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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 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]

The underweight status among older adults in India and its association with other health risks has received little attention. Using nationally representative data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI, 2017-18), this study examined the underweight status among the Indian older adults and investigated its relationship with various health outcomes. The effective sample size of this study was 28,050 older adults aged 60 years or above. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were employed to meet the objectives of the study. Underweight status was found to be negatively associated functional health, cognitive function, and grip strength. However, no significant association was observed between underweight status and depressive symptoms. Moreover, socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors were identified as strong determinants of underweight status among Indian older adults. India has implemented a wide range of nutrition policies that primarily focus on children, mothers, and adolescents. While these policies are important, it is equally crucial to develop interventions specifically tailored for adults and older adults. [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]

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]

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]