Population control and family planning in India

Despite the long history of birth control and family planning in India, the rapid population growth still remains the most knotty and viscous problem to-day which thwarts all efforts of development of four decades. A proper evaluation and assessment of the reasons for continued rapid population growth assumes utmost importance signifying the need for arresting the growth so as to secure the fruits of health and development to the poorest among the poor who are groaning under the impact of poverty, unemployment ill health. illiteracy, pestilence and lack of shelter. Thus the deep understanding of what could motivate the people to reduce the number of children becomes a critical input. Dr Mamata Lakshmanna's work is such stimulating effort with sound research methodology and procedures to focus the factors which are both responsible for failure in the populotion control programmes and for the insights which bring about remedial situation through appropriate corrective measures. The chief merit of the work lies in its analysis, comprehension interpretation and conclusions on the family planning efforts in India, more particularly since Independence.
In this work, Dr Lakshmanna has made some significant contribution with regard to the sources of information in the diffusion of family planning practices and differential adoption of family planning methods. Her analysis of the social correlates is a pioneering contribution to the motivation rejection syndrome, impact of the family and the notable role played by socio cultural context on the population growth process. She has drawn significant conclusions for future of family planning in India with well reasoned and logically derived arguments supported by qualitative, quantitative and statistically significant findings. In short this book is a must for a wide spectrum of readers like academics planners and laymen.