The UK based World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) is "looking to its younger members to play a key part in shaping (its) future,” noted a press release from WZO’s new chair Darayus Motivala. Benafsha Engineer-Mulla having served as the WZO company secretary for four years, has been appointed as its new president. She takes over from outgoing president, Zerbanoo Gifford who was commended by the committee for "bringing passionate commitment through international youth empowerment, inclusivity and Zoroastrian initiatives.”
Darayus Motivala (l) and
Benafsha Engineer-Mulla: keen to
involve the youth
Clockwise from top l: Zerbanoo Gifford, Rumi Sethna, Tirdad Sorooshian,
Dinyar Modi, Shahin Bekhradnia, Armaity Engineer and Manijeh Parki
Also acknowledged at the annual general meeting (AGM) on October 6, 2024 were the services of outgoing chair, Rumi Sethna whose "steadfast leadership and mentorship, and his deeply generous commitment to WZO initiatives, supported by his dedicated wife, Hilda” has helped the Organisation over the years. Respected for their long-standing and dedicated association with WZO, "both Rumi and Zerbanoo will remain on the managing committee for their guidance and wisdom,” noted the press release. Formed in 1980, charity giving continues to be an integral part of WZO’s activities as also organizing seminars and cultural events for its members.
Joining the WZO committee in 2008, for many years Benafsha assisted with the social events, supporting her mother, Armaity Engineer. Having worked on the operations side of the aviation industry, before taking a career break to raise her children, Benafsha carried her "admirable skills and conscientiousness” to her role as WZO company secretary. She has represented WZO at the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress and has taken part at the European Interfaith Youth Congress. Believing that "the future of our community lies with the younger generation,” in the coming three years she would like to encourage other young members to also join the committee.
Working on the WZO managing committee for the last nearly three decades, Motivala has served the organization in most of the principal roles including as chair. At the AGM he welcomed two new committee members, Athravan Sett and Vohu-Friyan Sett, and hoped to get all the younger members on the committee involved in the running of the Organisation so they can take over the senior roles in due course.
Replacing Engineer-Mulla as company secretary is Tirdad Sorooshian who rejoined the managing committee in 2023 after a short break of three years. An entrepreneur with business interests in the UK and overseas, he is keen to mentor young adults to be successful business people. Currently he chairs the WZO Fundraising subcommittee and plays a key role in marketing the Organisation.
Those who will continue in their posts at WZO are treasurer Dinyar Modi, religious affairs coordinator Shahin Bekhradnia, and joint social secretaries Armaity Engineer and Manijeh Parki, known for their commitment and expertise.