Joyful families

"When we began the Jiyo Parsi (JP) program, doctors and demographers had told us that birth numbers reflect only one-third of the effect of bringing a community back from the brink. We have found this absolutely correct as the Health of the Community component (of JP) increases its reach, elders and those in the child bearing age find support and become less tense. This economic and emotional support reduces stress, helps conception and most important, makes for a happy family,” Dr Shernaz Cama, Parzor director, told Parsiana on June 19, 2021. "It is almost unbelievable to see the joy a child brings to grandparents and parents… the change in atmosphere which they very honestly speak about, and a looking forward to a better future.” In the second week of June 2021 the program reported the birth of their 321st child since it started in 2013-14. Of these, 49 were born to couples assisted under their elder support scheme and 66 under their childcare support initiatives, JP counsellor Pearl Mistry told Parsiana.

The program supports couples planning a second child with creche-childcare assistance of Rs 4,000 per month per child up to eight years of age. Beneficiaries need to have an annual family income up to Rs 15 lakhs or lower. Couples with overall annual income less than Rs 10 lakhs, looking after elderly dependents "where this responsibility is a deterrent in starting a family,” can avail of monthly support of Rs 4,000. Initially, the thrust under the JP scheme was to offer financial support for various types of assisted reproductive technology (ART). "However, it was soon realized that it had to go beyond fertility issues and become a holistic movement,” notes their website.
"Crossing the 320 figure for births is a good milestone… even during the pandemic the number of births has risen steadily,” stated Cama. Sixty-one births took place between April 2020 and June 2021, she told The Times of India of June 14, adding that "work from home gave (couples) flexibility in working hours and made visits to hospitals and clinics less stressful.” Noted Mistry, "Assistance provided to couples through the Health of the Community component encourages them to start a family or plan another baby.”
Navsari-based caterer Kainaz Kerawala (37) is one beneficiary of JP’s schemes. "Pèhlé toh manné bov beehk laagi (At first I was frightened)” but all turned out well when after counselling and treatments she and her husband Barjish welcomed their son Riyon in March 2018. "Manné ék rupiyo bhi nai kharachvo paryo (I did not have to spend even one rupee),” the grateful Kainaz told us. The Kerawalas are now planning a second child. Kainaz’s bond with JP has grown. Cama noted, "Kainaz sent me her home-made bhakhras as a thank you and three years later when (Canada-based) chef Niloufer Mavalwala asked me to sponsor a person for her online classes, we sponsored Kainaz… She has learnt so much and gained confidence. Recently, she catered lunch for the visit of Raghvendra Singh, the union secretary for culture and his delegation to Navsari (under the auspices of Parzor). Her food was a great hit.” Kainaz told Parsiana that she has now been appointed to manage the Navsari Atash Behram’s transit accommodation located opposite the fire temple.
Office worker Arzan Patel (32) from Ahmedabad told Parsiana that the process of availing support under Parzor’s elder support scheme was "very smooth… They are all very nice people.” Emboldened on reading about the Health schemes, "aapré elder care nu application kari didhu (we applied for assistance under the elder care scheme).” Arzan, his wife Pinaz (29) and his mother Katy (67) welcomed the younger couple’s first child, Zeus, in April 2021. ART was not needed, he added. They are now planning another baby, "Hamna to Zeus aayo…thoro vaar rahi né (Zeus was born only recently… after some time),” laughed Arzan.
JP is implemented by the Parzor Foundation, Bombay Parsi Punchayet and Tata Institute of Social Sciences under a grant from the union government’s ministry for minority affairs.