. Professionalism, entrepreneurship, commerce & business enterprise founded on principles of goodness, honesty, charity have been Zarathushti hallmark recognized throughout the world. The intermingling of Zarathushti history and commerce during the past two centuries is a constant reminder that an essential ingredent of prosperity of the Zarathushti community are its professional ethics and entrepreneural achievements.
World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce was thus established to keep alive the spirit of Zarathushti entrepreneurship and professionalism. Its main objective is to encourage and facilitate trade and commerce, provide a linkage between Zarathushti professionals, entrepreneurs and financiers and be the catalyst, so that the Zarathushti community may remain vibrant for continuing economic prosperity, by the grace of Ahura Mazda.
It is heartening to note that the above mentioned Preamble has been continuously followed with the same zeal and sincerity of purpose which was ingrained since it was formulated years ago. Here again we need to express our gratitude to one more extremely well accomplished individual who is none other than Mr. Minoo R. Shroff who was also the Global President of WZCC and is now Global President –Emeritus. He is the individual who raised this Organization to greater heights in all the spheres of its activities. In his tenure, the Global Community became increasingly aware of WZCC and its achievements.
MISSION & Objectives of WZCC
The mission of the Chamber is to “energize the Zarathushti entrepreneural spirit to make WZCC the economic engine for the prosperity and well-being of the community”.
The main objectives of WZCC are to promote Zarathushti business entreprises through education, training and propagation of ideas, to disseminate information on developments in Trade, Commerce and Industry through lectures and seminars, to promote networking and co-operation amoung Zarathushti businesses and the professional community for mutual benefit and to associate with other Chambers of Commerce and public bodies to promote Zarathushti business organizations, individuals and professionals.
WZCC facilitates, encourages and promotes the spirit of entrepreneurship and professionalism amongst Zarathushtis. It also promotes Zarathushti business interests worldwide and enhances cooperation, networking and solidarity amongst Zarathushti business and professional communities. It gathers appropriate statistics of Zarathushtis doing business worldwide. Besides mentoring, it also funds for Zarathushti business ventures.
The Chamber was formally launched by Mr. Nadir Godrej at the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress at Houston on 29th December, 2000. In the following year seven local Chapters were established in USA, two in Canada and one each in Tehran and Middle East in 2002. In 2003 Chapters were set up in India, UK, Australia followed by representative offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. The India Region now has three very active Chapters – Mumbai, Pune & Bangalore.
The India Region co-ordinates the activities of all three Chapters and is governed by a dedicated and experienced Board of Directors headed by several highly experienced Entrepreneurs and Professionals. The India Region has taken several initiatives in organizing activities which are in line with WZCC’s Mission and Objectives. The Chapters have organized series of informative and inspiring lectures, training programs, Industrial field visits, structured Networking Sessions, Charity Bazaars etc., all aimed at rejuvenating the spirit of Entrepreneurship and Professionalism. Members have gained immensely from these programs.
The Chamber’s plan was to enhance the economic well-being of the community by using the vast resources available, including intellectual capital and existing business talent and know-how, to create opportunities for our young adults.
WZCC undertook promoting the sale of goods and services. The Chamber facilitates market relationships and in general promotes the interest of its members. The emergence of our Chamber as a true community organization came later when business leaders realized that their own prosperity depends upon the development of opportunities within our community.
A strong focus of the Chamber is on education and research, governmental relations, infrastructure planning, economic development, business and professional growth and leadership development through various initiatives and incentives. The community’s growth and support by their businesses will reflect on the strong value of the Chamber.
The Chamber’s World Headquarters are in North America and its members anticipated that this would be the prelude to an exchange of trade and commerce between Zarathushti communities worldwide, thus leading to the formation of Chapters throughout the world. The aim of the Chamber is to rejuvenate the entrepreneurial spirit from within our fold by providing a helping hand, partnerships and an exciting future.
The Chamber’s main asset is its database providing information on topics ranging from job availability and business opportunities to a bank of current
data on Who’s Who in Zarathushti Business Worldwide.
WZCC invites business initiatives, encourages networking and allows its members to enunciate or advertise their businesses and concepts too. WZCC also provides interest free funding to start-ups as well as to established Entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level.
This Global Organisation has a very wide spectrum of activities spanning across all the relevant aspects of Trade, Commerce & Industry, Entrepreneurship & Professionalism.
WZCC welcomes with open arms individuals of our Community, to become its Members, and those who are genuinely interested in expanding their horizon and become successful Entrepreneurs and Professionals. The present team of dedicated officials in India as well as in various Chapters abroad are well qualified, very well experienced and successful to guide and hand-hold its Members and lead them to their final GOAL which is
“SUCCESS’.
WZCC – A BRIGHT STAR IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COMMUNITY
