Jiyo Parsi Scheme Facilitates 534 Births Since 2014

The Jiyo Parsi scheme, launched by the Centre in 2013 to address the declining Parsi-Zoroastrian population, has facilitated 534 births since 2014-15. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha about the scheme's progress on Monday.

According to Rijiju, 582 community members have benefited from assistance for infertility treatment, childbearing, childbirth, and post-natal care. Additionally, 1,055 beneficiaries have received financial support under the scheme's 'Health of Community' component since 2018-19. The Centre has spent Rs 37.43 crore on the programme since its inception.

The Parsi population in India has been declining over the years. Census data shows that the population stood at 89,490 in 1891, peaked at 1,14,791 in 1941, and then declined to 69,601 in 2001 and further fell to 57,264 in 2011. The decline has been attributed to late marriages, falling birth rates, infertility, a high proportion of unmarried people, and inter-community marriages.

The Jiyo Parsi scheme aims to reverse this trend by providing medical assistance, childcare, and elderly care to the Parsi community. The scheme has been implemented through various organizations, including the PARZOR Foundation, the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Pearl Mistry, who represented the PARZOR Foundation, said that 428 babies had been born under the scheme by 2022-23. She emphasized that such programmes require decades and a change in mindset, as convincing couples to have more children is a challenging task.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs conducts publicity campaigns, workshops, and interaction sessions to raise awareness about the scheme. Information is also disseminated through major Parsi newspapers. While the scheme does not provide direct financial assistance under the awareness and outreach component, it has been successful in facilitating births and providing support to the Parsi community.

The success of the Jiyo Parsi scheme offers hope for stabilizing the Parsi population. Independent third-party evaluations have found the scheme to be successful, and the Centre's efforts to address the declining population are a step in the right direction.

The decline of the Parsi population is a concern that requires attention and action. The Jiyo Parsi scheme is a positive step towards addressing this issue, and its success can be a model for other communities facing similar challenges. As the scheme continues to facilitate births and provide support to the Parsi community, it is likely to have a positive impact on the population's growth and stability.

In conclusion, the Jiyo Parsi scheme has shown promise in addressing the declining Parsi-Zoroastrian population. With the Centre's continued efforts and support, the scheme is likely to have a positive impact on the community's growth and stability.