We are 60,000 and diminishing. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your wake up call. Please wake up, ye Rip Van Winkles of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP). It is time to stop playing political games and start doing something in right earnest about our fast depleting community before it is too late. Stop this preoccupation with the dead and the aviary of vultures and fighting fund-wasting cases in court to salve your egos or to perpetuate some archaic customs. All this appears rather childish when compared to the imminent annihilation of the community due to lack of efforts on the part of its leaders who have the wherewithal to tackle the problems on a war footing. Laudable as the effort is to improve the condition of our priestly community, one must say it is not a top priority.
The BPP must make a concerted effort to promote the concept of early marriage and at least two children. Half-hearted talk about the community requiring children, and such blah-blah in their speeches will not provide results. Go all out. Offer substantial cash and flat incentives. For the second child, offer at least three lakhs in cash for the child’s upbringing, and an additional four lakhs for each child thereafter. With the third child, provide a larger flat. When allotting a flat to a newly wedded couple, charge them rent equivalent to about 70 percent of the market rate. Gradually, with every child, offer relief by way of rent subsidy. A little bit of pragmatism will go a long way. Even though the figures may appear astronomical, in reality the amount spent will be much less than the Rs 25 crore which was the projected cost of the Quixotic aviary project.
Many baug associations, like those of Nowroz Baug, Cusrow Baug, Rustom Baug and others are doing a wonderful job. Involve the associations in encouraging the youngsters to be community conscious.
Involve doctors, lawyers, scientists, newspersons in the "Save the Community Project.” Do not think in terms of orthodox, traditionalists and progressives. Anyone who has something practical to contribute should be welcome. Keep the priests out as they have done enough harm, unless they are open-minded. Inundate the baugs with young speakers on the subject. The trustees have learnt the art of wining and dining to woo the voters. Apply the same technique for a better cause.
Desperate ills require desperate cures.
What we are trying to save is not something mundane like Parsipanu or some archaic traditions or dhansak, kabab and sali boti. We are trying to save the greatest gift by the greatest law-giver of all times, the faith of Zarathushtra through its followers. DARA KHODAIJI
dara_mk@hotmail.com