Newsroom
Publications – Newsletter
Welcome to the First Issue of GCZT Newsletter for the Year 2024.
What is so special about this issue?
It contains top stories on GCZT, its strategic objectives and how GCZT will glow, grow and shine in future. It also contains the progress registered by GWG Regional Representatives worldwide; updates on the two World Zoroastrian Congresses that are scheduled to take place in Singapore in 2026 and Mumbai in 2027. Additionally the Newsletter contains the four robust initiatives to be pursued by GCZT in the year 2024 that will lead to the progress and prosperity of our community worldwide.
Disclosures/Policies/Documents
Competitions
Coming soon!
Return to Roots program
Zoroastrian Return to Roots (RTR) is a program designed to connect youth from all over the world through two week trips of India (and in the future Iran) and strengthen community identity amongst Zoroastrian youth across the world. The program is youth conceived and driven and borne out of the increasing disconnect felt by Zoroastrians in the diaspora and their ancestral communities in India and Iran. The program hopes to contribute to the preservation of the cultural identity of Zoroastrians across the world.
Zoroastrians between the ages of 22 and 35 years are able to apply during the annual open application process (trips were paused 2021-2022 due to Covid-19). The trips focus on taking small groups (12-20 individuals) to India to explore their religious, social and cultural heritage. The trip is heavily subsidized for participants: financial considerations should not discourage anyone from applying. Furthermore, visas are arranged for participants regardless of nationality, offering otherwise non-existent opportunities to our Pakistani and Iranian brothers and sisters.
Each trip itinerary is bespoke. We include visits to a regular list of historical and religious sites in Gujarat where the Parsis first arrived from Iran including Udvada, Navsari, Surat and Bharuch. The sites of pilgrimage include visits to the Agiaries, Atash Bahrams at Udvada, Navsari, Surat and Doongerwadi Towers of Silence or Dakhmas in Mumbai. These are an integral part of the journey to rediscover the culture and customs. Where appropriate organizers include wider Zoroastrian and Parsi community events (e.g. congresses, exhibitions etc.) on the itinerary which may be of interest to participants including trips to other cities e.g. Delhi.
Institutional sponsors include the Hong Kong Anjuman, FEZANA and the World Zoroastrian Organization Trust Funds India, who are members of the GWG.
Zoroastrian Return to Roots was originally conceived by PARZOR and is now registered as its own non-profit entity in the United States.
Associated Sites
The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe in the United Kingdom has been established for over one hundred and sixty years.
Today, the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) remains the oldest established religious voluntary organisation in the UK of South Asian origin. Zoroastrians are recognised as one of the nine world faith communities in the UK, although we are the smallest.
ZTFE being the premier Zoroastrian organisation represents the interest of the Zoroastrian community with the UK Government, interfaith, religious and educational institutions. It continues to serve the community in Europe both at national and international levels from the secretariat at the magnificent Grade II* listed art-deco Zoroastrian Centre in the London Borough of Harrow.
The Bombay Parsi Punchayet also known as the BPP is the apex administrative body of the Parsi Irani Zoroastrian community in India. It is recognized the world over as the premier body of the Parsi community and is known to be one of the oldest continuously existing, socio-community organisations in Mumbai having been formed in 1672.
FEZANA is incorporated under the not-for-profit corporation laws of the State of Illinois, exclusively for religious and charitable purposes.
- To function as a coordinating organization for Zoroastrian Associations in North America;
- To promote the study, understanding and practice of the Zoroastrian faith and the welfare of Zoroastrian communities;
- To promote, perpetuate and teach the Zoroastrian religion as set forth in the teachings of the Prophet Zarathushtra and the Zoroastrian faith;
- To gather and disseminate information to Zoroastrian Associations and others relating to the Zoroastrian faith and communities;
- To foster and encourage Zoroastrian fellowship in the North American continent, and to represent the religious interests of its Membership in national and international forums;
- To engage in charitable activities as required by the Zoroastrian faith, and consistent with the laws of Canada and the U.S.A. pertaining to religious and charitable organizations; and
- To engage in and support any other activities that nurture and support the Zoroastrian faith and Zoroastrian communities.
The Chamber
WZCC was launched on December 29, 2000 as part of the legacy project of the Seventh World Zoroastrian Congress.
The Purpose of WZCC is to
- To facilitate, encourage and promote the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst Zarathushtis.
- To promote Zarathushti businesses interests worldwide.
- To enhance cooperation, networking and solidarity amongst Zarathushti business and professional communities.
- To gather appropriate statistics of Zarathushtis doing business worldwide.
- To develop a mentoring program
- To identify sources of funding for Zarathushti business ventures
The three WZO Trusts, registered as independent entities in India, have since 1991, been providing support to community members in India for diverse needs by raising resources from donors all over the world, and through their services been fulfilling social obligations, keeping intact the self-respect and dignity of beneficiaries.
The policy of WZO Trust’s has always been to view good governance, sound management and absolute probity, not as hurdles to clear but as opportunities to demonstrate to donors and supporters that we are accountable, trustworthy and a sound investment.
Donations
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE TRUST THEN
DONATIONS CAN BE SENT VIA BANK TRANSFER OR CHEQUE DEPOSIT AS PER DETAILS GIVEN BELOW.
ACCOUNT NAME: GLOBAL COUNCIL OF ZOROASTRIANS TRUST
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 003100500000052
BANK NAME: THE ZOROASTRIAN CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., FORT BRANCH, MUMBAI IFSC CODE- ZCBL0000003
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CORPUS OF THE TRUST OR ANY PROJECT/S UNDERTAKEN BY THE TRUST.
YOU AND YOUR COMPANY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A TAX DEDUCTION ON THE AMOUNT DONATED IN INDIA.
THIS CLAUSE APPLIES TO DONORS/CONTRIBUTORS IN INDIA ONLY AND NOT OVERSEAS.
CONTACT (Registered Office in Mumbai)
THE GLOBAL COUNCIL OF ZOROASTRIANS TRUST
E- 604, REMI BIZCOUNT, OFF VEERA DESAI ROAD,
ANDHERI WEST, MUMBAI 400 053.
Making a donation to the Trust takes only a few minutes.
For cheque deposit – Kindly post the cheque or send it via courier to E-604, Remi BizCourt, Off Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400 053. The cheque should be issued in the name of – The Global Council of Zoroastrians Trust.
For Direct Bank Transfer from Indian Bank Accounts / RTGS / NEFT / UPI:
Account Name : Global Council of Zoroastrians Trust
Bank Name : The Zoroastrian Co-operative Bank Ltd., Fort Branch, Mumbai.
Account Number : 003100500000052
IFSC Code : ZCBL0000003
(PLEASE NOTE THAT CURRENTLY THE TRUST IS UNABLE TO ACCEPT DEPOSITS / TRANSFERS FROM OUTSIDE INDIA.)
When you make your donation, the Trust sends a message confirming that it has received your donation as soon as it is received.
Your donation receipt will be sent at the same time as the letter of thanks within a week of credit of funds to our account.
The Trust is a public institution. The demands made on it are so great i.e – extending help towards senior care and support to weaker sections of the community, health, and wellness; evolving programs for Mobeds and Mobedi; providing affordable finance to entrepreneurs; awarding World Zoroastrian Congresses, promoting art and culture, women and child development programs; promoting youth initiatives; and more…. Every donation counts, regardless of the amount. It is the sum total of your donations, however modest, that will enable the building of the corpus of the trust and conducting various programs.
If the Trust does not succeed in raising the amount through donations, several projects will have to be delayed in order to allocate the funds necessary for launching of these projects.
When making your donation, please specify in your forwarding note whether you want the donation to go to the General Corpus of the Fund or whether you want to dedicate your donation to the project of your choice. If you decide on the second option, the name of this person will be included in the acknowledgements to the donors of the campaign.