“Propping up…”

I read the article "Propping up the community” (Parsiana, March 21, 2006) which was not only interesting but an eye-opener for the community.

While I do not fully agree with the views expressed in some quarters about the accuracy of the census figures, I would like to state that the same do not appear to be absolutely correct. As far as Ahmedabad is concerned, the Parsi count of 1,349 would not appear to be correct because as per the Parsi Directory of August 2001, compiled and published by some ‘enthusiastic’ humdins of Ahme­­dabad, the population was 1,921, excluding non-Parsi spouses, and the figure for March 2006 is about 1,800, including non-Parsi wives and about 1,750 excluding non-Parsi wives. More realistic figures for Gujarat and other states could be obtained by calling for the same from all anjumans/punchayets, besides those mentioned in the article. We, at the Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat, are in the process of bringing out a Parsi Directory of Ahmedabad.

From the first recorded figures in the year 1824, which showed only four Parsi families in Ahmedabad, the population of Parsis appears to have increased up to the year 1975, which showed the highest figure of 2,094, with an increase of about 400 in 50 years from 1926 to 1975. After this the Parsi population of Ahmedabad has declined by about 300 in 30 years.

It is a pity that there are so many single persons, both males and females, in our midst or married persons who have lost their spouse and do not have children or those with children who do not care to look after them in the twilight of their lives.

My heart bleeds to see some lovely maidens gradually moving towards spinsterhood. These single persons, both females and males, who may now feel that they ‘have missed the bus’ due to their own doing and/or because of their parents’ high hopes, do not realize (or do realize) that in later years, in the absence of joint families, they will have to fend for themselves or be dependent on others for physical and even monetary help. Some of them do have money but they invariably cringe on spending and leave behind a substantial unspent amount which they did not spend on themselves fearing some unforeseen expense.

In Ahmedabad, we, the Parsi Panchayat, had organized a meet for young males and females from all over India in the hope that they would find suitable life partners and we learn that this exercise has not been unfruitful. Other anjumans should also follow our example.

Besides the problem of late marriages, which inhibits the birth of children or of more than one or two children, another most pressing problem is infertility in young couples for which steps should be taken by their family or the respective anjumans/punchayets at the earliest on a war footing at all levels, instead of making grandiose plans for other things. I am sure the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, with their experience, will oblige by giving their guidance and help. The need of the hour is to have more children in the community.

RASHID S. MEDORA

Trustee, Ahmedabad Parsi Panchayat