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In a country with 1.2 billion people, India is paying for fertility treatment and counselling aimed at bolstering its diminishing Parsi population.
The number of Parsis has dropped 40% in 60 years, to 69 001 in 2001 (the latest available figures) from 114 890 in 1941, according to the UNESCO Parsi- Zoroastrian Project (Parzor), which aims to preserve the culture and heritage of the Parsi community in India. During this time, the general population in India increased 21%.
Many Parsis are economically impor- tant business leaders. They are primarily based in Mumbai, Gujarat, New Delhi and Kolkata, and desc ende d from Zoroastrians in Greater Iran who immi- grated in the 8th or 10th century to...