Thoda Adjust karlo na, Earth.

What’s common from Sanjay Gandhi’s biggest political mistake ‘Nasbandi’ to the Global warming caused gaping ozone hole in Antarctica? Apart from the current politically keen focus on saving cows which pumps up the greenhouse emissions, yes you guessed it right folks,
Population!
how? Comes let us figure that out…
Why did It start?
World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues, the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights.
The theme this year is based on safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls around the world especially during the time of COVID-19 pandemic^6
Why Do We Mark International Days?
International days are occasions to educate the naïve public on blazing world issues, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. ^1
In short, it’s the ‘Janheet mai Jhaari (Issued in Public interest)’ from the one and only UN.

Why should you care?
Sure, you might know that there are more than 7 billion people on earth right now, but how often do you stop to think about what that really means? ^4

1. It touches everyone
   The more people are added to the population, the more power and food is needed to sustain all of them.
   It’s hard to keep up that food and power production at the rate that the population is growing, and efforts to do so are contributing greatly to climate change, which affects you no matter where you live. ^4
2. It asks us to look forward
   It’s focused on the future, and what efforts it will take to slow population growth. The most important thing to think of is what the world will look like for your kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, etc.
   Think of this is as, What will you reply to your great-grandkids [Of course, if you survive World Wrecking WW4 or Hostile Hangry Aliens somehow],
   What were you doing when mother earth was running out?

What’s new in this COVID Era?
The COVID-19 crisis has taken a staggering toll on people, communities and economies everywhere. But not everyone is affected equally. Women, who account for the largest share of front-line health workers, for example, are disproportionately exposed to the coronavirus. ^6
Bill Gates has rightly said, “By improving health, empowering women, population growth comes down.”
Those requiring sexual and reproductive health services may face anxiety about exposure to the virus while seeking care – or they may forgo care entirely. Others have lost access to care altogether due to movement restrictions and curbed health services ^7
Rising household tensions, exacerbated by economic pressures and movement restrictions, are sparking violence around the world. Women sheltering at home with their abusers often have nowhere to turn. And new forms of violence may be increasing, including cyber violence. ^7
31 million additional cases of gender-based violence can also be expected. ^2 More and more silent, petrified & voiceless women at homes?
As countries are on lockdown and health systems struggle to cope, sexual and reproductive health services are being sidelined and gender-based violence is on the rise. ^2
Recent UNFPA research highlighted that if the lockdown continues for 6 months with major disruptions to health services, then 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries may not be able to access modern contraceptives resulting in 7 million unintended pregnancies.
That means you will have to more difficulty boarding off the lanky locals when you are at Aamchi Mumbai’s Dadar or Kurla station!
As per reports, an estimated 7.8 billion people were living on Earth as of March 2020, and with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number is expected to rise due to unplanned pregnancies. Meanwhile Innocently Ignorant Indians be like “Yaar, finally got some precious time with my Wifey!”
Take-Home Message/ What can you do?
a. Educate yourself
b. Then share that information with your family, friends [& foes maybe?]
c. Take Local Action while thinking globally!

Maybe,
“We all worry about the population explosion, but we don’t worry about it at the right time.”
~Art Hopp

Yours Only,

Dinesh Raja.

References: –

1. https://www.un.org/en/events/populationday/
2. https://www.unfpa.org/events/world-population-day
3. https://www.india.com/festivals-events/world-population-day-2020-history-significance-of-
   the-day-and-theme-for-this-year-4079160/
4. https://nationaltoday.com/world-population-day/
5. https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/world-population-day-2020-raising-
   awareness-about-the-health-and-rights-of-women-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic/story-
   B3LIixFZOzMbflN9B8ZQVN.html
6. https://www.india.com/festivals-events/world-population-day-2020-history-significance-of-
   the-day-and-theme-for-this-year-4079160/
7. https://www.unfpa.org/news/putting-brakes-covid-19-safeguarding-health-and-rights-
   women-and-girls
8. https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/why-do-we-mark-international-days/

Featured Image source :

https://latestnews.fresherslive.com/about/world-population-day