Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Population control imperative, says Vice-President

By Our Staff Reporter

PUTTAPARTHI NOV. 22. The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, has observed that the country will be far from realising its goal of poverty alleviation unless it is able to stabilise population growth. The challeges of an overpopulated country like India are varied and many, he said.

In his address at the 22nd convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prshanti Nilayam here on Saturday, he apprehended that the fruits of development would turn mirage if the population was not controlled. One-fourth of the country's population was living in extreme poverty and millions of them were languishing due to denial of basic amenities like education, health and shelter.

He told the students of the deemed university that the world was changing at a lightning pace and if they failed to seize the opportunities they would be by-passed by others.

The Vice-President said it was the fundamental duty of our governance to cater to the needs and aspirations of the deprived sections of society. As the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 1977 he had launched anthyodaya scheme as an initiation for the welfare of the poorest among the poor, he said.

Mr. Shekhawat hoped that the Sathya Sai Institute would orient its students positively towards the imperative need to help the poor break the shackles of poverty, disease, ignorance and illiteracy. He suggested that the students strive for fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream "to wipe out every tear from every eye" Hailing the Sathya Sai Institute for its imparting integral education, he wished all religious and spiritual organisations to derive inspiration from Saibaba for spiritual upliftment and meeting the needs of the poor, the hungry and the diseased.

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