Debojit Bharali
(dbharali83@gmail.com)
As forecast, the world population reached 8 billion on November 15. I can't tell if it's a time of joy, sorrow, excitement or worry, laugh or cry, but earlier hard work reduced life expectancy of people. Gradually, humans improved skills in the field of science and technology and emerged in a civilized society. As a result, the average life expectancy of mankind has increased by almost 50 per cent compared to the previous years and this is a rare example of human development. These are joyful contexts.
However, along with the increase in the efficiency of human life and average life expectancy, problems such as population growth are also emerging day by day and today we have reached a stage where we are almost confused.
According to the United Nations, India has contributed the most to the world's population growth from 7 billion to 8 billion. Since India's population will surpass China's by 2023, according to an earlier report released on World Population Day, it is easy to imagine what India's future is really going to be! The UN report already predicts that India's population will reach 1.6 billion by 2050.
As a developing country, India has been able to present itself to the world as a promising country but the problems of the country have no end. There are often discussions about the overall governance policies and practices of the government of India in the context of having a large population. India's results are not satisfactory in various surveys such as the Global Hunger Index, the Global Development Index, the Global Happiness Index etc. Moreover, the country's demographic structure has already created a huge mountainous wall between the poor and the capitalists. Many children die daily from malnutrition. In addition, we have noticed an unprecedented increase in corruption and crime rates among the growing population. It is difficult to imagine how a country of 1.6 billion people will face such huge challenges. India is a country of hungry people. India ranks 107th out of 121 countries in the World Hunger Index this year. The issue of hunger was the focus of discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2019. Many economists present there expressed concern that the problem of hunger in India will worsen in the coming days. The rich and corporate should be taxed at 1% and that will provide a year's worth of nutritious food to the hungry. But the government has not shown any goodwill in this regard. China's policy is gradually reversing the trend there and the birth rate is falling. The adult population rate is estimated at 40 per cent of China's total population and China's population growth is slowing slightly.
Nevertheless, reciprocally the growth of population is a testament to humanity's achievements which includes reduction of poverty, mortality rate and gender inequality. Moreover, advancement of the healthcare system is also the mankind's utmost accomplishment.
Nevertheless, the UN Secretary-General has aptly said: "Unless we follow globally regulated policies, we will all live in a world of 8 billion people that is constantly plagued by worry, anxiety, distrust, fear, apprehension, conflict, poverty, etc. As far as India is concerned, India will not lose out on such complications."