Births up

The Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) figures for the number of Parsi/Irani births in Bombay in 2010, totaled 210, the highest figure in the past seven years. The figures released by Cawas Panthaki, senior executive, welfare, on behalf of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) show 106 boys and 104 girls born. Aside from the higher number, even the sex ratio has improved (see chart above).

The figures for deaths in 2010 totaled 933, according to the figures compiled by Parsiana from the BPP data (434 males, 464 females, totaling 898) and the Chandanwadi crematorium cremations (15 males, 20 females, totaling 35). The actual death figures may be marginally higher. The number of deaths over births therefore is 723.

After the Parsis, it’s now the turn of the Christians of Bombay to face a declining population. According to figures released by the BMC’s civic health department, 3,887 Christians died in 2010 while only 3,763 were born, according to a report in The Times of India (TOI) May 23, 2011.

"In this period, there were 1,25,614 lakh Hindu births and 74,003 deaths; the Muslim community saw 50,353 children being born as against 16,898 deaths. The birth-death rate ratio of Muslims is almost double that of Hindus, showing a much more robust population growth,” reported the daily.

According to Dolphy D’Souza, former president of the Catholic Sabha, "the trend here is in tune with the national trend (for Christians). The stress has been on providing quality life to one child than having more children,” states TOI.

Aside from facing a declining population, Christians and Parsis may have other shared characteristics. The clergy in both communities are taking sides in political issues. According to another report in the TOI of the same day, "When Caradinal Oswald Gracias recently came out in support of Anna Hazare’s battle against corruption, Congress leaders were worried. The Catholic community has traditionally voted for the Congress, but party leaders feel there may be a change ahead of the civic elections next year.”

The church does not promote any political party according to Father Tony Charanghat, spokesperson for the Bombay Archidiocese. "However, Christians also want to participate in the democratic process. If they feel that someone is not addressing their grievances they are bound to look at others who will take up their issues seriously irrespective of the candidate’s political affiliation,” he added.

Perhaps our high priests could take a leaf from our Christians brethren and eschew taking sides as for example during the BPP elections. Dasturs (Dr)s Kaikhushroo JamaspAsa and Firoze Kotwal have supported the candidature of Anahita Desai, co-editor of the WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) Page and newly designated chief executive officer of the six-year-old orthodox body. Dastur Khurshed Dastoor has seconded the nomination papers for Muncherji Cama, managing director of The Bombay Samachar who is opposing Desai. The voting is to be held in the months of June and July 2011.