Reportage
2.3 billion people around the world lack basic hand washing services at home: UN report
A United Nations report has stated that despite efforts to promote hand hygiene the rates of access to hand hygiene facilities remain stubbornly low. It calls for an urgent acceleration of progress on hand hygiene in order to be prepared before the next health crisis hits the world. Details here.
Gaon Connection
‘Serious’ levels of hunger in India, shows Global Hunger Index; govt terms the methodology ‘unscientific’
Recently released Global Hunger Index report paints a grim picture of the hunger crisis in India. Of 116 countries, India has been ranked 101, which is lower than its rank of 94 last year in 2020. The Indian government has called the report “shocking” and “devoid of ground reality”. Can India achieve ‘zero hunger’ by 2030?
Shivani Gupta
Rural Bihar in the grip of ‘viral fever’; children suffer the most, paediatric wards full
A viral fever, particularly debilitating to children, is sweeping through rural Bihar. Last month alone, a little less than hundred children have died of viral fever across the state. The outbreak has exposed the abysmal lack of health infrastructure in government hospitals, with both doctors and beds in short supply.
Lovely Kumari
Samyukt Kisan Morcha condemns gruesome murder at Singhu, role of Nihang group suspected; police probe underway
A mutilated body of a man, with wrists chopped off, was found tied to a police barricade at Singhu near Haryana-Delhi border where protesting farmers have been camping since last November. Haryana Police have filed an FIR against an unknown person. More details here.
Gaon Connection
Every 11 minutes, an adolescent dies by suicide: UNICEF
A first of its kind report on the state of mental health amongst the children and adolescents sheds light on how the risks and protective factors in the homes, schools and community shape mental health outcomes. The report also mentions that COVID19 pandemic may represent only the tip of a mental health iceberg. Details here.
Gaon Connection
Using indigenous seeds to sustain livelihoods, fight climate change and pay off loans
A tribal farmer from Madhya Pradesh has been conserving indigenous seeds for nearly four decades. These seeds require less water, are suitable for local climate and terrain, and are cheaper alternatives to hybrid seeds, she says. The adivasi farmer also plans to use her seed bank as an asset to pay off loans.
Shivani Gupta
Environment ministry assures India will revise its air quality standards
Taking cognisance of the health risks posed by air pollutants in far lesser concentrations than previously understood, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had revised the permissible limits for five major pollutants on September 22. Now, India is about to revise its air quality standards too. More details here.
Gaon Connection
Abortion time limit increased for rape survivors, minors, mentally ill women
The new rules of the central government allow termination of pregnancy up to 24 weeks as opposed to the previously mandated 20 weeks, for select categories of cases. These include survivors of sexual assault, minors, women with physical or mental disabilities.
Gaon Connection
Explained: Why are hundreds of tribal villagers marching 300-km to meet the Chhattisgarh Governor
As many as 350 villagers from the districts of Sarguja and Korba have been marching for the past 10 days to reach Chhattisgarh capital Raipur in order to protest against the ‘illegal’ acquisition of coal mines in the Hasdeo Aranya forest area, and press for the implementation of the PESA Act. They wish to meet the Governor Anusuiya Uikey and apprise her of their plea.
Pratyaksh Srivastava
UP Election 2022: Rising cost of living, women’s safety, farmers’ welfare – Akhilesh Yadav highlights them in his ‘Vijay Rath Yatra’
On October 12, Akhilesh Yadav set the Samajwadi Party campaign rolling for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. The two-day Vijay Rath Yatra, which concludes today, will cover about 65 kilometres from Kanpur southwards to Hamirpur district in the state as well as Jalaun and Kanpur Dehat districts. Gaon Connection followed the red bus in Kanpur to feel the pulse of the crowd.