Community Support For Iran During COVID-19 Crisis

On March 26, 2020, Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University Of Medical Science, Iran received the second humanitarian package of medical supplies and safety equipment, sent to them through the support of Indian Zoroastrians. Over the past three weeks, two containers of medical supplies had been sent to Iran, that has been facing a major challenge controlling the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, with generous community support, life-saving medicines, masks, surgical coveralls and gloves, and also some ventilators, were sent to Yazd. The transport of supplies was made possible by Mahan Airlines, who ran emergency flights when all local and international flights were suspended.

Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a videoconference with the Governor of Yazd, praised the Zoroastrians’ philanthropic activities in the fight against the Coronavirus. 

Dr. Shernaz Cama has been tirelessly working for the community and creating strong links with Iran, especially in 2020 – the year which celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relationship between the two nations. We are proud that Dr. Cama managed to reach out and work with the backing of the strength of the global Zarthushti and humanitarian community.

The task of facilitating individuals who wanted to support this worthwhile cause, with the world entering a huge challenge in the form of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus was difficult and often heart-breaking. Each day brought bad news and yet each day strengthened the positive responses and resolve of a people who have followed the principles of Good Thoughts, Good Words and most necessarily, Good Deeds for all Creation. 

 

We are firstly grateful to Homi Gandhi, President, FEZANA USA for his initiatives and coordinating the relief from Zoroastrians who donated generously from abroad. The generosity of several Zoroastrians around the world ensured this was possible: 

∙      Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar Poonawalla, Serum Institute and the team of Dr. Dhere and Dureja, Serum Institute, Pune 

∙      Dr. Yusuf Hamied, Cipla, London, and his team, especially Mr. Jaiswal, Cipla India 

∙      Lord Karan Bilimoria Of London

∙      Dr. Ali Chegeni, Ambassador of Iran in India

 

 We must especially thank: 

∙      Mr. Mohammed Hekmat, Iranian Researcher affiliated with Parzor and working at the National Museum Institute, Delhi, for his constant support, his communications with Yazd, as well as his work with the Iranian Embassy officials in Delhi and officials in Iran

∙      Mr. Ali Moghari, Embassy of Iran in India 

∙      Dorab and Shernaz Mistry of Singapore

∙      Homa Zartoshty USA of the Zartoshty Brothers Funds and Malcolm Deboo, President, ZTFE, London

∙      Gaiv Irani, Vice President and the Trustees of the Iranian Zarthushti Anjuman, Mumbai

∙      Shahin Bekhradnia, WZO, UK 

∙      Darayus S Motiwala, President – WZO, UK

We are also deeply grateful to those who immediately rallied around to help – Sanaya Nariman, Darius Khambatta, Shireen Sethna Baria, Anosh Kelawala, Prof Armaity Desai, Dadi Pudumjee, Perin Pudumjee Coyaji, Sarvar Khambatta Chand, Delzine Wankadia, Dinyar Patel, Dorab R Sopariwala, Ervad Jal Birdy, J.N. Amrolia, Jehangir Cama, Kayomarsh P Mehta, Pervin Jehangir, Roshan and Rohinton Rivetna, USA, Shernaz and  Farhaan Lala, Yasmin and Jamshed Ghadiali USA, Yezad Kapadia, Kersi Shroff, Anton Zykov, Russia. 

Last but not the least, we must recognise the enormous energy and effort put in by: 

∙      Mr. Sepanta Niknam, President, Yazd Zarthushti Anjuman. We as a community must applaud his dedication to his people and the hospital in Yazd 

∙      Dr. Mohammad Reza Mirjalili, President, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

∙      Mr. Mohammad Hekmat who has done all the coordinating with Iranian officials 

∙      Kritika Mudgal for coordinating all contributions, purchases and supply logistics across India with several dealers and pharmaceutical companies

∙      Mahtab Irani for her accountancy skills in keeping tallies of donation and expense and support 

∙      Mr. Rajiv Kumar of Lucknow Medical Agencies, Lajpat Nagar for providing the medical supplies and dealing with so many different people across the world 

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[Submitted by Mahtab Irani]