Explained: What is Jiyo Parsi Programme?

Context

In the recent car accident that caused the death of Cyrus Mistry and one more. Dr. Anahita Pandole was also traveling in the same car. She survived and is currently undergoing surgery. She is the one to play a key role in the ideation and formulation of the methodology required for the Jiyo Parsi programme.

Probable Question

 Explain the need for the implementation of Jiyo Parsi Scheme, comment on the changes in the situation of the Parsi community after the implementation of the scheme.

About Jiyo Parsi Scheme

• As per the Census data available with this Ministry, the decline in the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community from 69,601 in the Census 2001 to 57,264 in the Census 2011 is alarming. 
• Thus the Ministry of Minority Affairs implements the Jiyo Parsi Scheme to contain the population decline of Parsis in India. 
• The Jiyo Parsi scheme adopts a scientific protocol and structured interventions to stabilize the Parsi population. 
• The scheme has helped for the birth of approx 359 babies with the assistance under this Scheme.
• The Scheme has three components: 
  • Advocacy: It includes counseling of couples with fertility, marriage, family and elderly counseling including workshops on relationship management, parenting, drug awareness etc. 
  • Health of Community: To provide financial assistance to Parsi parents to meet the expenses towards creche/child care, assistance to elderly etc. 
  • Medical Assistance: it also includes financial assistance for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) which also includes In-vitro Fertilization and IntraCytoplasmic Injection (ICS) and other modes including surrogacy.
• The scheme has provided total financial assistance to 115 Parsi couples whose family income is below Rs. 10 Lakh and have elderly members residing with the family. 

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Cause of Decline in Parsi Community

• Low fertility or the less number of children born to every woman: 
  • In a study it is found that low fertility is one of the important factors behind the declining population. 
  • Many Parsi couples cannot afford fertility treatment.
  • The fertility rate of 0.8 children per woman was also found in the study.
• Migration: It is also another factor for the decline in the Parsi population.
• Late marriages: 
  • In the community the relatively older age at marriage is 27 years for women and 31 for men. 
  • In addition, 30% of Parsis remain single and 31% are over the age of 60.
• Exclusion of kids born to women married to non-Parsis, is another cause for the decline.
• High Death Rate and low birth rate: It was found that out of around 200 Parsi children are born and over 800 Parsis die each year.

Dr. Anahita Pandole’s Contribution

• Her contributions to the Parsis have saved their dwindling population, a result of intra-marriage in the community. 
• She collaborated with the Bombay Parsi Punchayet and started The Bombay Parsi Punchayet Fertility Project, in 2004, which allowed them to have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities.
• She played a key role in the ideation and formulation of the methodology required for the Jiyo Parsi programme. 
• She, with the help of the Parzor Foundation, created a current database of all Parsis living in India for the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs. 
• As she is one of the top gynecologists in Mumbai, she uses her skills to give fertility treatments to Parsi couples at very low cost, counseled Parsi youth and their families for early marriage, conceiving at the right time and training volunteers.

News Source: The Indian Express, PIB

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