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Literacy and Population Sir, We are at the threshold of entering 21st Century. Technological advancement and rapid industrialization throughout the world has brought tremendous change in quality of human life. But in India overall scenario is slightly discouraging as we are confronted with the problems of population. If drastic remedial and concrete measures are not taken at all levels, the day is not far-off when the life of an Indian shall become a nightmare. The problem of population explosion has drawn the attention of Govt. But inspite of many efforts, we have not been able to cut much ice. The world population was 400 crores in 1980 and it jumped to 550 crores in 1995 and it will reach the figure of 600 crore by the turn of this century, India's contribution would be 100 crores. The enormous increase is baffling as we are alone adding 1.50 crores every year. The population profile show that we were 23.8 crores in 1901 and we would be 103.2 crores in 2001. This increase in human population is attributed to tremendous increase in food production, better public health and greater medical attention which have raised the life expectancy in India. The other major factor for increase are decline in death rate. UNESCO and WHO have taken serious note of this problem particularly in developing countries and they are laying much stress in generating awareness among common masses through different channels. One of the important aspects, is population of the important aspects, is population education. It is aimed specifically at improving the quality of human life. in simpler terms, it entails spreading acceptance of small family norms and awareness of the consequences of population growth. The message should be integrated with socio-economic measures for rural development. Awareness Campaigns should be launched at the grass-root level in rural areas where the problem is acute and serious. Here comes the role of literacy and education to act as potent instrument to generate awareness at all levels of social set-up in the villages where 80 percent Indian population lives. Illiteracy has been considered as one of the major factors responsible for population explosion. Without achieving total literacy, the entire efforts to tackle the problems may not yield desirable results. National Literacy Mission is proving beyond doubt that eradication of illiteracy is feasible. This is evident from the fact that literacy rate has increased from 43.5 percent in 1981 to 52.11 percent in 1991 and it has a bearing on containing the population growth. The check on population growth is more perceptible in urban areas than in rural areas where literacy rate is low. Literacy Campaign lays emphasis on the fact that economic and financial crisis is due to large size of the family. Another important aspect which requires our attention is the status of women. A women who gives birth to girls only a considered low. Th mother herself in an environment of culture and religious values ill-treats her daughter. On the contrary, with the birth of a male child, the woman finds the purpose of life being fulfilled. Whereas in her anxiety to bear a son, she ignores the girl-child which leads to many social problems. Perpetuation of existing value keeps almost half the population in perpetual neglect. This is hightime, that this aspect should be taken care at all levels and dignity of woman restored. Problem of illiteracy and population if handled meticulously and carefully at micro-level, all other related socio-economic problems can easily be taken care. Let us now follow the target free approach and generate awareness in rural areas to impress upon the couples to have choice about their reproductive health and life. A timely check on population growth will make present life prosperous. Yours etc... |
