It could have been a day when a smiling health minister unveiled a great contraceptive innovation for women: three-monthly injections that obviate the need for daily pills or invasive sterilisations. But World Contraception Day, that falls every year On 26 September, went by without so much as a blush on the nation’s cheek. All eyes were instead riveted on prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tour of the Silicon Valley.
As digital dreams kept everyone starry-eyed, the public back home could have been fed some facts that would make them reach for the nearest contraceptive device. Lest we forget: India is the second most populous country of the world with around 1.271 billion people, and that doesn’t include the diaspora. Estimates have it that by 2025, the number of Indians would surpass the number of Chinese nationals — that’s if we keep growing at 17.1 percent every year.
One of the riddles the Indian nation still needs to solve — and has been trying to since the 1970s — is how to maintain the rate of population growth at a stable level. In spite of the contraceptive methods available, the basket of choices for Indian women is still limited as compared to the other countries. It is not only the lack of medical facilities in the rural areas, it’s also myths, misconceptions and cultural practices that prove a barrier to population control. Even now, women in rural areas have to travel several Kilometres to see a medical practitioner.
The national family planning programme was off to a desultory start soon after independence, in the year 1952. From then to the present, we have managed to popularise five contraceptive methods. They are:
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 10 2015 من Tehelka.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 10 2015 من Tehelka.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?
