Some days ago, I happened to read an article on internet which mentioned about the population situation of the country. Based on an analysis by a leading survey firm, it has been declared that in another 30 years, our country would surpass China in terms of number of people residing in each country. Presently, we are at 1.08 billion while China has reached 1.23 billion. However, over the past decade, the Chinese govt. has been following a stringent law which says about one-child norm for each couple. Talk about a law being stringent in India and the very word loses its relevance. As for the record, our govt. has also introduced two-child norm law but everyone, right from the bureaucrats to the common man, knows that this kind of practice is hardly adhered to anywhere in the country. Conscientiously speaking, a country as populous as ours is obviously going to face a lot many problems, the prominent ones being shortage of basic amenities, depriving of one’s rights and dwindling of stability on the whole.
Taking a brief tour of our present economic condition, we are booming at the moment with bullying rate. The GDP has already crossed 8% and the sensex has kissed an all-time high of 14,500 points. The forex reserves have crossed the $200 billion mark. The corporate sector is enjoying the fruits like never before with everybody being in the expansion mode. The company owners are not stopping over patting their backs and at the same time, the investors are gushing over their good fortune. And, the good news is that this rate is not mere a momentary speculation and is only going to get better with time. But, while basking in this moment of glory, one just needs to take a reality check. Owing to increase in population and growing shortage of resources, the growth can face a steep decline and eventually burst down into fragments. This precisely has been the perspective from a common man as well as from majority of self-proclaimed experts’ point of view. People have been raving and ranting about this whole issue; politicians trying to politicize it as much as they can; NGOs belching and burping over it; panelists discussing the pseudo-pros and cons suitable to them and common man bawling over it in such a way that his life is going to cease the moment the population crosses the threshold.
With a country as vast as India (area-wise, ours is the seventh largest nation in the world), there are still huge acres of land left uninhibited. So, as far as dwelling problem of the ‘extra-population’ is concerned, it is inconsequential for atleast two centuries. That leaves survival of the common man as the lone aspect that needs to be addressed while considering this upcoming ‘curse’.
But, one just needs to hold on for sometime and think whether this problem is actually a curse or ‘a blessing in disguise’. Well, it may sound gibberish but this situation can be quantified in a different proposition, a proposition which, if thought sensibly, can prove fruitful and can actually come forward as the backbone for stupendous economic growth. Well, as a matter of fact, this factor is prevalent even in today’s times and needless to say, it is the basic ingredient for maintaining the present growth as well as ensuring the future ascent. What is being talked about is nothing but ‘Manpower’. Well, as far as skilled manpower in India is concerned, it is a well acknowledged fact that Indians are rated as one of the most skillful and brainy humans of the world. So, it is but natural that the younger folk presently waiting in the wings would take the center-stage and act as a catalyst to incrementing the already booming economy of the country. Now, the question arises where does this leave comparison with China? And, the reply is simply based on above made analysis. In another 30 years, India is going to surpass China in terms of manpower and, consequently, surge ahead in terms of development too. It seems unimaginable to think at this moment but every sensible and foresighted mind would agree to this fact that the situation currently being termed as a ‘danger’ is going to emerge as the most invaluable resource in the future.
Looking from a brighter perspective, all the blocks seem to fit in perfectly. But, a more minute observation shows that only the apex of the pyramid has been consolidated thus far and there is a lot of work left at the base lest the train of progress should slip off the rails. The basic foundations need to be stabilized in order to achieve what we have aspired for our nation. To put it practically, it is mandatory to serve and fulfill the basic needs of all the sections of the society. Then only, we can expect an enthusiastic and dying-to-excel youth brigade who shall take charge tomorrow to steer the whole country towards prosperity. The govt. needs to be more flexible in granting aids and providing facilities rather than maintaining obstinate nature and exploiting the whole population issue to suit themselves. The responsible authorities should consider this as their utmost priority to look at the brighter perspective with optimism and shun their vested interests. Such a responsible approach is the need of the hour if we really want to realize the dream of a “Developed India” and be Numero-Uno in every field we embark.
Taking a brief tour of our present economic condition, we are booming at the moment with bullying rate. The GDP has already crossed 8% and the sensex has kissed an all-time high of 14,500 points. The forex reserves have crossed the $200 billion mark. The corporate sector is enjoying the fruits like never before with everybody being in the expansion mode. The company owners are not stopping over patting their backs and at the same time, the investors are gushing over their good fortune. And, the good news is that this rate is not mere a momentary speculation and is only going to get better with time. But, while basking in this moment of glory, one just needs to take a reality check. Owing to increase in population and growing shortage of resources, the growth can face a steep decline and eventually burst down into fragments. This precisely has been the perspective from a common man as well as from majority of self-proclaimed experts’ point of view. People have been raving and ranting about this whole issue; politicians trying to politicize it as much as they can; NGOs belching and burping over it; panelists discussing the pseudo-pros and cons suitable to them and common man bawling over it in such a way that his life is going to cease the moment the population crosses the threshold.
With a country as vast as India (area-wise, ours is the seventh largest nation in the world), there are still huge acres of land left uninhibited. So, as far as dwelling problem of the ‘extra-population’ is concerned, it is inconsequential for atleast two centuries. That leaves survival of the common man as the lone aspect that needs to be addressed while considering this upcoming ‘curse’.
But, one just needs to hold on for sometime and think whether this problem is actually a curse or ‘a blessing in disguise’. Well, it may sound gibberish but this situation can be quantified in a different proposition, a proposition which, if thought sensibly, can prove fruitful and can actually come forward as the backbone for stupendous economic growth. Well, as a matter of fact, this factor is prevalent even in today’s times and needless to say, it is the basic ingredient for maintaining the present growth as well as ensuring the future ascent. What is being talked about is nothing but ‘Manpower’. Well, as far as skilled manpower in India is concerned, it is a well acknowledged fact that Indians are rated as one of the most skillful and brainy humans of the world. So, it is but natural that the younger folk presently waiting in the wings would take the center-stage and act as a catalyst to incrementing the already booming economy of the country. Now, the question arises where does this leave comparison with China? And, the reply is simply based on above made analysis. In another 30 years, India is going to surpass China in terms of manpower and, consequently, surge ahead in terms of development too. It seems unimaginable to think at this moment but every sensible and foresighted mind would agree to this fact that the situation currently being termed as a ‘danger’ is going to emerge as the most invaluable resource in the future.
Looking from a brighter perspective, all the blocks seem to fit in perfectly. But, a more minute observation shows that only the apex of the pyramid has been consolidated thus far and there is a lot of work left at the base lest the train of progress should slip off the rails. The basic foundations need to be stabilized in order to achieve what we have aspired for our nation. To put it practically, it is mandatory to serve and fulfill the basic needs of all the sections of the society. Then only, we can expect an enthusiastic and dying-to-excel youth brigade who shall take charge tomorrow to steer the whole country towards prosperity. The govt. needs to be more flexible in granting aids and providing facilities rather than maintaining obstinate nature and exploiting the whole population issue to suit themselves. The responsible authorities should consider this as their utmost priority to look at the brighter perspective with optimism and shun their vested interests. Such a responsible approach is the need of the hour if we really want to realize the dream of a “Developed India” and be Numero-Uno in every field we embark.
Written By: Alok Mam, BITS, Pilani
1 comment:
Regarding the logic that India would surpass China in population and consequently in development, I feel that it is flawed. The population of USA is 25% of India's population, but is there any doubt that it is much more developed than India? Manpower, both quantity and quality, is an essential ingredient for development, but NOT a sufficient condition for development. There might be huge uninhabited areas in India, well, why don't people live there? Precisely because these areas are covered by jungles or deserts.
Let's look at certain manifestations of the issues arising out of population explosion. Water, being a scarce commodity these days, will be the first bone of contention. We have several inter-state disputes on water currently.
Development will happen and is happening, but it is limited to the top and middle classes of society. The highest population growth comes from the lowest strata of society, who are uneducated. How will development reach the lowest strata, if there aren't enough resources to support a burgeoning population?
It makes sense to adopt measures for population control, although, not like Sanjay Gandhi's forced measures, and not certainly like Maharashtra's hypocritical law regarding stopping water supply to farmers with more than 2 children. People have to be educated about the danger of population explosion. Still, some communities are exempt from family planning, by political design. Such things should be stopped, and the long term picture needs to be taken into account.
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