Rijiju lauds Parsis' contribution, says govt working to prevent decline in community's population

The government remains committed to preserving the communitys heritage and its socio-economic welfare, he said at the seminar titled Parsis in Modern India Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways organised by the National Commission for Minorities at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre here on Saturday.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju has hailed the Parsis for their stellar contribution to the country's development and asserted that the government is working to protect them and ensure their numbers do not shrink further. The government remains committed to preserving the community's heritage and its socio-economic welfare, he said at the seminar titled 'Parsis in Modern India: Navigating Cultural and Socio-Economic Pathways' organised by the National Commission for Minorities at Yashwantrao Chavan Centre here on Saturday. A short film showcasing the history, heritage and contributions of the Parsi community to India's social, industrial and philanthropic development was screened on the occasion. A coffee table book on the Parsi community's legacy, achievements and demographics was also unveiled. The minority affairs minister elaborated on efforts to rejuvenate the Avestan language and measures to address the declining Parsi population. Highlighting concerns over the declining population of the Parsi community, Rijiju stated that their numbers stand at 52,000 to 55,000 in the country. He said the government is working to ensure their numbers do not shrink further. ''The government remains committed to preserving its heritage and socio-economic welfare,'' Rijiju said while recalling that the Tata family sponsored India's 1920 Olympic teams and Parsis fielded the first Indian cricket team in the 1880s. He also hailed the Parsis for their role in building the country's industrial and economic foundations. ''It is not just about numbers; it is the impact that matters. The government values every community and follows the dictum of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', which, in the third term, has been further strengthened with 'Sabka Vishwas' and 'Sabka Prayas','' Rijiju said. The minister invited suggestions from the seminar, part of a series of academic engagements initiated in February to deliberate on the status of minority communities, including the Jiyo Parsi scheme. The seminar brought together Union and state ministers, policymakers, scholars, industrialists, academicians and representatives of the Parsi community to discuss cultural preservation, demographic concerns and socio-economic status. The community faces distinct challenges, particularly with regard to demographic sustainability, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian noted. The declining population trends and changing social patterns require a coordinated response involving policy support and community participation, he added. National Commission for Minorities secretary Alka Upadhyaya stressed the need to preserve India's pluralistic cultural ethos. The commission has remained engaged with issues such as demographic challenges, cultural preservation and access to welfare schemes, she said. National Commission for Minorities member Berjis Desai spoke about the community's significant contribution to India's economic, industrial, legal and philanthropic foundations, noting that despite its small population, it has played a disproportionately large role in shaping modern India. There is a need for sustained and collaborative efforts to safeguard the cultural identity and demographic future of the Parsi community, National Commission for Minorities member S Munawari Begum said. Its declining population requires collective attention from the government, community institutions, civil society and scholars, Begum added. Hormazd Godrej of Godrej Agrovet Ltd highlighted the entrepreneurial and philanthropic traditions of the community and stressed the need to preserve its cultural identity for future generations. Maharashtra State Minorities Commission chairperson Pyare Jiya Khan said there was a need for sustained institutional support for minority communities.