Population is one of the main reasons cited for many of the problems that hamper development in India. Population control has been an important governmental agenda for decades now. However, there is one tiny little minority in India that is being exhorted to go forth and multiply. There is a campaign devised to encourage reproduction; here is what the Jiyo Parsi campaign is all about:
Migrating to India as refugees from Iran about the 8th or 10th century, Parsi Zoroastrians have adopted Indian language, dress and many rituals as their own. There are an estimated 57,000 or so Parsis left now in India (in 2011); mostly living in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat and so on. The worldwide number of Parsis is only about one lakh or so.
While the population of India continues to grow, the population of Parsis declines at about 12% each year. Late marriages, significant proportions of individuals not marrying at all and many couples choosing to have only one child are some reasons for falling numbers.
Parsis do not permit non Zoroastrians to profess the faith (one has to be born a Zoroastrian to be a Parsi) and women who marry outside the community and her children are deemed to be non-Parsi. These are some other reasons why the Parsi population is dwindling.
About 4 years ago, a Zoroastrian organisation called ParZor along with the Government of India, initiated the Jiyo Parsi scheme to try and get the Parsis to increase their tribe.
On the one hand the scheme has put out humorous adverts to try and change Parsi mindsets and to encourage couples to marry; then have two or more kids. On the other, it also offers medical help to couples who find it difficult to conceive.
One hundred may not seem like a lot, but when numbers are so small, this is a significant gain. Personal counseling, group sessions and assisted pregnancy and other medical interventions have resulted in 101 babies being born to couples who signed up for the Jiyo Parsi campaign.
Some women who signed up are now considering a second baby as well. A new scheme called “Joy Of Family” launches at the end of July. Clearly there are a lot of people saying to Parsi: Go forth and multiply.
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