An Alternative Approach

"Shubh Muhurath" means an auspicious time. In Hindu tradition there is an auspicious time for everything. It's scary to think that some points in time are discriminated against by God. But that is exactly what the astrologers say and hence people get busy rearranging their lives around that supposition. As things stand, no one wants to rub the almighty the wrong way and especially so when seeking the optimal time for getting married. After a week of attending Hindu weddings and engagements, it has come to my attention that past December 2nd 2009, the next window of nuptial opportunity opens up only around 4 or 5 months into 2010 (or so in Andhra).

We are told that all this winter the planetary alignments are unfavorable for weddings. Therefore November has seen a rash of weddings and engagements all across India - a mad rush to beat the calender. The wedding industry is at fever pitch and the prospect of waiting has caused the prices to shoot up. Although the idea of waiting for the right time might look to be archaic and superstitious to some but there are a few positives for the Government of India here.

In a crude and non-scientific manner the logical conclusion of no/less marriages in the 1st quarter of 2010 means there should be a dip in the babies produces in the last quarter of the year. Or in the least there ought to be fewer first-borns among Hindus in that period. Thus paradoxically birth control finds an unlikely ally in superstition. Again, there is a parallel argument that the spike in weddings pre and post the dreaded time will offset the missing babies. But this small 4 month baby-buster period still remains.

Ignorance and illiteracy have always been seen as India's shame and in most respects along with poverty they are the root cause of many evils in the society. But the lessons from the "auspicious time" syndrome is that everyone irrespective of education and sense will avoid actions which the society frowns upon. This attitude can also be good news for policy makers i.e. by exercising control over people's beliefs, desired behavior can be cultivated. Although this may border on exploitation, but so long as the end justify the means, little harm is done. Also by not shoving rhetoric down the public's throat, the government can avoid popular resistance. Therefore in the case of the impending inauspicious period for marriages, the authorities could publicize the perceived "bad timing" to prevent and postpone weddings now with the hope of reducing birth rates later.

Disclaimers:
1. May not apply to the whole country
2. Not well researched

More reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomer