At a mass marriage event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin referenced a Tamil adage and expressed concern over the impact of the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise on family planning. He urged couples to continue giving Tamil names to their children and reminded them that the traditional saying about acquiring 16 types of wealth does not refer to having 16 children. This comes just days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu controversially advocated for women to have more children to stabilize the population in his state.
Stalin Warns Against Misinterpretation of Tamil Adage, Calls for Family Planning Amid Delimitation
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed concern over the impact of the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise on family planning, citing a traditional Tamil adage.
Speaking at a mass marriage event in Chennai, Stalin urged couples to continue giving Tamil names to their children and reminded them that the saying about acquiring "16 kinds of wealth" does not refer to having 16 children.
Background
The Lok Sabha delimitation exercise, which redraws electoral constituencies based on population changes, is currently underway in India. The process has raised concerns among some politicians and activists who fear it could lead to a reduction in the number of seats allocated to states with lower fertility rates.
Tamil Nadu has traditionally been known for its lower fertility rate compared to other states in India. However, in recent years, there has been a slight increase in the number of children being born in the state.
Stalin's Concerns
Stalin argued that having more children could lead to increased economic burdens on families and hinder the state's progress. He also expressed concern that the delimitation exercise could further disadvantage Tamil Nadu if it has a lower population growth rate.
Call for Family Planning
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for responsible family planning and urged couples to space their births. He stressed that traditional values should not be misinterpreted to promote large families.
FAQs
1. What is the Tamil adage about "16 kinds of wealth"?
The adage "Patinahru Perumpattam" refers to the traditional belief that there are 16 types of wealth that bring success and happiness in life. These include knowledge, good health, wealth, friendship, courage, and others.
2. Why is Stalin concerned about the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise?
Stalin fears that the delimitation exercise could reduce the number of seats allocated to Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha if the state's population growth rate is lower than other states.
3. What is the current fertility rate in Tamil Nadu?
As of 2021, the total fertility rate (TFR) in Tamil Nadu is estimated to be 1.8, which is below the national average of 2.2.
4. Has the fertility rate in Tamil Nadu increased recently?
Yes, there has been a slight increase in the fertility rate in Tamil Nadu in recent years. However, it is still significantly lower than the fertility rates in many other states in India.
5. What are some of the challenges to family planning in Tamil Nadu?
Challenges to family planning in Tamil Nadu include cultural and social norms that promote large families, economic pressures, and lack of access to contraceptive services.
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