Falling birth rate

The news about the fall in birth rate of Parsis has created ripples in the community. Parsis are known as pachham budhi (being wise after the event). The fall in population is not at all new — it has been going on for nearly 80 years or more. (Since the 1850s – editors). We were about 1,14,000 as per 1940 census count. Thereafter, the numbers have halved and today we are about 57,264.
Even then the same controversy was plaguing us — about whether we should accept others into our community. I quote from the Autobiography of Dastur (Dr) Maneckji Dhalla, originally published in Gujarati in 1942 and the English translation in 1975: "At the moment, until the social atmosphere of the community undergoes a change it is understandable that due to high death rate... the fall in birth rate due to family planning and other reasons, the strength of the community shows a downward trend. When we, or the generations to come, become aware of the danger of our decreasing numbers, then fresh answers will be found to suit the changing circumstances.”
Instead of heeding this warning of more than 80 years ago our community members, leaders and high priests seem to be happily practicing khavasni, pivasni and suvasni (good food, drinks and good sleep)!
Dhalla further says: "It is just possible that after decades the community may create an enlightened and educated priest class and a popular understanding that to spread the good faith and to increase our strength is not only commensurate with the precepts of our religion but also in the interest of our social well-being.”
How long do we have to wait to see that "enlightened and educated priest class” emerging and an understanding in our community members about spreading our religion? KERSEE KABRAJI
Poona
kerseekabraji@gmail.com