The year 2014 had brought good news for the community in the city when its annual births increased from 174 to 208. Last year's figure, however, is 191 — 106 female and 85 male.
After a year of joy, the Parsi community is seeing a slump in its numbers again — the figures recorded in 2015 are less than those of 2014.
The year 2014 had brought good news for the community in the city when its annual births increased from 174 to 208. Last year's figure, however, is 191 — 106 female and 85 male.
The figures were published in a Parsi magazine, Parsiana. dna independently verified the same with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), which had passed it on to Parsiana after getting the same from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
BPP chairman Yazdi Desai said, "Yes, the figures published by the magazine have been given to them by the BPP. However, they have come to us from the BMC. The figures have not been verified by us but can be believed."
When asked about the much debated issue of children of Parsi women from marriage with non-Parsi father being allowed into the community, Desai said, "Parsis are a race, not anyone can be a Parsi. Parsis are patrilineal; hence, the heir passes from the father to child, anything else is not up for debate."
When the same question was put to another trustee, Kersi Randeria, he said, "Numerically, it adds to the strength but practically does not help."
Muncherji Cama, trustee of BPP, gave reasons for the decline. "Late marriages, no marriage, marriages outside the community, conceiving only one child or no child at all are a few of the many reasons," he said.
Another trustee Noshir Dadrawala gave a solution to the problem, saying, "The BPP along with the government has been taking initiatives to address the issue, namely Jiyo Parsi and some economic incentives as well.
Matrimonial and social events are also being organised to address the issue. However, this is a long process and cannot be tackled in just a day."
Shernaz Cama, director of the Unesco Parzor Foundation, which is implementing the Jiyo Parsi scheme, agreed that the numbers were shocking. But Cama added that she was hopeful of the situation improving. "Since September 2013 till date, the births due to Jiyo Parsi in India have reached up to 76, and in Mumbai alone, 30-odd have been born. So, even though the numbers provided by the BMC are shocking, we are positive. It's a five-year programme and we still have three years to reach our goal; we are certain we will get there."
Year Births
2015: 191 (106 female, 85 male)
2014: 208 (103 female, 105 male)
2013: 174 (77 female, 97 male)
2012: 201 (102 female, 99 male)
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