Family planning in India

Although India has trouble reaching family planning goals, I take exception to the statement in the news article "Mixed Results Mark Asian Family Planning," Sept. 15, that India has been "slow to recognize the problem." I was connected with village health work in India from 1949 to 1977. India started struggling with the problem in the early 1950s, but affordable contraceptives were crude and ineffective, and international funds were limited by the objections of the Catholic Church.

Later a cheap contraceptive was invented and international funds were available. India pushed for its use, but under village conditions there were complications. Having seen how family planning can decrease malnutrition in children, I was appalled when former President Ronald Reagan cut funds for international family planning and withheld dues to the United Nations. Florence M. Wright, Canton, Pa.

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