Dear All:

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, has invited FEZANA (see attached letter) to participate in the first Pravasi Bharatiya Din celebration in New York (PBD New York 2007) on September 23, 2007 . The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are planning a four-day program in New York City under the banner of ‘India at 60′ starting on September 23rd. The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Commerce will also participate in the event. It would be geared to attract participation of those NRIs who had not been able to attend the annual PBD in India.
 
The objective of the PBD New York 2007 is to provide tangible roles for the Indian Diaspora in North American and its neighboring regions to contribute in a tangible way to the development challenges that India faces today. This is a wonderful networking opportunity for Zoroastrians in North America to make networking contacts with individuals in the highest levels of Government from India and hope we can use the same for the betterment of the communities in which we live, as has been our tradition over the ages.

FEZANA has decided to send a Delegation, with Mr. Framroze Patel as the Leader of its Delegation. FEZANA will also reimburse 75% of the Registration fee for additional two (2) delegates, on “First Come” basis. Please register ASAP at http://www.indiaat60.in/event-calendar.html and send your confirmation of registration to me at president@zagny.org for reimbursement.
 
This one day conference will set itself apart by presenting an action oriented agenda focused on how the Indian American community can be involved with India’s progress. By prioritizing key areas like education, investment, infrastructure and health, PBD New York 2007 will showcase thought leaders from the social and financial arenas. This event is a unique platform for the individual Indian American to get engaged with India via contributing their expertise and knowledge capital. 

Homi D. Gandhi, Co-Chair,
FEZANA UN-NGO Committee

P.S.: Those registering as delegates, please email me your names (president@zagny.org) and also email to Framroze Patel (goolbai@comcast.net) to coordinate the FEZANA delegation group.

Dinyar Vania is performaing once again in La Boheme at the NY City Opera on September 9, 15, 21, 23, 27, 29. FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CALL 212-870-5500 or visit  www.nycopera.com

The deadline for the ZAGNY Scholarships for the academic year 2007-08 has been extended to September 15, 2007.  ZAGNY would encourage all full-time students at undergraduate and graduate programs to apply.  ZAGNY will provide scholarships in the form of three (3) interest-free loans for $5,000, $1,000 and $1,000.

The application form, along with detailed instructions, is available at the following link http://www.zagny.org/youth.html.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ZOROASTRIAN LEADERS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AT 60TH ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS DPI/NGO SEPT. 5-7 AT UN HEADQUARTERS

Conference to review scientific evidence on climate change, including its consequences on indigenous peoples, water security, land use and the politics of energy.

Please view the entire Press Release here: Climate Change at the United Nations

CONTACTS:

Zoroastrian On-site Conference Contact:
Cyrus Cama, 202.641.0915 or cyrus.cama@gmail.com

or

FEZANA Media Relations:
Jim Engineer
e-Rainmaker PR for FEZANA
Mobile: 630.728.1387 or jim.engineer@e-rainmaker.com

FEZANA is celebrating 20 years this year!
Let us all get together and help FEZANA celebrate this great anniversary!

Yes, that is correct.  FEZANA turns 20 years old on June 2, 2007.  Just look how far we have come.  FEZANA is now a strong 25 Associations and 12 small groups.  FEZANA started with four FEZANA Funds and has grown to 15 funds, of which 5 are endowment funds.  FEZANA started with a handful of committees and has now grown to over 20 committees and several working groups, run by dedicated volunteers serving the community.  And FEZANA continues to grow each year.  FEZANA elected executives continue to strive to serve our community in new and better ways.

As we continue to grow and the needs of the community continue to grow, we need a place to call “HOME.”  Last year our president, Rustom Kevala, had the foresight to form the “Infrastructure Working Group” (IWG).  On February 8, 2007 the IWG, chaired by Shahrokh Mehta, with the help of Bella Tata, reported their findings and recommendations to FEZANA.  According to their report, there is an immediate need for a permanent office and a paid administrator if we are to continue on our path towards making Zarathushtis a viable force in North America.

Hence, the time is NOW to start building the necessary infrastructure, office space, clerical and administrative support that will ensure that all the Member Associations as well as the North American Zarathushti community can avail of the benefits of FEZANA’s activities to the fullest extent.  A professional staff and a central office space for conducting the administrative tasks of communication, correspondence, recordkeeping, publishing, archiving, etc., will greatly assist the current and future elected officers of FEZANA in performing their tasks diligently and efficiently. 

…Read the rest of this entry »»»

FEZANA was registered under the General Not for Profit Corporation Act of Illinois on June 2, 1987.  Today marks the 20th anniversary of that important date in our history.  

FEZANA is celebrating the 20th Anniversary through an number of events this year.  We coordinated several public celebrations of NauRooz in major cities, with formal press releases to increase public awareness of Zarathushti celebrations.  A special birthday cake was presented to FEZANA at the 2oth Annual General Meeting in Dallas, Texas, on April 7. 

At the AGM, the delegates resolved to establish a permanent office for FEZANA during the anniversary year.  A 20th Anniversary Fund has been set up to support the office.  The XIV North American Zoroastrian Congress in Toronto will also include special 2oth birthday celebrations. 

Today, FEZANA has grown to include 25 member Associations and 14 small groups, serving over 7,500 voting members.  Member Associations are thriving and Zarathushtis are receiving increasing recognition and respect throughout North America.  FEZANA’s assets are approaching $900,000 and its annual budget is over $120,000

This is an awesome achievement, in light of the fact that most of elected officers and trustees of the Member Associations and FEZANA, as well as the countless dedicated volunteers serving various committees, have responsible daytime jobs and businesses, and growing families that also require their constant attention.  We should continue this growth and try to bring all Zarathushtis in North America to join our Associations and become a part of our active community.

I sincerely thank all the volunteers, donors, and individuals who have helped to make FEZANA what it is today.

Twenty years ago, a few Zarathushtis sat down together in Chicago and drafted the FEZANA constitution.  But let us be clear: it is not the document or the words that really matter in the long run; but rather the process of developing it that was so powerful, motivating, and affirming, that we have been moving forward through these 20 years. 

FEZANA’s constitution assures autonomy to each Association.  But we know instinctively that all Associations are heavily interdependent in developing our collective vision and carving out our just position in the world around us.  I believe that FEZANA has a key role to play in this: to help to harness and coordinate our collective energies towards defining our position in this world.

Please forward this message to all your constituents and friends who care about the future of the Zarathushti faith.

Ushta,
Rustom Kevala
FEZANA President