Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Having been declared a global health emergency by <keyword id="6366244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="who" source="Orion">WHO</keyword> just a few weeks ago, the dreaded <keyword id="20965747" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mpox" source="keywords">Mpox</keyword> (formerly <keyword id="7616951" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="monkeypox" source="Orion">monkeypox</keyword>) has slowly been closing in on India. And now, days after our neighbour <keyword id="19899252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakistan" source="keywords">Pakistan</keyword> confirmed its second Mpox case this month, India has also reported its first one this season. While feeling uncertain is understandable, the situation is far from dire just yet. On Monday, September 9, 2024, the <keyword id="19896140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="keywords">Health Ministry</keyword> confirmed that a previously suspected case of Mpox was a travel-related infection. The patient, a young male, recently returned from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the West African clade 2 of the Mpox virus, which is distinct from the more dangerous clade 1 currently under a public health emergency. In its statement, the Ministry emphasised that this case is isolated and in line with the 30 previous Mpox cases reported in India since July 2022. The Ministry clarified that this case does not contribute to the WHO-declared public health emergency associated with clade 1 of Mpox, which has spread primarily in parts of <keyword id="19924003" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="africa" source="keywords">Africa</keyword>. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112542249" title="WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency. What happens next?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Patient condition and response measures </h2>The infected individual is isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The Ministry reports that the patient is clinically stable, with no systemic illness or pre-existing conditions. Public health authorities have initiated contact tracing and monitoring to ensure the infection remains contained, stating that no widespread public health risk exists at this time. <h2>Mode of transmission and symptoms </h2>The global Mpox outbreak has primarily affected young males, with a median age of 34. The main mode of transmission has been sexual contact, followed by non-sexual person-to-person contact. The most commonly reported symptom is a rash, which can manifest either systemically or in the genital region, followed by fever. WHO data shared by the Ministry indicates that approximately 51.9% of Mpox cases involve individuals living with HIV. This underscores the need for targeted healthcare and awareness, especially in high-risk populations. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112561654" title="WHO calls for increased surveillance, sharing of data, vaccines to combat monkeypox outbreak" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Increased vigilance and preparedness </h2>Following the confirmation of this case, the Health Ministry has issued directives to all states and union territories, urging healthcare workers, particularly those in skin/STD clinics and NACO (<keyword id="20887701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-aids-control-organisation" source="keywords">National AIDS Control Organisation</keyword>) clinics, to stay alert to the signs and symptoms of Mpox. These clinics must be prepared for immediate isolation, clinical management, and treatment of complications, adhering to established protocols. The Ministry has also advised enhanced screening and testing of suspected Mpox cases, especially at airports and other points of entry, to prevent further transmission. <h2>Awareness and risk communication </h2>The Ministry has issued guidelines to state AIDS control societies, urging them to be vigilant in identifying suspect cases, especially among vulnerable populations such as female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Communities must be made aware of the disease’s transmission and symptoms, as well as the importance of timely reporting. Clear risk communication, particularly to healthcare workers and intervention sites such as skin and paediatric clinics, is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. While the Ministry advocates for robust preventive measures, it also stresses the importance of avoiding undue panic among the general public. For now, the Ministry’s actions aim to ensure that India remains well-prepared to handle isolated Mpox cases, while working to prevent any major outbreak in the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112550492" title="Danish monkeypox-vaccine maker surges 17% after global health emergency declared" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Mpox has finally infiltrated India, but how worried should we be about the viral disease?

<keyword id="19896882" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Canada" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Canada" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Canada">Canada</keyword> is set to make notable changes to its immigration policies, aiming to manage the influx of <keyword id="20073340" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-students" source="keywords">international students</keyword> by cutting down on the number of <keyword id="20293675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="study-permits" source="keywords">study permits</keyword> issued. This move comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to control its <keyword id="23227485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="temporary-resident-population" source="keywords">temporary resident population</keyword> and maintain the integrity of its immigration system. Prime Minister <keyword id="19898713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Justin-Trudeau" source="keywords">Justin Trudeau</keyword> recently announced that the country will reduce the number of study permits granted to foreign nationals, citing concerns over the misuse of the immigration system. The reduction is already underway, with Canada issuing 35 percent fewer study permits this year compared to previous years. Moving forward, the Canadian government plans to decrease these permits by an additional 10 percent in 2025, lowering the number of new permits issued from 4,85,000 in 2024 to 4,37,000 in the following year. Trudeau talked about the need to address those exploiting the system in a post on X (earlier called Twitter). "Immigration is an advantage for our economy - but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down," he said. While immigration continues to play a critical role in strengthening Canada's economy, Trudeau added that these measures are essential to preserving the system's integrity. Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship department echoed this sentiment in an official news release, confirming the government's commitment to managing temporary resident arrivals. The department outlined a plan to stabilise the intake of study permits at the reduced figure for 2026, ensuring that the numbers remain consistent with 2025. To address the importance of advanced degree holders, the government will set aside approximately 12 percent of available study permits for master's and doctoral candidates. These students will need to provide a letter from their respective province or territory, recognising the significant contributions they can make to the Canadian workforce. <keyword id="19946179" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marc-miller" source="keywords">Marc Miller</keyword>, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, said that the changes are part of a larger effort to ensure a well-regulated and sustainable immigration system. “Not everyone who wishes to come to Canada will be granted entry, and not everyone currently residing here will be able to remain indefinitely. It is our duty to safeguard the integrity of our immigration policies, and we are committed to adapting them to meet today’s evolving challenges,” he said. The reduction in study permits is expected to have a considerable impact on international students, particularly from India. India has long been the leading source of foreign students in Canada, with an estimated 427,000 <keyword id="19971660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-students" source="keywords">Indian students</keyword> currently studying in the country, according to data from the High Commission of India in Ottawa. Education is one of the key pillars of collaboration between the two nations, and the new policy could affect thousands of Indian nationals aspiring to pursue higher studies in Canada. (With ANI and PTI inputs)

Canada to cut study permits for International students by 35%, Indian students to be impacted

<keyword id="20448705" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Waymo" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Waymo" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Waymo">Waymo</keyword>, the self-driving car whiz kid from Alphabet (aka Google’s big parent company), just made a splash by launching its robotaxis in Los Angeles! This means that anyone with the Waymo One app can now call up a driverless cab across a whopping 129-square-kilometre stretch of the city. It’s like having a robot chauffeur — without the awkward small talk! This isn’t Waymo’s first rodeo with robotaxis. They’ve been rolling around Phoenix since 2020 and then hit up San Francisco last year. In Los Angeles, after a short trial for some lucky early testers, Waymo opened up rides to the public. Now anyone can zip around L.A. traffic in style, with the car’s AI brain in control. Waymo’s journey started as a secret project back in 2009 and has come a long way since then. The company’s <keyword id="19967698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="self-driving-cars" source="keywords">self-driving cars</keyword> have logged over 20 million miles without any major accidents — a record that certainly leaves human drivers in the dust. Meanwhile, Waymo’s competitor, Cruise (owned by General Motors), ran into some trouble when one of its <keyword id="21485769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="driverless-cars" source="keywords">driverless cars</keyword> was involved in an accident with a pedestrian, resulting in a license suspension in California. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="107634470" title="A crowd set fire to a Waymo taxi in San Francisco, as tensions about driverless tech grow" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>But Waymo’s big moves in the US raise an interesting question: what would happen if robotaxis rolled out in a place like India? The impact could be massive! India has millions of taxi drivers, and many rely on their daily fares to support their families. Not only is the work gruelling, such “gig workers” often earn shockingly less, and at increasingly shrinking profit margins. One source even noted earning only around Rs 30,000 a month while working as an Ola captain from Bengaluru. Thus, a widespread shift to driverless cars could be a serious blow to their livelihoods, especially in a country struggling with rampant levels of inflation. Therefore, there exists an issue of livelihoods on one hand and technological progress on the other, so if companies like Waymo ever bring robotaxis to India, it could shake things up in a big way. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="102751416" title="Sex in self-driving cars: Passengers are reportedly hooking up in San Francisco&amp;#39;s driverless taxis" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, on the other side of the spectrum, there are undoubtedly some benefits to moving towards a fully-automated robotaxi fleet. For instance, road accidents cause over 1,50,000 deaths annually in India. Autonomous vehicles,which are designed to follow traffic rules strictly and reduce human error, could help lower these numbers. Additionally, driverless taxis could make transportation more accessible and affordable, especially in densely populated cities with high demand. Furthermore, such robotaxis would also provide a solution for passengers who experience language barriers or inconsistent service quality, as these vehicles are designed for efficient, standardised rides. There is also the hope that they could reduce traffic congestion and pollution with AI-driven routes that minimise idle time and fuel use. Waymo may be rejoicing in the spotlight at the moment, but there are several other companies in the robotaxi race, including Tesla, which has its “Cybercab” in the works, and Amazon’s Zoox, aiming to hit the streets of Las Vegas next year. Baidu’s Apollo is already making robotaxi runs in some Chinese cities, but each company faces its own unique set of challenges. In India, where roads are a blend of honking scooters, zig-zagging rickshaws, and plenty of cows on the streets, introducing robotaxis would require some serious tech tricks and regulatory green lights. Until then, L.A. can enjoy the driverless rides while the rest of us wait to see how this wild technology shapes the future.

No Driver? No Problem! Waymo’s driverless robotaxis make Los Angeles debut — but what could the tech mean for India?

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6355833" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="United-Nations" source="Orion">United Nations</keyword> suggest that the global <keyword id="48933" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="population" source="Orion">population</keyword> could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100.</li><li>According to the World Population Prospect report, the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950.</li><li>It took 12 years to grow from 7 to 8 billion.</li></ul>The world's population is projected to reach 8 billion people on Tuesday, according to the UN estimates, which consider this a milestone in human development. The latest projections by the United Nations suggest that the global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.4 billion in 2100. The annual World Population Prospect report, released on Monday to coincide with <keyword id="203146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-population-day" source="Orion">World Population Day</keyword>, also notes that the global population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen to less that one per cent in 2020. While it took the global population 12 years to grow from 7 to 8 billion, it will take approximately 15 years--until 2037-- for it to reach 9 billion, a sign that the overall growth rate of the global population is slowing. In 2022, the two most populous regions were both in <keyword id="21718" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Asia" source="Orion">Asia</keyword>: Eastern and South-Eastern Asia with 2.3 billion people and Central and Southern Asia with 2.1 billion. <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword> and <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="Orion">India</keyword>, with more than 1.4 billion each, accounted for most of the population in these two regions. More than half of the projected increase in global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in just eight countries: Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania. Disparate growth rates among the world's largest countries will re-order their ranking by size. According to UN estimates, India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country during 2023. Population growth is caused in part by declining levels of mortality, as reflected in increased levels of life expectancy at birth. Globally, life expectancy reached 72.8 years in 2019, an increase of almost 9 years since 1990. Further reductions in mortality are projected to result in an average longevity of around 77.2 years globally in 2050. Countries with the highest fertility levels tend to be those with the lowest income per capita. Global population growth has therefore over time become increasingly concentrated among the world's poorest countries, most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. In these countries, sustained rapid population growth can thwart the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which remain the world's best pathway toward a happy and healthy future. Even though population growth magnifies the environmental impact of economic development, rising per capita incomes are the main driver of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. The countries with the highest per capita consumption of material resources and emissions of greenhouse gas emissions tend to be those where income per capita is higher, not those where the population is growing rapidly. Meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise, while achieving the SDGs, critically depends on curbing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, according to UN. Yet, slower population growth over many decades could help to mitigate the further accumulation of environmental damage in the second half of the current century. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/this-bio-engineered-houseplant-claims-to-clean-the-air-as-efficiently-as-30-air-purifiers/articleshow/95507043.cms">This bio-engineered houseplant claims to clean the air as efficiently as 30 air purifiers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/research/news/scientists-create-remote-controlled-cyborg-cockroaches-that-can-go-under-search-and-rescue-missions/articleshow/94022392.cms">Scientists create remote-controlled cyborg cockroaches that can go under search and rescue missions</a>

World population to hit 8 billion people today

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some of the world's biggest brands are weighing a manufacturing shift away from China.</li><li>But some major American fast-food chains are keen on China's market of 1.4 billion people.</li></ul>There's been no shortage of tough news for China's economy as some of the world's biggest brands consider or take action to shift manufacturing to friendlier shores at a time of unease about security controls, protectionism and wobbly relations between Beijing and Washington.Count Adidas, Apple and Samsung among those looking elsewhere.But as a tumultuous 2023 for the Chinese economy comes to a close, there has been at least one bright spot for Beijing when it comes to foreign investment: American fast-food chains have decided a market of 1.4 billion people is simply too delicious to pass up.KFC China's parent company opened its 10,000th restaurant in China this month and aims to have stores within reach of half of China's population by 2026. McDonald's is planning to open 3,500 new stores in China over the next four years. And Starbucks invested $220 million in a manufacturing and distribution facility in eastern China, its biggest project outside the U.S.This is surely not what Chinese President Xi Jinping had in mind as he made the case to American CEOs about the upside of China's "super-large market" last month while he was in San Francisco for a summit of world leaders. The investments in fast food and other consumer goods, while Washington is curbing exports of computer chips and other advanced technology, don't fit into China's own blueprint for modernizing its economy."As you try to interpret the signals from McDonald's and Starbucks" and other chains, says Phil Levy, chief economist at the supply chain management firm Flexport, "note what the industries are: These are not high-tech burgers.''And while some U.S. companies are increasing investments in the world's second-largest economy, overall foreign investment began falling this year. In the July-September quarter, net foreign direct investment in China sank to a deficit of $11.8 billion, the first quarterly deficit since Beijing began publishing the data in 1998.As tensions simmer between China and its Western trading partners, many multinational companies are shifting investments to other places, such as Southeast Asia or India, or repatriating their earnings. That has sapped China of a key engine when its economy has yet to fully recover from the disruptions of the pandemic and a property industry crisis that has been a drag on growth.Beijing puts some of the blame on U.S. government policies.Commerce Ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting said recently, "The U.S. side has repeatedly politicized economic, trade and technology issues and overstretched the concept of security, abused export control measures, and restricted trade and investment in China by its own enterprises, which is forcing enterprises to give up opportunities in the Chinese market and opportunities for win-win cooperation."A survey released in September by the U.S.-China Business Council, which represents American companies in China, suggested that the uncertainty has taken a toll: 43% of its members said China's business environment had deteriorated in the past year, and 83% said they were less optimistic about China than they had been three years ago. Twenty-one percent said they were investing fewer resources in China, versus just 10% who were investing more.Surveys of European and Japanese companies have shown similar results.While China's market is gigantic, it's ailing. Unemployment among young Chinese rose to over 20% by June, the last time the government released that data. Housing prices are falling and the stock market is down nearly 15% since the summer. That's left many Chinese feeling nervous about spending.Still, bullishness for China as other industries try to de-risk and detangle from Beijing may be a profit-increasing strategy for the fast-food industry."We believe there is no better time to simplify our structure, given the tremendous opportunity to capture increased demand and further benefit from our fastest-growing market's long-term potential," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said as the Chicago-based company announced in November it was increasing its minority 20% ownership of its McDonald's licensed stores in China, Macau and Hong Kong to 48%.Burgers and lattes don't raise the sorts of friction that more high-tech industries have in the complicated U.S.-China relationship. Those strains have persisted under the presidency of Joe Biden, who took office vowing to do more to counter China's expanding military clout and its menacing of neighbors, to improve the country's treatment of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities, and to crack down on intellectual property theft.Relations hit a low point in February when Biden ordered a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the continental United States to be shot down. Beijing, which claims self-governed Taiwan as its own territory, also protested a stopover in the U.S. by the island's president, Tsai Ing-wen, earlier this year. China answered fresh U.S. controls on exports of advanced computer chips and the technology to make them with limits of its own on exports of vital commodities like graphite, gallium and germanium, all metals used in making semiconductors, solar panels, missiles and radar.The relationship appears to be stabilizing somewhat as 2023 winds down, highlighted by last month's Biden and Xi meeting outside San Francisco. But since then, Biden's top advisers have said there are no plans to shift the strategy of tightening regulations and blocking U.S.-based high-tech investments in China, citing the need to safeguard national security.Both former President Donald Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential front-runner, and Biden have worried about depending on China, a potential adversary, for supplies of critical materials used in many high-tech products. Both have sought to reduce America's reliance on Chinese factories and have encouraged companies to shift away from China to other countries — so-called "friend-shoring."Still, Biden administration officials have said they don't want to see a total decoupling of the world's two biggest economies."De-risking, yes. Decoupling, no," Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China, said at a recent event in Washington. "We want to continue a major trade and investment relationship with China, just not ... in the realm that might help them leapfrog over us sometime in the next 10 years in military technology."Rosemary Coates, executive director of the nonprofit Reshoring Institute, noted that decisions to expand or retrench are relatively easy for a company like McDonald's or its fast-food rivals.Franchises "can be opened or closed," Coates said. "It's not like you're investing in an auto plant or some kind of machine shop."China's vast market is vital for many foreign companies: At their annual investors day gathering this month, McDonald's executives noted that 70 million of the 150 million customers active in its customer loyalty program are in China.KFC China says growth in its new outlets has averaged more than 22% over the last five years, and it plans to open 1,200 additional stores in the next three years. The chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen relaunched its brand in China in August with a flagship restaurant in Shanghai and plans to open 1,700 stores over the next 10 years.But for all the promise of China's huge market, U.S. businesses have other reasons to think twice about expanding in China.In July, the U.S. recommended Americans reconsider traveling to China because of arbitrary law enforcement and exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has warned Chinese leaders that U.S. businesses might stop investing in their country if they do not address complaints about worsening conditions due to raids on firms, unexplained fines and unpredictable official behavior.While insisting that China is keen to have foreign investment, Beijing has given no indication it might change trade, market access and other policies that irk Washington and its other trading partners."Where do you draw the line?'' asked Levy, a former White House economic adviser in George W. Bush's administration. "Someone might say: For sourcing sensitive computer chips, this has to be done in a place I really trust. … The other extreme is: We're OK selling them lattes and burgers. But where do you draw the line for the stuff in between — say, automotive parts? What about ball bearings?''___Kurtenbach reported from Bangkok. AP writer Ken Moritsugu contributed to this report from Beijing.

American fast-food companies find China's 1.4 billion population too delicious to resist

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

A parliamentary committee has recommended setting up population-based cancer registries in rural areas to help data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation. It has also suggested raising taxes on tobacco products citing that increasing their market price would make them less affordable. This will result in lower consumption and decrease the risk of tobacco-related diseases, including cancer, the panel said. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">health ministry</keyword> must pursue with the Department of Revenue to expedite the decision on raising taxes on tobacco products, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said in its 147th report. It was presented in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword> on Friday. It said for better policy formulation on cancer treatment and uniform distribution of cancer care, there is an urgent need to have realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country. The committee said that the health ministry should take appropriate steps to persuade state governments to participate in the formulation of the cancer atlas so that the entire Indian population is covered under Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). This will help in data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation, it said. It suggested that PBCRs can be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to record data of cancer patients to get real-time information on cancer-related illnesses. "The committee has taken note that currently PBCRs cover 16 per cent of the Indian population only. Therefore, it is quite necessary that the National Cancer Registry Programme cover the population of India extensively, in order to have a unified national database for scientific understanding of epidemiology of cancer," the report said. Stressing a robust screening mechanism for cancer, the committee suggested that one day in a month can be fixed for cancer screening. While appreciating the government's impetus on an institutional framework for cancer care and management and financial support for combating cancer, the committee said cancer must be dealt with separately instead of being a part of other lifestyle and non-communicable diseases. It recommended the demerger of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) from the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to have a better focus on screening, early diagnosis and management of cancer. In its report, the committee said that in all the leftover districts Non-Communicable Diseases (<keyword id="131571" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncd" source="Orion">NCD</keyword>) clinics should be set up at the earliest and more healthcare professionals be trained for screening of common cancer. The panel highlighted that adequate human resource in cancer centres is crucial for their complete operationalisation and recommended setting up subsidised or free accommodation for patients and their relatives near cancer hospitals. The National Health Authority (<keyword id="672062" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nha" source="Orion">NHA</keyword>) should consider including all types of cancer diagnostic tests under the Ayushman Bharat <keyword id="6524177" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri" source="Orion">Pradhan Mantri</keyword> Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), it said. It appreciated that in compliance with the committee's recommendations, the NHA has approved the inclusion of diagnostic tests under the AB-PMJAY with respect to breast, cervical and oral cancer. The committee noted that the health ministry has set up the e-Sanjivini Ayushman Bharat-Health Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), where doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services can be delivered through the hub and spoke model. It recommended that this model should be strengthened so that the opinions of experts can be provided to cancer patients in isolated and backward areas. The ministry should instruct National Cancer Grid (<keyword id="1502308" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncg" source="Orion">NCG</keyword>) officials to explore group negotiation of commonly used high-value cancer drugs with pharmaceutical companies through a transparent central tendering platform to have substantial discounts on cancer drugs. Since the mandate of the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority is to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, the committee reiterated that the pricing of cancer drugs should not be guided by profit as in the case of the other businesses. If it is not possible to reduce the profit margin of such drugs, the government may subsidise it, it said in its report. "The committee feels that the submission made by the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical, before the committee that over a period of about eight years or so the actual price increase in the drugs had been only between two to four per cent, does not mean that each manufacturer keeps the price of the drug below 10 per cent, as the mechanism permits them to make the hike up to 10 per cent," the report said. The committee said the government should rationalise the annual price hike limit of cancer drugs from 10 to five per cent in order to rescue poor cancer patients. It also suggested the ministry look at subsidising the healthcare cost for cancer patients and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity. The ministry should take the matter on board immediately and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity so that patients can get some relief from bearing the high cost of the service, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank">India puts curbs on laptop and tablet imports – here’s how it could impact you</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a>

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> is taking a leaf from <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>'s <keyword id="48933" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="population">population</keyword> playbook with a proposed two-child policy in two states.</li><li>The two-child policy in Uttar Pradesh would give cash benefits to couples who opt for voluntary sterilization.</li><li>Meanwhile, those who choose to have more than two kids could have their government subsidies taken away.</li></ul>On <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-population-day">World Population Day</a> on July 11, India proposed a series of fresh population control measures reminiscent of China's two-child policy.The slate of proposed measures was announced in two states - <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-law-panel-proposes-two-child-population-policy-all-you-need-to-know-101625905036415.html">Uttar Pradesh</a>, the most populous state in India that is <a href="https://www.populationu.com/in/uttar-pradesh-population">home to more than 240 million people</a>, and Assam, in northeastern India.While the country has not yet adopted China's now-overturned policy of <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202012/1210955.shtml">fining couples for having more than two children</a>, these statewide proposals are an attempt to control its fast-increasing population numbers. India is currently expected to overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2027, per a <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf">2019 UN report.</a> <a href="https://www.unicef.org/india/key-data#:~:text=With%20the%20birth%20of%2025,first%2024%20hours%20after%20birth.">UNICEF</a> estimates that around 25 million children are born every year in India, accounting for a fifth of the world's annual births.And much of this booming population growth is happening in Uttar Pradesh, which - if it were considered a country - would be the world's fifth-largest nation, <a href="https://www.census.gov/popclock/print.php?component=counter">just behind the US and Indonesia</a>. Uttar Pradesh's proposed new approach to managing its population <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/yogi-adityanath-releases-uttar-pradeshs-new-population-policy-for-2021-2030-9796391.html">will span the next decade</a>. Titled the <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/uttar-pradesh-govt-to-release-new-population-policy-for-2021-2030-today-9795811.html">"New Population Policy,"</a> the proposed <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/no-govt-job-no-subsidies-for-those-with-more-than-two-kids-says-up-govts-draft-population-control-law-9793891.html">measures</a> would reward those who stick to having two kids, and punish those who have more than two.Most drastically, Uttar Pradesh's <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/pdf_upload/up-population-control-bill-draft-396420.pdf">draft bill on population management</a> states that couples with two children who opt for voluntary sterilization would get incentives. If one member of the couple goes under the knife for voluntary sterilization, the family could get a range of benefits including tax rebates, subsidies for home purchases, and receiving cash back on their power and utility bills.At the same time, the proposed Uttar Pradesh policy regulations would bar those who have more than two children from receiving any government subsidies, applying for jobs in the local government, and running for political office in local elections, per the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/explained-what-is-uttar-pradeshs-population-draft-bill/articleshow/84318025.cms">Times of India</a>."Increasing population is the root of major problems including inequality prevailing in the society. Population control is the primary condition for the establishment of an advanced society," wrote Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1414023266323165186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1414023266323165186%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstpost.com%2Findia%2Futtar-pradesh-govt-to-release-new-population-policy-for-2021-2030-today-9795811.htmlhtml">Twitter</a> on July 11."Let us on World Population Day take a pledge to make ourselves and the society aware of the problems arising from the increasing population," he added. The draft bill on population control in Uttar Pradesh is currently open for public consultation <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-law-panel-moots-proposals-to-promote-two-child-norm/article35251590.ece">until July 19</a>. From there, the bill will be <a href="https://accountabilityindia.in/blog/the-process-of-lawmaking-in-india/">moved to the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly to be read and debated</a> before it can be written into law. In <a href="https://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/assam.html">Assam</a>, where 36 million people live, the state's chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jul/05/assam-to-form-sub-groups-to-contain-its-population-2325548.html">announced</a> on Sunday that a "population stabilization" roadmap will be developed by the state government. Sarma <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-cm-meets-muslimteam-on-population-control-101625425324376.html">earlier hinted on June 18</a> that he would introduce plans to make having two children the norm, by withholding subsidies and other benefits to those who choose to have more than two kids. Assam in 2016 recorded a fertility rate of 2.3 children per family, per <a href="http://niti.gov.in/content/total-fertility-rate-tfr-birth-woman">statistics from the Indian government</a>."Population explosion in some parts of Assam has posed a real threat to the development of the state," Sarma said on Sunday to the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-is-two-child-policy-what-assam-and-uttar-pradesh-have-proposed-101625911705691.html">Hindustan Times</a>.India's population control plans come just as China relaxes its two-child limit.On May 31, China <a href="https://www.insider.com/china-3-child-policy-combat-aging-population-2021-5">announced a landmark policy shift to allow couples to have three children</a> in an attempt at <a href="https://www.insider.com/chinas-3-child-policy-wont-work-heres-why-2021-6">raising its flagging birth rate</a>. The change comes five years after the country's 2016 decision to <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/120114/understanding-chinas-one-child-policy.asp#:~:text=History%20of%20China's%20One%2DChild%20Policy,-Increased%20Population%20Growth&amp;text=Chinese%20leader%20Deng%20Xiaoping%20introduced,Republic%20of%20China%20in%201949.%201949.">scrap its one-child policy</a> and raise the quota to two-kids-per-family.

India is proposing a 2-child policy to keep its population under control, and it includes cash benefits for couples who opt for voluntary sterilization

<keyword id="19919396" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tripura" source="keywords">Tripura</keyword> is presently facing a surging <keyword id="22356081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HIV-epidemic" source="keywords">HIV epidemic</keyword> ripping through its student population. Fueled by <keyword id="22349851" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="injectable-drug-use" source="keywords">injectable drug use</keyword>, this crisis has infected at least 828 students and tragically claimed the lives of 47. The situation stretches across 220 schools and 24 colleges, highlighting the alarming ease of transmission. Officials from the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS) paint a grim picture. New cases are detected daily, with estimates ranging from five to seven. This data, meticulously collected from 164 health facilities across the state, offers a comprehensive view of the outbreak's geographic and demographic reach. The crisis appears to be disproportionately impacting students from affluent families. Often, both parents hold government jobs, possibly indicating higher disposable incomes. However, officials think that this dynamic can delay the detection of drug use and HIV infection, hindering early intervention, as per TOI. While this news may come as a surprise to many outside the northeast, the region has actually been battling a drug problem for several years now, which has sparked a concerning shift in its HIV epidemic. <h2>The growing threat of injectable drug use </h2>As of November 2023, Tripura had over 5,200 active HIV/AIDS cases. While sexual transmission had dipped below 2% as of last year, injectable drug use among students became the primary mode of transmission of the deadly disease. In just a few years, injectable drug use has skyrocketed to a staggering 95% among students aged 14-20. This surge is attributed to the easy availability of injectable drugs, leaving students particularly vulnerable. The statistics paint a bleak picture. As of July 2023, Tripura has witnessed a 300% increase in AIDS patients over the previous decade, TOI reported. The report further stated that injectable drug users were estimated to be 43 times more likely to contract HIV compared to the general adult population. This issue is particularly concerning in northeastern states like Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur. HIV cases have seen a dramatic rise. From a mere 11 in 2015-16, the number jumped to 757 in 2022 alone. And just over six months into 2024, the state has already seen over 800 HIV cases among students due to drug use. However, experts do point to increased surveillance, awareness and better screening are also contributing to an increased number of cases being reported in recent years. Experts warn that this trend indicates a potential full-blown epidemic. Curbing it requires extensive counselling and mass testing among vulnerable youth. However, obtaining prior consent for testing creates a significant hurdle. The <keyword id="174281" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tripura-government" source="Orion">Tripura government</keyword> is actively seeking solutions. Amending the law to allow mandatory HIV testing under specific circumstances is being explored. Additionally, the focus remains on strengthening existing strategies to combat HIV/AIDS. Tripura's Chief Minister has pointed a finger at foreign nations such as Myanmar, accusing them of fueling the illegal drug trade in the state. He has vowed to crack down on drug traffickers, highlighting Tripura's position as the leading drug seizure state in the Northeast. With the recent surge in the state’s HIV cases, Tripura's fight against AIDS has entered a new chapter. Addressing the rising IDU trend among students is crucial to prevent a further escalation of the epidemic. Through a combination of stricter regulations, targeted interventions, and increased awareness, Tripura can hope to control this public health challenge.

How did over 800 students test HIV positive in Tripura?

A meeting of top health experts called by the Centre on Thursday deliberated on the need for revisiting existing guidelines on management of <keyword id="7616951" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="monkeypox" source="Orion">monkeypox</keyword> amid rising number of cases of the disease in the country. <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has so far reported nine cases of monkeypox including one death. "It was a technical meeting to revisit the existing guidelines," an official said. The meeting was chaired by Dr L Swasticharan, director of <keyword id="174300" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="emergency-medical-relief" source="Orion">Emergency Medical Relief</keyword> and attended by officials from the <keyword id="86950" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="national-aids-control-organisation" source="Orion">National Aids Control Organisation</keyword>, National Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organisation (<keyword id="6366244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="who" source="Orion">WHO</keyword>) representatives. According to existing 'Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease' issued by the Centre, any person having a history of travel to affected countries within the last 21 days presenting with an unexplained acute rash and symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, body aches and profound weakness is to be considered to be a 'suspected case'. A 'probable case' has to be a person meeting the case definition for a suspected case, clinically compatible illness and has an epidemiological link like face-to-face exposure, including health care workers without appropriate PPE, direct physical contact with skin or skin lesions, including sexual contact, or contact with contaminated material such as clothing, bedding or utensils. A case is considered laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA either by polymerase chain reaction (<keyword id="6361808" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pcr" source="Orion">PCR</keyword>) and/or sequencing. Defining contacts, the guidelines stated that a contact is defined as a person who, in the period beginning with the onset of the source case's first symptoms, and ending when all scabs have fallen off, has had one or more of the exposures-- face-to-face exposure, direct physical contact, including sexual contact, contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding --- with a probable or confirmed case of monkey pox. Cases can be prompted to identify contacts across household, workplace, school/nursery, sexual contacts, <keyword id="6354525" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="healthcare" source="Orion">healthcare</keyword>, houses of worship, transportation, sports, social gatherings, and any other recalled interactions. Contacts should be monitored at least daily for the onset of signs/symptoms for a period of 21 days from the last contact with a patient or their contaminated material during the infection period. In case of occurrence of fever clinical/lab evaluation is warranted. Asymptomatic contacts should not donate blood, cells, tissue, organs or semen while they are under surveillance. Pre-school children may be excluded from day care, nursery, or other group settings. The ministry guidelines state that human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring prolonged close contact. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and indirect contact with lesion material such as through contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person. Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch of infected animals or through bushmeat preparation. The incubation period is usually from six to 13 days and the case fatality rate of monkeypox has historically ranged up to 11 per cent in the general population and higher among children. In recent times, the case fatality rate has been around three to six per cent. The symptoms include lesions which usually begin within one to three days from the onset of fever, lasting for around two to four weeks and are often described as painful until the healing phase when they become itchy. The WHO had recently declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern. According to WHO, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis -- a virus transmitted to humans from animals -- with symptoms similar to smallpox although clinically less severe. Monkeypox typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. It is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting for two to four weeks. International passengers have been asked to avoid contact with dead or live wild animals such as small mammals including rodents like rats and squirrels and non-human primates like monkeys and apes. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/why-api-security-needs-to-be-top-priority-for-business-enterprises/articleshow/93343626.cms">Why API security needs to be top priority for business enterprises</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/binance-co-founder-yi-he-to-head-its-7-5-billion-vc-arm/articleshow/93343198.cms">Binance co-founder Yi He to head its $7.5 billion VC arm</a>

You Searched For "population control in india" and got 10 results

Mpox has finally infiltrated India, but how worried should we be about the viral disease?

BI India Bureau

Canada to cut study permits for International students by 35%, Indian students to be impacted

BI India Bureau

No Driver? No Problem! Waymo’s driverless robotaxis make Los Angeles debut — but what could the tech mean for India?

Ankush Banerjee

World population to hit 8 billion people today

ANI

American fast-food companies find China's 1.4 billion population too delicious to resist

Associated Press

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

PTI

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

PTI

India is proposing a 2-child policy to keep its population under control, and it includes cash benefits for couples who opt for voluntary sterilization

Cheryl Teh

How did over 800 students test HIV positive in Tripura?

Ashmita Gupta

Monkey pox: Centre holds health expert meet after 9 cases and 1 death

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides