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Prior research has adopted a job-crafting perspective to explain why employees attempt to craft their roles meaningfully (Wrzesniewski & Dutton, 2001). We explore this theoretical lens in a new context that is particularly challenging for workers and where it would seem unlikely to apply: poverty. More specifically, we study female teachers in slums in India. We use a mixed-methods approach—first qualitative research, then quantitative research—to contextualize job-crafting theorizing by identifying, conceptualizing, and testing situational challenges and enablers in regard to meaningful work in this context. More specifically, we develop and corroborate new theory suggesting that poverty- and gender-related stressors deplete teachers' energy and resources, limiting relational job crafting, but that teachers' identification with the community helps to counteract this challenge, ultimately increasing their social impact. More fundamentally, we show how job-crafting theorizing, contextualized in a poverty setting, helps to explain how social organizations, through their fieldworkers (e.g., female teachers), create social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) poses a significant global health challenge and focused research is vital for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage on PTB. Methods: There were two groups: (a) cases consisting of mothers with PTB (<37 weeks of gestation, n = 100) and (b) controls consisting of mothers with term birth (>37 weeks of gestation, n = 100). Women with vaginal infection, non-cephalic presentation, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, Cesarean delivery, pregnancy with Mullerian anomalies, or preeclampsia were excluded from the study. OS analysis was conducted by measuring levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total protein and DNA damage were evaluated by CBMN-Cyt assay. Statistical analysis was performed using students' t -test and one-way ANOVA. Results: Low levels of antioxidants SOD and CAT (p <.0001), and total protein (p <.0001), besides high malondialdehyde (byproduct of LPO) (p <.0001) were observed in the PTB group. Moreover, high frequencies of micronuclei (p <.0001) and nucleoplasmic buds (p <.01) were detected in the PTB mothers compared to term birth mothers, while no significance was observed in the nucleoplasmic bridge frequencies. Conclusion: When the body's immune system and antioxidants fail to cope up with the generated OS, it can lead to PTB. Along with other body tests, OS markers and CBMN-Cyt tests have the potential to be used in diagnostics for early warning as well as monitoring and advising mothers for a better pregnancy outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy's general situation, many households are now financially vulnerable. It is like a vicious cycle: once a household is caught, it will remain in the trap until and unless it competently manages its finances. These problems experienced by households have drawn attention to social capital. Self-help groups (SHGs) originated in India to pull out low-income households from poverty and are now recognized as social capital, which can be defined as the action of a group cooperating to enhance all its members' benefits. This article aims to explain how SHGs have contributed to reducing various factors or determinants of household financial vulnerability through a review of several other publications, theses, newspaper articles, and reports. It was discovered that SHGs now provide much more benefits than just alleviating poverty. They have helped to reduce bad loans or non-performing assets, reduced the dependence on informal sources of finance, made households more resilient toward crises such as COVID-19, and enabled households to save money and manage their finances accurately. Organizing themselves into SHGs is the only way for rural households to overcome financial difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the health care utilization pattern, associated financial catastrophes, and inequality across Indian states to understand the subnational variations and aid the policy makers in this regard. Data from recent National Sample Survey (2017–2018), titled, "Household Social Consumption: Health," covering 113,823 households, was employed in the study. Descriptive statistics, Erreygers concentration index (CI), and recentered influence function decomposition were applied in the study. We found that, in India, 7 percent of households experienced catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and 1.9 percent of households were pushed below poverty line due to out-of-pocket expenditure on hospitalization. Notably, outpatient care was more burdensome (CHE: 12.1%; impoverishment: 4%). Substantial interstate variations were observed, with high financial burden in poorer states. Utilization of health care services from private health care providers was pro-rich (hospitalization CI 0.31; outpatient CI 0.10), while the occurrence of CHE incidence was pro-poor (hospitalization CI −0.10; outpatient CI −0.14). Education level, economic status, health insurance, and area of residence contributed significantly to inequalities in utilization of health care services from private providers and financial burden. The high financial burden of seeking health care necessitates the need to increase public health spending and strengthen public health infrastructure. Also, concerted efforts directed towards increasing awareness about health insurance and introducing comprehensive health insurance products (covering both inpatient and outpatient services) are imperative to augment financial risk protection in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of the paper is to examine the asymmetric Cointegration and asymmetric causality between financial development and poverty alleviation on annual data in Indian context over the period from 1980 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach: First nonlinearity test by Brooks et al. (1999) is applied to ascertain the nonlinear behavior of the variables used. Once the nonlinear behavior of variables is confirmed, asymmetric and nonlinear unit root tests by Kapetanios and Shin (2008) are applied to check for the order of integration of selected variables. Next, nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL) is employed to analyze the asymmetric Cointegration. Finally, Hatemi-j- asymmetric causality tests is applied to work out the direction of asymmetric causality. Findings: The empirical findings document the existence of asymmetries in the short-run as well as long-run between poverty and financial development. The asymmetry reveals that negative financial development shocks leave a more profound impact on poverty alleviation than their positive equivalents. The findings of Wald's test also confirm the presence of asymmetric Cointegration. The asymmetric cumulative dynamic multipliers used to examine the behavior of asymmetries and adjustments with respect to time lend credence to the results calculated using NARDL estimator. This result exhibits the robustness of the model. Furthermore, the result emanating from recently introduced asymmetric causality test reveals a unidirectional asymmetric causality between negative shocks in financial development and poverty. The findings of the present study necessitate the need for investigating asymmetric and nonlinear effects in finance–poverty nexus, which existent literature has completely neglected, in order to have relevant policy conclusions. Research limitations/implications: The study used "Per capita consumption expenditure" as a measure for poverty due to lack of continuous time series data on headcount ratio. In future, researchers can extend this study by incorporating headcount ratio as a measure of poverty in their respective works. There is further scope of research on this issue by finding out the impact of formal and informal sources of credit on poverty separately. A panel data study for developing countries over a period of time could further confirm/negate the findings of the present study. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge none of the studies in Indian context has scrutinized asymmetric and nonlinear impact of financial development on poverty. To dredge up asymmetric structures at work, the authors have used the highly celebrated NARDL estimator. To enrich the existent body of knowledge along the lines of asymmetric (nonlinear) linkages, the authors have also used recently introduced asymmetric causality test by Hatemi-j-(2012) to find out the direction asymmetric causality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines escalating concerns about out-migration from tea gardens, focusing on Kurti Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, of India. Results from a comprehensive field study illuminate a complex scenario, with only 21.13 per cent of individuals employed and pervasive challenges in promotion prospects. High living expenses, limited livelihood options, and inadequate amenities propel households into debt, prompting migration. South India, notably Thiruvananthapuram, emerges as a preferred destination, especially for the younger demographic. The study provides insights into multifaceted reasons driving migration, stressing the need for holistic interventions, encompassing economic, socio-cultural, and labour-related aspects. It advocates for improved wages, enhanced living conditions, healthcare access, education, and measures to counter deceptive recruitment practices. The study reveals that comprehensive strategies are essential for addressing challenges related to migration-driven hardships in tea gardens. This can be achieved through collaborative efforts involving the government, management, and civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using annual time series data for India, this research paper examines the presence of asymmetric cointegration and asymmetric causality between financial development and poverty reduction using nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model and asymmetric causality test. The empirical findings support the existence of asymmetries in the short-run as well as long-run between poverty and financial development. The asymmetry reveals that negative financial development shocks leave a more profound impact on poverty alleviation than their positive equivalents. The result emanating from asymmetric causality test reveal a unidirectional asymmetric causality between negative shocks in financial development and poverty. Moreover, expansionary policies of financial development are found to serve as catalysts to spur poverty alleviation while contractionary policies of financial sector are found to exacerbate poverty in an asymmetric and nonlinear fashion. The findings of Wald's test also confirm the presence of asymmetric effects in the poverty-finance nexus. The asymmetric cumulative dynamic multipliers used to examine the behaviour of asymmetries and adjustments with respect to time lend credence to the results calculated using NARDL estimator and therefore demonstrate their robustness. The present study divulges the need for investigating asymmetry in finance-poverty nexus in order to draw policy-relevant conclusions. The authors conclude that financial development serves as a panacea and antidote to the scourge of extreme poverty in India. We recommend regulation of informal sources of credit, financial inclusion of poor, credit boost to small and medium enterprises employing rural poor and channelization of credit to productive sectors with high employment elasticity to be persistently encouraged for poverty alleviation in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty, particularly in developing regions, is a complex, multifaceted issue deeply embedded in various interrelated factors. It extends beyond mere financial insufficiency, encompassing limited access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and overall living standards. This study examines both the unidimensional and multidimensional aspects of rural poverty in Suri Sadar Sub-Division, located in Eastern India. For the unidimensional aspect, this study employs the poverty headcount ratio and the Poverty Gap Index to gauge the incidence and intensity of poverty. In contrast, the multidimensional approach utilized three dimensions and 12 indicators to assess the incidence, severity, and multidimensional poverty index utilizing the Alkire–Foster (AF) methodology. The unidimensional analysis, focusing on income and consumption, highlights significant economic disparities, particularly in the western Community Development Blocks, namely, Khoyrasole, Md. Bazar, and Rajnagar. The highest levels of multidimensional poverty are generally consistent with the unidimensional findings, particularly in the western blocks. These results underscore the need for comprehensive poverty reduction strategies that address both economic and broader aspects of poverty. In areas like the western blocks, where both income-based and multidimensional poverty rates are high, strategies should integrate economic development, improved healthcare access, enhanced educational quality, and living standards improvement. Therefore, this study serves not only as an academic endeavor but also as a vital tool for informed policymaking in poverty alleviation, providing planners, administrative officials, and researchers with essential insights to develop effective, localized, and sustainable poverty reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lack of research exists concerning the heterogeneity of the occupational injuries of slum dwellers across industries which has a close link with health expenditure and hence livelihood. It necessitates analysing their occupational injuries and associated out-of-pocket health expenditures. Multi-stage random sampling is used to collect the primary data and the logit model is used for data analyses. Permanent non-fatal injuries in the civil-mechanical industries and temporary non-fatal injuries in textile industries are common. The share of health expenditure of the injured workers seeking medical consultations remains 59% of their average monthly income. Average monthly income, parental occupation, types of industry, job security, risk intensity, and salary basis are significant estimates of occupational injuries. The differences in the nature and extent of the occupational injuries of the workers across industries in the light of the socio-demographic and working environment context provide significant insight into the policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child labor is considered one of the main social problems that affect the community and has a physical and psychosocial impact on a child's health, growth, and development. The study aimed to describe the sociocultural discourses of children involved in child labor. A macroethnographic approach was used to collect the data from the selected community areas of Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: A community-based qualitative study using purposive sampling was carried out among children engaged in child labor (n = 8). The data were gathered through in-depth or semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation under four phases: community context assessment, egocentric network analysis, validation, and dissemination of study findings. The guide for consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) was followed. Ongoing analysis was conducted using Spradley's analysis approach to identify the themes. Results: Thematic analysis resulted in the emergence of various themes related to child labor, namely, adaptability, money-centric attitude, sense of being underserved, social deprivation, work burden, reduced emotional expression, workaholism, abuse, family shoulder, family cohesion, and sense of industry. Apart from that, inhuman living and working conditions, as well as school deprivation among study subjects, were observed. Poverty emerged as the single most compelling factor for child labor in India. Conclusion: The study concluded that child labor had a negative impact on children's overall development. An effective intervention to stop child labor is if vulnerable children are identified through primary healthcare, and a relationship of trust is built that allows for the provision of health care, education, support, and referral to additional services outside the health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate how a community psychiatry model, referred to as the Mental Health Action Trust (MHAT) in India, provides decentralized care and comprehensive services to people with severe mental illness living in poverty. Using the complex adaptive system (CAS) framework, the authors aim to understand the factors that contribute to the diverse outcomes of the MHAT community mental health programme as observed in four different locations. Design/methodology/approach: Four MHAT clinics were purposively chosen from two districts in Kerala. A comparative case study methodology was used to document each clinic's MHAT services and activities, as found during field visits and interviews with staff members and volunteers. Findings: The study shows that all four clinics met the basic aim of providing free, quality mental health care to the poorest populations, although not all aspects of the comprehensive model could be equally provided. Alignment with the MHAT vision, appropriate leadership, the relationship with partners and their level of community engagement determined the varied success between clinics. Originality/value: The current study evaluation stresses that community ownership is crucial. Careful attention must be paid to the characteristics of selected partners, including their leadership styles and ability to garner resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development was launched to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the globe. This paper is based on the primary database to assess the nutritional status of 5–10 years children and the incidence of deprivation in their households of a backward district (Purulia), India in the context of the first two SDGs, e.g., no poverty and zero hunger. We conclude that around 74% of children are undernourished. The proportion of households multidimensionally deprived is 90%, and the majority of them live on less than $1.25 a day. Results reveal that the BMI of mother and the education of father are the two most statistically significant predictors of child malnutrition. Purulia has long been witnessing the persistent nature of deprivation, which is well reflected in the child's health. The district is quite far from the national targets in achieving the SDGs. Government, private sector, and civil society must come together to accelerate the progress of SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a commendable rise in the number of women seeking delivery care at public health institutions in South India, it is unclear if the benefit accrues to wealthier or poorer socio-economic groups. The study's aim was to investigate at how the public subsidy is distributed among Indian women who give birth in public hospitals in the southern regions. Methods: Data from the Indian Demographic Health Survey's fifth wave (NFHS-5, 2019–21) was used in this study. A total of 22, 403 were institutional deliveries across all the southern states of India were included. Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on childbirth in health institutions was the outcome variable. We used summary statistics, Benefits Incidence Analysis (BIA), concentration index (CI), and concentration curve (CC) were used. Results: Most women in the lowest, poorest, and medium quintiles of wealth opted to give birth in public facilities. In contrast, about 69% of mothers belonging to highest quintile gave birth in private health institutions. The magnitude of CI and CC of institutional delivery indicates that public sector usage was concentrated among poorer quintiles [CIX: − 0.178; SE: 0.005; p < 0.001] and private sector usage was concentrated among wealthier quintiles [CIX: 0.239; SE: 0.006; p < 0.001]. Benefit incidence analyses suggest that middle quintile of women received the maximum public subsidy in primary health centres (33.23%), followed by richer quintile (25.62%), and poorer wealth quintiles (24.84%). These pattern in the secondary health centres was similar. Conclusion: Poorer groups utilize the public sector for institutional delivery in greater proportions than the private sector. Middle quintiles seem to benefit the most from public subsidy in terms of the median cost of service and non-payment. Greater efforts must be made to understand how and why these groups are being left behind and what policy measures can enhance their inclusion and financial risk protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The youth of North-East India are in disadvantaged situations as compared to youth from the rest of the country in all respects. The objective of this article was to examine the views of the NCC Officers of North-East states about youth welfare in the region as they have first-hand experience in dealing with youth. Participants' views were obtained on-line, by using a Semi-structured Questionnaire in the form of Google Form. A group of 142 NCC Officers provided feedback. Data collected were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings disclosed that youth of North-East states experience a range of challenges including poverty, lack of internet facilities, inability to attend NCC camps due to ongoing classes, substance dependence, lack of guidance and support leading to dropout and lack of values. The NCC Officers opined that a good number of North-East youths require mental health support and career guidance, in addition to mental health awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Construction laborers succumb to poor health due to the inherent workplace health hazards and poor socio-economic living conditions. With rising healthcare expenses, the increased risk of poor health may aggravate their economic status, pushing them deeper into poverty. Settings and Design: The current cross-sectional multicenter study comprehensively investigated the determinants of health, health-seeking behavior, and poor economic impact regarding catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among construction laborers. Methods and Material: We collected details on illnesses among self and family members of the construction laborers that required healthcare visits during the previous year and their approximate expenses. Among the 1110 participants with complete data, 37% reported illness requiring a healthcare visit either for self or a family member. Results: Regression models to ascertain demographic and living condition determinants of perceived illness revealed an increased risk of illness when the kitchen is shared with the living space (OR = 1.87) and use unhygienic smoky cooking fuels (OR = 1.87). More than 25% of those who reported illness incurred CHE. Conclusion: We conclude that the frequency of perceived illness and the economic impact, i.e., CHE is relatively higher among the construction laborers. Our results demonstrate that poor living conditions add to the burden of morbidity in construction workers and families. Providing healthcare coverage for this population and engaging and educating them about affordable healthcare are necessary future steps to prevent the worsening of the economic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a fourth- or fifth-century narrative known as the Acts of Thomas and his Wonderworking Skin , Jesus sells the apostle Thomas as a slave to the governor of India. When the governor's wife converts to Christianity, dumps all her earthly riches outside her front door, and turns celibate, the governor has the apostle tortured and his skin flayed off, but Thomas survives, and uses his peeled-off skin to raise the dead. This paper uses Kathryn Tanner's concept of culture to compare the ideals advocated by this story – servitude to Christ, voluntary poverty, sexual abstinence, readiness to suffer, and zeal for evangelization – to ideals expressed in first-century Christian literature. The subculture expressed by the narrative is found to consist entirely of ideals also expressed in the New Testament, which are updated, recontextualized, and radicalized in order to reach an audience of fourth- or fifth-century Christians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies educational aspirations and grade achievements of teenagers in India, using Structural Equation Modelling with data from the Young Lives Study. The analysis differentiates direct effects of relevant socio-economic and individual characteristics on educational output from indirect effects through aspirations. In this sample, some student characteristics – parents' education, mothers' caste and the student's gender – have no direct effect on educational output, but an indirect effect on educational aspirations going through abilities. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and in particular girls, are at a disadvantage at age 12 because they have accumulated lower cognitive abilities. Abilities shape aspirations, which then impact educational output beyond the mere effect of abilities. Girls are at a double disadvantage: besides lower average skills at age 12, they developed lower aspirations than boys of the same characteristics. The economic situation of the household was neither directly nor indirectly related with students' achievements in school. These results help distinguish aspirations as drivers of behaviour from aspirations as correlates of other characteristics, and they have relevant policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonprofit humanitarian organizations work to alleviate poverty and are evaluated in part on their effectiveness in doing so. One such organization is Heifer International, a global humanitarian nonprofit whose mission is to "end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth." In this study, we assessed the impact of Heifer International's Values-Based Holistic Community Development approach on beneficiaries' interpersonal communication competency and positive communication behaviors. The article offers a cross-sectional study of 815 women in Bihar India across four-time periods: baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Compared to baseline, participants reported higher levels of positive communication behaviors and interpersonal communication competence across 6, 12, and 24 months. Implications of these findings for future research are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine community collectives – place-based, community-led initiatives for sustainable livelihood, as an alternative to the top-down, efficiency-driven economic model. Drawing on the theoretical framework of prefigurative organizing, we examined the strategies employed by community members in confronting entrenched inequalities and overcoming marginalization as they envision and engage in inclusive futures. We conducted a comparative case study of two exemplary community collectives in India that exhibited differences in the degrees of internal and external marginalization. We identified two key cross-cutting themes of prefigurative organizing: projective cultural adjustment – whether a community leverages their traditional culture or breaks away from it, and tempered autonomy – negotiating autonomy without overtly challenging dominant groups, and exercising self-imposed restraints to make independent decisions. We show how these two themes manifested across three key processes of prefigurative organizing: prefiguring self-governance; commoning; and cultivating discursive spaces. These findings help us theorize that in communities where the degree of internal marginalization is high due to persisting social hierarchies, breaking away from past discriminatory practices, incorporating suspension of consent in the decision-making process, and introducing multiple constructive works are essential components of prefigurative organizing. In communities where the degree of external marginalization is high, building on the past, incorporating refusal in decision-making, and introducing unified constructive work are important components of prefigurative organizing. We suggest that prefigurative organizing against the dominant power structure, whether within community social hierarchies or external exploitative political-economic structures, is based on selective and strategic engagement without seeking an exit, as exit might not be an option for place-based communities. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of this research for alternative organizing and grand challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This qualitative research examines the varied reasons for relocation to old age homes (OAHs) in contemporary India. The purpose of this study investigates the acceptance of institutional living in Lucknow (a Tier II city of India) and whether migration to OAHs is a voluntary decision. This study also examines the lifeworld of the older adult in these OAHs in an attempt to find out whether OAHs are conducive to positive ageing. Derivatively, the authors study their engagement/time use pattern and social networking patterns in the OAHs. Finally, the research seeks to learn whether OAHs are slowly substituting older adult care given within the family by offering the best of the facilities and services. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative research was conducted in two private OAHs in Lucknow, India. The findings of the study are based on 28 qualitative interviews conducted with the inmates, administrative staff and caretakers. The interviews were unstructured and open-ended and were supported by observations. The observation was not only made of the social setting but also the reaction of the participants. The idea was to develop an emic view of the subject by exploring valid narratives. Pseudonyms were used to report the finding so as to maintain the confidentiality of the research subjects. Findings: This research moves beyond the traditional wisdom that people move to OAH because of the push factors within the family. OAHs in India have evolved over the years and high-end OAHs are equipped with modern amenities to cater to the upper class in their twilight years. Residents were found to lead active lives in OAHs and their common habitus and bonding capital helped them to face the vagaries of old age more confidently. Their active life and membership in various civic organizations challenge the contention of the role theory that the aged are more prone to lose rather than gain roles. Originality/value: The originality of the research lies in the fact that the authors are extending the arguments made by the role theory of social ageing. The theory proposes that aged people are more likely to lose out roles rather than gain new ones. This study finds that the elderly tend to live a very active life in OAHs and engaged various civic organizations. Although they may lose/voluntarily give up the roles like the head of the household, spouse, etc., they acquire new roles in the context of OAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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India's North-Eastern region, known for its cultural diversity and scenic beauty, has confronted distinctive developmental challenges. This diversity has given rise to unique cultural practices, music, dance, and crafts that are renowned across the world. Despite this richness, the region has grappled with developmental challenges such as lack of infrastructure, poor connectivity, poverty, hunger and limited access to healthcare and education. The adoption of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by India in 2015 provides a framework to address these challenges and promote sustainable development in the region. This paper illustrates the progress made in achieving the SDGs in terms of SDG Index released by NITI Aayog and the various initiatives taken by the Government of India in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to gauge the extent of extant inequality India. It draws upon diverse data sources like nutritional adequacy, income distribution and satellite photos, among others. Additionally, it explores the labour markets and social sectors to seek the origins of inequality. The findings indicate significant disparities not only between states but also among different demographic groups within the population. Compared internationally, the levels of overall deprivation appear rather high. Malnutrition also poses a substantial challenge and adversely affects labour markets. Moreover, employment rates have not been able to keep pace with the growing population of working-age individuals over time, notably due to a significant withdrawal of female workers from the labour force. This trend, alongside labour redundancy, fosters economic dependency and heightens vulnerability at the household level. In the realm of social sectors, both Education and Health exhibit deficiencies in quality and affordability, perpetuating inherent inequality. E.g. The cost of education escalates with each academic grade., Similarly, excessive privatisation in healthcare has inflated the cost of accessing medical services. The overarching development process lacks adequate focus on inclusivity, evident in the marginalization of significant segments of the population in employment, education, and healthcare. Such exclusionary practices run counter to the principles of sustainable development and human welfare. Historical neglect of social sectors has contributed to an excessively large population, exacerbating the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive development is a boarder concept than inclusive growth for the poor and vulnerable as it goes beyond growth and includes wellbeing. In this lecture, we examined performance, challenges and policies in three inter-related components of inclusive development in India: (a) agriculture development and achieving zero hunger; (b) reduction in poverty and inequalities and; (c) human development. India is now aspiring to achieve the status of a developed nation by2047, atthe 100[sup th] anniversary of independence. GDP growth is important but it has to be inclusive and sustainable to benefit all sections of the society. Agricultural transformation needs a change in the narrative in the new context of food systems approach, climate change and nutrition. There are significant challenges to achieving zero hunger. Nutrition is determined by several factors and needs a multi-sectoral approach. Inequalities in income, and wealth, across social groups and regions should reduce considerably in the next 25 years by strengthening policies on employment and human development. Employment creation with quality should be at the heart of the strategy for reducing inequalities. More investments in education and health are required to achieve higher human development. One sector that can transform India is education. We have a great quality dichotomy in the education sector. One has to fix this dichotomy in education and skills. But human development goes beyond health and education and should enhance freedom of choice for people. The Tax/GDP ratio has to be improved in order to raise resources for physical infrastructure and social sector development. Non-economic factors like norms, culture and beliefs can also influence the level of inclusion/exclusion. Constitution and democratic values have to be followed. Judicial, police and civil service reforms are important for both growth and inclusion. The role of states in this journey is equally crucial if India wants to be a developed country and achieve inclusive development by 2047. Women empowerment including an increase in the work participation rates of women will contribute immensely to growth and equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Tribal Pride Day hold significant importance in India, home to 106 million indigenous individuals. There are 705 recognized Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India that enrich the nation's cultural fabric but experience disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. Historical injustice, geographic isolation, and cultural diversity deeply influence ST health causing disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous health indicators. To meet Sustainable Development Goals, India established the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and implemented various health initiatives. However, climate change, deforestation, limited education and employment opportunities, poverty, and under-representation pose a challenge. Empowerment, inclusive policies, community-specific targets, resource allocation, technology utilization, and multi-sectoral collaboration are vital for indigenous health. Achieving health equity for indigenous communities is a global commitment and moral imperative. By addressing historical wrongs, and working holistically, we must ensure that indigenous communities in India and beyond enjoy improved health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respected Chief Guest, guests from overseas, esteemed colleagues, dear students, and friends, I am deeply honoured to address you at this prestigious gathering at the Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons (IAPS) Conference. I take this opportunity to remind all members that our responsibility extends far beyond our operating theatres. The Incidence of congenital anomalies in India is still 18.2/1000 live births with a high mortality of about 6.78/1000 live births, with a vast majority of these children with congenital anomalies being born into poor families, resulting in a large proportion of children being left untreated or incompletely treated. To address these problems, the IAPS makes the following suggestions: (1) Urgent instructions from the government to insurance providers to launch affordable and easily accessible insurance policies that address the needs of newborns, infants, and children. (2) To ensure the appointment of at least one pediatric surgeon for every pediatric intensive care unit/neonatal intensive care unit being set up in district hospitals. (3) To make pediatric surgery an essential subject in the undergraduate curriculum at MBBS level and ensure that medical colleges and district hospitals have at least one full time pediatric surgeon on their faculty. (4) To ensure that newborns and children (up to the age of 18 years) have access to a pediatric surgeon or specialist who is well trained in surgery on children, much like medical problems in this age group are treated by pediatricians, surgical problems should be entrusted to pediatric surgeons. Someday, a pediatric surgeon for every child's operation may become a reality. Hope that day is not too far away. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the livelihoods of rural households, especially in developing countries. The reverse migrated workers faced the most economic crisis. They have created additional pressure on local resources and opportunities to maintain their livelihood. In this connection the agriculture-livestock-forestry nexus plays a significant role by providing them livelihood opportunities. This paper attempts to understand the resource use patterns during the post-COVID period, and analyse the impact of agriculture-livestock-forest nexus on household income diversification and poverty reduction. The present study uses a novel approach to fulfil the objectives of the study. A well-designed survey was conducted to collect the necessary primary data from sixteen sample villages of West Bengal, India. The scientific design of the survey and data collection procedure is maintained. Moreover, geospatial techniques are used to examine the land use and land cover patterns of the study areas. The econometric models are estimated to inspect the role of agriculture-livestock-forest nexus and household characteristics on household level income diversification and the reduction of poverty. Our analysis reveals that a significant number of the sample households depend on agriculture, livestock and forestry to maintain their livelihoods. The reverse migration of workforce has created additional pressure on these activities. This is mainly due to non-availability of other non-farm employment opportunities locally. The analysis of econometric models shows that while engagement in different activities of the primary sector makes income diversified, it is more so when the households possess necessary technologies, skills and financial supports. All of these are crucial given that income diversification helps households to overcome of poverty. The intricate web of the agriculture-livestock-forestry nexus serves as a critical source of livelihood for a substantial number of households, yet the challenges and opportunities it presents necessitate targeted policy interventions. Enabling technology transfer, fostering skill development, and extending financial support emerge as key measures to diversify rural livelihoods, thereby fostering sustainable rural development and poverty reduction in the post-pandemic landscape. The integration of socioeconomic data and geospatial satellite information offers an invaluable basis for formulating effective policy strategies in this evolving era. [Display omitted] • Examines the agriculture-livestock-forest nexus and its impact on income diversification during the post-COVID period. • Analysing resource use and livelihoods with primary data, geospatial and econometric methods. • Technology transfer, skill development, and financial aid boost rural income diversification. • Socio-economic and satellite data integration aids in crafting impactful policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the definition, measurement, and determinants of energy poverty among Indian households. Access to clean energy sources is vital for the welfare and development of citizens in any country. Therefore, energy poverty encompasses the deprivation of affordable, reliable, and essential energy services. The definition of energy poverty and its metrics can vary across different approaches. Hence, the metrics used to measure energy poverty are crucial for determining who is energy poor. Against this backdrop, using data from NFHS-5 (2019–21) survey, we compute a multidimensional energy poverty index (MEPI) for Indian households using the methodology introduced by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. The MEPI score suggests that India is still a moderately energy poor country with regional disparity in energy poverty. We also examine determinants of energy poverty for Indian households by employing linear and fractional logit regression. Our results suggest that wealthier, more educated, or small-sized households fare better in terms of energy poverty. Households belonging to lower castes, rural areas, or having unemployed heads are more likely to be energy poor. Our baseline results are econometrically robust and inform policies that aim to address such deprivations. • India is multidimensionally and moderately energy poor; with Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) values ranging from 0.29 to 0.31. • Clean fuel access deprivation contributes the most to energy poverty. • Regional disparity in energy deprivation is prevalent, with rural Northern states being the worst performers. • Wealthier, more educated, or small-sized households fare better regarding energy poverty in India. • Households belonging to lower castes, rural areas, or having unemployed heads are more likely to be energy poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected vulnerable households' livelihoods in developing countries. Using high-frequency phone survey data from the World Bank, we assess rural Indian households' vulnerability and poverty status during the pandemic. Results reveal that over three-fifths of Indian rural households are vulnerable to poverty in the context of COVID-19, despite India's evident progress in mitigating poverty in the pre-pandemic era. Poverty plays a major role in accounting for variations in household vulnerability; however, the impact of risks on household welfare is not negligible. On average, households with more members, older household heads, and more outmigrants are more vulnerable to poverty during the pandemic. The impacts of the gender of the household head, access to masks, consumption loans, and COVID-related information are nevertheless insignificant. Results stress the urgent necessity of deploying concerted interventions to strengthen household vulnerability in rural India., Competing Interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this paper are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinions of the organization that the author is affiliated with., (Copyright: © 2024 Junyan Tian. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Early childbearing disrupts girls' otherwise healthy growth into adulthood and adversely affects their education, livelihood, and health. Individual, sociocultural, economic, environmental, and health service-related factors contribute to childbearing among young females. In India, caste affects health outcomes despite several affirmative policies aimed at improving the health and welfare of the backward castes/tribes. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence about the impact of caste on early childbearing, more specifically, regarding the trajectory of inter-caste disparities in early childbearing., Method: This study used data from all five rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in India to assess the association between caste and early childbearing over the last three decades. All women aged 20-24 [NFHS-1 (n = 17,218), NFHS-2 (n = 15,973), NFHS-3 (n = 22,807), NFHS-4 (n = 122,955) and NFHS-5 (n = 118,700)] were considered to create a pooled data set (n = 297,653) for analysis. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were conducted using Stata (v17). ArcMap (v10.8) presented the caste-wise prevalence of early childbearing among the states and Union Territories (UTs)., Results: Many women continue to have early childbearing despite a considerable reduction over the last three decades from 47% in 1992-93 to 15% in 2019-21. Compared to NFHS-1, the odds of early childbearing increased by 15% in NFHS-2 and, after that, declined by 42% in NFHS-3 and 64% in NFHS-4 and NFHS-5. The inter-caste disparity in early childbearing persists, albeit with a narrowing gap, with the Scheduled castes (SC) remaining the most vulnerable group. Adjusting the effects of socio-demographic and economic characteristics, SC women had significantly higher odds of early childbearing (OR = 1.07, CI = 1.04-1.11) than those from the General caste., Conclusion: To decrease early childbirth, a focus on adolescent marriage prevention and increasing contraceptive use among young SC women is necessary. Strengthening ongoing programs and policies targeting educational and economic empowerment of the socially weaker castes/tribes will help in reducing early childbearing. Efforts to prevent early childbearing will accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-especially those related to health, poverty, nutrition, education, and general wellbeing, in addition to protecting women's reproductive rights., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: High percentage of OOP (Out-of-Pocket) costs can lead to poverty and exacerbate existing poverty, with 21.9% of India's 1.324 billion people living below the poverty line. Factors such as increased patient cost-sharing, high-deductible health plans, and expensive medications contribute to high OOP costs. Understanding the poverty-inducing impact of healthcare payments is essential for formulating effective measures to alleviate it., Methods: The study used data from the 75th round of the National Sample Survey Organization (Household Social Consumption in India: Health) from July 2017-June 2018, focusing on demographic-socio-economic characteristics, morbidity status, healthcare utilization, and expenditure. The analysis included 66,237 hospitalized individuals in the last 365 days. Logistic regression model was used to examine the impact of OOP expenditures on impoverishment., Results: Logistic regression analysis shows that there is 0.2868 lower odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures in households where there is the presence of at least one child aged 5 years and less present in the household compared to households who do not have any children. There is 0.601 higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures in urban areas compared to households in rural areas. With an increasing duration of stay in the hospital, there is a higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP health expenditures. There is 1.9013 higher odds of experiencing poverty due to OOP expenditures if at least one member in the household used private healthcare facility compared to households who never used private healthcare facilities., Conclusion: In order to transfer demand from private to public hospitals and reduce OOPHE, policymakers should restructure the current inefficient public hospitals. More crucially, there needs to be significant investment in rural areas, where more than 70% of the poorest people reside and who are more vulnerable to OOP expenditures because they lack coping skills., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Sriram S and Albadrani M.)

In India, undernutrition among children has been extremely critical for the last few decades. Most analyses of undernutrition among Indian children have used the administrative boundaries of a state or a district level as a unit of analysis. This paper departs from such a practice and focuses instead on the political boundaries of a parliamentary constituency (PC) as the unit of analysis. The PC is a critical geopolitical unit where political parties and party candidates make election promises and implement programmes to improve the socio-economic condition of their electorate. A focus on child undernutrition at this level has the potential for greater policy and political traction and could lead to a paradigm shift in the strategy to tackle the problem by creating a demand for political accountability. Different dimensions and new approaches are also required to evaluate the socio-economic status and generate concrete evidence to find solutions to the problem. Given the significance of advanced analytical methods and models embedded into geographic information system (GIS), the current study, for the first time, uses GIS tools and techniques at the PC level, conducting in-depth analysis of undernutrition and its predictors. Hence, this paper examines the spatial heterogeneity in undernutrition across PCs by using geospatial techniques such as univariate and bivariate local indicator of spatial association and spatial regression models. The analysis highlights the high-low burden areas in terms of local hotspots and identifies the potential spatial risk factors of undernutrition across the constituencies. Striking variations in the prevalence of undernutrition across the constituencies were observed. Most of these constituencies that performed poorly both in terms of child nutrition and socio-economic indicators were located in the northern, western, and eastern parts of India. A statistically significant association of biological, socio-economic, and environmental factors such as women's body mass index, anaemia in children, poverty, household sanitation facilities, and institutional births was established. The results highlight the need to bring in a mechanism of political accountability that directly connects elected representatives to maternal and child health outcomes. The spatial variability and pattern of undernutrition indicators and their correlates indicate that priority setting in research may also be greatly influenced by the neighbourhood association.

Rapid urban population growth, the urbanization of poverty, and the proliferation of slums are being driven to a great extent by this dynamic form of globalization. Consequently, the multifaceted effects of globalization on the poor and low-income populations in the cities need to be better understood in this context, both at the individual level and within the community. Therefore, the present study was conducted to highlight the various determinants affecting the lives and enhancing the vulnerability of the dwellers of four slum settlements present in various areas of Jammu City, India. Emphasis was made to integrate biological, physical, social, and spatial facets of vulnerability to understand the complex dynamics of urban areas in developing countries. A descriptive survey design was used for questions concerning the social and environmental aspects. Social aspects including age, sex, education, religion, caste, profession, and family income that correspond to social stratification acted as baseline information, while both indoor and outdoor environments such as housing conditions, sanitation, personal habits, solid waste disposal, disaster proneness, and air and water pollution problems were taken into consideration to assess the environmental aspect. Results indicated that the slum settlement has a migratory population with permanent or temporary settlements. The status of education and skill level is poor which results in poor economic development and social well-being of the dwellers in slums. The study also identified vulnerability of the population on social and environmental front which could result into severe health issues. The study concluded and recommended policy planning specified for slums for uplifting such unprivileged populations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in India is approximately 64%. However, substantial regional variations necessitate high-fidelity, locality-specific studies to characterise its population distribution in India. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 2998 dyspeptic patients at a tertiary care centre in Karnataka and investigated the relationship between Hp prevalence and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) by district. Helicobacter pylori prevalence in our population was 43.2% with a significant correlation between district-specific Hp prevalence and MPI. This data can be leveraged for evaluating local Hp infection control strategies, planning interventions for Hp hotspots in Karnataka and predicting a dyspeptic patient's risk of Hp infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.