Government must consider population as resource
A report mentioning the spurt in the number of aged people by 2025 has been recently released. There has been a massive changeover in the ratio between young and aged people. China is now going through this phase. The main reason for this is to having clamped down ‘one child policy’. With this, the number of young people reduced in that country and the aged were in double numbers. Before the situation got out of hand, China went easy on that policy and encouraged couples to have more children.
In some sense, huge population can also be a resource for a nation in terms of surplus hands that can do various jobs. But in some ways, we do assume all those hands are directed at us, seeking jobs and other form of employment. We have turned our asset into a liability. Though we see India surging towards development and progress, a large section of population has been delinked from this growth chain and we are oblivious to this reality. Though we are blessed with massive resources, they are concentrated on only a few people. The food of 100 people is on one person’s plate and the other 99 are hungry. This is how India is, right now. Over all there is no dearth of food. Yet, there are people who are deprived of it.
We have failed in distributing it evenly to all the deserving people. We have not paid attention to dissemination of resources. Hence, the 99 people who could be assets of this country, have turned into a burden. This community which lives on lack of nutrition, falls prey to ill health. They cannot even put up a fight to access education. Since this is a large community, their situation reflects as the dominant picture of the nation. But then we try to change the perception about the country by showing the rich and mighty before the poor. This is the whole logic behind the country being perceived as poor even when we have many billionaires. Even the government does not seem to mind this imagery. It has decided to put the billionaires on front page and is trying to cover for its discrepancies. The country feels it has to be at the beck and call of the rich in order to become a rich nation.
We often speak of African poverty. But India children have even higher levels of malnutrition over African kids. Malnutrition in Africa is at 30% while it has crossed 40% in India. The nation is unable to decide whether malnutrition is the problem or the population is. But we have been making sweeping statements since decades that poverty is the reason for increased population and ill health. Many kids in our country have congenital problems. At least 80 lakh children are born annually with low birth weight. India does not pay attention to their growth. About 70% children suffer from Anaemia. Though it is said that the quality of the sapling is how the tree would turn out to be, how can we hope to see better youths when the kids are born with issues? We look for our best sportspersons in men and women who are beyond the age of 15. But a good sportsperson is not born after 15, but a healthy pregnancy assures us a child with great potential.
Pregnant women have to be cared for, with multi levels of nourishment and attention. This would assure a healthy mother and a healthy child. Mother’s health has direct impact on children. Unfortunately, only 25% children get breastfed by their mothers. The rest of them turn into a burden with every passing year. Demonetisation has increased unemployment, hunger and malnutrition in rural India. The spending on health has also decreased.Instead of focusing on this, the government is spending on religious institutions, statues, parks, museums and monuments on Shivaji or Ramayana or Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel etc.
The government is spending thousands of crores on these aspects than the ones that really need attention. As a result of this, food subsidy has reduced and the chain has been severed. The parameters of poverty have been altered and the number of poor has been fudged. This has led to increased malnutrition. With this, despite high young population, the country does not have sturdy young men and women who can win medals in Olympics or other international sports events. Unless the government invests in nourishing the youth of this country, they will appear to be a liability. The only solution to this problem is that of equated distribution of resources and focus on health. This alone can change the narrative for the government.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
