N.R. Narayana Murthy, the 77-year-old co-founder of Infosys, has once again stirred controversy with his recent remarks on India's population growth. Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology in Prayagraj, Murthy expressed concerns about the country's rising population, calling it a major challenge.
"Since the Emergency period, we Indians have not paid enough attention to population control. This poses a risk of making our country unsustainable," Murthy stated. He compared India's situation to countries like the US, Brazil, and China, noting that these nations have far higher per capita land availability.
This statement comes just months after Murthy's previous controversial suggestion that young Indians should be prepared to work 70 hours a week, a comment that ignited a nationwide debate on work culture and work-life balance.
During his address, Murthy also emphasized the responsibility of professionals to contribute to the nation's progress. He stressed the importance of high aspirations, dreaming big, and working hard to turn those dreams into reality.
However, Murthy's stance on population growth stands in stark contrast to views expressed by some global figures like Elon Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has been a vocal advocate for increasing birth rates, warning of what he calls a "population collapse" in many developed countries.
Musk's argument centers on the idea that declining birth rates in countries like Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe could lead to economic stagnation and a shortage of young workers to support aging populations. He has even stated that "population collapse is potentially the greatest risk to the future of civilization."
This divergence of opinions between Murthy and Musk highlights the complex nature of the population debate. While Murthy sees India's growing population as a strain on resources and a challenge for sustainability, Musk views population growth as essential for economic vitality and innovation.
Critics of Murthy's view point out that India's population growth rate is already declining and is expected to stabilize in the coming decades. They argue that the focus should be on education, healthcare, and economic opportunities rather than population control.
On the other hand, supporters of Murthy's stance argue that India's large population puts significant pressure on its infrastructure, natural resources, and job market, making it crucial to address population growth as part of the country's development strategy.
As this new statement by Murthy enters the public discourse, it is likely to reignite debates on population policy, resource allocation, and the future of work in India. The contrasting views of influential figures like Murthy and Musk underscore the global complexity of demographic challenges and their potential impacts on economic and social development.