After an infertility programme to boost the number of babies in the Parsi community, the government-funded Jiyo Parsi initiative has now ventured into matchmaking.
A digital platform called ParsiShaadi.com has been launched to increase marriages within the community that faces the threat of fast-declining population. The app will be a platform for Parsis looking for life partners and help them connect with eligible counterparts from across the globe.
Jiyo Parsi is funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and implemented by Parzor, a project to preserve Parsi Zoroastrian heritage.. In five years, it had expanded form a medical programme that financially helps couples who require Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), to a programme dealing with the care of elders and children and offers a holistic approach to enhance the community whose numbers are estimated to be merely 55,000.
Mumbai based psychiatrist Dr. Pervin Dadachanji, speaking at the launch of the app, said there are various myths around marriage and one needs to overlook them. “Communication is the key to a healthy marriage. It is not lack of love but lack of friendship that ruins marriages”, she said.
At an age where smart phones have become the lifeline of the youth, an app would serve as a great opportunity for those who want to get married. “Our intention is not to force but encourage the youth to believe in the institution of marriage. This app would give the youngsters an opportunity to find spouses on their own”, senior advertising professional Sam Balsara, who has been closely involved with Jiyo Parsi, said.
Parmit Anand, business head of Shaadi.com., who created the app, said they have never done this before and creating a community-specific platform it was an interesting experience.
The app has been created the matchmaking service Shaadi.com. The platform’s business head Parmit Anand said they have never done this for a specific community and it was an interesting new journey to create a community-specific platform for marriages.