ARMAITY RUSTOM TIRANDAZ ADDRESSES THE COMMUNITY
Before uttering any important words I always seek almighty’s guidance, “Khshnaothra Ahurahe Mazdao”.
MY DECISION TO RE-CONTEST WAS EASY
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others, lives on.”
Dear Voter, I am close to completing my 2nd term as Trustee of the BPP. Over the last 13 years I have attended over 600 board meetings with an impeccable attendance rate. I would like to fold my hands and say ‘Thank You’ to every member of the community, for giving me the opportunity to serve and assist our community and its brethren. Today again I am before you as a candidate eager to continue my service for my last term as a Trustee of the BPP.
The Tirandaz family has always believed in ‘Service before Self’, and for over 5 decades I have lived by it. Service runs in my blood and I have extended my energies towards humanitarian and animal welfare causes outside our community as well. I am grateful to the almighty that he has given me good health and mental faculties to do my service to society.
Over the last 13 years as Trustee I have seen the community face challenge after challenge. Especially during the last couple of years where COVID hit our seniors badly. My experience on the board has taught me many valuable lessons. And my contesting has never been dependent on who my fellow co- Trustees were or are or will be. It is not in our interest to have an election where community members malign each other and rather we should have an election based on positives and accomplishments of each candidate. We have seen how elections have divided the BPP Board in the past. Therefore, I have decided to collaborate with 4 other trustee aspirants who have the same objectives and goals for the BPP as I do. I am a team player who works for what is correct and honest. I have proved myself as an independent thinking individual on this current BPP Board which is of most importance. I believe my intellect and un-biased approach will continue to serve the community well. You can outsource many things, but not the spirit of service, the integrity to uphold the right values, and the determination to do your best by your community. I bring all of this with me, in addition to my academic qualifications.
My slogan “KOM-NI-UNITY” is what I have always believed in because our small numbers need to remain united. My 4 other co-trustee aspirants and I believe in the dire need for this unity for progress. Namely, Mrs. Maharukh Noble, Mr. Xerxes Dastur, Mr. Viraf Mehta and Mr. Rumi Zarir. These individuals are known to me for many years now and I am aware of their own accolades in community service. They are most importantly, honest with impeccable credentials, and we all share the same passion of service before self. I pray that our entire team is elected by the voters to accomplish our roadmap for the revival of the BPP.
I wish for my service and hard work to speak for itself. I wish for this election to be free of acrimony and slander which was present in the last elections. The Trustees are elected by the beneficiaries to serve the beneficiaries. To serve as a trustee is a privilege and not prestige. Sadly many beneficiaries have a feeling of fear and insecurity approaching Trustees and the office of the BPP. This Fear Factor is the greatest emotion that we need to address. Our beneficiaries should be free to express their opinions for and against the BPP Trustees in a professional manner and it is the duty of the
If reelected I will continue to contribute to the best of my ability, intelligence and independent thinking. I know that I cannot be influenced by anybody who will act contrary to my principles of honesty, integrity, fair-mindedness, transparency, protocol and compassion. These I am unwilling to compromise under any circumstances. I have kept my “Tokham Kyani” intact. I firmly believe that there is a dire need to uplift the ethos of our community, the name of the BPP, the welfare of our community and protect our lands and religion. I’m perceptive enough to know my priorities, and principled enough to stand by them. Ultimately, I’m answerable not to any individual but to my conscience and my community – I will never let them down.
I believe that now only a cohesive team of trustees with a common objective can help each other achieve something tangible. I would like to thank all those who have worked with me over the years to enable me assist others. I pray that lord Ahuramazda bring peace, togetherness and longevity to our community and to each one of you and your families.
I would like to end with this beautiful poem –
An old man, going a lone highway Came, at the evening cold and grey, To a chasm, vast and deep and wide Through which, was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim. The sullen stream had no fears for him.
But he turned, when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man” said a fellow pilgrim, near, You are wasting strength with building here, Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again must pass this way. You have crossed the chasm deep and wide, Why build you the bridge at the eventide?.
The builder lifted his old gray head “Good friend, in the path I have come”, he said There followeth after me today A youth, whose feet must pass this way.
Now dear Voter, substitute the old man in the poem for the BPP, which is over 300 years old.
Armaity Rustom Tirandaz
Candidate No. 3