The move follows widespread backlash within the Parsi community, which had launched online campaigns and social media groups opposing the auction of the loss-making property.

Article by Manoj Ramakrishnan | Free Press Journal

The WZO Trust Funds has decided to suspend the auction process for the Sanjan Parsi Sanatorium after a donor came forward to support the facility for the next few years, averting its proposed sale.

The move follows widespread backlash within the Parsi community, which had launched online campaigns and social media groups opposing the auction of the loss-making property.

Anonymous Donor Commits Financial Support

On Friday, the WZO Trust Funds announced that an anonymous donor has committed to provide financial assistance to keep the facility operational without burdening the trust.

In an official statement, Dinshaw Tamboly, trustee of the WZO Trust Funds, said,

“The immediate need to sell the said property at present is not necessary. The trustees have decided, therefore, to currently suspend the process with respect to the proposed auction sale.”

Historic Sanatorium with Community Value

The Bai Maneckbai P. R. Jeejeebhoy Sanatorium, located near the Sanjan Stambh a monument commemorating the Parsis who landed there over a millennium ago has provided boarding at nominal rates since 2001.

Tamboly stated that despite several efforts to sustain the facility, the trust had suffered high operational losses in recent years. The trustees had considered selling the property so that the funds could be redirected to other charitable activities, and a public auction notice was issued accordingly.

However, following the donor’s intervention, the trust has halted the auction and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to bidders and participants.

Community Welcomes Reversal of Decision

The decision to suspend the sale has brought relief and joy to the community.

Pareecheher Daviervala, a Sanjan resident and member of the family that sold its ancestral bungalow to the WZO Trust in 1997 to establish the sanatorium, welcomed the development.

“A community sanatorium is not meant to make profits. It was primarily meant to serve the community and help people visit their roots. The WZO Trust Funds was maintaining it well,” she said.

Social Media Campaign Credited for Outcome

Raika Gazder, a Marine Lines resident who led the social media campaign against the sale, said the group’s efforts had succeeded.

“This campaign used technology to generate support for the cause. Similarly, technology can be used to bring guests to the facility. Earlier, Parsis sent letters and postcards to book sanatorium stays — now online systems can easily handle this. These properties, located in scenic areas like Sanjan, can be maintained without selling them off,” Gazder said.

WZOTF cancels sale of Sanjan property meant for Parsi-Irani community after anonymous donor’s support

Article by Nauzer K Bharucha | Times of India

An anonymous Parsi donor from overseas has stemmed the controversial sale of a 2.5 acre sanatorium property in Sanjan meant for the Parsi-Irani community.On Friday, World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds (WZOTF), which owned the Bai Maneckbai P.B. Jeejeebhoy Sanatorium in Sanjan, about 150-km from Mumbai, said it will now not sell the property. The news was greeted with widespread cheer and relief in the community, which had strongly opposed the sale.”A donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) has now graciously committed support to ensure that the sanitorium can remain operational for the next few years without any financial burden to the trust. Therefore, the immediate need to sell the said property at present is not necessary. Trustees have decided therefore to currently suspend the process with respect to the proposed auction sale,” said the trustees, in a statement issued on Friday.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the donor, as also to all those who supported the trust in the aforesaid process and regret any inconvenience that may have been caused to any of the bidders and others involved in the sale auction,” said the WZOTF.Early this week, despite strong opposition from within the community, the trustees went ahead with the property’s auction and received the highest bid of Rs 8 crore from Chandan Steel.

The trust said it was forced to sell the property because of increasing losses due to poor occupancy.”The Trust has provided boarding and lodging at the sanatorium at nominal rates to members of the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community since the year 2001. Over the last few years, the trust has suffered high operational losses in doing so. Many attempts have been made by the trustees to offset the same, and several avenues were explored in that regard. Since no improvement was forthcoming, trustees were left with no option but to take a decision to put the property up for sale so that the monies being spent on the property, as well as the sale proceeds thereof, can be better utilized for more deserving charitable purposes,” said the WZOTF.The trustees said they had simultaneously also continued their efforts to find ways and means to ensure that the property need not be sold. Now that a donor had been found, the WZOTF decided to suspend the sale.