Registered births in Karnataka drop 17% as more couples opt to remain child-free
Bengaluru: According to a recent study, Karnataka has seen a 17% decrease in registered births since 2012. The trend has been ascribed by experts to declining fertility rates, fewer marriages and an increase in the number of couples opting to remain child-free.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald (all names of couples in the report have been changed to maintain anonymity) , several couples cite personal, financial and environmental reasons for their decision. Avinash K, a 40-year-old businessman, and his wife Naina, married for a decade, decided against having children to maintain their work-life balance. “I cannot imagine what my stress levels would have been if I had kids,” he said.
Media professional Prakriti V, 37, and her husband shared similar views before marriage, citing high living costs and concerns over climate change. Engineer Ankur M and his wife Samantha said they simply felt fulfilled without children. “Having a baby just to meet family expectations would be selfish,” they said.
Ayesha Khan, 28, who has helped raise her siblings said she did not want to go through the physical and psychological toll of childbirth.
Sociologist Avatthi Ramaiah noted that urban couples face high expenses and limited support systems. “This will likely increase reliance on old-age homes in the future,” he said. Relationship therapist Sunil John called the trend a practical choice. “It is better than becoming unwilling parents and impacting a child’s well-being,” he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Three arrested for killing Buddhist woman monk in Himachal
Shimla (PTI): Three people have been arrested for allegedly murdering a Buddhist woman monk in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh nearly a month ago, police said on Friday.
The accused -- Gagan Sharma (23), Vishal (23) and Gaurav Sharma (20), all residents of Mandi -- were arrested on Thursday night, police said.
According to police, the 78-year-old Buddhist woman monk, Orje Shoki, was found murdered in a cave near Sarkidhar village, following which a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to nab the accused.
Mandi Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinod Kumar said that during the investigation, more than 50 suspects were questioned and DNA samples of several suspects were also collected.
After a detailed investigation, the accused were arrested from different locations on Thursday night, he said.
Kumar said all the accused are drug addicts and they committed the crime with the intention of looting the victim, so that they could buy drugs.
Efforts are on to nab two more accused wanted in the case. They will be put behind bars soon, the SP said.
