Declining Parsi Population in the Country
Context:
• 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.
Background:
• Parsis are a very prominent community in India despite their small number.
• They have made a mark in diverse fields. Scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha was a pioneer in atomic research. JRD Tata was a legendary businessman.
• Sam Manekshaw was India’s first field Marshal. Parsi community is known for contributing greatly to Indian business.
About:
• 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.
Source: THE HINDU.
