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This paper argues that in response to contemporary challenges, the federal governance structure in India requires fine-tuning. A directional shift is required from a cooperative model to a collaborative model of federal governance in view of various endogenous and exogenous imperatives of change, such as rising assertiveness of civil society; rising “self awareness” of regional and local political elites; globalization, privatization, and retreat of the central state; and increasing reliance of the national government on intergovernmental coordination mechanisms rather than centralized/hierarchical mechanisms for policy making and implementation. Thus, I reflect on the possibility of supplementing the federal practice in India (known for being “federal in form and unitary in spirit”) with collaborative institutions and deliberative processes to achieve policy coordination. Institutional reforms are required to generate the right incentives for welfare enhancing, multi-stakeholder engagement and thereby improve the quality of democracy.  Three suggestions offered are: (1) expansion of the existing structural and functional horizons of the Inter-State Council (ISC) to engage, inter alia, non-state actors, enabling it to function as a quasi judicial “collaborative council”; (2) offer constitutional status to the newly formed “collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners, and partners” named NITI Aayog because only a "constitutional mechanism” can prevent the process/institution(s) of multi stakeholder engagement from being marred by ad-hocism and (3) transfer the financial allocation function  of the erstwhile Planning Commission to a permanent Finance Commission because a collaborative federal architecture can develop only in the context of a balanced, transparent, and distortion free system of intergovernmental fiscal relations.

How do we know whether a country suffers from vertical fiscal imbalance (VFI)? What should be done about it? Academic appreciation of these issues in general, and the nature of political behaviour in particular, both have major implications for the way federations are fiscally structured. While the latter clearly is a problem of political negotiations, our focus is on the former, that is, conceptual clarity, which precedes meaningful negotiations. Thus, the paper aims to clarify the multiple usages of the symbolically loaded terms VFI and VFG (vertical fiscal gap) by critically engaging the fundamental assumptions and premises underlying these ostensibly similar notions. It proposes an alternative conceptual framework and introduces the concepts of vertical fiscal asymmetry (VFA) and vertical fiscal difference (VFD) that have the potential to better structure public debate on issues of vertical fiscal relations and stimulate a sensible appreciation of the problem and possible remedies.

Cosmetics still have a glitzy attraction, but the public is increasingly concerned about their toxicity. Since 2500 BC, one way of enhancing the beauty of lips has been using lipstick compositions. Lip care cosmetic product usually contains emollients, waxes, texturing agents, preservatives, and oils. Women apply lipstick two to several times per day, according to the researchers. In terms of substance exposure, that translates as consuming or holding onto approximately 87 mg of lipstick every day. It has been shown to contain trace amounts of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Ni and Pb. Cosmetics either contain trace levels of these harmful metals on purpose or as impurities in the raw materials. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can pose serious risks to human health, most notably skin cancer. Mineral pigments, which are frequently used to make lipstick, cause products to get contaminated with heavy metals. So, there is necessity for stringent regulation of cosmetics in a harmonized way. It is crucial to regulate this business to safeguard consumers and society. This review article provides an overview of the many regulations that apply to cosmetics across the world as well as suggestions regarding the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Responsive and sensitive parenting promotes the development of self‐regulation and lowers stress in children, which in turn is associated with greater educational and economic achievement and better physical and emotional health later in life. Dyadic parent–child video‐feedback programs can help parents learn effective parenting skills, yet these programs are estimated to retain only about half of eligible participants. Programs vary widely, and little is known about what is valued by parents who do complete these programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the goals, experiences, and outcomes important to mothers who completed a video‐feedback program. Methods: Transcripts of exit interviews of participants in a video‐feedback program (N = 31) were analyzed using qualitative description methodology. Trustworthiness was achieved through deep engagement with the material, following an iterative process in analyzing transcripts, and member checks to confirm results. Results: Mothers enrolled in the program to better understand their child, help their child learn, and to develop closer connections with their child. Elements of the program that helped mothers achieve these goals were (1) positive feedback and support by the therapist, (2) dedicated one‐on‐one time spent with their infant, (3) help with concrete needs, and (4) learning from watching videotaped play sessions. As a result, mothers reported greater confidence as caregivers, use of more responsive and sensitive parenting strategies, and improvements in their children's behaviors and their own mental health. Discussion: Incorporating elements of the program found to be most useful in this study into video‐feedback programs may make video‐feedback programs more attractive to parents and increase retention. Midwives and women's health care providers may incorporate elements of the program into their clinical practice and advocacy, with special attention to elements most valued by parents themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]