World Population Day rally organised by Chennai Corporation

On Friday afternoon, the rally began at the gates of the Ripon Building, the Corporation’s headquarters, inaugurated by P Madhusudhan Reddy, Deputy Commissioner (Health). 

Most of the participants were Corporation’s own ground workers.

On July 11, 1987, the world’s population crossed 500 crores and July 11 was declared as World Population Day across the globe. This year, the Medical Services Department of the Corporation observed it on Friday through the rally.

The department has been taking consistent efforts to create awareness on this issue. The Corporation has been advocating against child marriage, due to the high risk to children in such cases. 

They have advised women to give birth to the first child after the age of 19 and stressed on the importance of allowing a gap of a few years between the siblings. 

The various welfare schemes by the state were enumerated. This year, the theme for the celebration was: A small family is the beginning of a meaningful future.

After the rally, an awareness programme was held, where the adverse impact of the increasing population was stressed upon the audience. 

Cultural programmes were conducted, where nurses and other health workers of Corporation participated. School students too were roped in, as they participated in an oratorical competition by the civic body, and the best speeches were awarded.