Jiyo Parsi, Jiyo!

Borrowing a definition from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Parsi, also spelled as Parsee, is a member of group of followers of Iranian prophet Zoroaster. The Parsis, whose name means “Persians,” are descended from Persian Zoroastrians who emigrated to India to avoid religious persecution by the Muslims. They live chiefly in Bombay and in a few towns and villages mostly to the north of Bombay, but also at Karachi (Pakistan) and Bangalore (Karnataka, India). Although they are not, strictly speaking, a caste, since they are not Hindus, they form a well-defined community.

These loves their machines – cars, motorcycles, scooters. They take care of them like family and ensure that these possessions are safely and proudly inherited by the progenies. Alas! That is where the problem is. Take a look at the pictures below.

What do all these snaps tell us? Simple, the population of the Parsis, a notified minority community under National Commission of Minorities Act, 1992, is fast dwindling. It has declined from 1,14,000 in 1941 to 69,001 in 2001. These guys just don't want to be hitched. The average age at marriage among Parsi women is 27 years and in men about 31 years. More than 30% of Parsis never get married. The problem is might serious, believe me. Or else, why would Government of India do something about this?

Yes, you heard it correctly. There is a demand from the Parsis for Government intervention to arrest this trend. The Government has launched a campaign called Jiyo Parsi. The scheme is being assisted by Parzor Foundation, Bombay Parsi Panchayat and Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India.

Parsi married couples who seek assistance would undergo treatment cycles of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) as prescribed by the concerned doctor which includes In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) as medical remedies when required, subject to maximum cost of Rs. 5 Lakhs or as per actual, whichever is less.

If you know any Parsi in need of Jiyo initiative, please coerce them to get the help they need via a reliable, official program.