Nothing validates our efforts more than the donations and contributions made to support us, and from time to time, we have received donations from several people in the U.S., England, and India. Recognizing the importance of preserving resources that primarily pertain to Zarathushti faith, culture and history, we have received several notable donations.
Rustom Kevala of Florida has donated $5,000 for use by FIRES. Rustom, a past President of FEZANA, and the architect and earliest supporter of FIRES, has been keenly interested in promoting the growth and awareness of FIRES throughout America and beyond. His generous gift is not only an incredible show of confidence in FIRES for what we have accomplished so far but also a challenge to us to use it towards a lasting effect on the legacy of FIRES. Our sincere thanks and gratitude to Rustom and Yasmin Kevala for their generosity.
Bapsi Sidhwa has given us a munificent donation of $20,001 in appreciation of our work and towards further enhancement of our resources and facilities. This contribution has humbled us, and strengthened our resolve to do even better for the North American community we serve. Our sincere thanks to Bapsi, Houston’s very own internationally acclaimed author and playwright.
A “men’s group” that meets regularly at the center for cards and enjoyment has given us a donation of $1,200 collected over months from the money they set aside at each of their sessions. This is heartening as it comes from an unexpected source. The amount will go towards a much-needed new projector and audio equipment for our future events held in the Rustomji room. We thank the “men’s group” sincerely for thinking of us even during their fun and games.
Two manuscripts have also been donated. Cyrus Bharucha, renowned film director of “Wings of Fire”, was gifted a Videvad Sade manuscript. The colophon in Persian is Anno Yazdegerd 1090, i.e. 1721 Christian Era and it states the manuscript was compiled in Navsari.
The other manuscript, was gifted by Ervad Bomanshah Sanjana of Houston. It is a Gujarati Vendidad handwritten by Mobed Marzban Aibada, gifted to Mobed Pirojshah Maneckji Sanjana, Dastur of Valsad, in 1972. This rare manuscript has been in Bomanshah’s family for three generations and he has now chosen to gift it to FIRES (ZAH).
With deep gratitude and admiration to all donors, whether they donate cash, single books or their entire collection to us.