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Dr David Potter, Senior Lecturer in Government, and Dr Roger Ballard of the Race Relations Research Unit at the University of Bristol, look at the population problem in India from a political scien...tist's and an anthropologist's point of view. In a film study of Andheri, a North Indian village, the economic, political and religious advantages of a large, predominantly male, family unit are examined. At present available natural resources in the village allow for an increase in population which is slow because endemic venereal disease makes many women barren. Each family views its own size as an individual problem; but this naturally affects the balance of resources in the village as a whole. A film study of Calcutta, the capital of West shows that again, individual decisions about size have an effect on the city as a whole. Population growth from resident families, migrants from the countryside and refugees from East Pakistan,outruns the resources available to maintain a decent standard of living. In addition, Mr S B Ray, Chief Planner for Calcutta,states that organisational inadequacies would impede implementation of planning even if resources were available. Dr Potter concludes that India's population problem is the result of interactions between a number of factors like marriage practices, resources available, level of technology, effectiveness of political institutions These relationships are not fixed; and so population is not an absolute problem but a problem relative to existing social and economic structures, and these not only affect political behaviour but also can be changed by conscious political action.
Dr David Potter, Senior Lecturer in Government, and Dr Roger Ballard of the Race Relations Research Unit at the University of Bristol, look at the population problem in India from a political scien...tist's and an anthropologist's point of view. In a film study of Andheri, a North Indian village, the economic, political and religious advantages of a large, predominantly male, family unit are examined. At present available natural resources in the village allow for an increase in population which is slow because endemic venereal disease makes many women barren. Each family views its own size as an individual problem; but this naturally affects the balance of resources in the village as a whole. A film study of Calcutta, the capital of West shows that again, individual decisions about size have an effect on the city as a whole. Population growth from resident families, migrants from the countryside and refugees from East Pakistan,outruns the resources available to maintain a decent standard of living. In addition, Mr S B Ray, Chief Planner for Calcutta,states that organisational inadequacies would impede implementation of planning even if resources were available. Dr Potter concludes that India's population problem is the result of interactions between a number of factors like marriage practices, resources available, level of technology, effectiveness of political institutions These relationships are not fixed; and so population is not an absolute problem but a problem relative to existing social and economic structures, and these not only affect political behaviour but also can be changed by conscious political action.
| Module code and title: | D100, Understanding society: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D100; 35 |
| First transmission date: | 17-10-1971 |
| Published: | 1971 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:24 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Desmond Smith |
| Contributors: | Roger Ballard; David Potter; Boli Ram; Rup Singh |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Andheri; Calcutta; India; Migrants; Refugees |
| Footage description: | David Potter outlines the programme, and introduces Roger Ballard. Roger Ballard describes Andheri briefly, the first subject of the following film. Film, begins. Ballard's voice over. General shots of area in which Andheri is situated and of Andheri. Indian woman and child washing clothes. The family of Rup Singh and Boli Ram is shown. The family in shots of rural activies - harvesting ploughing and of village school. Interior shots showing wife preparing food. Marriage customs are referred to (polyandry and the efficiency of the family (based upon a large number of sons) is assessed. Shots of smaller family; its efficiency is compared unfavourably with the larger family of Rup Singh and Boli Ram. Ballard analyses the need for large families and the desire (preference) for sons over daughters. Effects of a rapid and of a slow population growth rate assessed. Shots throughout sequence of rural village and agricultural activities: ploughing and sowing, children playing, village council in session, harvesting, winnowing, herding cattle, daughters engaged on domestic tasks, leisure activities. Second section of film begins, David Potter's voice over. Shots of streets, traffic, family groups living on streets (Calcutta). Shots of street rioting, of police training in riot control. Sequence at council meeting followed by sequence in administrative section of Town Hall. Interview with S.B. Ray (Chief planner for Calcutta and west Bengal) Potter assesses the problems of Calcutta both in terms of population and administration. Reference is made to the political situation. David Potter resumes the programme, points out the relevance of Andheri to Calcutta and re-affirms the reasons and the factors in the complexity of the problem of over-population. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/70134 |
| Production number: | 00520_1235 |
| Videofinder number: | 3390 |
| Available to public: | no |
