On the occasion of Population Day, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath made a statement regarding population control. Yogi said that the population control program should proceed successfully but the situation of demographic imbalance should not arise. He said that it should not happen that the population of the original denizen decreases and on the other hand the population of any one section keeps on increasing. He expressed concern over an adverse fallout of disparity in the religious demography of India.

In any country, when the population reaches an explosive state, it starts growing disproportionately with the resources, so it is necessary to bring stability to it. The resource is a very important component. The population growth rate is higher than the rate of development in India. This creates a regional imbalance within the country. For example, in the Southern states of India the total fertility rate is about 1.8, which is considered a stable rate, but in contrast, North India, which has states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, have about 3.0 total fertility rates. When development is low and the population is high, people migrate from such places to other places in search of employment and livelihood. The limitation of resources and excess population creates conflict; gives birth to fights among people of different states based on ethnic group, region, and language.

English scholar Thomas Robert Malthus has explained population growth and its effects in An Essay on the Principle of Population. According to Malthus, the population grows in a geometrical fashion, while resources increase in an arithmetic progression. Therefore the population doubles every 25 years. Although the views of Malthus cannot acquiesce literally; it is veritable that the rate of growth of population is greater than the rate of growth of resources. On the coordination of population and resources, David Ricardo, the father of the land tax theory; Thomas Sadler; and Herbert Spencer have also expressed serious views on population growth.

India will overtake China by 2025

According to the latest edition of World Population Prospects 2022 released by the United Nations, India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023. According to the report, India’s population stands at 1.412 billion in 2022, compared to China’s 1.426 billion. India is projected to have a population of 1.668 billion in 2050, way ahead of China’s 1.317 billion people by the middle of the century.

China is now ahead of us in population, so it is also very big in the area. India accounts for a meager 2.4 percent of the world's surface area yet it supports and sustains a whopping 17.7 percent of the world population. However, India’s population is expected to stabilize after 2050 and may virtually stop growing by the end of this century, due in large part to falling fertility rates. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) projects a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.29 births per woman in 2100 instead of 1.69 in the United Nations medium scenario for India, resulting in a population that is 433 million smaller than according to the United Nations projections at the end of the century.

Understanding ‘total fertility rate’

Total fertility rate refers to the average number of children that a hypothetical cohort of women would bear over the course of their reproductive life if they were subject to the age-specific fertility rates (usually referring to women aged 15 to 49 years) estimated over a given period and were not subject to mortality. It is expressed as children per woman. A TFR level above 5 children per woman is considered high fertility whereas below 1.3 children per woman is very low fertility. TFR levels of about 2.1 children per woman are replacement-level fertility. According to the United Nations, “if replacement level fertility is sustained over a sufficiently long period, each generation will exactly replace itself in the absence of migration.”

The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 found that India’s total fertility rate is 2.0 children per woman, which declined from 2.2 children in 2015-16 and is currently below the replacement level of fertility of 2.1 children per woman. This means that the population of India achieved the replacement level. At least the official figures tell the same. In most of the states/union territories the total fertility rate is well below replacement level. Bihar (3.0), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.3), and some northeastern states such as Meghalaya (2.9) were present as exceptions.

Economic Survey 2018-19: A different approach

The Economic Survey 2018-19 states that the rate of population growth in the country has been hindered over the past few decades. During the year 1971-81 the annual growth rate was 2.5 percent, which has come down to 1.3 percent in the year 2011-16. Referring to the demographic trends in the survey, it has been highlighted that states like Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, which have historically had high population growth rates, have also shown a drop in the population growth rate. The states of South India and West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh have annual growth rates of less than 1 percent. According to the survey, the population growth rate in India is expected to decline sharply in the coming two decades, with some states beginning to move towards the status of an aging society by 2030. The Economic Survey not only upholds an optimistic view of population control but advocates that the focus of policymaking in the country should be on the increasing number of elderly people in the future.

Demographic dividend or demographic curse

The population of youth and working population in a country and the economic benefits from it are seen in the form of demographic dividends. India currently has the largest population of youth in the world, if this population is used to accelerate India's economy, then it will provide a demographic dividend to India. But if education is not of quality, employment opportunities are limited, and means of health and economic security are not available, then a large working population can take the form of a curse. Therefore, different countries emphasize population growth in proportion to their resources. In the present situation in India, the young and working population is large but only limited employment opportunities are available for them. In such a situation, unless the population growth is regulated, the situation can become catastrophic.

Key challenges of a growing population

First, to provide citizens with a minimum quality of life, investments have to be made in the development of education and health systems, maximum production of food grains, providing affordable houses, clean drinking water supply, and work on strengthening infrastructures such as roads, transport, and power generation and distribution. Second, to take advantage of the growing population, India has to build a strong base of human capital so that it can contribute significantly to the country’s economy. However, India’s low literacy rate (about 74 percent) can be the biggest obstacle in this path. Third, the country’s urban population will double by the year 2050; due to which there will be a challenge to improve urban facilities and provide housing to all, as well as it will be necessary to save the environment. Additionally, unequal distribution of income and increasing inequality among people may result in negative consequences of overpopulation.

Poverty and population growth

Family health, child survival, and the number of children are closely related to the health and level of education of the parents (especially the mother). Thus the poorer a couple is, the more children they tend to give birth to. This trend is concerned with the opportunities, options, and services available to the people. Poor people tend to give birth to more children because child survival is low in this class, the desire to have a son has always been high, and children help in economic activities and thus meet the economic and emotional needs of the family.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21, women in the lowest wealth quintile have an average of 1.0 more children than women in the highest wealth quintile. Thus moving from the richest to the poorest, the fertility rate is found to be 2.6 instead of 1.6. Similarly, the number of children per woman decreases with the increase in the level of schooling of women. The TFR was 2.82 for women who did not attend school compared to 1.8 for women who had been schooled for 12 years or more. This reveals that health, education, and inequality are closely related to fertility rates, and people with less access to health and education remain trapped in the vicious circle of poverty and give birth to more and more children.

Political demand for population control law

From time to time, there has been a demand from political parties to make laws to stop population growth. Such demand has increased significantly after the Modi government came to power in 2014. On 15 August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while giving a speech from the Red Fort, said that the population explosion that is happening in India will create many troubles for the coming generation. He also recognized that a conscious section of the country, understanding the problems caused by rising population growth, keeps its family confined. These people display patriotism in a way, he held. Last year, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also advised policy formulation regarding population control. Many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders keep raising this issue time and again. Rakesh Sinha, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament of BJP, introduced the Population Regulation Bill as a private bill in July 2019. Even before Sinha introduced the bill, in May same year, Delhi BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay had filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court, demanding a stringent law for population control. The Delhi High Court had disposed off the case. Now the matter is with the Supreme Court. In 2018, around 125 lawmakers urged the President to implement the two-child policy in India. In 2016, BJP MP Prahlad Singh Patel also introduced a private member's bill on population control. However, like most private bills, it did not reach the voting stage. Since independence, about 36 such bills have been introduced by MPs of different parties, out of which 15 have been introduced by Congress MPs.

Many states have already implemented penal provisions to control the population or encourage small households. Soon after Prime Minister Modi’s speech, the BJP-led Assam government decided to implement the Assam Population and Women Empowerment Policy, which was passed in September 2017. Under this policy, no person with more than two children shall be eligible for government jobs in Assam from January 2021 onwards. Similar provisions are in place in about a dozen states that impose eligibility and entitlement restrictions if the conditions of the two-child policy are not met. These restrictions also include barring people from contesting elections to Panchayati Raj institutions in some states.

Population growth and the M-factor

Once again Muslims are in the thick of a hysterical debate in India. While some groups are successful in creating a common belief among the people in the country that Muslims produce more children, on the other hand, allegations are being made that the government is trying to bring population control law by conspiring against the Muslim population. What’s the truth? Are Muslims growing faster than other religions or is it a population myth? According to Census 2011 data, the population growth rate of various religions has come down from 2001 to 2011. Hindu population growth rate slowed down to 16.76% in 2011 from the previous decade's figure of 19.92% in 2001 while Muslim witness a fall in growth rate to 24.6% in 2011 from the previous decade's figure of 29.52% in 2001. Similarly, the TFR among women in Hindus has declined from 2.8 children in 1998-99 to 1.9 children in 2019-21 while Muslims witnessed a fall in TFR to 2.4 children (2019-21) from the previous figure of 3.6 children (1999-99).

Although these numbers look comfortable, people who have been pointing out these numbers as an indication of the ceasing of the religious imbalance are wrong. A study of religion data from Census 2011 by the Centre for Policy Studies (cpsindia.org) reveals that at the national aggregate level there was an increase in the share of Muslims in the population of India from 13.43 percent in 2001 to 14.23 percent in 2011, which means there was an addition of 0.8 percentage points to their share in the population. This level of increase was significant as it was the third decade in a row when their share had increased by or above 0.8 percentage points. Another important aspect is that the share of Muslims has been rising every decade since independence. During 1951-61, the decadal increase in the growth of the Muslim population was 0.24 percent and it has jumped to almost four times at 0.80 percent in 2001-11. Studying the growth of the Muslim population in absolute numbers, it can be seen Muslim population in India has grown to 172.2 million in 2011 compared to 37.7 million in 1951, implying a multiplication factor of 4.6. The population of others in the same period has multiplied only 3.2 times. Given the upward, most demographers agree that within two or three decades India will be home to the largest Muslim population in the world.

A report by Pew Research Center backs these concerns about the changing religious demography of India. According to the study India is expected to have the largest population of Muslims in the world (11% of the global total) in 2050. In 2050 the Muslim population in India will be 31.10 million, an increase of 76 percent compared to 2021. At the same time, the population of Hindus is projected at 1.3 billion, an increase of 33 percent. The youngest median age and highest fertility rates among major religious groups are the reasons Indian Muslims are expected to grow faster than Hindus. The median age of Indian Muslims was 22 in 2010, compared with 26 for Hindus. Likewise, Muslim women have an average of 3.2 children per woman, compared with 2.5 for Hindus. Due to these factors, India’s Muslim community will expand faster than its Hindu population, rising from 14.4% in 2010 to 18.4% in 2050.

Lessons from the past

With 350 million people India was one of the most populous countries even during its independence. This was the reason the world’s first state campaign for population control was started in the year 1951 in India. But this did not lead to success. During the Emergency of 1975, efforts were made to control the population on a large scale. Many inhuman measures were used in these efforts. Not only did this program fail, but there was an atmosphere of fear among the people about the program and its execution, which hindered the efforts of population control for many years. After the disastrous experience of forced family planning during the Emergency, the term was rarely used by politicians. Population control remained politically untouched since then.

Population support instead of population control

India has not seen the population in terms of a problem and control over it, but as a thriving resource that is the life force of a growing economy. Seeing it in the terms of problem and control and acting from this point of view may not be a favorable step for the nation. This approach may stifle progress so far and set the ground for a weaker and worse health delivery system.

Despite supporting the population policy, experts are against making it a law and strictly implementing it. Many believe that the states should focus on the already existing system. At present, the work of family planning in rural areas is done by ASHA, Anganwadi, and ANM health workers. Their effort and work on the ground in the family planning program, specifically in rural India, are commendable. Modern contraceptive use by currently married women in the country has increased from 48 percent to 56 percent between 2015-16 and 2019-21. The TFR among women in rural areas has declined from 3.7 children in 1992-93 to 2.1 children in 2019-21; it was 2.4 in 2015-16. Presently, the fertility rate in 23 states and union territories (including all the states of South India) has already reached below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. Thus a policy of support rather than control would be more effective.

Finally, do we need a law?

Although population growth has given rise to many challenges, a legal course of action cannot be considered a suitable step to control it. India’s position is different from China and unlike China, India is a democratic country where everyone has the right to decide about their personal life. In my view, instead of resorting to law, efforts should be made for population control by taking measures like awareness campaigns, raising the level of education, and eradicating poverty. Financial incentives should be given to the families associated with family planning and such families who have not adopted family planning should be motivated for the same through various programs.

While I agree that the population growth rate of various religions has come down during past years, the fact that India’s Muslim community will expand faster than its Hindu population and the country is going to have the largest population of Muslims in the world cannot be repudiated. And this reality will continue to preoccupy a large section of the Hindu community and its leaders in this country.

Most of those who went through psychological distress like anxiety, depression, worry, and perceived stress before Covid-19 struck them, happened to develop Long Covid, a study published in The JMMA Psychiatry said, suggesting that physical health conditions like smoking, asthma, and other health behaviours were not only the main reasons for Covid-19.

The study by researchers at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health reinforces the need to increase public awareness of the importance of mental health and to get mental health care for people who need it, including increasing the supply of mental health clinicians and improving access to care.

“We were surprised by how strongly psychological distress before a Covid-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of long Covid,” said Siwen Wang, a researcher in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard Chan School who led the study.

“Distress was more strongly associated with developing long Covid than physical health risk factors such as obesity, asthma, and hypertension.”

To determine the effects of psychological distress before Covid-19 infection on developing long Covid, Wang and her colleagues enrolled more than 54,000 people in April 2020.

At the beginning of the study, the researchers asked the participants about their psychological distress. Over the following year, more than 3,000 participants contracted COVID-19, and the researchers asked participants about their Covid-19 symptoms and symptom duration.

After analyzing the responses and comparing those who developed long Covid to those who did not, the researchers determined that distress before Covid-19 infection, including depression, anxiety, worry, perceived stress, and loneliness, was associated with a 32per cent-46per cent increased risk of long Covid.  These types of psychological distress were also associated with 15per cent–51per cent greater risk of daily life impairment due to long Covid.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, about 20per cent of American adults who have had Covid-19 have developed long Covid, which is defined as experiencing Covid-19-related symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, or respiratory, heart, neurological, or digestive symptoms, for longer than four weeks after infection. Severe Covid-19 illness increases the risk of long Covid, although people with milder Covid-19 cases can also develop long Covid. Symptoms, which can be debilitating, could last months or years, and little is known about which traits are linked to developing long Covid.

Mental health is known to affect the outcomes of some diseases. Depression and other mental illnesses have been associated with greater risk of more severe Covid-19 including the risk of hospitalization, which is a risk factor for long Covid.

In other acute respiratory tract infections, such as flu or the common cold, mental health conditions are associated with greater severity and longer duration of symptoms.

Previous studies have also suggested that distress is associated with chronic symptoms following Lyme disease and in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, which have symptoms similar to those of long Covid. 

From Kareena Kapoor’s shimmery peach lehenga in Bole Chudiyan to Alia Bhatt’s pink and silver glittery lehenga in Radha, lehngas have always been a part of festive occasions and grand parties. Lehngas are timeless women's ethnic wear, which has quite frankly adapted well with changing times. Seasons might change from time to time, but reasons for wearing lehngas won’t. Variety is the spice of life, and different functions call for different types of lehengas.

Printed Lehnga Design

These lehengas are mostly arched with summery colors. They are lightweight and have fewer to no embellishments. These lehengas are a perfect choice if heavy and embroidered lehngas with elaborate artistry work on them are not something you like. Printed Lehngas are easy to don and carry and do not cause body discomfort or leave marks. It comes out in easy breezy colors and is pleasantly anomalous to other types of lehngas sets.

Off-shoulder blouse lehngas

The fusion of an off-shoulder and lehenga is an irresistible compact choice for wedding celebrations. Firstly, the overall combo look is a bonanza treat to the eyes. Contrasting color scheme, sharara-cut lehngas are the ‘it’ thing, which gives comfort and feel of a well-put look. It has a flare that projects a slimmer and refined body presentation. It is popular both among plus-size women and slim girls.

Half Saree Lehnga

Another deadly combination, well, not literally but metaphorically, is the half saree lehenga. It is a low flare A-line lehenga that has South Indian roots. The Half saree lehengas are especially worn by women during engagement ceremonies, pre-wedding photoshoots, and pal’s weddings, etc. It suits hourglass-figured women and tall-heightened ladies as it gives them a physical stature that goes well with the design and looks of the saree. 

Lehngas pocketed with Jackets

This look is a raging fashion statement these days. Chubby women mostly opt for these lehngas as it covers their fuller areas and carves off a look that is regal, royal, and ladylike. It has also become a common sight at fashion shows and programs. It is a modern ethnic look that every contemporary woman loves to wear.

These lehengas are creating a buzz in the fashion universe. Women are often known to be good decision-makers. Fashion is an expression of our inner self. For women, looking good is not the means of feeling good but quite the opposite. Looking good is the outer reflection or representation of feeling good. Lehngas is not just a part of women’s clothing and popular culture. It is an act of embracing womanhood and embodying the feminine traits of a woman’s agency.

While most people love shopping, not all of them know how. Shopping is an art. Shopping is an art, especially when there are so many options.

We agree with the saying, "Behind every successful women is a bag they love" We aren't exaggerating when we say that the right bag can make a woman feel like she has all the power in the world.

We can't forget to mention the excitement of going back to school in a new uniform and carrying a NEW BAG. They are our friends, our identity, and the way we connect with others at school.

Women who work need to make sure they have everything they need for the hectic workdays ahead. A backpack that is bright and features-rich is a plus.

You will receive quick rapid-fire information:

Do you consider yourself a bag hoarder or a bag shopper? Are you a bag hoarder? Do you find it difficult to close your wardrobe that houses all your bags? Are you aware that you have too many bags?

Good bags are a must-have and a necessity. Cool backpacks are a must-have for school. It's like wearing armour, it speaks for us before our own. Do you agree, girls?

What should you consider before buying a backpack? Do you not need to consider the color or number of pockets?

This guide will help you choose the right backpack for you.

We've selected the best. This article will help you choose the right backpack for you.

1. Size

When shopping for a bag, the size of the bag should be your first consideration. The majority of backpacks are between 12 and 45 liters. Let's see what backpack is best for you. There are 35-45 liter backpacks, 35 liters for those who want to travel light and 45 L for those who want more. A 35L backpack is sufficient if you need a backpack to take to school or carry your laptop to work. For a day, a backpack should hold 25 liters. Daypacks should hold 12 liters. Are you planning a hiking trip? You should not consider anything less than a 45 liters+ backpack. Even a 25-liter backpack is possible for weekend trips if you're a light packer.

2. Color

The colours we choose to see the world around us can have a significant impact on how we perceive it. Your mood is affected by the colour of your backpack. This should be considered before you buy. You should be careful when choosing a backpack in a particular colour. Different colours have different effects on our moods. Learn more about how colors affect emotions

3. Scope

Both your life and your bag need to have a purpose. To ensure that the bag you choose is right for you, you need to know where your life is heading. You will be super annoyed if you carry too much or too little bag. Here's how to find the perfect bag for every occasion and live happily ever thereafter.

- School

This category would be the most important if bags were given a ranking. A new session means a new uniform, class, notebooks, and a NEW BAG. You will be different from your schoolmates if you have a bag that stands out. You want a bag that is trendy, colorful, spacious, and has multiple pockets for books, tiffins, bottles, stationery, and more. If you want to get to school on time, your school bag must be organized better than you.

- Laptop

The approach to laptop bags should be different. They should have a strong look. They should also have sufficient padding to protect your computer. Laptop bags with front pockets that are easily accessible are a game changer. It's hard to describe the joy one feels when they can slip their hands into a pocket and find what they need.

Daypack

The backpack families' smallest members are cute and very portable.

These daypacks are perfect for trips that last a whole day and you need to have all your essentials within reach. These bags can be used for a whole day, as the name implies. They are large enough to hold all your essentials and small enough to make it easy to transport them. You will love your wardrobe if you add a little colour to your bag.

- Small backpacks

You will find plenty of space to store your essentials in these large backpacks. Perfect size, not too big or too small. You don't always need to bring the whole house with you. Small backpacks are perfect for such occasions. These backpacks are still backpacks but they are a smaller size.

4. Style matters

Happiness is not something you can buy, but you can get a fashionable bag that's almost the same. The above statement may not be agreed with by our mothers. It is important to determine if the backpack matches, enhances, or complements your style before you buy it. Your bag can be an accessory that makes or breaks your look. Don't underestimate the impact a backpack can have on your #OOTD. Be sure to consider the style of the bag in conjunction with current trends. A backpack can make it easy to look stylish at school. When choosing a bag, keep in mind whether the style and print will be relevant for many months. To be trendy and futuristic, the bag must be modern. Don't buy a bag that isn't in fashion.

5. Material

The bag's material is its heart and soul. Everything depends on the material it is made from. Your bag should reflect your confidence and strength. Nylon is the most popular material for backpacks. Nylon is tough and durable, and it's waterproof. It's also very convenient for hiking and trekking. After nylon, denim is also very popular. It is extremely lightweight. The bag should be simple and ergonomic, but also designed with comfort in mind.

6. Compartments and pockets

You can organise your stuff more efficiently by having pockets and compartments. It's easy to lose your stuff in your backpack if you don't have compartments and pockets. You can ensure your laptop's safety by using a different pocket. Different compartments make it easy to find things and simplify the process. When you have an urgent need for something, keeping everything in one place can make you feel depressed. A well-made backpack will have plenty of zipper pockets and convenient compartments. At school, for example, there are many things that need to be carried, such as stationery, books, tiffins, and water bottles. It's easy to identify each category in the backpack and make sure everything is organized.

7. Weight

Two things are important to consider when weighing a bag. The bag's weight and the bag itself are important factors. Both a and b are important when planning long trips. However, b is more important for shorter trips or daily commitments. You can always try on a backpack before you buy it online. This will help you to gauge how much weight it can carry. A backpack packed with stuff should not weigh more that 20% of your body weight. A hiking backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10% of your body weight, as you will be carrying it with you most of the time.

8. Water resistance

The primary function of your bag is to protect the contents it holds. The bag must be strong enough to protect what it carries. Water-resistant bags are essential. The bag will be exposed to all elements and should not be stressed when you are out. You can feel confident while taking your bag on long trips or for uncertain treks, regardless of whether it is exposed to the sun or heavy rains. The best backpacks are waterproof and won't fade from the sun. Backpackers who travel on adventure will carry their most essential gears in their backpack. These backpacks must protect everything from water. Waterproof backpacks are made with a lot more padding, which helps you organize and gives you a lot more space.

9. Padding

Good backpacks should have padded shoulders, backs and shoulders. Padding provides more comfort and ease of travel. When checking out the padding, remember that thicker padded straps offer support and comfort. Mesh straps allow for better ventilation and flexibility while thin padding offers greater flexibility.