Parsis – The World’s Smallest Nation
From Google Earth Community
The 2001 census in India put Parsis at 69,600. There are some 35,000 or 40,000 additionally, mainly in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Population estimates in India expect Parsis to come down to 20,000 by 2020. Apart from the UNESCO sponsored PARZOR (Parsi-Zoroastrian) project which is documenting the old Parsi traditions, there is no international – nor at any other level – effort (including within the minuscule community) to reverse the declining population.
This the story of a people, who out of a steadfast love of their identity, religion, beliefs, customs and ancient traditions and much more that goes to forming a people/nation, decided they would rather find refuge in a new land, than give up all that was precious and invaluable to them.
thank you for including my post from Google Earth Community, it is also included in my website. It is my very modest attempt to portray our small community whose achievements, at one time, in India, were far in excess to our small numbers. We are however rather India-centric in our present view of the situation Parsis find themselves in, and what circumstances govern our lives in other countries is not too well known. Here, in Aus-New Zealand, I can confidently say, Parsis are 95% employed/self-employed. Apart from the usual crop of Accountants, engineers, even mall-grocery cashiers, etc, there are Parsis engaged in business (like managing a tulips growing farm, computer software, or running taxis)…. as well as the 60+ aged are in home business like taking surveys or marketing products-from their homes, or mysery shop audits!!!
Perhaps the dynamics of being an up and going community has shifted out of India to some extent?
But the aweful infighting(in the face of all problems we face) continues here as well……in small New Zealand, with around 1500 Parsis, there are three religious based associations, the extreme traditional-not so visible, the traditionalists, and the liberals-and membership in all 3 does not exceed 500/600; and jashans and gahambars are more frequent than in India. Sadly, well meaning youngsters do not get partners from the community.
Geve