SHILLONG, JULY 20: The Observation of World Population Day and Stabilization Fortnight 2018 under the theme “Bright future begins with welfare of a family” was organized by the office of the District Medical &Health Officer, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong at Mawkdok Community Hall on Friday.
World Population Day is observed on the July 11 every year to reaffirm the human right to plan a family and focus on the need for population stabilisation.
It is also being observed by the Government of Meghalaya over a month long period comprising of mobilization fortnight from the June 27 to July 10 and population stabilization fortnight from July 11 to 24.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Sohra MLA Gavin M Mylliem said that he is pleased to hear the theme “Bright future begins with welfare of a family” as it relates to Family Planning, which is an important factor for combating population growth.
He pointed out that the current world population is 7.6 billion, wherein India has 1.34 billion and China has 1.42 billion, which constitute 36% of the total world population. Currently, India is ranked as the 2nd largest population in the world behind China.
According to him, if this trend continues, India will surpass China by 2024 and By 2050, the world population is projected to be 9.6 billion.
He expressed his happiness on the efforts put in by the government through the District Medical & Health Officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of national economy.
Gavin added that the population growth occurring due to our ignorance and greed is one of the main factors for destruction of the environment.
Stating that the theme of the World Population Day 2018 adopted by the United Nations is “Family Planning is a Human Right”, he said, “As humans, we keep on producing offspring without taking into account, whether we are able to provide for our children with their basic needs such as education, health care and this gives rise to poverty, rendering a bleak future for our children. He pointed out that early marriage is the main reason for broken families.”
He further appealed to all the youth to delay their entry into marriage despite the legal marriage age for male being 21 years and for female 18 years, as it is necessary for one to be financially stable before one starts a family.
He concluded by encouraging the Health Department to continue in their efforts in organising such programmes for the welfare and benefit of the general public.
Earlier in her keynote address, Dr JB Ranee, District MCH Officer, East Khasi Hills, Shillong reported that, currently the rate of population growth of the world is 83 – 84 million every year.
In 2014, the population of East Khasi Hills District was 8 lakhs and by 2018 it had increased drastically to 10 lakhs.
She said that if the rate of population growth continues, all the earth’s resources would be depleted and there was every chance that there would be a threat for the survival of our future generations.
She also stated that if the younger generation were instilled with the importance of family planning, there would still be hope for a bright future.
Ranee further stated that during the fortnight, various activities were being conducted in all health centres like film screenings, posters advocating the need for population stabilization, stalls for counselling, use of contraceptive and other spacing methods and other family planning services.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Dr K Kharnaior, O&G Specialist, Sohra CHC and W Pamdhai, District Programme Manager, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.
This was followed by a prize distribution, where the Chief Guest gave away prizes to winners of Extempore Speeches and Posters Presentation Competition, which had taken place in the morning.
Earlier in the day, a rally was taken out by school students, ASHAs and staff of the various Health Centres to commemorate World Population Day 2018.
By Our Reporter
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