Since Emergency, we have not paid enough attention to population control: Narayana Murthy raises red flag

Speaking as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology in Prayagraj, Murthy emphasized the urgent need for population control, a topic he believes has been largely neglected since the Emergency period.

"India faces serious challenges related to its population, per capita land availability, and healthcare facilities," Murthy said.

He said countries like the US, Brazil, and China have far more land available per person, which gives them a significant advantage.

"Since the Emergency period, we have not given enough attention to controlling our population. This neglect could make our country unsustainable in the long run," he warned.

Murthy has previously expressed doubts about India's potential to compete with China as a global manufacturing leader.

At the 'ELCIA Tech Summit 2024,' he advised caution in using terms like "hub" and "global leader" too soon.

"China is already the world's factory, with around 90 percent of products in supermarkets and home depots in other countries being manufactured there. Their GDP is six times that of India’s. It's too bold for us to claim that India will become the manufacturing hub," he said.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Murthy highlighted the sacrifices made by the previous generation, including his parents, siblings, and teachers, which paved the way for current opportunities.

"One generation must make many sacrifices to improve the lives of the next. My presence here as the chief guest is proof that the sacrifices made by my parents, siblings, and teachers were not in vain," he concluded.