‘Couples should have three children’: Andhra CM Naidu says population stability is key to India’s rise

Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh CM.

• Naidu says India's rise as a global power depends on values and national goals
• He advocates for three children per couple to maintain population stability
• Ganga-Cauvery river linking project crucial for water security and growth

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated on Friday that India's rise as a global power is unstoppable, provided its population, knowledge, and talent align with traditional values and national goals.

Echoing the views of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he suggested that couples should ideally have three children to maintain population stability and strengthen the nation.

Speaking at the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan, Naidu emphasised, "India cannot be prevented from emerging as a global power if its population, knowledge, and talent are guided by our traditional values and national priorities.” He praised the National Sanskrit University, established in 1961, for promoting Indian culture and serving as a platform for discussing Bharatiyata (Indian-ness) and the civilizational ethos with pride.

Naidu highlighted India's historical role as a leader in knowledge, referencing urban planning in the Harappan civilization 4,500 years ago, the spiritual science of yoga 2,900 years ago, and medicinal breakthroughs in Ayurveda 2,600 years ago. He also pointed to the contributions of Takshashila and Nalanda universities in fields such as astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and economics.

The Chief Minister noted the high per capita income of the Indian diaspora and the country's dominance in Information Technology (IT) as strategic advantages. He reiterated the goal of making India the world's second-largest economy soon and the largest by 2047, building on the momentum from the 1991 economic reforms.

Furthermore, he advocated for the National River Linking Project, calling the Ganga-Cauvery project "a long-cherished dream of the nation," which is essential for achieving water security. Naidu called for inter-state goodwill to implement these projects, emphasising that water security is a top priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that achieving this would unlock vast potential for agriculture, industry, and overall national development.

The Ganga-Cauvery project, part of the National River Linking Project (NRLP), aims to ensure nationwide water security, foster inter-state cooperation, and support agriculture, industry, and sustainable development, fulfilling a long-standing vision of national progress.

*With PTI inputs