Inaugurating the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress on Friday in a city that is hosting it after a gap of 23 years, the President lauded Parsis for their immense contribution to Mumbai in particular and India as a whole. "Why is it today that the community has come to a crossroads where it feels threatened with extinction? Zoroastrianism, which was the religion of millions in pre-Islamic Persia, now has less than 1.4 lakh followers worldwide, of which one-third is aged over 60. This needs to be addressed very pragmatically and sensitively," he said.

Elaborating on the Parsi population in India, the President said the population of the community is declining by about 10 per cent every decade. "I nevertheless remain optimistic that this trend can be arrested. I have no doubt that a community that has such high literacy, talent and discipline is bound to continue on the path of advancement and growth," Pranab said.

While reflecting on the hard realities the Parsis are facing, the President stressed on its achievements, both as a community and as individuals. "In Mumbai, the Parsi community had laid the foundations of industry and the commercial and financial infrastructure that characterises this vibrant city. Parsi business houses have been at the forefront of building institutions of science, medicine and culture and they have also led our corporate sector in philanthropy and initiatives for social development," Pranab said who quoted Gandhi who had declared the community as being "unequalled and unsurpassed" in charity and philanthropy.

The President referred to the contributions of Dr Homi Bhabha, Homi Sethna, JRD Tata, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Admiral Jal Cursetji and Air Marshal Aspy Engineer, and named Ratan Tata, Fali Nariman and Zubin Mehta among the 25 greatest Indian living legends. "I understand that in your meetings over the next few days, you will reflect on the challenges facing the Zoroastrian community and discuss its future. I am certain that this will result in good initiatives," the President concluded.

Earlier on Friday, Pranab inaugurated the 66th Annual Indian Chemical Engineering Congress in Mumbai and the 37th Indian Social Science Congress in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Aligarh. In his address in Aligarh, he referred to the National Action Plan on Climate Change and said India intends to reduce its emissions by 20-25 per cent by 2020. In his address, AMU vice chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah pleaded for the restoration of the minority status of the university.