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India’s population growth highlights the need for population control measures and cultural change, opines Ruchira, an exclusive for Different Truths.
In a few weeks, India will trounce China to second place and emerge as the world’s largest populated nation. People are already going ga-ga over this, shall we say, breakthrough.
As an educated, liberal-minded citizen, I can’t stop myself from seething in anger or smirking. I am sure what I will write here will not go well with
most of my beloved fellow citizens. But I would still go ahead and speak my mind.
India is fast emerging as a robust global economy.
India is fast emerging as a robust global economy. Besides carving a niche in rocket science and missile technology and dispatching spacecraft to the earth’s neighbours in the solar system, it is also a formidable nuclear superpower. Highly commendable. The overzealous might croon Sare Jahan se achcha Hindustan hamara—nothing wrong with that.
However, the ground reality is starkly different. Appalling, to be precise. A few years ago, a survey revealed that India was second only to Nepal regarding the vast number of open-air toilets. Another report said that in our beloved motherland, the number of mobile phones used was much higher than that of proper, hygienic toilets. Then, of course, all of us must be
aware of the no toilet, no bride campaign rampant in Haryana, where young girls are blatantly refusing to marry into households that lack toilets. Aren’t these facts shocking enough to make us hang our heads in shame?
China had the task of sustaining the largest population. Yet it has done well for itself.
China had the resources to sustain the most significant population for a long time. Yet it has done well for itself. On a personal note, a few relatives and acquaintances who have extensively travelled in China vouchsafe that no open toilets can be found. Secondly, the streets are devoid of cow dung, dog poop, and domestic discards, not forgetting the signature mix of betel leaf juice and saliva! Shouldn’t we take a lesson from our next-door neighbour?
In a strange paradox, the cities and towns of India may flaunt the swankiest and most expensive cars in the world. But the roads are as bad as they can be. Forget about cars. Even walking down, the streets are nightmarish, with people jostling and elbowing you or trampling your foot all the time. I am tempted to borrow a rustic Bengali idiom: til dharoner jaiga nei (not enough space for even a tiny sesame seed). If our population keeps soaring at this rate, a day will arrive when people walk over each other’s heads. The idea sends a shiver down my spine.
Could you look at the other malaises caused by the ever-increasing population?
Could you look at the other malaises caused by the ever-increasing population? From crowded buses, serpentine queues at hospitals, and ration shops to exorbitant house rents and astronomical fees and donations charged by premium or the so-called good quality educational institutions (nursery to varsity), the list is vast and unending.
Governments after governments have made sincere well-coordinated efforts in population control and safe (read scientific) contraception methods. Unfortunately, these efforts have been rendered ineffective due to our socio-cultural ethos and beliefs. What can couples do in the face of the deafening clamour for Lav Kush, Ram-Laxman, or Seeta-Geeta from elders in average traditional households? They succumb.
Some of our sacred scriptures caution that couples with no ‘son’ are assigned a place in hell.
Some of our sacred scriptures (reportedly) caution that couples who beget no ‘son’ are assigned a place in hell. I know of a couple with seven daughters in the ‘quest’ of a son. The search would have gone on but for the gentleman’s demise. Likewise, two other couples I know had four sons each in their fervent bid for a girl child.
What is more annoying and undoubtedly unpardonable is that even highly educated and intellectual members of our society continue to expand their families despite being blessed with the ‘one boy, one girl’ combo. I can’t figure out what they want.
All said and done, it is heartening to note that over recent decades, educated, professional couples have either discarded parenthood or opted for a single child. Way to go, everyone. The nation ought to appreciate your contribution!
Picture design by Anumita Roy
