Bangladesh is the 7th largest country in the world in population where 150 million people are living in a land

that is 134,000 square kilometers in area. During independence in 1971, the population of Bangladesh was about 75 million. After 40 years of independence, Bangladesh's population has been doubled. Every year population of Bangladesh is increasing by 1.8 to 2 million. If this rate continues in 2050 Bangladesh would have a population of 220 million (BBS, 2007). Furthermore, with 953 people living per square kilometer, the most densely populated country in the world (BBS, 2007) is also facing problems like: shortage of cultivable and forest land, air and water pollution, limited access to safe drinking water and housing, unemployment, malnutrition, etc (MOHFW, 2009), allegedly, these shortages and problems along with high population are creating loopholes and hindering the advancement of Bangladesh toward equitable and just society.

However, the perilous situation that awaits Bangladesh with its population growth has never got the consideration that it so deserves. Population policy in Bangladesh was first articulated after the war of independence. In fact the First Five Year Plan (1973-78) declared that "no civilized measure would be too drastic to keep the population of Bangladesh on the smaller side of 15 cores for the sheer ecological viability of the nation" (Government of Bangladesh, 1973). Hence, in the first outline of population policy of Bangladesh, lowering the birth rate was seen as the prime goal. It was believed that reduction in the rate of population increase is the means for improving maternal and child health, family planning and improving condition of living for the entire population. In this regard, the thrust of the programme was to serving the married woman in their childbearing age with contraceptives through a doorstep delivery service. There was also a motivational campaign to legitimize modern methods of contraceptives and to promote the twochild norm. Among other imperatives, banning child marriage is mentionable. Due to the rigorous and combined efforts of different activities the use of family planning methods increased from 8 percent to 56 percent. Moreover, Total fertility Rate decreased from 6.3 in the 1975 to 2.7 in 2007 (BDHS, 2007). Similarly, Sample Vital Registration Survey reveals (2007) that population increase rate was reduced from 3 percent in the mid-1970s to 1.4 percent in the 2007.

Considering the facts that a demographic transition has taken place in Bangladesh with more people in the reproductive age and increase in the contraceptives use and reduction of the population increase rate might not improve the living condition for the population. The Draft Population Policy 2009 had set an array of targets including: achieving Net Fertility Rate of 1 by 2015, reducing Total Fertility Rate, increasing contraceptive prevalence rate by increasing awareness about family planning, improving maternal and child health, increasing availability and accessibility of family planning services for all, welfare programmes for the adolescents, ensuring safe motherhood, reducing child mortality rate, reducing malnutrition of mothers and children, reducing transmission of HIV and other Sexually transmitted diseases, eradication of gender discrimination, ensuring gender equity and empowerment, establishing collaboration between different stakeholders for improving the life and living of the entire population, etc. However, the uniqueness of Bangladesh's socio-economic conditions demand concentrated focus that would control population increase and also have considerable human and development consequences.

In a context, as CPD-UNFPA paper series reveals, where further reductions in the birth rate through contraceptive prevalence would be increasingly difficult and more costly to attain, as fertility levels have already been in a state of plateau. The population policy must also address the existing pattern of family building in Bangladesh. Early start of childbearing and relatively short spacing between subsequent births, combinedly, results into a very small generational gap. However, motivation for changing the family building patterns is constrained by the fact that women have very little say in

reproductive decision. Therefore, the differential needs of woman are to be addressed by the population policy. Similarly, the motivations for couples for reducing family size are contingent upon changes in the under-lying socio-economic situation that begets the demand for children. The strategy of increasing age at marriage has great importance in improving women's status also, which might not be readily influenced a service type intervention. The programme should, therefore, link up with other development interventions that would have impact in this respect, the most promising interventions that provide young women with gainful employment would increase the opportunity cost of their time and thus increase age during first marriage. If birth intervals could be increased it would also have positive health impacts for women. Considering these possible impacts, the focus of service provision and motivation will have to be on how to convert users into efficient users in terms of better spacing, fewer unwanted pregnancies and less health problems, and as well as on how to elicit a positive role for men in changing family building patterns. Thus, service provision has to make a shift from a monolithic approach exclusively geared to married women of childbearing ages to one that addresses more fine-tuned and differential health and contraceptive needs of diverse age and sex.

To meet the challenges of population growth and patterns of family building and family size, Bangladesh could draw lessons from the experience of other countries. For instance, China has taken the most drastic measure - restricting the number of children per family to just one. However, for a traditional society - like Bangladesh - where neither a viable social security system nor a strong authoritarian government exists, the Chinese policy of one child per family would be hard to implement. The biggest hurdle would be the ire of religious fundamentalists as- the belief that children are the gift of God and are cared by God is still being embraced by too many underprivileged people. Without special motivational activities it will not be easy to change these attitudes. In this regard, initiatives asking the religious leaders to speak about the population, family planning and the health of mother and child, among other issues might help.

It has been identified that, the population growth rate among the educated people in Bangladesh has come down by a considerable extent. On the contrary growth rate among the uneducated is still double the rate of the educated group. Since the poor people have no steady income and many practically live hand to mouth, they customarily want more children as security and possible support during old age. However, they can not afford to educate them or even sometimes can not support them and this is happening Bangladesh or years. So, the reduction in population growth among educated people in the country is being more than compensated by the increase among the underprivileged. But these issues must be brought to uneducated people in innovative ways. For example, a simple video presentation on sexuality, health, hygiene, child bearing, family planning, and birth control with a question and answer session might be useful.

If issues other than direct population control is looked upon it becomes evident that the recently stagnating fertility have brought into light several challenges currently living people are facing in particular. A direct consequence of demographic transition is the effect on the age composition of the population. The rapidity of decline in the birth rate has consequently shrunk the base of population pyramid. While the proportion of persons above age 60 years has increased with the mean life expectancy increasing, the existing programme, which is almost exclusively geared towards married woman of reproductive age, is hardly addressing the health needs of elderly.

The author is an anthropologist

Bangladesh 's infrastructure industry is one of the most underdeveloped in the world, a factor which has impeded economic growth in the country. However, growing bilateral ties between neighboring China and India has brought with it investments into the country's infrastructure industry. In the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2009-10, the country's infrastructure competitiveness was ranked 126th out of 133 countries, the lowest ranking among its South Asian neighbors, India (49th), Sri Lanka (79th) and Pakistan (101st). Transport facilities are severely lacking in Bangladesh , causing traffic bottlenecks that drive up the cost of business and goods. The country's capital, Dhaka , is notoriously crowded and port congestion is a major problem. Power shortages are also a major drawback, illustrated by a 128th placed ranking for competitiveness of electricity supply in the Global Competitiveness Report the country's power stations are unable to meet the rising demand for electricity from increasing industrialisation, and its natural gas reserves are expected to dwindle over the next decade. Power brown-outs and black-outs are frequent problems for many industries and have led to economic disruption and public protests. This poor level of infrastructure is one of the contributing factors for Bangladesh 's low score in BMI 's overall business environment ratings, achieving only 30.9 out of 100. Bangladesh 's need for infrastructure has not gone unnoticed by its two largest neighbours, India and China . Bangladesh serves as a buffer state between them, and both countries have tried to strengthen their bilateral ties with it through infrastructure investments. In 2009, China was Bangladesh 's biggest source of imports at 17%, while 14% came from India . China has also used its massive currency reserves to meet many of Bangladesh 's infrastructure needs. In addition to a road link between Chittagong and Kunming in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan , China has provided financing for seven bridges in Bangladesh . The country has also financed the construction of two new terminals at the port of Chittagong .