Man is essentially human resource of quite importance. But, the load of that human resource creates pressure on food, clothing, habitat and employment. Due to the lack of proper management of al these the human resource faces crises to secure its existence. To look otherwise, in order to keep the elements of existence in accordance to human resource, the other resources might get extinct from this plant. We all are aware of the fact that the elementary criterion of human resource to exist are limited to some extent or the other. To survive on this planet man has to depend on some sort of resources directly or indirectly.
To save the human resource if the other resources become dry then how will human resource remain alive? Will then we be able to claim that human resource is significant? There is only one reason behind placing all these arguments, the elements of existence for human being are limited. That is why it is utter importance that the load on this planet has to be reduced by population control.
For our country it of more importance. India consists 2% world’s total geographical area. 17.5% of world’s total population is in India. According to 2021 census the population of India is approx. 135 crores. It is the one-sixth of world’s total population. In 2011, India’s population was 121,01,93,422. In 2011, per square kilometer population density were 382 persons.
According to the report of United Nations Organizations, every year 8 crore 38 lacks people are increasing worldwide. Therefore, if the population increasement is not curtailed down soon, then its impact will fall upon the elements of existence for human resource. For the second largest populated country in the world, population control is very important. The total population of India’s 35% resides in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. According to statistics, in 2027 India is going to be the highest populated country in the world.
When human resource turns over populated then instead of becoming resource it becomes a load. Malnutrition, less access to education, unemployability, health service scarcity are the products of irregular population rise. According to the report of World Health Organizations, 250 births take place in every minute in all over the world. From another report, it has been found that among 100 new born babies 97 takes birth in the third world countries. Already maximum third world countries are over-populated which has become a social hazard.
In order to reduce population explosion, the emphasis has to be given on the rights and safety of women. Simultaneously, both the male and female have to become aware about the birth control. If all the health-related amenities and rights women receive properly then excessive birth control can be curtailed down. One of the prime reasons for highly population rise in India, compared to the other countries of the world, is the age group between 15-45 is vast and carry massive reproductive power. The light of education has not reached to all spheres of the society and consent are not being taken for early marriage of girls. In some social arenas the presence of polygamy there are high rate of over population. As India is an agriculture-based country, there has not been enough growth for industries. Due to poverty and unemployment giving unplanned birth to child is an act of leisure. There are lacunas in family planning. In this patriarchal society, expectation of a male child is one of the reasons for population growth. Indian women are physically capable of giving birth to children at a large number compared to the other countries. Apart from that there is no population control law which can be implemented for all. Due to infiltration, there is rise in population.
In the World Population Day, 2021 the issue which has been given the light of importance is that the impact of Covid-19 in giving birth to child. How covid has impacted the child birth system and in which direction the situation is going at el.
Population may be an asset but not overpopulation rather a burden. According to a section of experts, over population in India is both a power and weakness. The country progresses if the population is managed. Taking reference from this issue Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a population control bill which also working as a process of collecting consent of people. The parents of two child will be given preference and there is scope of salary increase. Apart from salary and facility there will be one-time parental leave also for both. While accumulating the opinion of the people a religion based political party is opposing that bill. Government job is limited, those who care not for govt. job they will be of no role if in population control if this bill passes into an act. Generally, the increasing number of populations will be a burden on the family, society, state and lastly to the world.
The tendency of population increasement if to be stopped then for the sake of comprehensive growth government has to take stiff decision. Since the human resource is national resource, then without the development of the people of the society the economic growth of all can not be a reality. The key to human resource development is education, health, food, habitation. And the state is responsible for providing all these basic amenities to public either directly or indirectly. Not the job-oriented education, realization of one’s true worth by enlightened by education isn’t expected from a democracy? But, sadly in our country more people listen aptly to the religious leaders than the other people. After that due to the fear of segregation of vote bank will the ruling party interest in doing so? The largest country has become successful by abiding the one child policy but will India’s ruling want the same?
During the time of emergency, the then government took initiatives to check down excessive birth control. In the seventies, during the tenure of Indira Gandhi, this policy backfooted congress party. During emergency around 60 lacks man’s vasectomy was done but the result was not good. Even there were other reasons present like international pressure for population control, other ways of birth control were not also implemented properly. At that time many people were unaware of family planning. The primary concepts of family planning did not reach to the mass. Even today also sterilization means losing masculinity. And the issue of prestige loss also gets associated with this. In this regard, the government has to find some solutions so that people can understand the value of family planning properly and actively participate in this movement.
In that case, a law can be introduced about the difference of age between the child and the parent. The pace of population growth can be lowered. Though marriage before 18 is illegal for girls but the rate of early marriage is alarming. In order to stop population growth in India suggestions related to economic remedy, social remedy, population policy related remedy can be provided.
For economic remedy fast economic development, lifestyle amelioration by proper distribution of total national income might be effective for checking down overpopulation. For social remedies, if expectation of male child, rigid religious faith is eradicated then population growth tendency can be reduced. Mass education extension, extension of women education and empowerment, age marriage should be increased for educated women and expectation to be the mother of many children are to be monitored. If the decision of women is prioritized then the problem can be solved to a large extent. In order to population control India the age of marriage for girl can be increased for some years and later on it can be normalized. Research related to birth control policies can be implemented for low-cost birth control procedures. Apart from temporary birth control system to permanent birth control system related awareness has to be started from village level. People also should be made aware of the merit of small family and the demerit of large family. There can arise question. That is why the policies should be implemented smoothly by not hurting the sentiment and image of the people.
Along with sustainable planning another issue has to be considered, covid 19 has affected the loves of people from all possible aspects. Birth and death are not an exception to that. Varying to places, somewhere birth rate increased, somewhere lowered. In this situation, loopholes in health infrastructure have also popped up. Similarly, for girls and women receiving reproduction related health facilities have become difficult. However, individual’s right to health and priority must not be stagnated. It is not yet known how much covid 19 has impacted the birth giving process. But it is true to the fact that to manage the situation sex and reproduction related health issues must be emphasized. Recently, it is known from the UNFP’s research if countries extend lockdown to check covid pandemic then around 4 crore 70 lacks girls will be missed out from the modern birth control process. Approximately, 70 lacks unwanted pregnancy will take place. Another issue is, around 3 crore 10 lacks domestic violence related cases might increase. Around 60 lacks women associated with economic affairs are supposed to be driven towards poverty. And the other challenge is unwanted pregnancy. Prolonged pregnancy related death of the mother and child, early marriage, malnutrition increasement are dangerous for reproductive health. On the other hand, awareness related to population control does not reach to each people.
The failure in population management on the part of the government and all of us are equally visible. Human resource can become a resource not a number only then when man will be able utilize his fundamental rights in shaping up a true human being. Keeping pace with the government policy, if the ‘Hum ek, humara ek’ (we one, our one) slogan is properly implemented then our contribution towards population management will be true essence.
(Translated By – Santanu Chakraborty)
