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‘Malnutrition Kills 56,000 Children Annually In Urban Slums’
An interview with a field worker of the NGO Apnalaya on the frequent occurrences of malnutrition related deaths among children in the slums of Mumbai.
The Nuts And Bolts Of Appropriating Agricultural Land
How much land is actually transitioning from farm to non-farm use? The government itself puts the figure at 1.5% of net sown area between 1990 and 2003, or more than 21 lakh hectares. The actual figures could be much higher. Putting just this much land under wheat would yield 57 lakh tonnes of produce, enough […]
Fighting Persistent Poverty
A global report card on poverty eradication prepared by the U.N. Secretary-General shows glaring disparities in performance both across and within regions. Economic growth is one evident reason for the progress in East Asia, particularly China, in reducing extreme poverty and raising living standards, in contrast to sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Eastern Europe and Central […]
How Bypasses Boost Agrarian Economy
BY NANDKUMAR KAMAT WE need not consult the World Bank, Planning commission or Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to find a solution to Goa’s rural unemployment. There are success stories right in front of us–in our own familiar countryside.
‘Creative And Cultural Industries Have The Largest Growth Potential’
Culture doyen Rajeev Sethi is working hard to set up a national mission for the crafts and culture industry, which he has titled ‘creative and cultural industries’. The Planning Commission has asked him to lay down the parameters for these industries, and he is working overtime to produce a prototype that will help rework our […]
Goa’s New Eco-Tourism Zones Come Under Fire
The tiny state of Goa, ‘discovered’ as a charming, unspoilt holiday destination in the 1970s, has grown into one of the country’s best known tourist destinations both for domestic and foreign visitors. What began as a trickle of discerning holiday seekers who revelled in the peace and quiet of Goa’s many beaches, heritage homes and […]
National Food Security Act: Universalisation Vs Targeted Approach
With the government at loggerheads with the National Advisory Council and civil society groups on the question of a universal vs targeted approach to the proposed food security Act, Sachin Kumar Jain presents the case against the targeted approach in a country that provides subsidies and exemptions of Rs 418,000 crore to industry while constantly […]
2010 Human Development Report Analyses Long-Term Development Trends
Most developing countries made dramatic yet often underestimated progress in health, education and basic living standards in recent decades, with many of the poorest countries posting the greatest gains, reveals a detailed new analysis of long-term Human Development Index (HDI) trends in the 2010 Human Development Report, released on the 04 November 2010.
Contextualizing Reservations For Women
If accompanied by sincere efforts to deal with gender violence, education and healthcare for girls, the Women’s Reservation Bill could be a termination notice for gender inequality in India. If the Women’s Reservation Bill becomes law, then 181 out of 543 national legislators and 1,370 out the 4,109 state legislators will be women, significantly altering […]
Scrap-Collectors Fight For And Win A New Legitimacy
The scrap-collectors union of Pune in Maharashtra has given waste-collectors who scoured garbage bins and collected old newspapers and bottles a new respectability and access. The municipal corporation now issues identity cards to them and offers a limited health insurance plan, recognising their contribution to recycling waste in the city.