IMPHAL, July 11: World Population Day was observed today at Yumjao Lairembi community hall, Keishampat.
The observation was organized by family welfare department under sponsorship from the National Rural Heath Mission with the theme ‘Small family- Overall development’. The objective of the observation was to create awareness about the impact of population surge and its implication in our society including global scenario.
The observation was attended by minister of health and family welfare L. Jyantakumar Singh as chief guest and N. Ashok SMD, health department, as president. N. Raghumani Singh, chairperson Imphal Municipality Council, S. Ibomcha Singh, director, health services and L. Joykumar Singh, director of family welfare services, were the guests of honour.
Speaking the key-note address, W Gulapi Singh, addl. director, family welfare services, stressed the importance of the observation in the state.
He stated that the observations also provide room for discussion on issues like impact of abnormal population growth, gender bias and discrimination, need for health improvement.
MLA Jayantakumar, while addressing the gathering, gave his clarification on the traditional misconceptions of ‘big family, strong family’.
He maintained that in the past high population was thought as indispensable and families having many numbers of members are considered as powerful. He added, this belief is now not applicable to our modern society. Even though we cannot control the population growth at a large scale, we can halt it at our individual level, he added. He also highlighted the different provisions provided by state government for maintenance of health and population control.
During the observation, Dr. Joykumar said the population of Eastern European countries is now at a declining phase while India is still experiencing a growth. In the year 2050 India is expected to take over from China as the world most populous country, he said stressing that if population growth is not controlled there would be lesser areas for waste disposal which be a health hazard by causing various diseases.
He maintained that over population would give more unemployment, traffic jam and more environmental pollution. Further he opined that population growth is due to early marriages, people ignorance and polygamy and high number of immigrants.
Citing the probationary census report he said, population of Manipur have crossed more than 27 lakhs from 21 lakhs in 2001, which is nearly an increase of more than six lakh in the last decade.
A song and drama division troupe performed the opening song which theme was on controlling population. The event was wrapped up with a short play called ‘Mangphaonaba’ by the artistes of People Art and Dramatic Association of Top Khonangmakhon.