VISAKHAPATNAM:Rallies and seminars marked the World Population Day celebration in the north Andhra region Saturday. Various educational institutions organised competitions in an attempt to spread awareness and prizes were given to the winners.
Visakhapatnam
While attending the celebrations at Andhra University organised by the AU Population Research Centre and Lions Club, vice- chancellor GSN Raju said that there was a high need to shape young minds as best HR personnel. It is easy to create healthy and wealthy society by developing the best HR personnel in the country. India has 17.5 per cent of the world population, he added. AU Population Research Centre director Ramakrishna explained the statistics related to the population of World, India and Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion, prizes were distributed among the winners of various competitions conducted on the occasion.
At an another programme a massive rally was taken out from the GVMC administration building to AU Ambedkar Assembly Hall to mark the occasion. A large number of students from various colleges took part in the rally. Visakhapatnam MP K Haribabu flagged off the rally. Later a meeting was organised in the AU Assembly Hall, presided over by joint collector J Nivas.
Vizianagaram
In Vizianagaram, a massive rally was taken out in the town after Vizianagaram MLA M Geetha flagged off the rally which saw a huge participation from students of various colleges and schools. Addressing the gathering, Vizianagaram municipal chairperson P Ramakrishna explained the advantages of having a small family and lamented about prevalence of gender discrimination. He urged couples to go for family planning and not look for a male child.
Additional joint collector UCG Nageswara Rao stressed the need to control population as resources are much lesser than the demand. He also urged couples to maintain at least three-year space between births. DMHO in-charge Sudhakar Patnaik and MLA M Geetha spoke.
Srikakulam
While delivering the keynote address at the World Population Day celebrations held at Ambedkar auditorium, Srikakulam MLA Gunda Lakshmi Devi said that development was possible with small families. The country would be developed when the population is controlled and parents can give a comfortable life and education to their children, she added. The district stood first in the state in population control, however, the department staff and officials should take up more awareness programmes, Lakshmi Devi said.
District Medical and Health Officer R Syamala, additional DMHO Sarada and several other officials were present. Earlier, a massive rally was taken out from Day and Night Junction to Ambedkar auditorium.