A lot has been said, written, and debated about the dwindling numbers of the already small Parsi community in India and world over.
For the record, here in the National Capital Region of Delhi, which includes Gurgaon and Noida, we Parsis are quite concerned with our declining numbers, and dismayed by the ignorance/apathy that surrounds this subject.
While many may not agree with our point of view, we’d appreciate healthy debate on the subject, rather than an ostrich-head-in-the-sand-approach - after all, openness to other points of view and depth of thinking are some of the key characteristics that make us who we are!
Here’s a perspective on the subject, from Dinshaw Tamboly, with facts and figures in support of his thinking.
“The community numbers as per the 2011 census when released will tell its own story. The most serious problem that our community is beset with is the problem of falling numbers which needs to be earnestly addressed and corrective action taken.
Based on a 10% decrease every decade, the Parsee race in India will come down to 41,099 by 2050 and 24,268 by 2100.
If one calculates the depletion @ 12% per decade, the figures can be 36,730 by 2050 and 19,382 by 2100.
The decimation of numbers will in all probability accelerate in the years to come as the 2001 census has identified 24.1% of Parsees to be above 65 years of age…”
Khordad Sal Mubarak to Parsis and Zoroastrians world over! Today we celebrate the birth anniversary of our prophet Zarathushtra. Today we will decorate our homes, and offer special prayers and hold jashans… And of course, we Parsis will also indulge in feasts of good Parsi food with our family and friends!
Pateti and Navroze Mubarak to all the members of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, and Parsis and Zoroastrians world over! Wishing you all a new year full of good thoughts, good words and good deeds, with abundance of peace, good health, happiness and wealth.