A meeting to highlight "the contributions and legacy of the Zoroastrian community in India,” saw two significant announcements: a center for learning ancient scriptural languages, and a new scheme of implementation for the Jiyo Parsi Scheme. Chaired by union minister for minorities Smriti Irani at the Bhiwandiwala Hall of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman on February 29, 2024, a note from the Press Information Bureau stated that "inspiration needs to be drawn from the Zoroastrian community’s journey in India, which serves as a shining example of resilience, cooperation, adaptability, and excellence.” The note said that the meeting was held "in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India) to honor the legacy of Zoroastrians.”
Focusing on the "increasing demand and need for reviving” Avesta and Pahlavi, "not only as a subject for higher education but also to preserve the learnings of Parsi Zoroastrian culture,” a memorandum for the development of a Centre for Avesta-Pahlavi Studies was signed with Bombay University vice chancellor Dr R. D. Kulkarni.
Top: Smriti Irani;
above, 1st row: Ervad Cawas Bagli, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Irani (1st, 2nd, 3rd from l)
with officials from the Ministry Of Minority Affairs; Dastoor and Irani (3rd and 4th from l)
with officials holding up the new Jiyo Parsi Scheme booklet; 2nd row: meeting attendees
The Jiyo Parsi Scheme will now be implemented through the state governments and anjumans. This will "facilitate better outreach among the community and improve the coverage of the Scheme across the country.” Funds are proposed to be transferred to beneficiaries directly. Irani emphasized that young Parsis need to be trained in ethnic skills and may be financially assisted by her ministry and encouraged to take up entrepreneurship.
The revised Jiyo Parsi Scheme has a budgetary provision of Rs 50 crores and has components for advocacy (Rs 10.55 crores), medical (Rs 18.10 crores) and "health of the community (Rs 21.35 crores).” Assistance for infertility treatment will be provided up to Rs 6 lakhs, assistance for other medical expenses up to Rs 4 lakhs. Parents of new born children requiring medical attention will be provided with Rs 2.50 lakhs. Where family income is up to Rs 15 lakhs, 100% financial assistance will be provided under medical component; between Rs 15- 25 lakhs, 75% and between Rs 25-30 lakhs, 50%. Rs 8,000 per month will be provided to couples whose children were born after 2017-18 and where the family income is Rs 15 lakhs or less, till the child reaches 18 years of age. For dependent family members over 60, each couple can get up to Rs 10,000 per month.
In attendance were John Barla, minister of state for minority affairs, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Ervad (Dr) Parvez Bajan, representatives of anjumans of Bombay, Delhi, Borivili, Thana among others. Also present were Shiraz and Vispi Kapadia who run the Zochild program and researcher Dr Kermaan Daruwalla.
Trustee Dr Adil Malia who represented the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) called the session "interactive,” in a message to Parsiana. He stated that the proposed Centre for Avesta-Pahlavi Studies would provide both classroom courses and distance learning programs. Reportedly, over 12 meetings they succeeded in influencing and convincing the authorities in the University. A function to mark the bhoomi poojan ceremony of this Centre was held on March 5, (see "Ascent of Avestan,” pg 20). The BPP trustee stated that the revised guidelines of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme are based on two impact assessment teams set up through the International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
Bajan, a teacher of the ancient languages, told Parsiana after the event that "now all classes will be conducted in Kalina… These were earlier conducted at the Fort campus of the University… As a teacher I was surprised. This was very sudden… There is no guide for doctoral studies now, after Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusru JamaspAsa passed away.”
Mid-term review of the Scheme will be undertaken by the Ministry Of Minority Affairs.
Parzor Foundation which had handled the government’s advocacy program in the past has "disassociated from the Jiyo Parsi Scheme.” Noted director Dr Shernaz Cama in a broadcast message: "It is now a direct government program… Parzor Foundation has certainly not been dissolved… Parzor is involved in many different activities for the preservation of vulnerable human heritage and culture and continues all the other activities.”