Demographic Politics And Population Growth - 2

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_153...00900010001.htm

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A stitch in time brings Diwali cheer

Gurpreet Singh Nibber

Patiala, October 26, 2005

What’s hot this Diwali in Punjab? Definitely not gifts. Any guess? Vasectomy — if the state health department statistics are anything to go by.

The Punjab Health Department's male sterilisation drive currently on is a runaway hit. And it has nothing to do with family planning. The government is offering Rs 1,000 to those who undergo non-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). And it has found several takers — especially among the poor, looking for an easy way to make a few grands on the eve of the festival. Patiala witnessed 120 surgeries on Wednesday itself. Reports from Ludhiana, Bathinda and Amritsar also indicated a surge.

"Compensation is the chief attraction. It will allow my family to celebrate the festival this year," says Amar Singh of Rasoolpur village near Patiala. Singh, with brother-in-law in tow, went under the surgeon's knife. Initially, the health department was not too sure about launching the project in October because of the festival season. "But we decided to give it a try and it clicked," says Director, Family Planning, Harinder Rana.

The figures are astounding. Jalandhar alone has seen 800 surgeries, Bathinda 900 and Amritsar around 800. The rush was such in Ludhiana and Bathinda that additional medical staff had to be called in from the neighbouring districts.

Looks like Punjab is sending the right message this Diwali.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->