And for a Friday as the Supreme Court sensitises Society on falling population….. some thoughts …. some musings…
My generation born in the fifties & sixties grew up in an India where average life expectancy was in the late thirties …… & with the meagre resources & acute poverty levels ……Govt’s focus was on reducing population …… everywhere huge hoardings & public awareness campaigns were built around ..Hum Do … Hamare Do …. to restrict each couple to a maximum of two children ……there were many incentives given for those who undertook Vasectomy& family planning ….. & laws passed which dissuaded people from holding Panchayat posts if they had more than 2 kids ……. alas we have come a long way ….. as observed recently by the Supreme Court ….. The TFR ( Total Fertility Rate ) has fallen from 3 to 1.9 which is significantly less than the replacement level of 2.1 ……. which would translate the country is ageing fast with a significantly larger older population & shrinking workforce ……. all this at the aggregate level …. Devil is in the details ….. the population TFR in states like Kerala, Tamilnadu, AP.etc with a high literacy rate rate is only 1.3 whereas the poorer states of Bihar.. M.P..UP etc …the TFR. Is 2.4 to 2.9 ….. add to this the pressures & costs of Urban living has skewed the population statistics alarmingly ……
Social trends in Cities & the middle & richer classes in India has hugely shifted away from the traditional norms …… educated women now marry late …:: many youngsters do not wish to commit to the bondage of marriage & prefer Living-In relationship…..Couples in cities take the DINK route ( Double Income No Kids) …. Dinks prefer to fill their lives with unique experiences … luxurious living ….. latest & best in gadgets …& curated travels & cuisine ….. why worry about kids .. schooling .. expenses & everything they consider a drag to life-styles ….. the poorer rural areas & economically & socially backward communities are the ones who have 3..4…. & 5 Kids … as even today in many Indian societies unfortunately …..,having a Male child is considered very significant …….,
India will be the third largest economy in a few years but the challenges the country has to overcome to become a developed Nation …. Is manifold …. Let us all support the transformation … the involved way … the sustainable way …. the SEEGOS way.