Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata
(1839 – 1904 CE)
Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata was an Indian pioneer industrialist, who founded the Tata Group, India’s biggest business conglomerate. The best ever visionary, an astute businessman, an earnest human being, he was a great philanthropist. The elegant Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, was a gift to Mumbai in 1903 CE which is an iconic landmark.
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata
(1904 – 1993 CE)
Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, popularly known as JRD Tata, joined the House of Tata in 1925 CE. A year later, he inherited his father’s directorship in Tata Sons. JRD’s passion for flying enabled him to establish India’s first commercial airline “Tata Airlines’ which later became ‘Air India’. A few of the major institutions initiated by JRD Tata’s support and vision are the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Tat Memorial Hospital and Cancer Research Institute, the National Institute of Advanced Studies and the National Centre for Performing Arts. In 1944 CE he set up JRD Trust. In 1992 CE, the Government of India honoured him with the ‘Bharat Ratna’ the highest civilian award. He passed away in Geneva in 1993 CE.
Dadabhai Naoroji
(1825 – 1917 CM)
Dadabhai Naoroji was an Indian political leader and one of the founders of the Indian National Congress. A leading nationalist and spokesman, he was the first Indian to be elected to membership of the British Parliament. He was caledl the ’Grand Old Man of India’ the ‘Father of Swaraj’ and pioneer of female education in India.
Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia
(1756 – 1821 CE)
Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia worked with his father Bomanjee Lowjee Wadia in the Bombay docks from a young age. He was appointed Master Builder in 1790 CE and then became Head Master Builder of Bombay Docks in 1804 CE. He was skilled in shipbuilding and built 16 warships and 40 large steamers. In appreciation of his good work he was often rewarded with prizes by Lords of the Admiralty of the East India Company and the Court of Directors. He was the President of Bombay Parsee Punchayet.
Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej
(1868 – 1936 CE)
Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej founded the Godrej Company over 120 years ago which is India’s leading Business Conglomerate today. An avid Nationalist, he believed that India should have its own industries with high quality manufacturing processes.
Burjorji Pirojsha Godrej
(1915 – 1994 CE)
Burjorji Pirojsha Godrej was a man of science. He revolutionized the process of manufacture of detergents in India. He was an environment conservationist in his own right. For his work on the prevention of pollution of water by detergents, he was awarded the ‘International Man of the Year’ in 1991-92 CE by the Biographical Centre at Cambridge, UK
Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody (1838 – 1911 CE)
Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody was a financier and industrialist in Hong Kong. He contributed the then great sum of $150,000 to establish the University of Hong Kong.
Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi
(1913 – 1990 CE)
Born in Navsari, Shapoorji Fakirji Jokhi sailed to Hong Kong at the age of 17, to conquer new horizons. Initially working for Parsi business houses, he later started his own business under the name of M/s S.F.Jokhi and made his fortune. An epitome of magnanimity he bestowed his wealth upon India over three decades to support various charitable causes. The Avan Baug in Navsari stands testimony to this. After his demise on February 7, 1990 CE his brother, Keki Jokhi, a prominent businessman from Hong Kong has continued the admirable work in his memory.
Rusi Shroff
(Born 1917 CE)
Rusi Shroff’s name is synonymous with philanthropy. He symbolizes two outstanding Zoroastrian qualities – hard work and magnanimity. He has contributed to the well-being of thousands with his generous acts of giving to good causes and has made their lives richer. The list of charities he supports is indeed, awe inspiring. Decorated by the British Monarch and honoured by the President of India, he stands tall as a Businessman, a Zoroastrian and as a global citizen.
Navroji R. Mistri
(1885 – 1953 CE)
Navroji R. Mistri was an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is best known for his ‘Soda Drinks’ business in Singapore. Both ‘Mistri Road,’ near Shenton Way and ‘Mistri Wing’ at the Singapore General Hospital were name in his honour.
Shapurji Soparivala
(1822 – 1895 CE)
Shapurji Soparivala was a philanthropist and educationist who came to Karachi in 1854 and served as a contractor for the commissariat of the British army. He is seen as the father of education in Karachi.
Byram Avari
(Born – 1941 CE)
Byram Avari, was the Chairman of Avari Group which has under its aegis, the Avari chain of hotels, travel agencies and business interests across Pakistan and other countries. A former Member of Parliament in Pakistan, a Justice of Peace, and an entrepreneur par excellence, he brought laurels to his country and community by charting a course mapped by grace, dignity and a set of values that have endured the test of time.
Arbab Keikhosrow Mehr
(1828 – 1905 CE)
Arbab Keikhosrow Mehr was a wealthy merchant who traded with India. His most popular contribution has been the founding of Yazd Keikhosravi Primary School now a High School. Amongst the other outstanding public services that he and his five brothers offered in Yazd were – A Dokhma, drinking water reservoirs, village schools, medical clinics and prayer halls.
Arbab Rostam Guiv with his wife Morvarid
Rostam Guiv (1888 – 1980 CE) Morvarid (1905 – 1987 CE)
Rostam Guiv was a great Zoroastrian luminary, whose philanthropy will be remembered for a long time. In 1908, he went to Tehran from Yazd and joined his elder brother Shahpur Guiv in his trading company. To start with he bought 200 acres of land in Tehran, cultivated it and exported products to Europe. He then, ventured into real estate. Keenly interested in community affairs, he was the President of Tehran Anjuman for 27 years. He was an elected representative of the Zarathushtis in the Iranian Majlis and later appointed a Senator. The Iranian Government honoured Arbab Guiv with prestigious awards in 1956, 1957, 1963 and 1966 CE. His wife Morvarid, admittedly supported him in all his acts of philanthropy, and they created the Arbab Rostam Guiv Foundation in Tehran. Arbab Guiv and his wife moved to New York in 1976 CE, and later settled in San Diego. They set up the Arbab Rostam Guiv Foundation in the United States in 1978 CE and another one in Canada in 1979 CE. They contributed handsomely to the setting up of Dar-e-Mehrs in the US. The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe was also the recipient of donations from the Foundation to establish a Mobed Fund.
Mobed Mehraban Zartoshty
(1917 – 2012 CE)
Mobed Mehraban Zartoshty, affectionately called the Zartoshty Brothers, invoke both a great feeling of pride in the heart of every Zoroastrian. Their incalculable generosity surpasses all expectations. They have donated their wealth to innumerable noble causes. Magnificent structures like the Zoroastrian Centre for Europe in London, several Dar-e Mehrs in North America and schools and institutions in Iran owe their existence to the munificence of the two brothers. But one of the noblest gestures has been the establishment of the Zartoshty Brothers Chair in Zoroastrian Studies at the prestigious School for Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) in London.
Mobed Faridoon Zartoshty
(1902 – 2000 CE)
Mobed Faridoon Zartoshty, affectionately called the Zartoshty Brothers, invoke both a great feeling of pride in the heart of every Zoroastrian. Their incalculable generosity surpasses all expectations. They have donated their wealth to innumerable noble causes. Magnificent structures like the Zoroastrian Centre for Europe in London, several Dar-e Mehrs in North America and schools and institutions in Iran owe their existence to the munificence of the two brothers. But one of the noblest gestures has been the establishment of the Zartoshty Brothers Chair in Zoroastrian Studies at the prestigious School for Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) in London.
Frene Ginwala
(1932 – 2023 CE)
Frene Ginwala was barrister at law; historian; a political scientist and held a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford University. She was the speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 1994 to 2004 CE and thereafter appointed the first chancellor of the University of KwaZulu Natal in April 2005 CE. After retirement as speaker, she continued serving in a number of international organisations including UN subsidiaries, as Trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and as Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Pallonji Mistry
(1929 – 2022 CE)
Pallonji Mistry was the patriarch and Chairman Emeritus of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group which is over 150 years old company in Mumbai. It is a large business conglomerate with interests in construction, real estate, textiles, engineering goods, home appliances, shipping, publications, power and biotechnology in India and overseas. The group’s name is synonymous with ‘Trust and Quality’.
Areez Khambatta
(1937 – 1022 CE, Ahmedabad, India)
Areez Khambatta was the Founder Chairman of the RASNA Group. He is credited with creating and manufacturing the world’s fir ‘Soft Drink Concentrates’ for consumers in a dual format. With his outstanding entrepreneurial and marketing skills, he has made RASNA a household name, winning many awards across the globe. He served ‘The Ahmedabad Parsi Punchayet’ first as Trustee and then as president for 25 years (1980-2004 CE). He is the founder of the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthostis (WAPIZ) in India. His services to the nation were recognized, when he was awarded the President of India’s ‘Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal’ as well as the ‘Paschimi Star.’ Areej Khambatta Benevolent Trust, today works for social uplifting projects and activities that include Dadabhai Naoroji Loan Scholarship, BPA Khambatta Save Sight for needy people and CIMS Khambatta Linac center for cancer treatment.
Noshir Motiwalla
(1924 – 2018 CE, Dubai)
Noshir Motiwalla traces his roots to Aden, where three generations of his family once flourished. Arriving in Dubai, the new bustling port of call, he and his brothers built a reputation for themselves with their entrepreneurial wisdom, perseverance and hard work. This iconic family has etched out their name in the annals of the UAE’s mercantile history.
