Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, praising Indian soldiers and promoting the use of 'Swadeshi' goods. He also launched health and nutrition campaigns aimed at women and children.
State Health Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey said, "In 2005, the IMR was 61 per 1,000 births; now it has come down to 44 per 1,000. It is a big positive development. The state has recorded a sharp fall in the IMR in last six years, thanks to consistent efforts and steps taken by the government."
As per the latest Sample Registration Survey data, Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) has reduced to 47 in 2010 from 58 in 2005 and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) had declined from 254 in 2004-06 to 212 in 2007-09.
At the current rate of decline in the under-5 Infant Mortality Rate, India is not likely to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of bringing down the IMR to 40 per 1,000 live births for the year 2015, according to a UNICEF report.
in Patna Another silent development is taking place in Bihar, the state has significantly reduced the infant mortality rate (IMR)from 61 to 48 and is only 1 point below the national average of 47,officials on Monday said.
A heated debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing strike by ASHA workers in Kerala, with Congress and CPI(M) MPs trading accusations over responsibility for addressing their demands for a higher honorarium and post-retirement benefits. Congress MP Jebi Mather alleged that both the Kerala government and the Union government had ignored the workers' pleas, while CPI(M) MP John Brittas countered by claiming Kerala provides the highest honorarium to ASHA workers. The debate also saw demands for an AIIMS in Kerala and a hike in MBBS seats, as well as concerns over maternal health, elderly care, and mental health in India.
'When so many young Baloch men and women are willingly volunteering as fighters and even suicide bombers.'
With its age-old fascination for education, southern states have done better than the North. Start-ups, IT hubs, and industry majors setting up shop have changed the face of the South. Nearly 79% of global offices set up by international conglomerates in India are in the South. Almost 46% of tech unicorns are from the South. The GDP per person in the South is 4.2 times higher than the North. None of these indicators can be ignored by any central government, whatever the political compulsions, notes Ramesh Menon.
The monthly Rs 2500 payment for poor women is expected to cost Rs 11,000 crore while the pension scheme of Rs 2000 for every senior citizen will cost around Rs 4100 crore. The Yamuna clean up will cost over Rs 10,000 crore while a similar amount is required to upgrade Delhi's hospitals. Ultimately, the new BJP government will have no choice but to ask the centre for financial support, notes Rashme Sehgal.
The report highlights that India's population in 2036 is expected to be more feminine compared to the 2011 population, as reflected in the sex ratio which is projected to increase from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036, highlighting a positive trend in gender equality.
'In this assembly election, Muslims here will vote for one who works, but also one who safeguards their identity.' 'Their existence is more important they feel, than a faulty light meter. So yes, a Muslim representative will make a difference.'
His comments come in the backdrop of the state government deciding to bring stringent laws and evoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to check child marriages and underage motherhood.
'In the short term the relationship will get worse.'
'To summarise, PM Modi's failures in the last nine years can be categorised under 'durniti' (bad policies), 'anyay' (injustice) and - perhaps most importantly - 'badniyat' (ill intention)'
At least 2,441 people have been arrested in the state till Monday in the continuing operation against child marriage, launched on February 3.
There has been a decline of four points in male U5MR and three points in female U5MR during the corresponding period.
The opposition has criticised the manner in which the drive against child marriage was being carried out, equating the police action with "terrorising people".
Amid protests in Barak Valley, Morigaon and Dhubri, the crackdown on child marriage in Assam entered the fourth day on Monday, with the number of arrests rising to 2,441.
The Assam cabinet on Monday decided to book men who marry girls below 14 years in the state under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
India remains a young nation, but it will not get younger in future. India has not managed to noticeably improve education. Nor has it managed to create employment opportunities, observes Devangshu Datta.
Comparing a state like Kerala with a nation like Somalia shows disconnect unbecoming of a prime minister, says Uttaresh Venkateshwaran.
As the police said they have a list of 8,000 accused and the drive will continue, women protested against the move in various districts saying they will face problems without livelihoods.
According to newly-released data by the United Nations, India is the most dangerous place in the world for a girl child. According to the report, a girl child aged between 1-5 years is 75 per cent more likely to die than a boy of the same age.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday made an unscheduled visit to B C Roy Children's Hospital in the metropolis where 18 infants died in a span of 48 hours and said she will take up the issue of high infant mortality rate in the state with the prime minister.
"There was a knock on the door around 2 am on Thursday. We opened the door and found policemen outside. They took away my husband," Nimee told PTI in a feeble voice, as her one-and-half-month-old son cried in her arms just as he was when his father was being arrested.
Even though the AAPIO provided funds, the locals had managed the clinic at Sambhalpur themselves.
As per the fifth round of the NFHS, there are 1,020 women for every 1,000 men.
The events of the last few years shows that pessimism about where we have arrived and where we are headed is justified, asserts Aakar Patel.
'Conrad Sangma is an interesting mix of charisma, ability and has emerged as a capable leader.' 'Neiphiu Rio is very unassuming, quiet, subtle and stands out among all Naga leaders today.'
Abdullah issued a white paper on development undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir during the rule of "Abdullah and Sons" -- as Shah referred the family in his speech at a rally in Baramulla district -- to counter the allegations of corruption.
How should one billion Indians, for whom deprivation has become an inescapable way of life, join us in celebrating 75 years of Independence? And where do we go from here? asks Kalyan Singhal.
The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.
Below-par growth and a serious governance gap have ensured that on almost all social indicators UP trails and, by the state government's admission, matches levels of sub-Saharan Africa. Be it infant mortality, literacy or the sex ratio, UP is far behind others, notes Mayank Mishra.
No expecting mother ever needs to travel for more than 30 minutes to reach one of their hospitals, believes the Cloudnine group.
Various indicators make it amply clear that there are grave challenges facing the new government of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, reports Indivjal Dhasmana.
Union Human Resource Development Minister of State Jitin Prasada, who shared the stage with UP Chief Minister Akhikesh Yadav said in one voice that they would shun any kind of politics on the issue, which they declared was close to their hearts.
There are not many countries that have high per capita income.
The actress launched the 'Every Child Alive' campaign.
The initiative will be implemented through the Ranbaxy Community Health Care Society, a non profit organisation established by Ranbaxy, Daiichi and Ranbaxy said in a joint statement.
The Full Planning Commission is all set to approve the 12th Plan document that seeks to raise the average annual economic growth during the five-year period ending March 2017 to 8.2 per cent from 7.9 per cent achieved in the previous Plan on Saturday.
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