New Delhi, Sept 7, IRNA -- The Parsi population in India has gone
down to 69,601 (33,949 males and 35,652 females) as against their
population of 76,382 (37,736 males and 38,646 females) in the 1991
census of India.
According to "The First Report on Religion" released here on
Monday evening, it becomes apparent from the 2001 census results that
urgent and drastic intervention is required by all concerned,
including possibly the government and definitely the Parsi community
leaders, to ensure survival of the Parsi population in India.
The report, prepared by the Office of the Registrar General
and Census Commissioner of India, was released by Census Commissioner
J.K. Banthia, who presented a copy to Minorities Commission
Chairman Tarlochan Singh. The report was entitled "Parsi Population
in India: The writing on the Wall -- Signs of Definite Decline".
A history of the Parsi population deserves an exceptional but
definite mention and place in the volume due to their very small
numbers not only in India but also in the world.
The census reveals that there is a clear, visible but extremely
unfortunate decline of a rich civilization of Zoroastrians and its
people.
... Payvand News - 9/7/04 ... --
