Kashmir race faces extinction threat as fertility rate declines to 1.5

By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: A tweet is making rounds on social media that fertility rate in Kashmir has gone down to around 1.5 as compared to United States and United Kingdom and with this decline Kashmiri race can face extinction.
According to the experts the main reason for decline in fertility rate could be the late marriages and less children. Both fertility and sex ratio are going down in Kashmir. “We need to create awareness about the factors that are responsible for decline in fertility rate. Sedentary life style, irregular sleep habits, late rising, eating junk food, lack of motivation to do physical work, excessive use of cell phones lead to health issues like infertility,” said an expert.
He said, “If we want to save Kashmiri race from becoming extinct we need to focus on getting the youth married at a proper age. Getting married in Kashmir has become a herculean task as the customs and traditions don’t permit people to perform the marriage ceremonies with simplicity.”
A social worker said, “Many girls of marriageable age are at the verge of becoming overage as they are not finding the suitable matches due to them belonging to financially weak families. Philanthropists need to come forward to help the organizations that are working towards getting the girls married.”
He said, “Religious scholars, heads of mohalla committees, village heads need to come forward and make people aware about the consequences of late marriages. Performing a Nikkah is the simple task in Islam but we have turned it into a complicated process. If we don’t mend our ways, we will be left with even no time to regret. The course correction is must for us.”
A medico while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Many newlywed couples that visit the clinics and hospitals almost have common complaints. In some cases medication helps but in a few cases it doesn’t. Fertility is an issue which the younger generation of Kashmir needs to be made aware about. Youngsters have to change their life styles to overcome the problems which they face after marriage.”
He said that lack of physical exercise and staying glued to mobile phones and other gadgets has made the generation next “lazy.” They have to overcome laziness by remaining active and alert. “Just remaining stuck to one place is not helping the cause of youngsters. They need to change and live a better life,” the medico added.