Ratan Tata
(Born – 1937 CE)
A tatan among industrialists and a man who changed the paradigm of conducting business, Ratan Tata helped usher India into the global market. At the forefront of the iconic family which symbolises the essence of enterprise and philanthropy in India, he led Tata Sons, the country’s largest business conglomerate to its summit as the Chairman from 1991 CE to 2012 CE, and thereafter for an interim period from October 2016 CE to February 2017 CE. He is a national icon, and currently the Chairman of Tata Trusts. He is the recipient of the two of the highest civilian awards of India, the ‘Padma Vibhushan (2008 CE) and Padma Bhushan’ (2000 CE). The “Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire-GBE’ was conferred upon him in 2014 CE by the United Kingdom, in recognition of his services to UK/India relations, investments and philanthropy.
Nusll Wadla
(Born – 1944 CE)
Nusll Wadla is a businessman, entrepreneur and the Chairman of the Wadia Group which comprises of giant companies like-Britannia Industries, home textiles maker Bombay Dyeing and budget airline GoAir. Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Group’s first venture, was in the marine construction industry. The Wadia’s were marine designers and master ship builders. They built over 355 vessels that ploughed through the international waters, over their 160 years of existence, including the first ships constructed by them for the British Navy outside England. It was on one such ship, the ‘Minden”, that the American National Anthemwas composed. On another, the ‘HMS Cornwalls, the Treaty of Nanking, was signed ceding Hong Kong to England. The second oldest ship in the world, ‘HMS Trincomalee’ is still afloat today and intact in Hartlepool. This is yet another marvel of the Wadias’ shipbuilding prowess.
Cyrus Poonawalla
(Born – 1947 CE)
He is an industrialist, pharmacologist and co-founder of the Serum Institute of India which started manufacturing Tetanus Antitoxin and anti-snake venom serums, and also makes a range of vaccines for MMR, DPT, hepatitis-B, Rabies and Flu, among others. The Company is the lowest cost producer of vaccines globally. It supplies vaccines to more than 130 countries, and international organisations. Two out of three children in the world are vaccinated by the Institute’s vaccines, which is rated as the largest biotech company in the country. Focusing on new technologies and R&D, the company has added Meningitis, Pneumococcd and Rota virus vaccines to its profile. In 2005 CE, Cyrus Poonawala was awarded the ‘Padma Shri for his contribution to the field of medicine by the Government of India.
Adl Burjorjl
(Born – 1942 CE)
Head of the 114 year-old group, Adi Godrej is a veteran industrialist. He believes that generating jobs and producing a common wealth is the greatest service to his country. A strong advocate of the free market economy and also deeply involved in environmental conservation, he has contributed tangibly to both. With a consumer-centric business philosophy, his cherished goal is to touch lives for the better. He has been the President of several Indian Trade and Industrial Bodies and associations and was the President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 2012-2013 CE. He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the ‘Padma Bhushan’ which was conferred upon him in 2012 CE by the Government of India, and the ‘Golden PeacockLifetime Achievement Award for ethical Leadership’ in 2016 CE, for being an outstanding Indian pioneer in the world of business and beyond.
Nadlr Bujorjl Godrej
(Born – 1951 CE)
With his irrepressible energy and zest for life, Nadir Godrej is a fine blend of an astute industrialist and a humanist. Blessed with an innovative mind, his focus is on Research and Development. He is the Managing Director of Godrej Industries, one of India’s biggest businesses, and the Chairman of Godrej Agrovet. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards including The Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur, Globoil Life Time Achievement Award -2012 CE; OTAI Life Time Achievement Award-2012 CE; Chemexcil Life Time Achievement Award-2013 CE; Lifetime Achievement Award from the All India Liquid Bulk Importers and Exporters Association (AILBIEA) 2016 CE; and CHEMTECH Leadership & Excellence Award – the Hall of Fame in 2017 CE. He is the President of The Alliance Francaise de Bombay. He is also a Member of the CII National Council and Chairman of the CII National Committee on Chemicals.
Jamshyd N. Godrej
(Born – 1949CE)
Jamshyd N. Godrej is the Chairman of the Board of Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, USA. He is the President of World Wide Fund for Nature-India and the Chairman of the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, a Centre of Excellence for green buildings, energy efficiency, energy conservation, nonconventional energy sources, water Policy and water conservation. The Godrej group are leadersin home appliances, office equipment, industrial products, consumer products and services. The President of India conferred upon JamshydGodrej the Padma Bhushan, the thrid highest civilian award in the Republic of India, on 3rd April, 2003 CE.
Anu Aga
(Born – 1942 CE)
Anu Aga is a business women and social worker who has made a place for herself among the prominent industrialists of India by taking on great challenges and surmounting them with commitment and great dedication. She was the Chairperson of Thermax Ltd., an energy and environment company, from 1996-2004 CE. After retiring from Thermax she took to social work. In 2010 CE, she received the coveted Padma Shri’ Award from the Government of India for her Social Work. In 2012 CE, she was nominated to Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Indian Parliamentby President Pratibha Patil. She has served on several committees since then and is currently Chairperson of “Teach for India,” a non profit organisation.
Forokh Udwadla
(Born – 1931 CE)
Hailed as India’s most eminent physician, Dr. Farokn Uawadia combines extraordinary brilliance with deep compassion. His amazing ability to diagnose and cure the most baffling of ailments is now legendary. Enriched by decades of experience, he has a remarkable mastery over his subject, but what really sets him apart is the humaneness which he brings to his profession. With Zoroastrian tenets as his guiding light, he has selflessly served the alling for several years and continues to do so.
Ronnie Screwvala
(Born – 1956 CE)
Ronnie Screwvala is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the founder and CEO of UTV Group. His focus in to build his own businesses UpGrad, an online education company, Usports and the Swades Foundation. Ronnie Screwvala, fonally known as the Media Mogul was rated by Fortune as one of Asia’s 25 most powerful persons and by Esquire amongst the 75 most influential people of the 21st century. He was termed the Jack Warner of India by Newsweek.
Minoo Shroff
(Born – 1929 CE)
A brilliant corporate counsellor and an effective public speaker, Minoo Shroff continues to contribute to society and the community. He has served on the boards of nearly 35 companies. He was the former Trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayer and become President of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India in 2003 CE. A progressive thinker, he is the founder President, Forum of Free Enterprise; Chairman and Managing Trustee, AD Shroff Memorial Trust; President, Indo-Iranian Friendship society; and erstwhile President of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce, which has 14 chapters worldwide. He was conferred the Third Order of the Rising Sun,’ by the Emperor of Japan for promoting trade between India and Japan.
Lord Karan Bilimoral
(Born – 1961 CE)
Lord Karan Bilimoria is a fine example of how Zoroastrians not only flourish, but also contribute to society, no matter where they are in the world and whatever discipline they decide to follow. Lord Billimoria is the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Cambridge Judge Business School; Founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer (now a joint-venture with the Molson Coors Brewing Company) and a Crossbench Life Peer in the House of Lords (appointed 2006 CE). A great Zoroastrian luminary, Lora Bilimoria has established the ‘Cobra Foundation. A few of the several awards conferred upon him are: The Commander of British Empire’ (CBE) in 2004 CE the ‘Business Person of the Year’ by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry also in 2004 CE, and the ‘Pravasi Bhartiya samman’ in 2008 CE by the President of India. Over the years Cobra Beer has won more than 70 awards from prestigious Monde Selection Awards.
Fali Nariman
(Born – 1929 CE)
Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan award recipient, Fali Nariman is a senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and the former Additional Solicitor General of India. A legal genius with great erudition and moral rectitude, he is committed to the cause of social justice. His name is mentioned with tangible esteem in the house of jurisprudence and his skill and eloquence have reverberated in his term as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Zubin Mehta
(Born – 1936 CE)
One of the greatest conductors the world has ever known, maestro Zubin Mehta was born to make magic with the symphonic baton as his wand. The soaring classical harmonies have healed wounds, symbolised peace, and above all, brought sheerjoy to his audiences. With his virtuosity, he has conducted some of the best philharmonic orchestras in the world with dedication, passion and incandescent brilliance. Over the last five decades, he has not only celebrated music, but also his Indian roots across the globe. He is the Musical Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Maggio Musicale Florentino. He was a former director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and Bavarian State Opera. Son of Mehli Mehta, founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra, Zubin nurtures strong attachments to his roots, and his Indian identity.
Dr. Esfandiar Ekhtiyari
(Born – 1966 CE)
A Member of Parliament, an academician, a project management professional and a devout Zoroastrian, Dr. Esfandiar Ekhtiyari is the fountainhead of inspiration and motivation for the Zoroastrian community in Iran. With a life marked by stellar milestones he has played a pivotal role in local affairs and is seen as a role model for the Zoroastrian youth
Mobed Mehraban Firouzgary
(Born – 1935 CE)
Mobed Mehraban Firouzgary is respected by the Zoroastrian community in Iran as a religious leader who has rendered yeoman service to the community by researching into standardised Avesta books and teaching Avesta to Zoroastrian youth for three decades. An Industrial Electronics professional and a technical consultant, he has risen to the position through hard work and by virtue of his merit.
Jal Shroff
(Born – 1937 CE)
A business wizard Jal Soli Shroff is a man who loves challenges. Reinventing his company as a high-end fashion brand, he is a force to be reckoned with. He works like he plays, with fairness, with application and with a goal in mind, creating the perfect team for the perfect end result. He is the Managing Director and a Director of Fossil Inc, Dallas, Texas. He was the former President of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macau. He and his wife Pervin have been silently contributing to various community causes both for education and healthcare.
Neville Shroff
(Born – 1950 CE)
Hailing from a Hong Kong-based business family, Neville Shroff is an intrepid entrepreneur and is today seen as one of Hong Kong’s most successful businessmen. He firmly believes in maintaining a balance between being competitive in his professional life and the need to contribute to his country and community at a personal level. He is the Chairman and CEO of Shroff and Company Ltd., a trading company with a factory and manufacturing plantin Jiangmen and Guangdong in China. He is the Managing Director of Direct International Hong Kong Ltd. He is currently the President of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong, Canton and Macau.
