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Articles: Development | Is Population Explosion an Obstacle for Economic Development?
- Mr. Sampath Kumar YERRA
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UNDOUBTEDLY the debates on 'Population Explosion in India' are becoming more frequent day by day. Although many researchers are busy calculating the future population trends and our government is busy formulating various control policies, the purpose of this article is to ponder over the idea 'What can we do about it as ordinary people?'
Needless to mention, as population increases, demand for job oppurtunities increases and this, when proper measures are not taken, leads to increase in poverty. As a result, an individual may even commit crimes for the sake of survival. Gradually, one problem leads to several others. Directly or indirectly, the impact of this explosion is not only on the economic progress of the nation but also on its reputation.
Often it is mistaken that the illiterate people are the only responsible for this rapid growth of population. But interestingly, statistics [Ref 1] indicate that the literacy rate also increased on par with the population growth rate. Several social welfare organisations across the country are sincerely engaged in imparting the knowledge of rapid population growth and its aftermath to the ignorant people. Despite their selfless efforts, India is still No.2 in the list of highest populated nations of the world, standing with a minor difference off China [Ref 2]. This clearly reveals that it is 'realisation' that is lacking with many individuals. Still there are many in our country who are not realising the seriousness of the problem. It is very much agreeable that restriction on the number of children is more of a private issue rather than a national issue. But it should always be borne in mind that 'population explosion' is a chain reaction.
Verily speaking, it is not just the population control alone that develops the country. More important is the honesty of the populace. A very significant difference I noticed in developed countries is the strictness that government imposes on citizens in payment of taxes and duties. Such enforcements do exist in our country to some extent, yet how many people in our country are genuinely paying income tax to the government; how many are loyally attending their electricity, telephone and water bills; Strictness in our country is plunged by corruption. The shameful issue is that India is ranked 83 in the world in terms of corruption perceptions index of 2003, with a value of 2.8 on a scale of 10 [Ref 3].
It is quite understandable that earning money is mandatory to lead the life. But meanwhile, the uncomprehensive issue is: why ethics are forgotten for sake of personal necessities? Fortunately or unfortunately, human nature is more attracted towards luxuries and shortcuts than to social welfare and taking risks. To make job easier, one offers bribe. To make life luxurious, one extracts bribe. Sometimes I wonder, how long a person be happy with such an illegal income. According to law, bribe-giver is more punishable than bribe-taker. Obviously it points that the change should start from the giver. If there is no giver, how can be there any taker. Every giver should dare to face the challenges instead of adopting unlawful shortcuts.
To brief, in my opinion, population control is an effective step towards economic development but it alone is not sufficient. It might take few decades to develop that way. But it is only when each individual realises that the welfare of the nation is more important than personal desires and act accordingly, India would soon shape into a developed nation.
[Ref 1] http://www.censusindia.net/results/provindia3.html
[Ref 2] http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/world_population.htm
[Ref 3] http://www.transparency.org/cpi/2003/cpi2003.en.html
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