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I refer to various letters, articles, comments etc., on this tragic matter from home and abroad. This and practically all other ills of our hapless society can be traced to the relentless force of 'Population Pressure' on our resources and psyche. In our country human life seems to the cheapest commodity and this accords with the laws of economics that the value of any commodity is dependent on its 'relative scarcity'. Successive governments in Bangladesh have failed to curb the explosion of population as a priority, often misguidedly believing that a large population is a source of economic strength. So people are what we now have in utmost abundance on every square foot of soil or water surface of Bangladesh, and that is why according to the economic principle it is now the cheapest commodity. It is no wonder people are dying on the roads, the rivers, of malnutrition and ill health, and as victims of criminal gangs, unbridled corruption, extortion, etc. The firm lead for population control, and ease from population pressure must come from the government and the intelligentsia, and all political parties must support this programme wholeheartedly for the sake of the nation whether they are in power or not. A much larger part of the national budget and more intensive and accountable efforts must be taken up to achieve a negative growth of population and better health of people, so that human life becomes the most precious commodity rather than the cheapest. There is no time for hand wringing or procrastination. The government and other political parties must combine their sorrow to start now!
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