Populous India

REFER to ‘India to surpass China as most populous in 2023’; in 1980, the population of China and India was 98 crore and 70 crore, respectively. Sensing the gravity of the situation, China imposed a strict policy, forcing couples to have only one child, whereas India continued with its policy of ‘Hum do, hamare do’. It took China about four decades to lower its population growth rate. India should take a leaf out of China’s pragmatic approach. To aggravate the already precarious situation, there are many fringe elements in almost all religions in our country who are advocating the people of their respective community to produce more children. Along with other necessary steps, the government must take immediate action against such people too.

Balbir Singh Kakkar, Jalandhar

Population control

Notwithstanding the good news that the fertility rate in India has reduced and contraceptive prevalence has increased, the increasing population rate is a matter of concern (‘Population milestone’). The projections that by next year, India would overtake China’s population to become the world’s most populous country should stir our policy-makers from slumber and compel them to come out with a population control policy and family planning measures acceptable to all Indians, irrespective of region, caste and religion.

Ashwani Kumar Malhotra, by mail

In nation’s interest

Our politicians leave no stone unturned in taking advantage of a situation and creating uproar, no matter how vital the issue under consideration might be for national interest. Confrontational methods in support of a political cause has been their modus operandi, but it is not acceptable on a hot issue like population control, which has been an impediment in the growth of our nation. Yogi Adityanath’s statement to move forward with the population control programme shouldn’t be imbued with polarising colours, as it is in the interest of the entire country, rather than being detrimental to a particular sect or religion. One hopes this programme gains steam not only in Uttar Pradesh, but also across the country to reduce the burden on our limited resources.

Upant Sharma, Panchkula

Scrap advisory panel

The AAP chief and CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, is treating the Bhagwant Mann government as an annex of the Delhi Government. The advisory panel headed by Raghav Chadha from Delhi is illogical and unwarranted. Why does the Punjab CM need an advisory when he has experts and competent people in his state to help him implement the policies promised during elections? Is the CM so weak that he needs help to govern? If he needs advice, he must get it from local sources. He is answerable to the people of Punjab. This illegal and unconstitutional body must be scrapped.

Capt Amar Jeet (Retd), Kharar

Roaring lions

Refer to ‘Row over lions’; while a strong Opposition is necessary in a democracy, it should focus on constructive criticism, rather than opposing every move of the government. Just because the lions in the national emblem looked a bit different in the past is no reason to perpetuate the same for eternity. It could be minor variation on a basic theme. There is also nothing wrong with holding rituals of the majority community when unveiling the emblem. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, Dravidian politicians have been known to conduct special pujas whenever they or a family member got into trouble with the law, while abusing the Hindu religion and its practices in public. The ruling party deserves to be appreciated for not giving in to political hypocrisy unlike other parties.

V Jayaraman, Chennai

Mattewara project

Refer to ‘Govt scraps Mattewara textile project’; the government has given in to the pressure of NGOs and political parties and scrapped the textile project. It shows that the government had not done proper homework regarding the feasibility study and environmental impact assessment before introducing the project. As 33% of the total geographical area must be under green cover, and currently it is only 3.3% in Punjab, the government must learn lessons from its mistakes and introduce biodiversity conservation and protection of flora and fauna as a basic aspect in industrial policy.

Harvinder Singh Chugh, Jalandhar

Uddhav’s nod

Apropos of ‘Uddhav backs Murmu after Sena MPs’ plea’, Uddhav has done well to listen to his genuine supporters, breaking ties with an unholy alliance, and for agreeing to support NDA’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu. He should also consider the demand of his party MPs to rebuild ties with the BJP to regain lost ground in politics.

Upendra Sharma, by mail

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