ITANAGAR, July 11 - Arunachal Pradesh today observed World Population Day � a United Nations� initiative to spread awareness on population issues � with a slew of programmes across the State. The theme of the programme here was �Ek sarthak kal ki shuruwat, Parivar niyojan ke sath�.
Addressing the World Population Day function at Vivekananda Hall of RK Mission Hospital here, State Health & Family Welfare Minister Alo Libang advocated for having small families which could serve as a springboard for giving future generations the chance of greater prosperity.
�Small family has many advantages. It�s key to prosperous life and can provide high quality education to the children and can avail a better and healthy life in the society thus producing worthy citizens for the country,� said Libang.
He said, it is high time to introspect on the growth of world population. Due to population explosion, there has been alarming demographic trends which is harmful for ecological balance. Now, population is increasing faster than the socio-economic development of the people, he remarked.
The Minister exhorted the young participants including students to contribute through concerted actions and responsibility to spread awareness about the benefits of small family so that people grow in quality, not in numbers.
Special Secretary, Health & Family Welfare cum Mission Director (NHM) Dr Tapasya Raghav said that quality of life is affected due to rapid growth in population. For a healthy society, there should be quality education, health, upbringing and all should get decent food. These are possible only through small family.
Small family also helps in empowering women. They have more time to pursue their field of interest instead of becoming a child bearing machine, she observed.
While informing that our country has very low human development index in terms of education, health, etc, Dr Raghav said the message of adopting the small family norms should be carried forward to the masses which can be a game changer.
Director of Family Welfare, Dr Kabang Lego said that a small family helps in providing good rearing, good education and health, good environment, etc. It also creates atmosphere for equal status for boys and girls, said Dr Lego.
Messages of the benefits of small family were highlighted through film and puppet shows. Earlier in the morning, the Minister flagged off a rally involving school students, staff and members of Bullet Club from IG Park Tennis Court to Vivekananda Hall.
