Key Points
Naidu promotes population growth as national strategic asset
Challenges traditional family planning narratives
Emphasizes global service potential of Indian workforce
Highlights demographic dividend's economic significance
He highlighted India's demographic dividend as a key strength and advocated for its effective management to ensure the nation's growth.
In a press conference, he said, "I am changing my views and promoting population now. India is one country with the biggest advantage in the demographic dividend. If we can manage the demographic dividend for the future, India and Indians will be great. Global communities are depending on us, Indians, for global services...
Naidu dismissed concerns that the issue is politically motivated, asserting that it is a matter of national interest.
"It is not at all a political issue. One should be patriotic...If you can go through worldwide, wealth creation and population are conflicting with each other. When you are getting more money, automatically you won't have any children. That is where I will say IT professionals, double income, no kids, let us enjoy. Everybody will think like that. That is where globally countries have failed..."
Further, regarding the three-language policy, he said, "Nowadays, everyone has to learn multiple languages for global opportunities. I am seriously considering establishing multi-language centres in all my universities."
His statement comes amid the tussle between DMK-led Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led Centre over its apprehension regarding the delimitation process.
On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged couples of the state to "give birth to a child immediately" to ensure greater representation in Parliament.
Addressing at the marriage ceremony of a party worker's son, Stalin said that MPs count depends on population adding that now he won't say don't rush to give birth to child.
"Before it is used to say don't give birth to child immediately, no need to rush. But now it is not necessary, we shouldn't say that also. Because it is being said that the number of MPs would be decided based on population. The situation created is more population, more MPs. But we have achieved success with focusing on family planning. Now I won't say don't rush to give birth to child, give birth to child immediately."
Stalin emphasised that the number of MPs is directly tied to population.
