WZCC Felicitation Evening - April 06, 2005
[A Short Note on the Messages of the Evening]
The World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) recognises, every year, the contribution of eminent Zarathushti businessmen to the promotion of industry, trade and commerce by conferring Honorary Membership of the Chamber. This is a singular honour and its bestowed on only one eminent Zarathushti businessman worldwide. This year several nominations were received for Zarathushti businessmen who have distinguished themselves internationally and the unanimous vote was in favour of Pallonji S. Mistry.
Although in his illustrious business career, Mr. Mistry has received several and far more prestigious awards and recognitions, this honour is more a token of deep regard and sincere affection from our miniscule yet vibrant Zarathushti community. A community that has excelled in every field of human endeavour, and attained all goals with unmatched integrity. Mr. Mistry is one such shining example, and we revere his achievement.
The importance of, ‘giving over receiving’, was stressed by all speakers felicitating Mr. Pallonji S. Mistry, in one form or another, and the giver of the evening was Pallonji Mistry, who gave so much to so many, his heartfelt appreciation, enthusiasm and support to the entrepreneurial Zarathushtis’ of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, for an award of the Honorary Membership of the Chamber that he received. The climate for economic growth is now so very ripe and Pallonji put this across in few words “I wish I was young again”, in a way, asking the young and not so young to strive to make best of this timely ample opportunity, and take the country’s and community economy to its great height, on the same principles of Honesty and Integrity. The important ingredients of reaching climax of success, ‘Total Commitment, Hard work & Total Dedication’, still remain. If you have an Idea, but do not understand it fully, then don’t go with it, he advised.
Mr. Pallonji has in his quiet way contributed Rs.50,00,000/- to the Venture Capital Fund. It is on account of this magnificent contribution that the Venture Capital Fund has taken off and will be in a position to support entrepreneurial ventures, which need support. Mr. Pallonji is very supportive of the chamber and his son, Shapoor is on the Board of Directors of the Mumbai Chapter of WZCCI.
Padma Shri Mr. Jamshyd Godrej, emphasised the good ‘Development’ contribution by the house of Shapoorji Pallonji Family, in the development of, then Bombay, and now future Mumbai. That we as a community, together work on ‘Development’, and that the ‘Development’, must go in tandem with the ‘Environment’ preservation, and both these should be a sustainable one. At the beginning of this 21st Century, all fellow Zoroastrians should work together and contribute in Development work to take the Nation to great heights, and together we still have the power to do it. In doing so, in a big way, successfully, the Nation and the World will look at our Contribution; and not look at the minuscule population of the Zoroastrians. Our efforts in this direction today, would give a lead to the next generation.
Mr. Minoo Shroff was in St.XavierCollege with Pallonji and being part of the corporate world, he has seen him rise in stature over the years. Mr. Minoo Shroff, looked into the business acumen of Pallonji Mistry, as his modest tribute. Pallonji has the knack to pick the Right Advisors; has a Nose for Opportunity, and to grasp it quickly; and, above all, Pallonji knows when to get out of the business, even at a loss.
The WZCC has a very vibrant and interactive website. In order to increase the relevance of the chamber in promoting Trade and Business, an initiative in the form of a business clearing house has been set up and was officially inaugurated on that day. Some persons have available goods, services, premises, finance, etc and there are others who need them. This clearing house will bridge this gap and match the needs. The advantage is that the participants shall have an intrinsic comfort level of dealing through the chamber. The year ahead is declared as the ‘Year-of-Opportunity’, so open the website and constantly interact on . For these very opportunities Mr. Pallonji Mistry has given very generous donation for the launch of the Journal of WZCC ‘Synergy Z’ being published by Meher Bhesania, WZCC Director, Middle East Region.
Mr. Kersi Limathwalla, shared with us the qualities of Pallonji Mistry, and gave a message, that the ‘Money on its own does not bring Respect’, and that the welfare of the Country and the Community should go with it. Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues, and this has been a part of life for Pallonji, who embodies within him the teaching of the prophet. Mr. Limathwalla observed in the words of Calvin Coolidge, “No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave”. Pallonji has given a new dimension to wealth, a new meaning to philanthropy and embraced his monumental achievements in life as a duty and obligation. He demonstrates greatness in humility.
If Mr. Shroff was his colleague in college, Dr. Sidhwa knew Pallonji from kindergarten. Dr. Jimmy Sidhwa (eminent Radiologist), a close friend of Pallonji for over 70-years, expressed his humbleness of a Doctor addressing the gathering on Commerce! But let us not forget that ‘Health is Wealth’, and that the commerce is all to do with the wealth; and that the “Healthy Mind (one he peers into many, every day) is in a Healthy Body’. About the qualities of Pallonji, he expressed were: ‘Epitome of Gentlemen’; ‘Great Family sense and dedication’; ‘Great affinity and love for Religion‘; ‘Great in knowing as to when to Act’.
Pallonji may not like to be showered by the praises, but the qualities expressed about him, are a great lesson for all humans of the universe, in building a sustainable Family that would build the Nation and the World. The evening was very different, and it was the aura that we were engulfed in, it was the warmth we felt from the words, which came from Pallonji’s heart. It was an opportunity for most of us to feel the ‘Pallon effect’, which comes by very rarely, and the path is laid for us to look forward to, and not to look back to him, for he has given all that he has been living up to, and continues to do so, in building a Family and building bridges across the Nations.
The felicitation programme had a record attendance of Who’s Who in business and profession in the community. It was a spontaneous response and it aptly demonstrated the high respect and regard, which Pallonji commands. To one who has always been media shy to the extent of being reticent, Pallonji was too overwhelmed and emotional to the recognition and affection showered on him by one and all. The press and television were in full attendance to which Pallonji politely expressed his embarrassment but all the same responded very warmly. A brief interview was flashed on prominent business channels on the same day and the following day, National publications carried the news of the Phantom of Tatas as he is very affectionately known for the awe and financial strength as the largest stakeholder of the Tata Group of Companies where he holds more than 18%. The entire Pallonji family was in full attendance with wife, Patsy, sons, Shapoor and Cyrus, daughters, sisters and his famous son-in-law, Noel Tata, heir apparent to the Tata Group. The whole evening could not have been the same without, like all of the lively and full of warmth WZCC programmes, without compeering ofZarine Commissariat, Programme Committee Chair Person.