21-Mar-2022: Declining Parsi Population in the Country
As per the Census data available with this Ministry, the population of Parsi (Zoroastrian) community decreased from 69,601 in the Census 2001 to 57,264 in the Census 2011. Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Jiyo Parsi Scheme to contain the population decline of Parsis in India. The Jiyo Parsi scheme adopts a scientific protocol and structured interventions to stabilize Parsi population. So far, 359 babies have been born with the assistance under this Scheme.
In order to contain the declining trend of Parsi population, the Ministry of Minority Affairs implements a community-specific scheme namely ‘Jiyo Parsi’. The Scheme has three components: (i) Advocacy - includes counseling of couples with fertility, marriage, family and elderly counseling including workshops on relationship management, parenting, drug awareness etc. (ii) Health of Community-to provide financial assistance to Parsi parents to meet the expenses towards creche/child care, assistance to elderly etc. (iii) Medical Assistance- includes financial assistance for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) which also includes In-vitro Fertilization and Intra Cytoplasmic Injection (ICS) and other modes including surrogacy.
The total financial assistance provided to Parsi couples whose family income is below Rs. 10 Lakh and have elderly members residing with the family has been over Rs. 224.61 lakh. This support has been provided to 115 Parsi couples.
This Ministry has not received any specific request from the Parsi community to help the Parsi community to preserve fire temple site.
21-Jan-2018: Over 130 babies born in 4 years of 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme
Over 130 babies were born since the government launched 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme in 2013 to address the Parsi community's declining population.
The Parzor Foundation is implementing the scheme, launched by the then UPA government, along with the Union minority affairs ministry.
The population of Parsis plunged from 1.14 lakh in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011. The average of Parsi children born annually over the last two decades was around 200.
The sharp decline in the birth rate in the community located mainly in Maharashtra's Mumbai and parts of Gujarat are due to socio-psychological reasons. These include Parsis having late or non-marriages, its members marrying with people outside the community and also many couples not willing to have babies. Demographically speaking, 31 per cent of the Parsis are aged above 60 years and 30 per cent are unmarried.
Parsi women are very highly educated. They do not wish to marry till they finish their education. So, there are late marriages. Once a couple has a late marriage, their fertility automatically goes down.
The total fertility rate (TFR) of the community is 0.8, that is, a Parsi woman in her total child bearing age has less than one child on an average. To counter the situation, the ministry and the foundation have adopted a multi-prong approach of advocacy (counselling), medical and financial assistance to couples seeking help under the scheme.
We are advocating and counselling people to get married at the right age. We are even pushing couples to have a second child, for that is important from the point of view of health of their family.
Under the programme, the ministry has been providing assistance to families seeking help for treatment.
According to the second phase of the scheme, a Parsi family having an annual income of Rs 15 lakh and below will get 100 per cent assistance from the government. Those having yearly income between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 25 lakh will get 75 per cent assistance and those community members earning more than Rs 25 lakh and above annually are entitled to get 50 per cent assistance for medical treatment required.
According to the ministry, the scheme will continue in the remaining period of the 14th Financial Commission, that is, till 2019-20 with a total budgetary provision of Rs 12 crore. This is a 100 per cent central sector scheme.
21-Mar-2022: Declining Parsi Population in the Country
As per the Census data available with this Ministry, the population of Parsi (Zoroastrian) community decreased from 69,601 in the Census 2001 to 57,264 in the Census 2011. Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Jiyo Parsi Scheme to contain the population decline of Parsis in India. The Jiyo Parsi scheme adopts a scientific protocol and structured interventions to stabilize Parsi population. So far, 359 babies have been born with the assistance under this Scheme.
In order to contain the declining trend of Parsi population, the Ministry of Minority Affairs implements a community-specific scheme namely ‘Jiyo Parsi’. The Scheme has three components: (i) Advocacy - includes counseling of couples with fertility, marriage, family and elderly counseling including workshops on relationship management, parenting, drug awareness etc. (ii) Health of Community-to provide financial assistance to Parsi parents to meet the expenses towards creche/child care, assistance to elderly etc. (iii) Medical Assistance- includes financial assistance for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) which also includes In-vitro Fertilization and Intra Cytoplasmic Injection (ICS) and other modes including surrogacy.
The total financial assistance provided to Parsi couples whose family income is below Rs. 10 Lakh and have elderly members residing with the family has been over Rs. 224.61 lakh. This support has been provided to 115 Parsi couples.
This Ministry has not received any specific request from the Parsi community to help the Parsi community to preserve fire temple site.
21-Jan-2018: Over 130 babies born in 4 years of 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme
Over 130 babies were born since the government launched 'Jiyo Parsi' scheme in 2013 to address the Parsi community's declining population.
The Parzor Foundation is implementing the scheme, launched by the then UPA government, along with the Union minority affairs ministry.
The population of Parsis plunged from 1.14 lakh in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011. The average of Parsi children born annually over the last two decades was around 200.
The sharp decline in the birth rate in the community located mainly in Maharashtra's Mumbai and parts of Gujarat are due to socio-psychological reasons. These include Parsis having late or non-marriages, its members marrying with people outside the community and also many couples not willing to have babies. Demographically speaking, 31 per cent of the Parsis are aged above 60 years and 30 per cent are unmarried.
Parsi women are very highly educated. They do not wish to marry till they finish their education. So, there are late marriages. Once a couple has a late marriage, their fertility automatically goes down.
The total fertility rate (TFR) of the community is 0.8, that is, a Parsi woman in her total child bearing age has less than one child on an average. To counter the situation, the ministry and the foundation have adopted a multi-prong approach of advocacy (counselling), medical and financial assistance to couples seeking help under the scheme.
We are advocating and counselling people to get married at the right age. We are even pushing couples to have a second child, for that is important from the point of view of health of their family.
Under the programme, the ministry has been providing assistance to families seeking help for treatment.
According to the second phase of the scheme, a Parsi family having an annual income of Rs 15 lakh and below will get 100 per cent assistance from the government. Those having yearly income between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 25 lakh will get 75 per cent assistance and those community members earning more than Rs 25 lakh and above annually are entitled to get 50 per cent assistance for medical treatment required.
According to the ministry, the scheme will continue in the remaining period of the 14th Financial Commission, that is, till 2019-20 with a total budgetary provision of Rs 12 crore. This is a 100 per cent central sector scheme.
29-Jul-2017: Government launches Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2 in Mumbai.
“Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2” is launched by the government. Addressing a large number of people from Parsi community and renowned personalities from various fields at the launch of “Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2” at Mumbai, Shri Naqvi said that Parsi community has immense contribution in nation building and Parsi community has been a “role model” for other communities for its culture and traditions. The Parsi community has given so many great people who have been “architects of nation building”.
Even though the Parsi community is a very small minority community in India, there is no doubt that the Parsi community is one of the most liberal, aware towards education and an example of “peace and harmony”.
Shri Naqvi said that Jamshetji Tata played a crucial role in industrial development of India; Dadabhai Naoroji and Madam Bhikaji Cama played an important role in India’s freedom struggle; Homi J Bhabha is “father of Indian nuclear programme. Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw’s service to the nation will be remembered always. Be it industry, military service, legal service, architecture or civil services, the Parsi community has always shown its talent.
Declining population of Parsi community in India is a matter of concern. “Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-1” was initiated in 2013 for containing the declining trend of population of the Parsi community and reverse it to bring their population above the threshold level.
The main objective of the “Jiyo Parsi” scheme is to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions, stabilize their population and increase the population of Parsis in India. Ministry of Minority Affairs’ scheme has two components: Medical Assistance and Advocacy/Counselling. The scheme has been successful. 101 babies have been born in Parsi community through “Jiyo Parsi” scheme.
Parzor Foundation was an important link between the Parsi community and the government in success of “Jiyo Parsi” scheme. And the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai; the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and Federation of Zoroastrian Anjumans of India have also played a key role in this regard.
These organisations have been publicising the scheme through outreach programmes like seminars, workshops, publicity, brochures, Parsi journals and other advocacy programmes and awareness campaign.
