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Whenever there is a conversation around GDP or Per Capita Income, the key factor that is cited is population.
Caveat : China has managed to grow its GDP with a large population.
But what is worrisome is hearing the term, "population control" come up over and over again.
Caveat : China has managed to grow its GDP with a large population.
But what is worrisome is hearing the term, "population control" come up over and over again.
The nuance is this. There are three lines of thought. a) we go on in the current path. b) we take an active measure to "control" - similar to the one child policy c) there are some who believe we should have a population size of 500mn.
Id rather not talk about option (c) at all, as what is implied is genocide by a government against its own citizens and whoever even remotely suggests that needs to get their ethics checked. No country or economic development is worth that tyranny.
The popular suggestion seems to be that India adopt policies like China's one child policy. Aside for the fact that a country like India will never be able to enforce such policies effectively, it also is fundamentally against the idea of a republic.
Our constitution states, "We the people... Give ourselves this constitution". The idea of India is one that belongs to its people first and foremost, before any ideas the elected representatives and government might have.
It is also an appropriate place to invoke Gandhiji's talisman that he shared with the fore fathers. Whenever we are at crossroads evaluate how what we are doing will benefit the poorest and weakest of the society and help him/her achieve independence. This doesn't.
China's one child policy is also not without drawbacks. After two generations of one child per family, thw society finds itself with kids not having uncles, aunts or cousins. And enormous pressure on "only" kids to uphold family legacies.
In the unfortunate circumstance that a couple loses their child at a later stage, that family line comes to an end. You could have a 200year old tradition and business with no one to hand over things to.
Situations like that would simply mean, like all things, the rich would find exceptions to the rule, whereas the poor will get afflicted and exploited
That leaves us with (1). Does that mean we should do nothing at all? Yes and no. To a large extent our population growth is declining. Educated women and women who are in the workforce are having kids later and having lesser kids. By 2050 India's population will be lower than now
We can accelerate and ensure that that future happens by doing two things. 1. Educate girl children and ensure they get a basic level of education. 2. Take active steps for more women to join the workforce. Doing these two is a double whammy of sorts.
You not only unlock the lost productivity of a significant % of the workforce, but it automatically has an impact on how many kids these educated women choose to have, if at all. The data that Hans Rosling presented at TED, says the same.
So next time you find yourself thinking about population and your mind veers off into solutions involving (2) or (3), remember this thread. And share it with those who are misinformed and mislead.
Patriotism isnt about a group of people who for selfish reasons propagate a dogma - even if it is around the idea of "National economy". The true patriots of any country believe in the values a country was formed around - and the constitution lays it well in black and white. 
