Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts and innovative ideas of TDP MP Appalanayudu Kalissetti from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. The praise came during a meeting on Monday, where Kalissetti accompanied Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to meet the Prime Minister.
Kalissetti gained national attention last year when he announced a special reward for families having a third child. His unusual proposal aimed at encouraging population growth in his region sparked widespread discussion and drew both praise and criticism.
Meeting with the Prime Minister
After meeting PM Modi, Kalissetti shared that the Prime Minister appreciated his dedication, hard work, and creative approach to addressing social issues. Modi acknowledged the MP’s willingness to think beyond conventional political agendas and attempt unique solutions for regional challenges.
Kalissetti expressed that receiving recognition from the country’s top leader was an honor and a motivation to continue working on grassroots-level initiatives.
Who is Appalanayudu Kalissetti?
Appalanayudu Kalissetti represents the Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh as a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Known for his bold statements and unconventional ideas, Kalissetti has often found himself in the media spotlight.
In March 2025, he made headlines by announcing that women who have a third child would receive gifts funded from his own salary. According to his plan, mothers giving birth to a third son would be rewarded with a cow, while mothers of a third daughter would receive ₹50,000 in cash.
Encouraging Families to Have More Children
Kalissetti’s announcement was not a one-time statement. He has repeatedly urged women in his constituency and beyond to consider having more than two children. His stance challenges the popular political narrative that often emphasizes population control, particularly in the context of India’s demographic trends.
He argues that certain regions, especially in southern India, face declining population growth rates, which could impact the local economy, workforce, and demographic balance in the long term.
Reaction Within Andhra Pradesh
Kalissetti’s proposal received notable appreciation in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also praised the initiative, aligning with the sentiment that southern states need to address declining population growth.
Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that while states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to see rapid population growth and have a young demographic profile, southern states risk facing workforce shortages in the future. He emphasized the need for strategic policies to ensure that population trends in the South remain balanced.
Population Growth as a Political Topic
Kalissetti’s stance stands out because it goes against the grain of many political discussions in India. While leaders from several parties, including the BJP, often speak about the need for population control, Kalissetti and TDP have voiced the opposite concern for their region.
The TDP, despite being an ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, has expressed that for certain states, encouraging population growth is necessary to maintain demographic and economic stability.
Linking Demographics with Development
Kalissetti and supporters of his policy argue that a growing population, when managed properly, can strengthen economic development. More working-age individuals can contribute to greater productivity, innovation, and overall progress.
They point to regions with declining fertility rates, where an aging population could strain public resources and reduce economic competitiveness. By incentivizing larger families, they believe they can maintain a healthy demographic structure for decades to come.
The Cultural Angle
In addition to economic reasoning, Kalissetti’s policy reflects cultural values. In rural Andhra Pradesh, livestock like cows hold both economic and symbolic importance. Offering a cow as a gift ties the initiative to local traditions, while the cash reward for daughters aims to counter gender bias and encourage the value of girl children.
This combination of traditional symbolism and modern financial incentives adds a distinctive dimension to his proposal, making it both culturally relatable and socially impactful.
Broader Social Reactions
The initiative has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters view it as an innovative approach to addressing regional demographic challenges. Critics argue that encouraging higher birth rates in any part of India could worsen environmental pressures and resource scarcity in the long run.
However, Kalissetti maintains that his policy is targeted and region-specific, not a blanket proposal for the entire country. He emphasizes the need to understand the demographic realities of each state before applying a one-size-fits-all population policy.
PM Modi’s Encouragement
Prime Minister Modi’s praise for Kalissetti’s innovative thinking signals openness to region-specific approaches within the broader national framework. Modi’s acknowledgment suggests that the central leadership recognizes the diversity of challenges faced by different states.
By appreciating Kalissetti’s dedication and originality, the Prime Minister has also encouraged politicians to explore unconventional solutions that align with the specific needs of their constituencies.
TDP’s Position on Population Policies
As a regional party with a strong base in Andhra Pradesh, the TDP often takes positions that reflect the state’s unique socio-economic concerns. Supporting population growth in a controlled and beneficial manner is one such stance.
The party’s leadership believes that aligning development policies with demographic realities will help ensure balanced progress. This approach also allows them to distinguish their policy platform from other parties in the region.
The Road Ahead for Kalissetti’s Initiative
Kalissetti’s population growth reward scheme has yet to be implemented on a large scale, but the publicity and political support it has gained suggest that it may inspire similar region-specific policies.
If executed, the initiative would require careful monitoring to ensure it benefits families without leading to unintended social or economic consequences. Issues like financial sustainability, equitable access, and preventing misuse of incentives would be critical to its success.
Linking Population Growth with Women’s Empowerment
While the initiative encourages larger families, Kalissetti also emphasizes women’s role in making informed decisions. By providing financial rewards for daughters, the scheme aims to challenge traditional gender biases and promote the well-being of girls.
This dual focus on population growth and women’s empowerment could make the initiative more socially acceptable and progressive.
The praise from Prime Minister Modi has placed Appalanayudu Kalissetti’s unique population growth initiative into the national spotlight. His approach—combining cultural symbolism with financial incentives—reflects a region-specific response to demographic challenges in southern India.
While the idea may not align with national-level population control debates, it underscores the importance of tailoring policies to suit the socio-economic needs of individual states.
Kalissetti’s vision, supported by leaders like Chandrababu Naidu, challenges the conventional narrative and opens the door for creative policy-making. Whether the initiative becomes a model for other regions or remains a local experiment, it has already succeeded in sparking a broader conversation about the role of demographics in shaping India’s future.
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