The Biggest Challenge to National Development: Population Explosion
- Atul Malikram (Political Strategist)
Nowadays, whenever you open a newspaper or listen to the news, you often come across the term "population explosion." It's quite true, as we have now become the most populous country in the world. In 2023, we surpassed China, and our population has reached approximately 1.42 billion, with growth continuing unabated. While we are all contributors to this increase, interestingly, many blame the government for this unprecedented situation. But is population control solely the government's responsibility? Or do we, as citizens of this country, need to take significant steps in this direction? Consider this: can our individual choices not help address this complex issue facing our nation?
To provide some context, India's population was just 360 million in 1951, and it has now soared to over 1.42 billion. This growth is concerning because, upon closer examination, you’ll see how it impacts our fundamental resources like the environment, health, education, and employment. Think about it: 18% of the world's population lives on just 2.4% of the land. This disparity directly affects our lives.
When we go to hospitals, we often find no available beds; the shortage of doctors and medical facilities makes getting treatment a challenge. Educational institutions are overcrowded, and when hundreds of children are assigned to a single teacher, the quality of education inevitably suffers. The declining quality of education is dimming the future of the next generation. Long queues for jobs are common; while we educate millions of young people every year, job opportunities are not increasing at the same pace. As a result, unemployment rises, leading to increased poverty, hunger, and crime. These problems indicate that if we do not wake up in time, the situation could worsen.
After reading this, you might wonder, "What can we do about it?" This is where we need to pause and think. The issue is so vast that we cannot solely rely on a few people, the government, or awareness campaigns to resolve it. We must play our part too. It is also essential to recognize that the government is not indifferent to national interests. It has made several efforts for population control in the past. The first family planning program in the world was launched in India in 1951, but it did not yield success. Later, during the Emergency in 1975, extensive population control measures were implemented. In 2000, the Population Policy was introduced to achieve stable population levels by 2045. Additionally, improvements in healthcare services, free access to contraceptive measures, and a focus on women's empowerment have been emphasized. However, without citizen participation, these initiatives remain on paper. The government is currently working on a Population Control Law for 2024.
Thus, if we genuinely desire change, awareness is of utmost importance, and this awareness is directly linked to education. Yes, this is the only way we can tackle this problem. Without citizen awareness, no government plan or policy will succeed. Therefore, it is crucial that the citizens of this country first educate themselves and become aware of the issue at hand. We need to actively adopt small families. We all know how essential family planning tools are for population control, but are they being used effectively by everyone? No, because of a lack of awareness, especially in rural areas where it is critically needed. A significant portion of our population still resides in rural areas, so we must start there. When people are educated, they will be able to make informed decisions. Educating women, in particular, is vital.
I believe that when the problem is serious, we cannot rely solely on plans. We must understand that in a country with such a large population, every individual must work together to effect change in adverse situations. Every citizen must recognize their duty and take action to address this issue. We must understand that population control should not come from external pressure but should be our personal and collective responsibility. If we want our country to be prosperous and thriving, we need to work together in this direction. Small families, responsible citizens, and informed decisions can lead us to a brighter future. It is time to awaken, to understand, and to take the right steps to control the population explosion.
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