On October 30, 2022 Smriti Zubin Irani (pictured, r), minister for minority affairs met representatives of Parsi Irani anjumans in Bombay and discussed several issues concerning the community ("Yes! Minister,” Parsiana, November 7-20, 2022).
Among the major announcements she had made then was that an escalator would be installed at Udvada railway station so that elderly Zoroastrians visiting the holy town don’t have trouble while using the rail overbridge. She also said that the Udvada railway station would be made a world class station, with the government making an initial allocation of Rs 20 crore.
Another promise made by Irani was immediate support, initially of one crore rupees, for preservation of the Avesta language with reinstatement of Avesta-Pahlavi studies at the master’s level through the Institute of Distance and Open Learning. There was a proposal to work with the community to get the status of center of excellence for the institute running Avesta-Pahlavi studies courses. Irani offered to take up the matter with the University Grants Commission if the community so desired.
Other proposals made were: training of mobeds to be supported by the government of India and medical support extended to their families; those engaged in farming to be given seeds, fertilizers, etc and scientific support provided to enhance crop productivity through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra; the XYZ Foundation to receive support for activities that help promote and preserve Zoroastrian culture; traditional skill sets identified by the community to receive support from the government; a version of Khelo India to help engage the community in various sporting activities; and a federation of women-related Parsi organizations to be created so the community can make optimum use of various government schemes and programs for the welfare of women.
A year has gone by and one does not know the status of these promises. It would be appreciated if the Bombay Parsi Punchayet published a progress report, including the probable completion dates and funds spent, where applicable, on each of the above projects.
JAL POSTWALLA
jalpostwalla@hotmail.com