Support Jiyo Parsi
Why do some individuals pick and tear apart genuine, well meaning and essential community measures — in this case the Jiyo Parsi venture — undertaken to stem the tide of our demographic decline?
Ever since 1948, when the then secretary of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet Sapur Desai wrote his eye-opening book, A Community at the Crossroads, which rang alarm bells as it pointed to the disastrous effects of demographic decline among Parsis, this issue has been talked about, written about, debated and discussed ad nauseam. But there has been little action as each successive decade the census data shows our numbers depleting by 10 to 12%.
The bane of the Parsi community can be described in three words — not enough babies. We all know the sociological and attitudinal causes for this phenomenon. Over the years efforts have continued to get youth together socially, hoping to result in matrimony, and to an extent this has worked. But, unlike other communities, marriages do not ensure babies. Late age of marriage itself is a sterilizing factor as our girls miss out on the most fertile childbearing period (18 to 27 years) and further delay results in greater difficulty in conceiving even when there is desire to have children. The answer lies in IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment. This is however an expensive procedure and usually three cycles are required for success. With each cycle costing Rs 1.25 lakhs, even fairly well off couples cannot afford it. This is the gap Jiyo Parsi is trying to fill. Granted that 200 more babies from couples participating in Jiyo Parsi cannot make a significant difference; also agreed that Parsi women married out not being eligible for the fertility treatment is sad and needs to be rectified; but a beginning has been made. With the Government of India’s very positive support, the program may continue beyond the initial Rs 10 crores allocated.
However, there is another more important feature of the scheme which is the advocacy program through creatively organized workshops by professionals for various groups (the youth, Parsis of marriageable age, married couples, parent and in-law groups). This aims to start the process of changing the Parsi stereotype about marriage, family and children, and showing that early marriage and raising a family is good for the community.
By involving youth groups like Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation (ZYNG) and the Parsi Press, there is already a visible interest and awareness among the young. The Madison advertising campaign produced pro bono by a concerned Zoroastrian firm is in the true spirit of Parsi humor by making fun of ourselves while pointing to touchy issues which are very much a reality. So why be so self-righteous and sensitive about it? Are not a large number of Parsi youth mama’s boys, and does not the future of Parsi colonies not remaining "Parsi” for very long a possibility if things do not change?
Let us all put our shoulders together to make a final all out effort towards reversing this self inflicted plunge towards oblivion. Support Jiyo Parsi, Return To Roots, an active ZYNG and other youth groups in India and around the world, marriage bureaus, financial aid for the first, second and third child, grants for higher education for Parsi youth, acceptance of children of Parsi women married out. Instead of wasting time, energy and valuable community funds on issues regarding mode of disposal of the dead and fatwas against priests, or ostracism of mixed married families, keep them socially within the fold. AVA KHULLAR
Delhi
avakhullar@gmail.com