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<keyword id="20114810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal-chief-minister" source="keywords">West Bengal Chief Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19909056" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mamata-Banerjee" source="keywords">Mamata Banerjee</keyword> has written another letter to <keyword id="19898052" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister-Narendra-Modi" source="keywords">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword>, expressing concern over the lack of response to her previous communication regarding the rape and murder of a PG <keyword id="22760814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="trainee-doctor" source="keywords">trainee doctor</keyword>. In her letter, dated August 30, Banerjee emphasised the gravity of the situation and urged for prompt central intervention, highlighting the inadequacy of the reply received from the Union Minister of <keyword id="20086338" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Women-and-Child-Development" source="keywords">Women and Child Development</keyword>. The letter reads, "No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India (vide their No. 1/RESC/HMWCD/2024 dated 25th August 2024), which barely addresses the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I am of the view that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to society have not been adequately appreciated in this generic reply." The letter was posted on her social media handle, X. In response to Union Minister Annapurna Devi's allegations regarding the state government's failure to implement essential safety measures for women and children, including Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), CM Mamata stated that the state government has approved 10 exclusive POCSO FTSCs, while 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated Courts are functioning with complete state funding. The letter mentioned, "Moreover, I would also refer to some of the initiatives in this area that our State has already undertaken, which appear to have been overlooked in the reply. Regarding Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), 10 exclusive POCSO Courts have been approved by the State Government. In addition to this, 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated Courts are functioning throughout the State with complete State funding. Monitoring and disposal of cases are entirely in the hands of the Courts." Highlighting the issue of appointing Presiding Officers in FTSCs, she further stated that this process requires examination and action from the Government of India, which, according to her, needs PM Modi's intervention. "As per Central Government guidelines, only retired Judicial Officers can be posted as Presiding Officers in FTSCs, but the Hon'ble High Court has observed that, in view of the severity of the cases, permanent Judicial Officers need to be appointed. This requires examination at the level of the Government of India and appropriate action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary. Moreover, Helpline Nos. 112 and 1098 are functioning satisfactorily in the State. Additionally, Dial 100 is also extensively used in emergency situations," the letter added. Urging for central <keyword id="20082569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="legislation" source="keywords">legislation</keyword> and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes, the West Bengal CM expressed hope for very considered attention from PM Modi. Mamata Banerjee mentioned in her letter, "I would reiterate and earnestly request that a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder be considered, with a mandatory provision for the disposal of cases within a specific timeframe by the trial authorities. I hope this matter would receive very considered attention at your kind end in the interest of our society at large." On August 26, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi criticised the West Bengal government for its failure to implement essential safety measures for women and children in the state. In a letter written to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister stated that 123 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) were allocated to the state, but none of them are functional yet. Earlier, on August 22, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the central government to bring in central legislation and set up fast-track courts for "sensitive" issues to ensure a speedy trial. Mamata, in the letter, mentioned that such "sensitive" issues need to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. The Bengal Chief Minister suggested the setting up of "fast-track special courts" to deal with such cases, which require a speedy trial. This development comes after the trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

"No reply received, hope this matter receives considered attention": CM Mamata writes to PM Modi again on rape-murder case

A few years ago, Hallie Parker joined a WhatsApp group of millennial women who call themselves geriatric moms — almost all were close to 40 when they became parents. Half of them had two kids, including Parker, who at 33 was among the youngest. Half had only one kid, with no plans for more. But Parker was the only member in the group who is herself an only child. "If you have questions about only children," she volunteered, "you can ask me."She was flooded with queries. Were you lonely? Did you wish you had siblings? What did your parents do to normalize it?The level of anxiety in Parker's group chat made it clear that only children are still viewed as something of a demographic outlier — and a questionable one at that. Kids without siblings are seen as lonely brats who are moody and bossy and unable to play well with others. Their sense of entitlement draws everyone around them into mayhem: Just look at Harry Potter, Harriet the Spy, and Dennis the Menace. They're untethered and troubled in childhood (Drew Barrymore), in early adulthood (Tiger Woods), and especially in middle age (Elvis, Kanye). As only children become more prevalent, their alleged deficiencies have become generational shorthand: Instead of calling only children selfish, introverted, and lonely, we slap those labels on Gen Zers. No wonder we've never had an only-child president. In surveys, most Americans continue to say that the ideal family has two kids raised by married parents. Almost nobody — not even all of the mothers in Parker's group who have just one kid — aspires to have just one kid.Yet that's exactly what's happening. The only child's time has come.Back in 1978, the National Council on Family Relations published a paper titled "The One-Child Family: A New Life-Style," as if it were introducing a strange countercultural phenomenon. At the time, about 11% of American families had just one kid. By 2015, that number had doubled, to 22%. Big families, meanwhile, have become as rare as only children once were. In the early 1980s, 28% of women had four or more kids. Thirty years later, it was just 10%. Families with one child may be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/05/08/ideal-size-of-the-american-family/">the least-desired outcome</a> when Americans envision their dream lives, but in reality they're the fastest-growing family configuration in the country.It's not hard to see why sibling-free families are increasingly common. Over the past half-century, the cost of raising a child has increased far faster than the average salary. American women are having kids later in life, leaving less time to bear multiple children. And the bigger-is-better belief about families that fueled the baby boom is now confined mostly to the deeply religious and the dramatically wealthy. In some schoolrooms, it's now more noteworthy among kids to actually have a sibling than to have none.But it's harder to foresee what the rise of the only child means for our future. Will more solo kids lead to a world run by spoiled brats, devoid of empathy and unschooled in the art of collaboration? The experts, surprisingly, say no. As the ranks of only children swell, their personal idiosyncrasies, social skills, and family dynamics could prove to be the very tools we need to thrive in modern life. In an America that is more divided than ever, the only child might just be what brings us back together.No one has done more to give only children a bad rap than Granville Stanley Hall. Once described as a "Victorian Dr. Spock," Hall was America's OG psychologist — the first man to earn a doctorate in the field from Harvard. Employing a method that was more sketchy than scientific, Hall asked college professors to share stories about "peculiar and exceptional children" they had encountered. Simply because only children were mentioned more often than they occur in the general population, and he concluded that they were inherently flawed: sickly, unable to get along with others, with a deluded tendency to create imaginary companions. Being an only child, Hall declared in 1907, "is a disease in itself."In the decades that followed, scores of "experts" relying on equally dubious methods echoed Hall's spurious claims, which seeped into the wider culture. Then, in the 1980s, a social psychologist named Toni Falbo — herself an only child — set out to rigorously test Hall's ideas about her kind. Reviewing 141 studies of personality development in only children, she found that they were virtually indistinguishable from children with siblings, with one notable exception: They scored "significantly better than other groups in achievement motivation and personal adjustment." That's right: They scored better. It's a finding that has been repeated many times since. Only children are not, on the whole, any more shy, entitled, or lonely than their peers with brothers or sisters.On the contrary, surveys have suggested that only children grow up learning to entertain themselves and solve their own problems. They don't mind eating alone. They're adept at forging close friendships that feel like family. Their comfort with being on their own may make them more unwilling to accept unhealthy relationships: One study found that only children were more likely to get divorced than their peers with siblings. And they tend to be academic achievers and highly independent, with high self-esteem. Only kids are more likely than other kids to become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/08/ceos-childhood-career/596158/">CEOs</a>. Thomas Edison, Jack Welch, Carl Icahn — all onlies. But their success may have more to do with income than inclination. Small families tend to be more educated and wealthier, which gives only children a double advantage: Their parents have more time and money to spend, and fewer kids to spend it on.<div type="image" title="A child wearing a crown as a valedictorian" height="1500" width="2000" msid="115179418" hostid="261" sizebytes="85924"></div>In her group chat, Parker tried to reassure the moms who worried about their only children. She loved being an only, she told them. Even as a child, she knew it provided her with more opportunities. She loved horseback riding, a hobby her parents never would have been able to afford if she had siblings. Her folks made sure she wasn't lonely by always allowing her to bring a friend along with them on vacation. And despite the stereotype that only children are spoiled rotten, Parker was always eager to share her snacks and toys with others. She grew up hearing stories about her mother's difficult pregnancy and so was not one to beg for a sibling.Nothing has accelerated the rise of only children more than delayed childbearing. American women in general are having children later, but the delay is most pronounced among the most educated. In fact, the single largest determinant of how many children a woman will have is her level of education: The more degrees you hold, the older you are when you start to have kids, the fewer kids you have. "It's not just people having kids later — they're starting to think about them later," says Anastasia Berg, a coauthor of "What Are Children For?"That's how it turned out for the women in Parker's group chat. Most of them started out wanting to have more than one kid — but by the time they got around to bearing the cost and physical toll of having their first, they had changed their minds. In a 2021 survey, about a quarter of parents who said they didn't expect to have more children <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/">cited financial reasons</a>. During the Great Depression, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/70453-case-having-only-child">23%</a> of families had just one child; it's no coincidence that the baby boom took place during an unprecedented economic boom.The average cost of raising a child in America from birth to age 18 was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/cost-raising-child-calculator/">$310,000</a> in 2022 — and double that if you factor in four years of full college tuition. What's more, full-time working parents are spending even more time with their children than stay-at-home parents of previous generations did, prompting the surgeon general to issue a warning about their stress levels and mental well-being. If you're already struggling to care for one kid, it's difficult to imagine having a second.But the trend toward fewer children isn't just an American phenomenon. Even in countries like Sweden and France that enjoy subsidized childcare and guaranteed parental leave, fertility rates are falling. "Trends of delay are consistent across the board," Berg says. Even religious conservatives, who are biblically motivated to be fruitful and multiply, are starting families later and more often having only one child.Corinne Lyons is someone who wants a big family. A public-school teacher in her hometown of Detroit, she grew up the only child of two only children. But unlike Parker's, her siblingless childhood wasn't entirely glorious. "I didn't grow up playing with other kids," she says. Her biggest birthday parties involved having cake and ice cream at school. She wants a different experience for her own children, but she feels like she doesn't have much time: She'll be 36 when she marries her fiancé next September."Don't get me wrong," she says. "Being an only child is amazing. It's also hard. I don't want to have to send my child to school for social interactions." Even many only children, it would seem, aren't all that into having only children. But adult onlies are subject to the same trends (like later childbearing) and pressures (ahem, finances) that other Americans are. Lyons accepts that, despite her desires, she might end up having just one.So what will the coming reign of the only child mean for America? For starters, only kids could spur us to build stronger communities and mend our divided social institutions. Without a built-in family of peers at home, only children learn to go out and build their own. Lyons, the public-school teacher, forged an extended family of friends in college, despite being a self-professed introvert. She was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and for nearly 20 years she has held her sorority sisters tighter than many people hold their relatives. "These people aren't in my life because they have to be," she says. "They're here because they want to be. I am very intentional in building that bond." Only children could also transform America's business landscape. For starters, fewer kids means fewer heirs to take over family-run companies. In China, where the government's one-child policy created a generation of onlies, studies suggest that business founders with multiple children are significantly more likely to have an heir succeed them than founders with one child. What's more, research has found that only children, like first-born kids, tend to have a lower risk tolerance than younger siblings. China's one-child policy has contributed to a significant drop in the number of entrepreneurs — and only children who do start their own businesses tend to perform worse financially. One Chinese study found that companies run by only children generated revenue that was 30% lower than the revenue of companies run by children with siblings.Onlies are under<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/10/05/one-and-only"> intense pressure</a> to succeed professionally in part because of the financial burden they're expected to bear. They may start off life getting all the extra attention and devotion from their parents — but as their parents age, they'll be left alone to return the favor. Without any siblings to help out, only children face the prospect of being the sole caregiver for their parents. Studies suggest they're more likely than adults with siblings to provide direct care for their parents, such as bathing and dressing them, cleaning the house, and paying the bills. "I feel like the whole family rests on me," Parker says.<div type="image" title="A baby in a crown as a CEO" height="1500" width="2000" msid="115179421" hostid="261" sizebytes="100030"></div>In a sense, having an only child effectively defers the costs of care by a generation. It's certainly cheaper to raise just one kid. But once that kid grows up, it's can be more expensive for them to care for two aging parents on one adult salary. And because their parents are likely to be older, many solo children are going to face elder-care questions earlier in their adulthood, while they're still trying to save up for a home or cover the costs of raising their own child. It's one of the few times that only children wind up longing for siblings. "It's true that there's infighting between siblings when a parent dies," says Lyons, who lives with and remains close to her mother. "But at least they can go through that experience together."The one-child family has long been a stand-in for the best hopes and worst outcomes for the human race. In 1968, a Stanford entomologist named Paul Ehrlich and his wife, Anne, self-published a paperback titled "The Population Bomb." The Ehrlichs, who had one child, argued that the troubling headlines of their day — the Vietnam War, for example, or starvation in India — were all rooted in overpopulation. Unless we start having fewer babies, they argued, the planet is destined for famine, environmental degradation, and economic collapse. In 1998, the journalist Bill McKibben floated a similar argument in his book "Maybe One," making an ecological case for smaller families.Fertility rates fell, and the population bomb never went off. These days, it's far more common to hear scaremongering about a population bust. America's most powerful billionaires, religious influencers, and conservative politicians are demanding we all make more babies. As <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1800318513502167246">Elon Musk</a>, a father of 12, said in June, "It should be considered a national emergency to have kids." Conservative authors publish books with titles like "What to Expect When No One's Expecting: America's Coming Demographic Disaster." Vice President-elect JD Vance issued dire warnings about "childless cat ladies."But as smaller families become the norm, the fears and stereotypes surrounding only children will inevitably subside. Just as having children is no longer seen as a required stage of adulthood, having siblings will no longer be a de facto part of childhood. Rainer Turim was raised in Manhattan as an only child who was immersed in his parents' adult world. "A lot of my friends in the neighborhood were older New Yorkers," says Turim, who's 25 and works in a restaurant. He has no idea how many of his classmates were also only children, because it never occurred to him to wonder about it. To him, it was totally unremarkable to grow up with no siblings.Many of the millions of only children in the US will grow up to care for their parents on their own, build their own bonds of kinship and community, and lead their own companies in new and exciting ways. They'll spend much of their lives alone, as all Americans increasingly do, but they won't be lonely. And maybe, once there are enough of them, they'll no longer be seen as "only." They'll just be "children."Ann Friedman is a writer who lives in Los Angeles. She is the coauthor of "Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close."

The coming reign of the only child

Adequately spaced pregnancies can significantly improve maternal and <keyword id="22472928" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="child-health-outcomes" source="keywords">child health outcomes</keyword>, Union Minister Anupriya Patel said on Friday, underlining that this also reduces risks and empowers women to make informed choices about their <keyword id="20548742" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reproductive-health" source="keywords">reproductive health</keyword>. "The government's efforts have resulted in reduction of <keyword id="20741690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maternal-mortality" source="keywords">maternal mortality</keyword> from over 130 to 97 per one lakh births," the minister of state for health said and also highlighted the efforts taken by states to involve men in <keyword id="19943279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="family-planning" source="keywords">family planning</keyword>. Patel held a meeting with public health experts as part of a series of programmes to observe the World Population Day. The theme of the meeting was "Reaching the Last Mile for Ensuring Healthy Timing and Spacing between Pregnancies: Issues and Challenges." The minister said the government has always been conscious of these issues. "The launch of initiatives such as the <keyword id="22472929" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pradhan-Mantri-Surakshit-Matritva-Abhiyan" source="keywords">Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan</keyword> (PMSMA), extended PMSMA, identification of high-risk pregnancy in PMSMA, Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the Post-Partum Family Planning Programme (Post-Partum IUCD and Post Abortion IUCD) are some examples of the government's commitment to the cause," she said. Patel also underscored the importance of an effective communication strategy. "The task of achieving Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047 cannot be done without empowering our women. Healthy timing and spacing between pregnancies are very important for women's health," she said. Additional Secretary and Mission Director NHM at the health ministry, Aradhana Patnaik, highlighted that India has already achieved a total fertility rate (TFR) of two with 31 states and Union territories achieving the replacement level. There is a need for an effective strategy to bring the TFR under replacement level in the remaining five states, the minister said. Patel said that "we would be able to reach the last mile" by empowering the youth, addressing challenges of equal participation of men and women, increasing couple communication, learning from best practices, taking cues from current and historical trends in family planning data and expanding the contraceptive basket of choices. She also stressed on identifying and mapping regions, districts, and blocks with data of issues such as low uptake of <keyword id="22472930" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="family-planning-services" source="keywords">family planning services</keyword>, low demand for modern contraceptives and high unmet needs, and saturating them with services and enhanced social and behaviour change communication.

Healthy timing, spacing between pregnancies crucial for women's health: MoS Patel

In a significant move aimed at recognising mothers' vital roles in upbringing, the Maharashtra cabinet has mandated the inclusion of mothers' names in government documents. Effective May 1, 2024, the format for government documents will require the document-holder’s first name to be followed by the mother’s first name and then the father’s first name and surname. Individuals born on or after May 1, 2014, are required to adhere to this format for all government documents, including birth certificates, property documents, Aadhar cards and PAN cards, as well as school and revenue documents, examination certificates and salary slips, as stated in the government’s press note. The state's public health department has been tasked with consulting the Centre regarding the inclusion of the mother’s name in birth and death registrations. For married women, the prevailing practice of listing the woman’s name followed by her husband’s first name and surname will remain unchanged. Orphans will be exempt from including the mother’s name. In alignment with this decision, Maharashtra Chief Minister <keyword id="19913631" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eknath-shinde" source="keywords">Eknath Shinde</keyword> had a new nameplate installed outside his office chamber at the state secretariat in south Mumbai. The updated nameplate now includes his mother's name before that of his father, reading 'Eknath Gangubai Sambhaji Shinde'. Shinde posted a picture of the same on his X, with part of the caption reading: “The state government has taken a historic decision to give credit to Mauli, who plays a lion's share in raising us right from giving birth to us.” <div type="twitter" handle="mieknathshinde" handlename="mieknathshinde" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767428216350753121"></div> Historically, government documents have predominantly featured the father's name. However, acknowledging that mothers are equally instrumental in a child's upbringing, the <keyword id="20822121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-and-child-development-department" source="keywords">Women and Child Development Department</keyword> emphasised the necessity of granting mothers the recognition they deserve. Meanwhile, critics have questioned whether this move is a pre-election strategy to appeal to women voters before the Lok Sabha polls' code of conduct is enforced. Overall, experts feel that the move could provide an opportunity for revisiting the archaic practices of a patriarchal presence throughout an individual’s life.

Why should fathers have all the mentions? Maharashtra govt mandates inclusion of mothers’ names in documents as recognition of their vital role

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 19 (ANI): The <keyword id="6375844" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-micro" source="Orion">Ministry of Micro</keyword>, <keyword id="6375845" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-and-medium-enterprises" source="Orion">Small and Medium Enterprises</keyword> launched a new initiative called the 'Yashaswini' initiative under the '<keyword id="22467687" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Empower-Her-Udan" source="Orion">Empower Her Udan</keyword>' campaign on Thursday, July 18, to encourage and support women entrepreneurs across the country. Under this campaign, the first phase is set to start on Friday, July 19, in Jaipur. According to the Director of <keyword id="6358354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MSME" source="Orion">MSME</keyword>, <keyword id="657556" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ankita-Pandey" source="Orion">Ankita Pandey</keyword>, around 600 women entrepreneurs in the state will be participating in the event, which will start at the <keyword id="14599491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajasthan-International-Centre" source="Orion">Rajasthan International Centre</keyword> today. Pandey said that the initiative is being introduced to provide a formal education for women operating commercial enterprises, along with creating awareness among them of all the <keyword id="7776964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MSME-schemes" source="Orion">MSME schemes</keyword> they can utilise. "The initiative is to introduce formal education for the women who operate commercial enterprises, along with creating awareness among them to utilise all the MSME schemes,' she said. Pandey further mentioned that women can register at different stalls at the centre based on the skills they require to develop to run an enterprise, including training, capacity building, how to make full use of their capital, how to get market access, how to develop their product, and also how to do digital marketing. She also mentioned that this will not be a one-day event and that workshops will be organised at local MSMEs for further development. "This is not a one-day event; it will be a continuous process and training workshops will also be organised at local MSME organisations for further development in this matter," she said. <keyword id="22467688" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Minister-for-MSME" source="Orion">Union Minister for MSME</keyword> Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of State for MSME Sobha Karandlaje, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajan Lal Sharma and State Cabinet Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore will be participating at the event today.

MSME launches Yashaswini Initiative to support women entrepreneurs; First phase to start on July 19 in Jaipur

The Narendra Modi government on Thursday increased the <keyword id="151047" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rural-development-ministry" source="Orion">rural development ministry</keyword>'s budget to Rs 1.77 lakh crore for 2024-25 from last year's Rs 1.57 lakh crore, an increase of around 12%. However, when compared to the revised estimates, a mid-year review of expenditure done by the ministry that stood at Rs 1.71 lakh crore, the increase is 3%. In the interim budget presented in Parliament by Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>, the allocation for the flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for 2024-25 was Rs 86,000 crore, around 43% more than Rs 60,000 crore made in the last budget. However, the revised estimate shows the expenditure on the scheme in the last financial year was Rs 86,000 crore, same as the allocation made for the coming fiscal. In 2022-23, the government had allocated Rs 73,000 crore for the scheme, while the actual expenditure, according to that year's budget document, was Rs 90,805 crore. In 2021-22, Rs 73,000 crore was allocated to the scheme under the rural development ministry, while Rs 98,467.85 crore was the actual expenditure. In 2020-21, Rs 1.11 lakh crore was spent on the scheme, according to budget documents. The scheme provides guaranteed 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to at least one member of every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. It also earmarks at least one-third of jobs for women. In her pre-election budget, Finance Minister Sitharaman also announced that another two crore houses will be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin in the next five years. The allocation for the scheme was Rs 54,500 crore in the budget presented. In 2023-24, Rs 54,487 crore was provided for the PMAY(G). However, the revised estimate stands at Rs 32,000 crore, around 41% of the allocated amount. Sitharaman also announced that the target for creating '<keyword id="20414665" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lakhpati-didis" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didis</keyword>' has been increased from two crores to three crores. Under the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, which comes under DAY-NRLM, each self-help group (SHG) household is encouraged to take up multiple livelihood activities coupled with value chain interventions, resulting in a sustainable income of Rs 1 lakh or more per year. The allocation for the National Livelihood Mission-Ajeevika was Rs 15,047 crore, around six% more than last year's Rs 14,129.17 crore. The revised estimate for the scheme also stands at Rs 14,129.17 crore. The allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna has come down. The allocation in this budget for 2024-25 was Rs 12,000 crore against Rs 19,000 crore last time. The expenditure according to the revised estimate was Rs 17,000 crore.

Budget allocation for rural development ministry up by 12%

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Child-focused parenting is when parents center activities and schedules around kids.</li><li>Like gentle parenting, it can lead to burnout and worse-behaved kids.</li></ul>When Michaeleen Doucleff became a parent, she read books on how to ensure her child's happiness. She wanted to be a good mom, to not deprive her daughter of something important.That process really kicked into gear <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-thought-having-a-toddler-would-be-easier-2023-1">as she got older</a>, when her daughter started developing interests and friendships. As her world opened up, so too did Doucleff's options for parenting. Until her daughter was five, Doucleff dutifully carted her child to activities around San Francisco. A birthday party, a play area, a kid's museum. Weekends were exhausting — packed with kids-only events — but that's the deal, right?This is known as child-focused parenting, a style devised in the 90s that has become the norm in the last decade. The idea is that kids' education and enrichment take top priority.You may have heard of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gentle-parenting-bust-millennial-parents-helicopter-kids-misbehave-permissive-authoritative-2024-6">gentle parenting</a>, which teaches parents to communicate calmly with their screaming toddlers. Child-focused parenting takes it a step further, ensuring the child's entire world is engaging, whether on an educational excursion or structured play session."Every moment is scheduled with a child-centric activity," Doucleff, who was inspired to write "<a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-72091-20&amp;h=559b47f573d282d123d9ba0462b3f2a56101f7fc284ea2c76330f17500660003&amp;postID=668c591f7d643e28300a6b0e&amp;postSlug=child-focused-parenting-bad-for-kids-parents-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbookshop.org%2Fp%2Fbooks%2Fhunt-gather-parent-what-ancient-cultures-can-teach-us-about-the-lost-art-of-raising-happy-helpful-little-humans-michaeleen-doucleff%2F16059901%3Fgad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjwnK60BhA9EiwAmpHZw8aU9VZFTC5S1yNfit5gUVwciTIbpEWSxA2vEslfvYfJDI_U-qpAGBoCtwkQAvD_BwE">Hunt, Gather, Parent</a>" as an antidote to child-focused parenting, told Business Insider. "Your life is focused around these things that are just for the child and not for you or collectively as the family at all."Doucleff's views on her parenting style started to shift when she spoke to Suzanne Gaskins, a professor of psychology at Northeastern Illinois University who <a target="_blank" href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-16948-012">researches childhood practices around the world</a>. "She told me that these child-centered activities are in a way depriving kids of what they actually need: the adult world," Doucleff said.Gaskins isn't the only psychology professional against child-focused parenting. In a resurfaced podcast clip, famed psychology researcher<a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8AjueNJvGT/"> Brené Brown told Tim Ferriss</a> that her family is a "family-focused family," where "the family agrees about what will keep a family healthy."Now, parents like Doucleff are shunning pressures to make their children the most important family members at all times. They're learning how to get their kids to adapt to their lives, feeling less burned out — and with less anxious kids.<h2 id="dac97b3f-f11a-4798-a084-e74088a52037">The history of child-focused parenting</h2>Kid-focused parenting is "very new," according to Doucleff. "Even European-American middle-class parenting was very different 50 to 100 years ago," she said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.history.com/news/life-for-the-average-family-during-the-great-depression">Children growing up during the Great Depression</a> found entertainment through family board game nights and radio programs: going to a movie theater was a luxury for many. In the 1950s, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.romper.com/p/12-things-parents-did-in-the-50s-that-millennial-parents-should-bring-back-3218481">parents prioritized their marriage</a> and encouraged kids to play outside. Gen Xers, born between 1965 and 1980, <a target="_blank" href="https://daily.jstor.org/latchkey-generation-bad/">grew up as latchkey kids</a>, left to their own devices while their parents worked.That started to shift in the '80s and '90s. "Intensive mothering," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1rrd8rb">a term coined by Sharon Hays in 1996</a>, describes a major change in mainstream American parenting. According to Caitlyn Collins, associate professor of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, intensive mothering "is incredibly time-intensive, expensive, emotionally heavy, and prioritizes the child's well-being above all else, typically subsuming the mother's needs underneath the child's needs."It's hard to know exactly what caused the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/01/intensive-helicopter-parenting-inequality/580528/">rise in intensive parenting</a>. One theory is that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w15284">college admissions became more competitive in the mid-90s</a>, creating a culture centered on children's individual success. Suddenly, parents' and kids' lives revolved around education and extracurriculars to maximize their chances of Ivy admission. Great parents prioritized interactive educational experiences for their five-year-olds on weekends and proper socialization via birthday parties."We tie a lot of morality to these ideals about parenting — who is a 'good parent,' a 'worthy parent,' is deeply wrapped up in how we see ourselves and our value," Collins said. The pressure has only gotten worse for mothers who compare themselves to wealthy "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unfollowed-momfluencers-bad-parenting-2024-3">momfluencers</a>," feeling a strong need to keep up with Disney trips and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/creative-lunch-box-products"> aesthetic bento boxes</a>, she added.<div type="image" title="A disappointed child at a birthday party" height="1414" width="2121" msid="112228852" hostid="261" sizebytes="111708"></div><h2 id="150983f8-8cc2-4292-8755-c79208ee37ba">Children grow up less resilient and more anxious</h2>Being dragged from playdate to playdate can sound like a parent is doing the most for their kid. But, often, these<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-brings-back-nineties-summers-no-technology-structure-2024-7"> highly structured</a> activities are just overwhelming, Doucleff said. She remembered her daughter being around screaming kids for hours at museum activities."At the end of it, she's screaming because it is so overstimulating and she's tired," Doucleff said. "I had a child that often was worse behaved.""If you really want your kid to be a responsible, good, and capable human, it's all about role modeling," Dr. Jenny Woo, the founder and CEO of<a target="_blank" href="http://mindbrainemotion.com/"> Mind Brain Emotion</a> and creator of<a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-72091-20&amp;h=c51edc62b43a190922409136cee0057b9685b86fff2b1201b0b801dbc308670f&amp;postID=668c591f7d643e28300a6b0e&amp;postSlug=child-focused-parenting-bad-for-kids-parents-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FESSENTIAL-LIFE-SKILLS-GAME-CHORES%2Fdp%2FB0BVTK9NLH"> 52 Essential Life Skills</a>, told BI. Ironically, child-focused parenting teaches kids that it's normal to forego your identity and boundaries.Instead of being prepared for adult life, "the child's world is completely separated from the adult world," Doucleff said. It does kids a huge disservice, as they miss out on learning important life skills. Now, she brings her daughter along on errands or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unsupervised-play-outdoors-kids-neighborhood-benefits-2024-5">takes her to the park</a> to play with other kids, where she can be more autonomous.Doucleff was inspired to make these changes after traveling to the Arctic, where she observed children helping their families hunt whales or prepare dinner. She said having a sense of purpose made children more emotionally mature."I remember flying back into America and seeing kids at the same age screaming in the airport because they didn't want to share their potato chips," Doucleff said. "This is unheard of in many cultures, for a child of that age to have very little emotional regulation."Woo, who teaches at UC Irvine, said she's witnessed the lasting effects of child-focused parenting. Some students have a "lack of resourcefulness, not knowing where to go, how to do something, who to turn to and feeling very paralyzed," causing them anxiety.Tellingly, she said these same students' parents often pay for laundry services and other assistance to make college a smoother experience for their (now adult) children.<h2 id="f93408f6-7305-4e04-949f-f04c6a18b264">Parents are starting to ditch parenting styles that leave them depleted</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/01/24/parenting-in-america-today/">Most US parents find parenting harder than expected</a>, according to a 2023 Pew Research poll of over 3,700 participants. Some are questioning whether their expectations around child-rearing are more to blame for their stress than the demands of parenting. Collins said that "encouragingly, more women are recognizing that this burden really shouldn't be theirs alone, and pushing back against these cultural ideals."They're <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-parent-who-ditched-gentle-parenting-it-doesnt-work-2024-6">ditching parenting styles</a> that leave them depleted. "Personally, it was way more work for me to cart my child to all these things," Doucleff said.It's not always smooth sailing; Doucleff said you have to adjust some chores so that kids can join you and put up with the occasional tantrum. "The parent has to be a little uncomfortable sometimes, but in the end, it becomes this really beautiful, easier parenting method," she said. Woo suggested letting kids slowly take on more responsibility when you're out together, such as ordering their own food.Some parents have been making <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mother-daughter-birthday-party-debate-2024-2">adjustments to events like birthday parties</a>, focusing more on intimate family time rather than a 30-kid backyard bash. They <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/took-little-kids-camping-maine-summer-fun-outdoors-huttopia-2024-6">take their kids camping</a> or<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-keep-kids-entertained-during-summer-break-2024-6"> make crafts with them</a> to make time together more meaningful.The real world is richer than the bubbles kids are kept in, Doucleff said. Her daughter bonded with her and grew so much once she started joining her mom on international work trips.It led to her daughter, now nine, starting a dog-walking business on her own this year. "To me, that's a way more important experience than going to Disney World," Doucleff said.

Child-focused parenting is exhausting. Some parents are finally ditching it.

Every year, nearly 6,500 <keyword id="20068743" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="adolescent-girls" source="keywords">adolescent girls</keyword> in <keyword id="19897710" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-Asia" source="keywords">South Asia</keyword> die giving birth. Most of them are minors <keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="WHO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="WHO">who</keyword> have limited power over their reproductive health or lives, according to a joint analysis done by <keyword id="20018080" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNICEF" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNICEF" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNICEF">UNICEF</keyword>, WHO and <keyword id="20802066" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNFPA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="UNFPA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="UNFPA">UNFPA</keyword>. South Asia accounts for 290 million <keyword id="22387193" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="child-brides" source="keywords">child brides</keyword> - nearly half of the world's burden. In three countries in South Asia, they are also four times more likely to be out of school than their unmarried peers, as per the analysis done by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), <keyword id="19902256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organisation" source="keywords">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) and United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). At the two-day regional dialogue on adolescent pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded on Friday, the <keyword id="20679678" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SAARC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SAARC" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SAARC">SAARC</keyword> countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA and WHO called for increased commitment to critical services for over 2.2 million adolescent girls that give birth yearly in South Asia, a joint press release issued by the agencies said. "I appreciate the role of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society for the improvements made by the SAARC region over the years in reducing <keyword id="22387194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="teenage-pregnancy" source="keywords">teenage pregnancy</keyword>," said Ambassador Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC. "But the region still has a long way to go. I call upon everyone to resolutely address the root causes including child marriage, access to adolescent health education, and removing social stigma in managing the teenage population of the SAARC region," he said. Every year, nearly 6,500 adolescent girls die in childbirth in South Asia, according to the analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA. Most of them are child brides who have limited or negligible power and autonomy over their reproductive health or lives. When young girls give birth, their lives can be at risk as they are not yet physically ready to give birth. Thousands more girls are forced to drop out of school, face stigma, rejection, violence, unemployment as well as lifelong social challenges. Forty-nine per cent of young girls in South Asia are not in education, employment or training - the highest in the world, the press release said. "We must do better for adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant or parents. In addition to hurdles to learn, get good healthcare and eat nutritious food, they are denied the opportunity to build skills and start businesses -- everything they need as parents to thrive and fulfil their potential," said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. "We must work together and invest in opportunities to unleash the promise of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia. Doing so would be transformative for this region," he said. Government and UN officials, adolescent girls, as well as civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have participated in the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers. This includes opportunities to learn, set up their businesses, and earn a living. The event held in Kathmandu over July 11-12 was jointly organised by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA and was inaugurated by the Secretary General of SAARC, Ambassador Golam Sarwar. Adolescent mothers have a much higher risk of dying from maternal causes, compared to women in their 20s and 30s. "It is high time that we reverse this trend. The unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sexual development during adolescence necessitates special attention in national and international policies. Effective strategies to tackle adolescent pregnancy require cross-sectoral collaboration and equitable access to a variety of services," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

In her <keyword id="19906106" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Interim-Budget" source="keywords">Interim Budget</keyword> speech in February 2024, <keyword id="20385790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Union Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> celebrated what she termed as the Modi government's landmark achievement: unleashing 'nari shakti' or women's power through various initiatives since 2014. Among these, the creation of one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' — women whose annual household income exceeds one lakh rupees — under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), has garnered significant attention. <h2>The hype around it </h2>Imagine being a <keyword id="20416259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakhpati-Didi" source="keywords">Lakhpati Didi</keyword> — a rural woman whose annual household income exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. These women are not just financial achievers; they are community leaders who inspire others through their entrepreneurial journeys. Their success stories highlight the transformative impact of self-help groups (SHGs) and collective action in rural India. Launched amid much fanfare on August 15, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme aims to empower women through diverse skill development programs, from producing LED bulbs to operating agricultural drones. Partnering with entities like Patanjali, Flipkart, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative also focuses on branding and marketing these products, ostensibly connecting women with credit lines and MUDRA loans for financial support. Almost an year on, the scheme is all set to get some well-deserved boost in the Budget 2024 to be presented on July 23. However, the time also apt to examine if it has actually contributed to <keyword id="20009191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-empowerment" source="keywords">women empowerment</keyword> in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111915324" title="Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Parliament today" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>The reality check </h2>Critics argue that such schemes may inadvertently tether women's SHGs to corporate networks, potentially benefiting transnational agribusiness giants aligned with the government. Programs like 'Namo Drone Didi', allocated Rs. 500 crore in the Interim Budget, exemplify this trend by integrating women into digital agriculture, albeit under the influence of corporate agendas. Further, while the Interim Budget championed the narrative of women's economic prosperity, it failed to adequately address their basic needs. Despite claims of empowerment, essential schemes such as PM Awas Yojana (Rural) and Har Ghar Jal have seen significant budgetary underspending, raising concerns about the government's commitment to women's welfare beyond mere rhetoric. For instance, the underutilisation of funds in Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and the shrinking allocations for crucial subsidies like nutrition and education further highlight the disconnect between budgetary outlays and on-ground impact. This trend suggests a shift in responsibility towards state governments without commensurate support from the Union government, leaving vulnerable populations like widows and rural women at risk. Overall, the well-intentioned narrative around the scheme needs better translation and execution on ground to achieve desired outcomes. <h2>Looking ahead </h2>Until now, the budgetary allocation for women-centric programs have remained disproportionately low, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development having been allocated Rs 26,000 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 2.52% compared to the previous budget. This paltry investment underscores a broader pattern of neglecting systemic issues such as gender-based violence, social discrimination and pro-corporate stance. As Budget 2024 approaches, stakeholders eagerly anticipate policies that not only boost economic growth but also empower rural women as entrepreneurs and leaders. While Lakhpati Didi stands poised to empower rural women with opportunities and support, more steps are needed to make it more sustainable. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

In an effort to give a further boost to partnership, India, and the US signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (<keyword id="19914814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MoU" source="keywords">MoU</keyword>), which will enable the Micro, Small and medium enterprises (<keyword id="19910977" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="MSMEs" source="keywords">MSMEs</keyword>) of the two countries to participate in <keyword id="19908188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-markets" source="keywords">global markets</keyword> and foster trade. "<keyword id="20233690" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-US" source="keywords">India-US</keyword> joining hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote on X. "Today, India-US signed a landmark MoU that enables MSMEs of the two countries to participate in global markets, drive innovation, foster trade, and support <keyword id="19930409" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-entrepreneurs" source="keywords">women entrepreneurs</keyword>," he added. S. C. L. Das, Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator, <keyword id="21149255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-business-administration" source="keywords">Small Business Administration</keyword> (SBA), United States of America, signed the MoU here in New Delhi. The MoU provides a framework for both sides to discuss issues concerning micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and explore possibilities for cooperation. It envisages the exchange of expertise between the two sides on issues related to improving MSME participation in the global marketplace through mutual visits as well as webinars and workshops on topics including access to trade and export finance, technology and digital trade; green economy, and trade facilitation. The MoU also provides for the joint conduct of programmes for women entrepreneurs to empower them and facilitate trade partnerships between women-owned small businesses in the two countries. Recognising the crucial role that MSMEs play in advancing <keyword id="20421749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inclusive-growth" source="keywords">inclusive growth</keyword>, expanding exports, and boosting employment, the two sides also agreed to explore the development of a "Business Matching Digital Platform" to boost <keyword id="20035864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-opportunities" source="keywords">business opportunities</keyword>.

India-US join hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs

In the Pindwara village of Rajasthan, a grassroots-level initiative led by local women has transformed the community's approach to nutrition. The women, part of a self-help group, began cultivating kitchen gardens to ensure a steady supply of diverse and nutritious food for their families. These gardens now yield various fruits and vegetables, contributing to a balanced diet and reducing the community's dependence on market-bought, often less nutritious food items. This initiative has improved health and empower women by giving them control over their family's nutrition. Similarly, in the tribal regions of Chhattisgarh, a collective effort by local community leaders has revitalized traditional agricultural practices. The community has reintroduced indigenous crops like millets and pulses, which are more resilient to the changing climate and require fewer resources to cultivate. These crops are rich in essential nutrients and have historically been part of the local diet. The community's efforts have not only preserved these traditional foods but also improved the nutritional status of the population, particularly children and women. These <keyword id="22748061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="community-led" source="keywords">community-led</keyword> initiatives are part of a broader pattern observed in a recent study on <keyword id="22747862" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diet-diversity" source="keywords">diet diversity</keyword> in <keyword id="20109648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rural-India" source="keywords">rural India</keyword>. The qualitative study by NGO Vitamin Angels India and supported by UNICEF, conducted across several states, found that communities with strong local leadership and grassroots initiatives showed significant improvements in diet diversity and nutritional outcomes. According to government data, about 17% of children in the age group of 0-5 years are underweight, while 36% are stunted and 6% are wasted (too thin for their height, indicating acute malnutrition). Stunted, wasted, and underweight are key indicators of malnutrition in children aged 0-5 years. The research highlighted that while government programs and interventions are essential, the involvement and initiative of the community are critical to the success and sustainability of these efforts. One of the key findings of the study was that communities with active local participation in nutrition-related activities, such as kitchen gardening and the cultivation of traditional crops, had a higher intake of diverse and nutritious food. The research, which employed a mix of focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and home observations, reveals how collective and individual contexts -- ranging from socio-cultural norms to economic challenges -- influence dietary practices across different communities like the brick-kiln workers, fishers, and salt pan workers among others. This was particularly evident in regions where women played a central role in these initiatives. The study also noted that these communities were more resilient to food insecurity and were better able to cope with economic and environmental challenges. For example, the study looked into the lives of salt pan workers in Jodhpur who prioritize their children's nutrition despite financial hardships. They ensure that their children never go hungry, even if it means offering biscuits or bread-milk. It suggested that while government initiatives provide the necessary framework and resources, real change happens when communities take ownership of these programmes and adapt them to their local contexts. To enhance the effectiveness of nutritional interventions for pregnant women and children under five, several key recommendations emerge from the study. First, there is a critical need to strengthen the role of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, who are often the primary source of health information in many communities. By providing these workers with advanced training that equips them to offer tailored advice based on the specific socio-cultural and economic contexts of the families they serve, the reach and impact of nutritional programs can be significantly increased. Subsidies for essential complementary foods are another vital measure to address the financial barriers that many families face. These subsidies would ensure that even in economically disadvantaged households, children receive the necessary nutrients during crucial developmental stages, the study recommended. Additionally, promoting a blend of legacy knowledge with modern nutritional insights can lead to more culturally acceptable and effective practices. Health education programs that respect and incorporate local beliefs while introducing scientifically backed practices are likely to be more successful in achieving sustainable behavioral change. Support for maternal health is also paramount. Implementing programs that provide additional food or rest for pregnant women, particularly during the last trimester, can have a positive impact on both maternal and child health outcomes. These programs should be designed with an understanding of local familial structures and dynamics, ensuring that they are accessible and acceptable within the community. Community-based nutritional programs should be developed to emphasize the importance of child nutrition and encourage collective action. Workshops and informational sessions led by trusted community members or healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and encouraging healthy practices. Finally, improving access to fresh and nutritious food, particularly in remote or economically disadvantaged areas, is essential. This could involve initiatives such as creating community gardens, improving market access, or providing transportation subsidies to reach markets with a wider variety of foods.

Community-led nutrition initiatives in rural India can boost diet diversity, empower women, says study

Anticipation is steadily building for the Union Budget of 2024, which President Murmu has hinted could be “historic”. Stakeholders are optimistic about policies aimed at enhancing domestic production and fostering economic growth. Consumers, on the other hand, eagerly await the potential benefits coming their way—including ones from the upcoming <keyword id="12026484" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Railway-budget" source="Orion">Railway budget</keyword>. According to reports thus far, the Union Budget of 2024 is expected to place a significant emphasis on the Railway industry—one of the three cores of the Indian economy. This time, there is a strong expectation that the Railway budget will address various consumer-centric issues, including travel safety and overall experience quality. As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget on July 23, here are some key expectations for the Railway industry: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget" comment="subhead" text="Highest-ever allocation for Indian Railways budget">Highest-ever allocation for <keyword id="6355455" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="Orion">Indian Railways</keyword> budget</cmsannotation> <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword> is anticipated to heavily focus on several aspects of the railway sector. In the interim budget of 2024, the <keyword id="19905911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> was allocated Rs 2.55 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. However, the upcoming budget is expected to increase this allocation significantly, ET NOW reports. It could potentially reach Rs 3 lakh crore, marking the highest-ever allocation for this sector. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity" comment="subhead" text="Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity">Increased focus on passenger safety and capacity</cmsannotation> During the Lok Sabha elections, the <keyword id="6360676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="railways" source="Orion">railways</keyword> ministry faced significant criticism for various safety incidents and overcrowding in general coaches. To address these issues, the ministry is expected to allocate substantial funds to prevent operational mishaps, expand rail capacity and reduce congestion, the Business Standard reports. The government is expected to focus on the implementation of Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection System. Experts welcome the government’s emphasis on safety upgrades, particularly the network-wide implementation of train protection systems and the mechanisation of maintenance operations. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality" comment="subhead" text="Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality">Enhancing passenger travel experience and quality</cmsannotation> The budget is also anticipated to focus on improving facilities for passengers, modernising amenities and enhancing the overall quality of railway travel, as per Goodreturns. Capital expenditure will likely be directed towards upgrading coaches, with an initial plan to upgrade 40,000 bogies, and improving sanitation facilities. Passenger comfort and safety will continue to be priorities as the public increasingly values comfort over cost. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession" comment="subhead" text="Possible reinstatement of Senior Citizen Railway Concession">Possible reinstatement of <keyword id="22455972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Senior-Citizen-Railway-Concession" source="keywords">Senior Citizen Railway Concession</keyword></cmsannotation> There is growing anticipation about the potential reinstatement of the Senior Citizen Railway Concession during Budget 2024, according to Business Today. This move is seen as particularly significant ahead of the upcoming general elections later this year. In March 2020, the Indian Railways discontinued discounts on train fares for senior citizens and women, requiring them to pay full fares like other passengers. Previously, the Senior Citizen Railway Concession was available for all classes of mail and express trains. Reports and RTI inquiries have revealed that the withdrawal of these concessions led to significant additional revenue for the Railways. During the suspension period, the Indian Railways accrued Rs 5,062 crore from eight crore senior citizens, with Rs 2,242 crore resulting from the absence of concessions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prioritising infrastructure spending" comment="subhead" text="Prioritising infrastructure spending">Prioritising infrastructure spending</cmsannotation> The <keyword id="19935166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024</keyword> is expected to prioritise infrastructure spending, the Goodreturns report adds. The focus is likely to be on rapid development and completion of tracks, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger freight services. Capital funds are likely to be allocated for expanding the metro network, NaMo Bharat corridors, Vande Bharat trains, high-speed corridors and economic corridors. Plans also include developing a high-speed rail network like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route and allocating funds towards the Rapid Rail Transport System.

You Searched For "Ministry of Women and Child Development" and got 12 results

"No reply received, hope this matter receives considered attention": CM Mamata writes to PM Modi again on rape-murder case

ANI

The coming reign of the only child

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Healthy timing, spacing between pregnancies crucial for women's health: MoS Patel

PTI

Why should fathers have all the mentions? Maharashtra govt mandates inclusion of mothers’ names in documents as recognition of their vital role

Kunal Kambli

MSME launches Yashaswini Initiative to support women entrepreneurs; First phase to start on July 19 in Jaipur

ANI

Budget allocation for rural development ministry up by 12%

PTI

Child-focused parenting is exhausting. Some parents are finally ditching it.

Julia Pugachevsky

Over 6,500 adolescent girls die giving birth every year across South Asia, says a recent study

PTI

Budget 2024: Can Lakhpati Didi Yojana’s reality inspire better focus on women?

Ashmita Gupta

India-US join hands to promote cooperation in MSMEs

ANI

Community-led nutrition initiatives in rural India can boost diet diversity, empower women, says study

PTI

Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure

Kunal Kambli

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