Chandrababu Naidu backs joint family revival at Pulse Polio launch
Synopsis
At a Pulse Polio event in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu made a pointed call for reviving the joint family system and shared parenting — framing it as both a cultural necessity and a demographic imperative, even as the state targets 49.2 lakh children in a three-day polio drive.
Key Takeaways
Andhra Pradesh CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu called for revival of the Indian joint family system on 28 June at his official residence in Amaravati .
He urged fathers to actively share childcare responsibilities, saying parenting must not be left solely to mothers.
The state aims to administer polio drops to approximately 49.2 lakh children below age five during the three-day Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme .
The government is promoting awareness on having two or more children , citing demographic concerns.
Savitha launched the polio drive in Vijayawada Central constituency alongside MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao .
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday, 28 June called for a revival of the traditional Indian joint family system, arguing it remains one of the country's greatest social strengths. The remarks came as he administered polio drops to children at his official residence in Amaravati as part of the three-day Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme.
What the Chief Minister Said
Naidu stressed that grandparents and extended family members play a crucial role in shaping children's values and providing emotional support — a function he believes is being eroded as nuclear households become the norm. He also pushed back against the idea that childcare is solely a mother's responsibility.
'Fathers and other family members must share the responsibility of bringing up children. Parenting should never be left entirely to mothers,' Naidu said during his interaction with families at the event.
He observed that societal attitudes toward having children are shifting, and urged parents to see children as a source of joy and strength rather than a burden. The state government, he added, is actively creating awareness on the importance of having two or more children and fostering a family-friendly social environment.
Pulse Polio Campaign: Key Numbers
Officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department informed the Chief Minister that Andhra Pradesh aims to administer polio drops to approximately 49.2 lakh children below the age of five during the three-day campaign. Director of Secondary Health K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu and officials from the National Health Mission (NHM) were present at the event.
Naidu also urged parents to ensure children receive all government-recommended vaccinations on time, underlining the broader public health push alongside the polio drive.
Minister Savitha Launches Drive in Vijayawada
Minister of Backward Classes Welfare S. Savitha launched the Pulse Polio programme in the Vijayawada Central constituency, administering drops alongside MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao. She called on every parent of children under five to ensure their child receives the polio drops without fail.
Minister Savitha noted that the programme is being conducted extensively across the state in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a healthy next generation, under the leadership of Chief Minister Naidu.
Wider Context
Naidu's remarks on joint families and larger households come as India's total fertility rate continues to decline, with several southern states — including Andhra Pradesh — already below the replacement level of 2.1. His government's push to encourage families to have two or more children is part of a broader demographic concern gaining traction in southern India. This is not the first time the Chief Minister has raised the issue publicly; he has previously flagged population trends as a long-term challenge for the state's workforce and social fabric.
With the Pulse Polio campaign now underway, health officials will track coverage rates over the three-day window to assess whether the 49.2 lakh target is met.
Point of View
And the government's push for larger families sits in direct tension with decades of national family-planning messaging. What is notable is that Naidu is linking cultural revival to demographic strategy, a framing that is gaining currency in southern India but remains politically delicate nationally. Whether awareness campaigns alone can reverse deep-rooted fertility trends — driven by urbanisation, education, and dual-income households — is a question the state has not yet answered with data.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chandrababu Naidu say about the joint family system?
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called for a revival of the traditional Indian joint family system on 28 June, saying grandparents and extended family members are essential for shaping children's values and providing emotional support. He made the remarks at the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme launch in Amaravati.
What is the Andhra Pradesh Pulse Polio campaign target for 2025?
Andhra Pradesh aims to administer polio drops to approximately 49.2 lakh children below the age of five during a three-day Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme that began on Sunday, 28 June. Health and Family Welfare Department officials shared the target with Chief Minister Naidu at the event.
Why is Chandrababu Naidu promoting larger families?
Naidu's government is creating awareness about the importance of having two or more children, citing shifting societal attitudes toward childbearing and broader demographic concerns. Andhra Pradesh, like several southern states, has a total fertility rate below the national replacement level of 2.1.
Who launched the Pulse Polio drive in Vijayawada?
Minister of Backward Classes Welfare S. Savitha launched the Pulse Polio programme in the Vijayawada Central constituency, administering drops alongside MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao. She urged all parents of children under five to ensure their children receive the drops.
What did Naidu say about fathers and childcare?
Naidu said fathers and other family members must actively share the responsibility of raising children, and that parenting should never be left entirely to mothers. He made the remark while interacting with families at the Pulse Polio event in Amaravati.
