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Around 26 per cent of <keyword id="19896991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cancer" source="keywords">cancer</keyword> patients in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> have tumours in the head and neck, and there is an upward trend of such cases in the country, a study has found. The findings of the study, conducted on 1,869 cancer patients across the country, were released on the World <keyword id="20775483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="head-and-neck-cancer" source="keywords">Head and Neck Cancer</keyword> Day observed on Saturday. Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organisation, conducted the study by collating data from calls received on its helpline number from March 1 to June 30. Dr. Ashish Gupta, a senior oncologist who is heading the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign in India, said that India is seeing surge in head and neck cancer cases, especially among young men, due to increased <keyword id="20681485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tobacco-consumption" source="keywords">tobacco consumption</keyword> and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. "Around 80-90 pc of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in some form, be it smoking or chewing. Most of the head and neck cancer are preventable, unlike other cancers for which the reason is unknown. It is a preventable cancer that can be prevented with lifestyle modification. "There is a need to raise awareness to quit tobacco and early check-ups for early pickup of the disease," Gupta said. In India, nearly two-thirds of cancer cases are detected late likely due to low adoption of proper screening, he said. Gupta added that the Cancer Mukt Bharat campaign aims to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer on individuals and communities through education and early detection. "If found early in stages one or two, most head and neck cancers are curable in more than 80 pc of patients. In the field of cancer treatment, we get new medicines almost every week which can treat cancer in better way leading to better outcomes and good quality of life. "A combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy can be used for treating head and neck cancer. Latest cancer treatment has evolved to prioritize not just curing the disease, but also ensuring a good quality of life for survivors," he said. Under the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign, a free national helpline number (93-555-20202) was launched recently, which is operational from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. Cancer patients can call on this number to speak to leading oncologists directly or even do a video call to discuss about their treatment without paying any fees. Head and neck cancer was closely followed by gastrointestinal cancers which was 16 per cent. Fufteen per cent cancers in India re breast cancers and and blood cancers make up 9 per cent of them. These data are in line with the latest GLOBOCAN data -- a database that gives global cancer statistics -- on India. GLOBOCON data is part of International Agency for Research on Cancer's Global Cancer Observatory. India is expected to have 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, a big jump from the numbers in 2020, as per a recent GLOBOCAN report. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-to-manufacture-iphone-16-pro-models-in-india-soon-after-launch/articleshow/112045172.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-to-manufacture-iphone-16-pro-models-in-india-soon-after-launch/articleshow/112045172.cms" target="_blank">Apple to manufacture iPhone 16 Pro models in India soon after launch</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-9-series-design-and-specs-revealed-ahead-of-launch-next-month/articleshow/112039063.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pixel-9-series-design-and-specs-revealed-ahead-of-launch-next-month/articleshow/112039063.cms" target="_blank">Pixel 9 series design and specs revealed ahead of launch next month</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/akums-drugs-ipo-opens-soon-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112033450.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/akums-drugs-ipo-opens-soon-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112033450.cms" target="_blank">Akums Drugs IPO opens soon – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a>

Cancers in head and neck rising, account for 26% cases in India: Study

New Delhi, May 31 (IANSlife) Tobacco kills more than 1 million people each year in India, according to the World Health Organisation. While no organ is immune to the destructive effects of cigarette smoke, it has one of the worst impacts on lungs. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of respiratory problems for vulnerable populations has increased significantly, leaving smokers more exposed to negative health outcomes. The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World's recent Covid-19 State of Smoking Poll surveyed tobacco and nicotine users in countries that quickly imposed strong policies or guidance urging residents to remain at home. The poll evaluated the mental and physical toll of social distancing on smokers globally, many of whom have increased their tobacco intake as a way to cope with pandemic stress. The survey found that 48 percent of combustible tobacco smokers in India believe that smoking increases the risk of either contracting COVID-19 or becoming seriously ill from it. It also revealed significant concerns about the safety of families, job security, and economic opportunity. These mental and physical stresses are particularly harmful for smokers, who often use tobacco to relieve anxiety. On the other hand, it is possible that the global crisis will awaken a new commitment to healthy living among those who are motivated to change. 66 percent of Indian smokers surveyed reported that they had considered quitting for health concerns amid the COVID-19 crisis, and 63 percent responded they had actually made a quit attempt. Yet, there still exist many smokers who intend to quit but are uncertain about the best way to do so. The global observance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 presents an opportunity to raise awareness around smoking risks, and to work with smokers to find effective strategies for quitting. Dr. Sree T. Sucharitha, MD Fellow in HIV Medicine and Professor in a private medical college in Chennai, and Medical Director of Association for Harm Reduction Education and Research (AHRER), outlines four practices smokers should adopt during COVID-19 to manage their stress and anxiety in a healthy way. Fitness and Exercise We all know that exercise is important in our daily lives, but under the current circumstances, this habit may require extra motivation, as activity is often restricted to the home. During the COVID-19 crisis, tobacco and nicotine users in India have proven more likely than those in other countries to increase their use of healthy coping mechanisms (physical exercise, 64 percent; breathing exercises, 58 percent; meditation, 58 percent; yoga, 55 percent), as per The Foundation's poll. Practicing mindfulness exercises such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises with guided instructions from experts as in digital apps and videos will help in building core emotional resilience and also may strengthen immunity. Healthy Diet A healthy balanced diet, which gives the body the essential vitamins and dietary fibers for better metabolism, is crucial during the pandemic. Proper food habits must be maintained by following a diet plan that includes not only recommended consumption of calories, but also: fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy products. A healthy diet will ensure that our tissues and cells get proper nutrition to function smoothly. Without proper nutrition, the body is more prone to infectious diseases due to poor immunity. Take a break, get sleep, and rest We want to control every aspect of our lives and stay updated on the latest developments, but in situations like these we must learn to accept some lack of control. People should take scheduled breaks and mentally disconnect from the overwhelming news and social media updates about the pandemic. Activities such as playing board games, solving puzzles, or playing with children and pet animals will help you to revitalize for the days ahead. Adequate rest and sleep for 6-8 hours will help minimize the effect of the pandemic on mental wellness. Connect with people Humans are indeed social animals. During trying times of uncertainty and fear, it is therefore very important to stay connected with others. Isolation and fear can negatively affect mental health, which can lead to severe anxiety or depression. As per the Foundation's poll, close to 36 percent of Indian tobacco and nicotine users stated that social distancing has had an adverse effect on their mental health. While a majority of respondents normally turned to tobacco or nicotine products to manage stress (58 percent), 46 percent of respondents have decreased their use during social distancing. Mental health experts have suggested that reducing stress about the lockdowns, spending quality time with family, and indulging in creative activities can help you overcome feelings of depression and vulnerability during this crisis. (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in) --IANS pg/tb/

World No Tobacco Day: Ways to use this lockdown as a catalyst to quit smoking

New Delhi, A meeting of the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the <keyword id="170943" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Drugs-Standard-Control-Organisation">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation</keyword> (CDSCO) is currently underway to discuss the permission sought by vaccine developer <keyword id="149108" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech">Bharat Biotech</keyword> to conduct <keyword id="83911" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Clinical-trials">clinical trials</keyword> of its <keyword id="9985444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="intranasal-vaccine">intranasal vaccine</keyword> for the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword>. Days after getting the Drugs Controller General of India's nod for restricted emergency use of India's first indigenously-made <keyword id="8624004" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</keyword>, Bharat Biotech had applied to the drug regulator for permission to start Phase 1 and 2 trials of their nasal coronavirus vaccine. The nasal vaccine is different from the intramuscular vaccine which recently got approval, as it is non-invasive, needle-free, doesn't require trained healthcare workers, eliminates needle-associated risks, suits children and adults and has scalable manufacturing. Clinical trials of Bharat Biotech's 'BBV154' - a novel adenovirus vectored intranasal vaccine for coronavirus -- will be conducted at various locations, a top source privy to the development told IANS. The vaccine will be single-dosed. According to the firm, an intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response at the site of infection, in the nasal mucosa, which is essential for blocking both infection and transmission of Covid-19. The vaccine has demonstrated protective efficacy in mice and hamsters. Mice and hamsters immunised with its single-dose were conferred superior protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, "more so than one or two intramuscular immunisations of the same vaccine and dose". "Thus, intranasal immunisation of ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S can create an immune response in the nose, which is the point of entry for the virus, thereby protecting against disease, infection and transmission," Bharat Biotech said in a statement. On January 3, two intramuscular vaccines - Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India - were approved for restricted emergency use and have been administered to over three lakh people till now. Both are two-dose vaccines. While the full efficacy of Covaxin is yet to be determined, it was given go-ahead by the DCGI citing 'public interest'. Covaxin is an indigenously developed vaccine by Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Public health experts believe that intranasal vaccines for coronavirus, administered through the nose rather than muscles, can be a potential gamechanger in India's fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Pune-based Serum Insititute of India and Codagenix Inc had announced that they have received regulatory approval in the UK to begin an early-stage trial of their single-dose, intranasal coronavirus vaccine. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/indian-government-budget-dilemma-curb-the-sale-of-cigarettes-or-let-the-over-12-billion-tobacco-industry-provide-the-much-needed-cash/articleshow/80340422.cms">Indian government’s budget dilemma – curb the sale of cigarettes or let the over $12 billion tobacco industry provide the much needed cas</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zoom-dropbox-backer-salesforce-ventures-makes-its-first-investment-in-india-in-hr-tech-startup-darwinbox-which-claims-to-have-grown-by-200-during-lockdown/articleshow/80341562.cms">Zoom, Dropbox backer Salesforce Ventures makes its first investment in India in HR tech startup Darwinbox, which claims to have grown by 200% during lockdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/home-first-finance-company-hffc-is-set-to-launch-its-1153-crore-ipo-on-january-21/articleshow/80341439.cms?upcache=2">Warburg Pincus-backed Home First Finance Company to launch ₹1,153 crore IPO on January 21</a>

Expert panel of India's drug regulator mulling Bharat Biotech's nasal vaccine trial proposal

The government has sought product-wise details of cheap imports, comparison with domestic prices and tax disadvantage, if any, from industry to curb low quality inbound shipments especially from China and boost domestic manufacturing, sources said. They said a high level meeting to discuss ways to promote Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India), including cut in import dependence from China, also took place recently in the Prime Minister's office. Industry was asked to send comments and suggestions on certain number of goods and raw materials imported from China, which include wrist watches, wall clocks, ampoules, glass rods and tubes, hair cream, hair shampoos, face powder, eye and lip make up preparations, printing ink, paints and varnishes, and some tobacco items, one of the sources said. The other details sought include import surge data between 2014-15 and 2018-19; domestic prices of similar goods that are made here, domestic capacity, imports under free trade agreements, and inverted duty issue, if any. An industry source said that they are preparing their views on all those products and would soon send to the commerce and industry ministry. The exercise to reduce and curb imports from China assumes significance in the wake of border tensions between the two countries. China accounts for about 14 per cent of India's imports and is a major supplier for sectors like cell phones, telecom, power, plastic toys and critical pharma ingredients. The government has recently put import restrictions on tyres, while also making its prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border with India to curb "opportunistic takeovers" of domestic firms, following COVID-19 pandemic, a move which will restrict FDI from China. During April 2019-February 2020, India imported goods worth USD 62.4 billion, while exports to the neighbouring country stood at USD 15.5 billion in the same period. The main goods imported from China include clocks and watches, musical instruments, toys, sports goods, furniture, mattresses, plastics, electrical machinery, electronic equipment, chemicals, iron and steel items, fertilisers, mineral fuel and metals. India has time and again raised concerns over widening trade deficit with China which stood at about USD 47 billion during April-February 2019-20. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/indian-army-on-india-china-war-in-galwan-valley-soldiers-killed/articleshow/76402297.cms">‘Serious clashes’ between India and China⁠ in Galwan Valley — India says 'Chinese troops had planned this escalation'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/the-boycott-of-chinas-products-will-be-easier-said-than-done-smartphones-acs-and-cars-will-become-more-expensive/articleshow/76419573.cms">The boycott of China’s products will be easier said than done –⁠ smartphones, ACs and cars may become more expensive</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/even-before-the-india-china-clash-asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-was-working-on-replacing-huawei/articleshow/76460868.cms">Even before the India-China clash, Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani was working on replacing Huawei</a>

India is ready to curb cheap, low-quality imports from China amidst border row

Silicon Valley parents are raising their kids tech-free - and it should be a red flag

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=International+passengers">International passengers</a> entering India will now have to declare Indian currency exceeding Rs 25,000 and LCD, LED or Plasma televisions being brought by them in the new <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=customs">customs</a> declaration forms. 
 
According to the new regulations, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=duty+free">duty free</a> allowance on cigarettes, cigars and tobacco has been slashed by 50%. 
 
Also, passengers from India and foreigners of over 10 years old living in India and coming from any country other than China, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar can bring goods worth Rs 45,000 along with them. This limit was Rs 35,000 earlier. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

International flyers will have to declare over Rs 25,000 in
new customs form

The war for clean air has been heating up all over the country in the recent past. While the problem of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=air+pollution&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">rising air pollution</a> remains to be one of the most crucial health concerns in India, it is only recently, with the series of chaos and debates that it has finally dawned upon us about the ill-effects of polluted air. Though people are now recognizing that both outdoor and indoor <keyword id="55910" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-Pollution">air pollution</keyword> is hazardous to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of any person, one of the pertinent issues prevailing in the country is the lack of awareness among people about the availability of right air purification technology. 
 With the drop in temperature due to winters, a host of airborne pollen and household allergens have a way of finding their way indoors during this season causing infections and diseases. In addition to pollen, closed and unventilated homes can breed dust mites, molds, pet dander and other household irritants. Since, in our regular hectic lifestyles where we cannot afford to fall ill or have long sick days it is vital to breathe the right quality of air indoors. Therefore, <keyword id="297063" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-Purifiers">air purifiers</keyword> have now become a need for a healthy living. Also, since the market is flooded with a variety of air purifiers, it has become equally important to select the right one that ensures the air you breathe is healthy and safe. 
 
One can follow the below mentioned basic tips and examine a few things while making a choice to keep your home healthy and germ-free. 
 
• Emphasize on the filters: Check the specification of the air purifier to see whether it has a Swiss HEPATM (high efficiency particulate air) filter that are highly efficient and capable of removing up to 99.97% of micro particles. There are many products in the market which say HEPA-like filters, avoid buying those. 
 
• Choose an air purifier that is patented with Duotron technology that actively reduces the growth of viruses and bacteria in the air, outside of the air purifier 
 
• Size of the room: There is no one-size-fits-all technology. Note the size of the room in which you wish to install the air purifier. There are different air purifiers with different sizes available in the market for different room size 
 
• Certified for the highest standards of air quality: Choose products that are certified by the world renowned German ‘gui-Lab’ and are powered by Activeshield x 2 Filtration System with ultra-precision purification that has double the efficiency of purifiers in its class to eliminate sub-micron respirable particles and infection-carrying microbes in the air 
 
• Check for Pre-filter: Indian conditions are such that the air has heavy particulate matter, hence the air purifier needs to have a pre-filter that removes the large particles, such as dust, hair, pet dander and fibers 
 
• Active Carbon Filter: The granular activated carbon binds gases and odours of natural and chemical origin. This filtration stage is effective in reducing tobacco smoke and cooking smells and removing VOC’s ( Volatile Organic Chemicals) 
 
• Avoid buying ozone emitting devices: Stay away from any technology in a purifier that emits ozone. According to EPA, (US Environmental Protection Agency), even relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. It states that ozone air purifiers can be hazardous to health 
 
To examine and select an air purifier you need to be well aware of all its latest features and trends. From children to aged people, everyone is entitled to BREATHE IN THE BETTER FUTURE! 
 
(This article was authored by Dr. Abhay Kumar, Chief Scientific Officer, Eureka Forbes Institute of <keyword id="6356826" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="environment">Environment</keyword>)

Here's why you need an air-purifier for a healthy and germ-free home if you're living in Delhi

<ul><li>In a bid to curb smoking, the Indian government banned <keyword id="44749" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Foreign-Direct-Investment">foreign direct investment</keyword> on manufacturing in the tobacco sector in 2010. </li><li>However, Philip Morris, the world’s largest tobacco company, allegedly made indirect payments to its manufacturing partner, <keyword id="6413014" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Godfrey-Phillips">Godfrey Phillips</keyword>, to produce its iconic <keyword id="4795823" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marlboro-cigarettes">Marlboro cigarettes</keyword>. </li><li>To the authorities and Indian consumers, it looked like Philip Morris had outsourced manufacturing to Godfrey Phillips on a contract basis, when in reality, the <keyword id="144478" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marlboro">Marlboro</keyword> maker had paid for and covered the costs of local manufacturing.</li></ul> In a bid to curb smoking, the Indian government <a href="https://dipp.gov.in/sites/default/files/ru2181.pdf">banned foreign direct investment</a> on manufacturing in the tobacco sector in 2010. While a lot of international firms like <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/japan-tobacco-s-indian-jv-goes-up-in-smoke-111111000031_1.html">Japan Tobacco</a> were forced to exit joint ventures, it seemed that <keyword id="152138" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Philip-Morris-International">Philip Morris International</keyword> had an ace up its sleeve to circumvent the law. The world’s largest tobacco company allegedly made indirect payments to its manufacturing partner, Godfrey Phillips, to produce its iconic Marlboro cigarettes, according to <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/us-pmi-india-exclusive/exclusive-philip-morris-paid-for-india-manufacturing-despite-ban-on-foreign-investment-documents-idINKCN1QN0TR">a Reuters</a> report. As per internal invoices, bills and legal arrangements dated between 2009 and 2018, Philip Morris reportedly struck an exclusive local manufacturing deal with Godfrey Phillips while maintaining its majority-owned wholesale and branding operations in the country. To the authorities and Indian consumers, it looked like Philip Morris had outsourced manufacturing to Godfrey Phillips on a contract basis, when in reality, the Marlboro maker had paid for and covered the costs of local manufacturing. These included costs of equipment like barcode scanners and cigarette-making machines - which is highly unusual when a company “outsources” manufacturing. The indirect nature of the payments could have allowed Philip Morris to skirt authorities. Given that it focuses on direct investment, there is some ambiguity in the FDI policy regarding the indirect payment for manufacturing expenses. Pratibha Jain, a partner at Mumbai’s Nishith Desai Associates, told Reuters that the FDI law did not explicitly ban such indirect payments, especially when they’re made through invoices. In an email to Reuters, R. Venkatesh, Philip Morris’ country director for corporate affairs, said the company was in compliance with FDI rules. To determine if there is an actual case against Philip Morris for violating FDI rules, ndian authorities will likely have to investigate the commercial and profit-sharing arrangement between the two companies. This wouldn’t be the first time Philip Morris has run into problems with the Indian government. In 2017, India’s health ministry <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-exclusive-india-threatens-philip-morris-with-punitive-action-over-alleged-violations-2017-8">reprimanded</a> the company over its marketing tactics such as advertising at kiosks, the handing out of free cigarettes during nightlife events and television promotions. Separately, the Indian government was considering <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/dipp-calls-meeting-of-stakeholders-on-fdi-in-tobacco-sector/articleshow/63665873.cms">extending the FDI ban </a>in the tobacco sector from just manufacturing to licensing and technology collaboration as well, but the proposal was put on hold after protests from trade groups and farmer associations. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-witnessed-a-drastic-decline-in-tobacco-smoking-over-the-past-decade-who/articleshow/64415653.cms">India witnessed a drastic decline in tobacco smoking over the past decade: WHO</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/in-india-cigarettes-will-get-even-costlier/articleshow/67669669.cms">Smokers alert — cigarette prices in India may rise even further</a>

Here’s how Marlboro maker Philip Morris exploited a loophole in India’s foreign investment laws

India has emerged as the world’s fastest growing economy. However, Asia’s third largest economy just ranked 97th among 118 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) released by the <keyword id="108578" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-Food-Policy-Research-Institute">International Food Policy Research Institute</keyword> (<keyword id="6557928" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="ifpri">IFPRI</keyword>). This puts the country behind even <keyword id="6354759" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword>, <keyword id="41896" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iran">Iran</keyword>, <keyword id="6355112" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Iraq">Iraq</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354767" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nigeria">Nigeria</keyword> in the hunger map. 
 
India’s policy addressing hunger and malnutrition in all age groups has a feast of questions and a famine of answers. India’s hunger, being worse than any sub-Saharan country, needs crisis management and a long term vision. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">ALSO READ: Excise duty in cigarette hiked. Tobacco farmers in India are struggling to make ends meet</a> 
 Be it <keyword id="4227644" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="manohar-das">Manohar Das</keyword> of <keyword id="4227647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tewri">Tewri</keyword> village in <keyword id="6360371" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jharkhand">Jharkhand</keyword>, who works in hundred days of wage-employment or <keyword id="4227646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="shib-baksha">Shib Baksha</keyword> of <keyword id="4227645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="amlasol">Amlasol</keyword> village in <keyword id="61773" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Midnapore">West Midnapore</keyword> district of <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>, who works as contract labour at nearby village, the thin line that connects them is the ignorance about ‘<keyword id="2209492" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Sarkar">Modi Sarkar</keyword>’. The only thing they understand by the government is getting staples at Rs 2/kg and free goodies. However, staples alone can’t fulfill nutritional needs, as a result they end up with stunted growth and other diseases. Not everyone is as lucky as them. Their neighbours, unable to procure <keyword id="49514" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="bpl">BPL</keyword> (below poverty level) identity cards and Ration Cards aren’t entitled to these basic facilities and have to starve most of the days. Only feast they can think of is ant eggs roast during the scorching summer months. 
 
 
 
India’s overall GDP growth is expected to end at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">7.1% this financial year</a>, as compared to 4.6% two years back. While food still counts as the basic requirement of human existence, India is a country that not only produces enough, but ironically, there is never enough for its ever growing population to eat. Funnily, while millions go hungry, for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">India storage of surplus food</a> has always been a problem. 
 
 
 
India’s hunger-management disaster 
While development in many sectors is acknowledged, what is lesser known is that India has also made considerable progress on many social fronts, such as fertility decline, expansion of schooling and bridging the gender gap in education, especially at the primary and lower secondary levels. However, there is one <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">area of human development</a>, where India has been a disaster: tackling hunger and malnutrition. 
 
Child malnutrition rates in India are extraordinarily high- among the highest in the world, with nearly one-half of all children under 3 years of age being either underweight or stunted. Indeed, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Excise-duty-in-cigarette-hiked-Tobacco-farmers-in-india-are-struggling-to-make-ends-meet/articleshow/56872791.cms">child malnutrition rates </a>are higher in India than in many countries of sub-Saharan <keyword id="12925" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Africa">Africa</keyword>, even though income levels are significantly higher and levels of infant and child mortality are lower in India. 
 
 
 
Pediatric malnutrition Prevalence of child malnutrition in India has remained stubbornly high even after nearly a half-century of respectable agricultural productivity growth and two decades of post-reform economic growth and prosperity in the country. Adding more support to the view that child malnutrition is weakly correlated with income is the finding that among children of mothers with 10 or more years of schooling as well as mothers from the top income quintile, around one-quarter are underweight. Even in a relatively prosperous and dynamic state like <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, child malnutrition rates have been stagnant over the past decade. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">ALSO READ: HOW INDEPAY IS MAKING RURAL INDIA CASHLESS</a> 
 The <keyword id="121300" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Family-Health-Survey">National Family Health Survey</keyword> (NFHS) found that a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">significant number of adults</a> in India suffer from malnutrition. Almost 58 per cent of pregnant women aged 15-49 were found to be anaemic. The Global Food Security Index also revealed that Indians lack adequate quantities of iron, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">Vitamin A and protein in their diets</a>. 
 
 
 
“Half of the children who die before five years of age have malnutrion as a cause in their pathogenesis. If we look at proportion of weight at birth, 23 per cent of children weigh less than 2.5 kg, which is below normal. This low birth weight has its reason in the womb, which is where they are malnourished already before being born. Low birth weight increases over time and so by the time they are three-years-old, half the children are malnourished. Because of poor sanitation we have widespread <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-indepay-is-making-rural-india-cashless/articleshow/57232771.cms">faecal oral contamination</a>. Water and food sources have high degrees of contamination and it results in diarrhoea and other gastro intestinal illnesses, which increases the child mortality rate,” said renowned public health specialist and activist Dr <keyword id="43944" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Binayak-Sen">Binayak Sen</keyword>. 
 
 
 
State of famine 
In 1943, three million people died in the infamous <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">Bengal famine</a>. There was no shortage of grain in <keyword id="6356978" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengal">Bengal</keyword> at that time, yet people had nothing to eat. Interpreting the Famine of 1943,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841"> Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen </a>suggested that the reason for it was the breakdown of the social arrangement in distributing food. To put the matter in a world context, every three seconds somewhere around the world, a child dies of causes related to avoidable malnutrition. "In those three seconds, the world armaments industry spends 120,000 USD in order to keep the system responsible safely in place,” Binayak Sen told <keyword id="824043" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Business-Insider">Business Insider</keyword>. 
 
 
 
Ignorant policies that do the most harm Skyrocketing prices of daily food items spell more woe for the people, who are already paying "too much" to survive. International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (<keyword id="1367836" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IFAD">IFAD</keyword>) Rural Poverty Report-2011 states, “While international food prices have declined since mid-2008, they are still substantially higher than prior to the price surge, and they are likely to remain at 2010 levels or higher for the next decade.” The report has suggested that about 100 million of world’s rural and urban people have to remain hungry. 
 “It will remain high, the era of cheap food is over," said <keyword id="669006" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Richard-Mahapatra">Richard Mahapatra</keyword>, managing editor of Down to <keyword id="6359982" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="earth">Earth</keyword>. "This is because productivity of agriculture is low and thus impacts production. This is the supply side issue. Also the rainfed areas that contribute a signifcant amount of foodgrain is not getting the policy focus. Even though the new second Green <keyword id="24385" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="revolution">Revolution</keyword> is aimed at that, it seems to be flawed. Now, the demand side. Demand is increasing but we don't have robust distribution mechanism. So, it creates further price rise. Also, there is huge diversion of agricultural lands to other uses. Combined with low productivity, less lands and absence of distribution mechanism, we are set for high price rise.” 
 Due to the PDS (<keyword id="89442" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-distribution-system">Public Distribution System</keyword>) and the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">public wage programmes</a> starvation deaths have definitely come down, he contended. Often we call cheap food grain programmes as populist. They are indeed popular as poor find them useful and their starvation is avoided with this entitlement. 
 
 
 
Adult malnutrition 
“Roughly 33-35 per cent of the entire Indian population have a BMI below 18.5, which is indicative of calorie malnutrition. They aren't getting enough food to eat. More than one-third of India is on a chronic basis not getting proper food to eat. Low BMI is also restricting people’s immunity,” said Binayak Sen. 
 “Without addressing nutritional status, there can be no adequate development. Food Security Act does nothing for betterment of nutritional status of the poeple as such. <keyword id="250148" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Bill">The Bill</keyword> is like 'something is better than nothing'. Five kilos of wheat per person per month make two chapattis per day. With two chapatis the nutritional question isn’t answered. This terrible nutritional deficit is yielding polarization in society,” he added. 
 
Urban malnutrition 
In villages, people stay in close bond with each other, who can be approached for help in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">times of crisis</a>. Migrating people in cities start living in slums and ghettos, where they have to live with people unknown and untrustworthy. Moreover, people fight here to make ends meet, which actually leads to self-centric attitude. 
 
Red corridor hunger 
“People who are in chronic situation and stable famine are able to withstand only because of their access to natural resources like land, water and forest," opined Binayak Sen. "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841">Access to this resources was unrestricted</a>. Designating the common properties as commodities that can be owned by corporates is restricting poeple’s right to access and in a way right to live. Any form of resistance is labelled as insurgency. First they try civil ways and then take recourse in military measures. People have to confront. Application of eminent domain needs to be questioned. Under 5th schedule, govt has to ensure people’s access to natural resources but there is not a single instances of government intervening.” 
 
“They have mapped it as red corridor but poeple’s deprivation hasn't been mapped yet," said Sen. 
 
"We need to relook at the arm forces and UAPA laws. Whole discourse in election has become restricted to attitudes to development. Development is about accessing resources. Nobody is saying there are vital issues involved. What is going to happen to the poeple whose right has been denied? State will not be thwarted in its course. There needs to be a contestaion in the level of people. They need to raise the issue.” 
 
Business Insider’s Take 
Agriculture contributes around 16 per cent to<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=%22Suchayan%20Mandal%22&amp;author=Suchayan-Mandal-479239841"> India’s GDP</a>; it is coming down over the years. But still 60 per cent people depend on this. What does this mean? Is it that it is reliable as a source of livelihood or people don't have any other source thus depend on agriculture? In both the cases, shifting people out of agriculture is going to be a tough challenge. Industries or the service sectors have their own limitation and can't absorb such a huge number of people. Strategically, this will be a blunder as we kill out food self-sufficiency.

BI Investigation: India’s food nightmare is killing millions of
children across the country every day

It’s not the first time that there has been a huge recent outcry over brand ambassadors and the ‘increased reasonability’ they should take up. The latest has been about the overt lead and MSG content found in Nestlé’s Maggi noodles and the stars involved in its advertisements. 
 
Bollywood biggies Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preiti Zinta have cases filed against them under Indian Penal Code Sections 270 (act likely to spread dangerous disease), 273 (sale of toxic food or drinks), 276 (sale of drug as a different mixture) and 420 (cheating). 
 
Madhuri recently tweeted: 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Nestle has reassured me that they adhere to stringent testing for quality and safety and are working with the authorities closely.
	— Madhuri Dixit-Nene (@MadhuriDixit) <a href="https://twitter.com/MadhuriDixit/status/604648165258723328">May 30, 2015</a></blockquote>
While Preiti Zinta protested saying: 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	 Reading the news about me being sued for doing the <keyword id="13633" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Maggie">Maggie</keyword> commercial over 12 years ago ? 12 years ago ? How does that happen ?
	— Preity zinta (@realpreityzinta) <a href="https://twitter.com/realpreityzinta/status/605977867436974081">June 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
Most industry experts are united that brand ambassadors should go scot free. 
 
“If anyone’s accountable it’s the directors and executives of the company. No ambassador has the ability to do industrial research on products they endorse”, Arvind Singhal, Chairman at Management Consulting firm Technopak observes. 
 
Would this scare celebrities off liquor ads passed off as soda, pan masala, or anything that might get them into trouble? 
 
“It actually varies person to person. These brands are sold legally and allowed to advertise. It may be a beverage to someone, and it’s their choice. Any tobacco advertising and direct alcohol advertising are not allowed anyway. After this, if anyone declines to star in a fairness cream ad saying they have moral issues, we should respect that,” Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman and Creative Director, Ogilvy &amp; Mather India and South Asia says. 
 
Maggi noodles has been hauled for higher Lead and MSG content. Lead concentration above the prescribed limit of 2.5 ppm may lead to anemia, abdominal ache and heart palpitation. Long term effects include permanent damage to organs. 
 
(Picture credit: Indiatimes)

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