We are 1 billion today

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 10. The countdown has begun for the one-billionth child -- officially -- to be born at the Safdarjung hospital here. The United Nations Population Fund has sponsored a `function' to mark the arrival of the one billionth baby. Two or three babies are to be born at the appointed hour of 12.56 pm at this hospital. Whoever arrives on time shall become the focus of world media attention.

Earlier the United Nations had bestowed India with the dubious distinction of turning one billion in August last. But later, the timing and the calculation arrived at by the Registrar General of India in 1995, was accepted by the world body and May 11 was earmarked as the day when India turned a billionaire in terms of population.

Tomorrow, the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr. K.C. Pant, will announce the setting up of the National Population Commission, to be headed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. The Planning Commission had undertaken a massive exercise in meeting NGOs, experts and Government officials to arrive at a consensus on the Population Policy, which was approved by the Union Cabinet last month. The Population Commission shall be set up on the Planning Commission premises for better inter-sectral coordination.

The day is marked with functions and seminars on `the day of the billion' to focus on issues of population stabilisation, reproductive and child health, gender equity and sustainable development.

``It is time for reflection. The situation is grim but if we behave responsibly we can overcome. But if we delay, things can go beyond control,'' the Family Welfare Secretary, Mr A.R. Nanda, told The Hindu here.

The projection is that if ``nothing is done'' India's population can overtake China's by 2050. India adds about 16 million people, equivalent to Australia's population, every year.

The Prime Minister is likely to address the nation tomorrow on the issue.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Arms arriving for Sri Lanka
Next     : 'S.C. ceiling no hurdle to quota'