Search

Purpose: In recent years, the issue of self-harm has emerged as a critical public health concern globally, drawing attention to its multifaceted nature and the complex interplay of factors contributing to its prevalence. We aim to underpin this cross-country relationship between self-harm and macroeconomic variables. Methods: A balanced annual macroeconomic indicator data spanning two decades (2000-2019) across seven Asian countries. quantile regression analysis was used along with a variety of conventional tests, including those for cross-sectional dependency, panel unit roots, and panel cointegration were conducted. Findings: The findings from quantile regression analysis revealed a variation in association among different indicators during different quantiles. Inflation, poverty, corruption, total labor force participation, and out of pocket expenditures showed a significant association while GDP growth and participants locality showed no significant association with prevalence of self-harm in target regions. Self-harm is also strongly associated with early indicators of Poverty. Implications: This study suggest that social and economic policy measures and programs related to tax cut, corruption control, health care safety and insurance should be implemented both prior to and during economic crises to prevent self-harm and loss of human capital of the society.

Abstract Objective To estimate frailty prevalence and its relationship with the socio‐economic and regional factors and health care outcomes. Methods In this study, participants from the harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI‐DAD) were included. The frailty index (FI) was calculated using a 32‐variable deficit model, with a value of ≥ 25% considered as frail. Data on demographic (including caste and religion) and socioeconomic profiles and health care utilization were obtained. The state‐wise health index maintained by the government based on various health‐related parameters was used to group the participants' residential states into high‐, intermediate‐, and low‐performing states. Multivariable and zero‐inflated negative binomial regression was used to assess the relationship of frailty index with sociodemographic characteristics, health index, and health care expenditure or hospitalization. Results Among the 3953 eligible participants, the prevalence of frailty was 42.34% (men = 34.99% and women = 49.35%). Compared to high‐performing states, intermediate‐ and low‐performing states had a higher proportion of frail individuals (49.7% vs. 46.8% vs. 34.5%, P

The Belt and Road Initiative was inaugurated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The Belt and Road Initiative focuses on economic and infrastructural development in different regions of Asia, Africa, and the European continent. By increasing connectivity and cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative intends to develop the economies of its member states. Bangladesh formally joined this project in October 2016. The Belt and Road Initiative might open some avenues for Bangladesh to improve its relations with its South Asian and Southeast Asian neighboring countries. However, the impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative on Bangladesh's relations with its neighboring countries are less explored in existing research. Therefore, this paper explores and analyzes the possible impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative on the bilateral relationships of Bangladesh with its neighboring countries, particularly with China, India, and Myanmar. This paper argues that Bangladesh may face some opportunities and challenges in bilateral relations with China, India, and Myanmar because Bangladesh joined the Belt and Road Initiative. This paper identifies the key opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh. Some of the possibilities include increased investments, more excellent connectivity, improved trade, and economic development, and some challenges include possible debt burden and increased cross-border illegal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate frailty prevalence and its relationship with the socio‐economic and regional factors and health care outcomes. Methods: In this study, participants from the harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI‐DAD) were included. The frailty index (FI) was calculated using a 32‐variable deficit model, with a value of ≥ 25% considered as frail. Data on demographic (including caste and religion) and socioeconomic profiles and health care utilization were obtained. The state‐wise health index maintained by the government based on various health‐related parameters was used to group the participants' residential states into high‐, intermediate‐, and low‐performing states. Multivariable and zero‐inflated negative binomial regression was used to assess the relationship of frailty index with sociodemographic characteristics, health index, and health care expenditure or hospitalization. Results: Among the 3953 eligible participants, the prevalence of frailty was 42.34% (men = 34.99% and women = 49.35%). Compared to high‐performing states, intermediate‐ and low‐performing states had a higher proportion of frail individuals (49.7% vs. 46.8% vs. 34.5%, P < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, frailty was positively associated with age, female sex, rural locality, lower education level, and caste (scheduled caste and other backward classes). After adjusting for the socio‐economic profile, FI was inversely associated with the composite health index of a state (P < 0.001). FI was also significantly correlated with total 1‐year health care expenditure and hospitalization (P < 0.001 and 0.020, respectively). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of frailty among older Indian adults that is associated with sociodemographic factors and regional health care performance. Furthermore, frailty is associated with increased health care utilization and expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cities of the world have been the exploiters of resources and the largest generators of waste. This paper explores the concept of Ecological Urbanism as a framework to convert cities from being waste generators to resource producers. The example of the wastewater from Bengaluru going into the lakes of Kolar is studied. The treated wastewater of the city reaches Kolar to fill its lakes, which subsequently recharges the groundwater. One city's waste becomes another's resource in this process. The case of Kolar-Bengaluru is studied while asking critical questions of urban-rural planning with ecology as a main premise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge systems characterised by classification, categorisation, and data collection underlie efforts to govern. This paper critically examines knowledge collected by central governing entities in India about waste in an urban local body – specifically through the National Cleanliness Survey or Swachh Survekshan. Relying extensively on field work in Rajpur (2018–2019), one of the highest ranked urban areas in the survey, we reflect on the process of knowledge creation. We find that, even as we come to know, understand, and treat waste, existing hierarchies of race, class, caste, and gender find ways of re-expressing themselves. Intimately tied to its preoccupation with the occupation of physical space, the state's (and by consequence, the dominant) gaze at waste is primarily a visual one with the central project stripping the knowledge of sensory aspects in efforts to enhance claims of 'scientific' knowledge. Much like the mechanisms of the state, formal processes of research too have privileged ways of seeing and hearing (through photographs, writings, and presentations) as opposed to other sensory means of learning like smell and touch. Smell and touch that shape knowledge systems intimately and are the fundamental organising principle of several social norms, like caste, in South Asia are rather difficult to capture. Drawing on a bricolage of methods – including primary field work, document analysis, and visual data, this paper explores waste as entangled in gender, caste, and colonial histories. Further, it lays a pathway for a multi-sensorial understanding of (in)visibilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minority social status determined by religion, caste and tribal group affiliations, are usually treated as independent dimensions of inequities in India. This masks relative privileges and disadvantages at the intersections of religion-caste and religion-tribal group affiliations, and their associations with population health disparities. Methods: Our analysis was motivated by applications of the intersectionality framework in public health, which underlines how different systems of social stratification mutually inform relative access to material resources and social privilege, that are associated with distributions of population health. Based on this framework and using nationally representative National Family Health Surveys of 1992–93, 1998–99, 2005–06, 2015–16 and 2019–21, we estimated joint disparities by religion-caste and religion-tribe, for prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in children between 0–5 years of age. As indicators of long- and short-term growth interruptions, these are key population health indicators capturing developmental potential of children. Our sample included Hindu and Muslim children of < = 5 years, who belonged to Other (forward) castes (the most privileged social group), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Schedule Castes (SCs) and Schedule Tribe (STs). Hindu-Other (forward) caste, as the strata with the dual advantages of religion and social group was specified as the reference category. We specified Log Poisson models to estimate multiplicative interactions of religion- caste and religion-tribe identities on risk ratio scales. We specified variables that may be associated with caste, tribe, or religion, as dimensions of social hierarchy, and/or with child growth as covariates, including fixed effects for states, survey years, child's age, sex, household urbanicity, wealth, maternal education, mother's height, and weight. We assessed patterns in growth outcomes by intersectional religion-caste and religion-tribe subgroups nationally, assessed their trends over the last 30 years, and across states. Findings: The sample comprised 6,594, 4,824, 8,595, 40,950 and 3,352 Muslim children, and 37,231, 24,551, 35,499, 1,87,573 and 171,055 Hindu children over NFHS 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. As one example anthropometric outcome, predicted prevalence of stunting among different subgroups were as follows- Hindu Other: 34.7% (95%CI: 33.8, 35.7), Muslim Other: 39.2% (95% CI: 38, 40.5), Hindu OBC: 38.2 (95%CI: 37.1, 39.3), Muslim OBC: 39.6% (95%CI: 38.3, 41), Hindu SCs: 39.5% (95%CI: 38.2, 40.8), Muslims identifying as SCs: 38.5% (95%CI: 35.1, 42.3), Hindu STs: 40.6% (95% CI: 39.4, 41.9), Muslim STs: 39.7% (95%CI: 37.2, 42.4). Over the last three decades, Muslims always had higher prevalence of stunting than Hindus across caste groups. But this difference doubled for the most advantaged castes (Others) and reduced for OBCs (less privileged caste group). For SCs, who are the most disadvantaged caste group, the Muslim disadvantage reversed to an advantage. Among tribes (STs), Muslims always had an advantage, which reduced over time. Similar directions and effect sizes were estimated for prevalence of underweight. For prevalence of wasting, effect sizes were in the same range, but not statistically significant for two minority castes-OBCs and SCs. Interpretation: Hindu children had the highest advantages over Muslim children when they belonged to the most privileged castes. Muslim forward caste children were also disadvantaged compared to Hindu children from deprived castes (Hindu OBCs and Hindu SCs), in the case of stunting. Thus, disadvantages from a socially underprivileged religious identity, seemed to override relative social advantages of forward caste identity for Muslim children. Disadvantages born of caste identity seemed to take precedence over the social advantages of Hindu religious identity, for Hindu children of deprived castes and tribes. The doubly marginalized Muslim children from deprived castes were always behind their Hindu counter parts, although their differentials were less than that of Muslim-Hindu children of forward castes. For tribal children, Muslim identity seemed to play a protective role. Our findings indicate monitoring child development outcomes by subgroups capturing intersectional social experiences of relative privilege and access from intersecting religion and social group identities, could inform policies to target health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the research was to investigate and identify the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Dhaka, Bangladesh by using ground-based observation data. Methods: The research assessed air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic for PM2.5 from January 1, 2017 to August 1, 2020. The research considered pollution in pre-COVID-19 (January 1 to March 23), during COVID-19 (March 24 to May 30), and post-COVID-19 (May 31 to August 1) lockdown periods with current (2020) and historical (2017-2019) data. Results: PM2.5 pollution followed a similar yearly trend in year 2017-2020. The average concentration for PM2.5 was found 87.47 μg/m3 in the study period. Significant PM2.5 declines were observed in the current COVID-19 lockdown period compared with historical data: 11.31% reduction with an absolute decrease of 7.15 μg/m3. Conclusions: The findings of the research provide an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic affects air pollution. The results will provide initial evidence regarding human behavioral changes and emission controls. This research will also suggest avenues for further study to link the findings with health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for organic foods is increasing worldwide due to health and environmental benefits. However, there are several unanswered questions, such as: Do organic farmers generate higher profits? Will the cost of cultivation reduce to compensate for low yields? Can farmers practice as per the organic agriculture protocols and obtain certification? The literature on organic agriculture varies widely in terms of profitability, yields and costs of organic products. A few studies have researched site-specific organic agriculture, but none have compared organic with conventional agriculture at larger scale in India. The Indian government has promoted organic agriculture since 2015 through its pan-India scheme—Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). Under this program, there were 13.9 million certified organic farmers in 29,859 organic clusters, covering 0.59 million hectares (about 0.4% of the cropped area in India). This study assessed the implementation process of PKVY and the impact at the farmer level using the Difference-in-Difference approach. An economic surplus model was employed to observe the macro scale using data from an all-India representative sample from 576 clusters for the crop year 2017. The results identified that organic farmers experienced 14–19 percent less costs and 12–18 percent lower yields than conventional farmers. The net result is a marginal increase in profitability compared to traditional agriculture. The economy-wide economic surplus model indicates that there will be a reduction in producer and consumer surplus due to reduced crop yields. However, if the shift from conventional to organic is confined to rainfed, hilly and tribal areas, there will be an increase in both consumer and producer surplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of labour providers were employed at the Mughal imperial dining spaces and kitchens that provided food for everyday consumption and on the occasion of feasts. These labour service providers can be classified into two broad categories: the imperial officers in charge of the kitchen and allied departments (such as the water and beverages department), and the domestic servants including food servers, cupbearers and cooks. The location of the kitchen and dining spaces determined which gender and what sartorial fashions would be allowed there. The duties performed by all these service providers, the etiquette they were expected to follow, the knowledge, skills and concomitant training they had to acquire were intrinsically linked to the salient notion of food as the conduit for shaping one's inner-self. It was believed that the food one consumed affected the body's humoral composition and brought about a qualitative – physiological and psychological – change in the being of the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Obesity rates are rising rapidly in low-middle-income-countries (LMICs). School-based interventions have shown moderate efficacy in improving diet and lifestyle associated with obesity in high-income countries. However, there is little data available on effective interventions suitable for LMICs. We devised a novel program for primary school children including a simple storybook and sticker-based food-diary (FD) and conducted a pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and short-term effectiveness of the program. Methods This pre-post intervention study included grade 1 and 2 students from four public schools in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Weight and height were assessed, and participating children self-monitored their diet using sticker-based FDs for one week at baseline (pre-test). The following week, class teachers discussed the storybook, which incorporated the benefits/disadvantages of a healthy/unhealthy diet and lifestyle in classrooms. At the end of the intervention, participating children were self-monitoring their diet again for a week (post-test). A simple scoring system was used to derive a weekly score based on the healthiness of the meals consumed each week (FD-score). The primary outcome of the study was change in eating habits following the story book discussion (post-test FD score - pre-test FD score). Acceptability and effectiveness were also assessed by anonymized feedback questionnaires for parents and teachers. Results One thousand and forty-two students completed the program. There was an improvement in eating habits of participating children, with FD scores improving by 12% from 51 ± 23 at baseline to 63 ± 24 following the intervention (p 90% parents(n = 1028) and > 95% teachers(n = 39) strongly agreed/agreed that the intervention was easy to implement, motivated children and led to an observable improvement in healthy eating. Conclusion This novel program led to an immediate improvement in eating habits and was well accepted by parents and teachers making it a potentially suitable intervention for wider implementation in primary schools in urban Sri Lanka.

Da‘wa is one of the notable/substantial topic in Islam. Numerous works have been written on the subject, its modus operandi, philosophies, pedagogy, prominence, tactics, and other interconnected aspects in distinctive languages especially Arabic, Urdu and English. In South Asia, the enormous da‘wa literature produced by the scholars is in Urdu. A significant portion of literature, however, has been produced, both originally as well as through translations, in English to fulfill the needs of da‘uāt in South-Asia as well as global level. In this context, the study attempts to present an appraisal of three English works (produced in 1990s to 2000s) authored by the South Asian scholars. These books are: Syed Abul Hasan Nadwi, da‘wa in the West: The Qur’anic Paradigm (1992 [1991]); Abdus Salam, da‘wa Guide (1996); and Amin Ahsan Islahi, Da’wat-ī dīn Aur Uska Tāriqa-Ka’ar/Islamic Faith and the Mode of its Preaching (2005[1951]). The main themes, collectively, highlighted in these works, reveal both theoretical, and practical aspects; pedagogy and methodology of da‘wa in Quranic paradigm; practical aspect from Prophet’s life; modes and stages in dawat-ī dīn; qualities; language; principles and the style of articulation; wisdom and broadness of da‘i; da‘wa and its harmony with time and space (Modern age). The study, with a tri-fold aim, seeks to: (i) explore their approaches and methodology in their discussions on da‘wa (ii) evaluate critically their stance on modern-day challenges of da‘wa and (iii) highlight the relevance of their interpretation in providing solutions to the contemporary challenges vis-à-vis da‘wa . The major argument put forth in the article is that these selected books make a significant contribution in understanding the pros and cons of da‘wa through their contents; approach and style; construct a momentous contribution to da‘wa literature in the English language and thus accomplish the need of da‘uāt glocally.

It appears to be essential to reflect different perspectives for doing media development work in contexts where foreign actors are not insiders. Here, their outside views on the needs of supported countries and on how to work together can be difficult for implementing projects, especially for actors on-site on which this article focuses. It aims to bring practical and academic reflections together for a broader understanding of how insiders and outsiders perceive media development work differently. These different perceptions bring challenges for their relationship and cooperation. Based on the author’s research, a literature review, and interviews with practitioners from south-Asian media organizations, critical aspects will be discussed, such as cooperation dynamics, the effect of power inequalities and subsequent trust difficulties. The article will not only give the perspective of actors on-site and their struggles with media development “cooperation,” but also suggest constructive approaches to work on an eye-level with mutual understanding.

It appears to be essential to reflect different perspectives for doing media development work in contexts where foreign actors are not insiders. Here, their outside views on the needs of supported countries and on how to work together can be difficult for implementing projects, especially for actors on-site on which this article focuses. It aims to bring practical and academic reflections together for a broader understanding of how insiders and outsiders perceive media development work differently. These different perceptions bring challenges for their relationship and cooperation. Based on the author's research, a literature review, and interviews with practitioners from south-Asian media organizations, critical aspects will be discussed, such as cooperation dynamics, the effect of power inequalities and subsequent trust difficulties. The article will not only give the perspective of actors on-site and their struggles with media development "cooperation," but also suggest constructive approaches to work on an eye-level with mutual understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background National forest inventory and forest monitoring systems are more important than ever considering continued global degradation of trees and forests. These systems are especially important in a country like Bangladesh, which is characterised by a large population density, climate change vulnerability and dependence on natural resources. With the aim of supporting the Government’s actions towards sustainable forest management through reliable information, the Bangladesh Forest Inventory (BFI) was designed and implemented through three components: biophysical inventory, socio-economic survey and remote sensing-based land cover mapping. This article documents the approach undertaken by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to establish the BFI as a multipurpose, efficient, accurate and replicable national forest assessment. The design, operationalization and some key results of the process are presented. Methods The BFI takes advantage of the latest and most well-accepted technological and methodological approaches. Importantly, it was designed through a collaborative process which drew from the experience and knowledge of multiple national and international entities. Overall, 1781 field plots were visited, 6400 households were surveyed, and a national land cover map for the year 2015 was produced. Innovative technological enhancements include a semi-automated segmentation approach for developing the wall-to-wall land cover map, an object-based national land characterisation system, consistent estimates between sample-based and mapped land cover areas, use of mobile apps for tree species identification and data collection, and use of differential global positioning system for referencing plot centres. Results Seven criteria, and multiple associated indicators, were developed for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management goals, informing management decisions, and national and international reporting needs. A wide range of biophysical and socioeconomic data were collected, and in some cases integrated, for estimating the indicators. Conclusions The BFI is a new information source tool for helping guide Bangladesh towards a sustainable future. Reliable information on the status of tree and forest resources, as well as land use, empowers evidence-based decision making across multiple stakeholders and at different levels for protecting natural resources. The integrated socio-economic data collected provides information about the interactions between people and their tree and forest resources, and the valuation of ecosystem services. The BFI is designed to be a permanent assessment of these resources, and future data collection will enable monitoring of trends against the current baseline. However, additional institutional support as well as continuation of collaboration among national partners is crucial for sustaining the BFI process in future.

The intraregional trade in South-Asia region is only 6.1 percent of its total trade due to a number of factors, including Regulatory environment governing international trade. This study examines the impact of trade facilitation in Regulatory environment on bilateral exports within the region. A panel gravity model augmented with a self-composed index for Regulatory environment for both exporting and importing countries in South-Asia is estimated. It reveals that enhanced regulatory environment of importing country impacts intra-regional trade positively whereas, that of the exporting country impacts the same negatively. The estimates of trade potential within the region are significantly encouraging. The simulations’ results reveal that by making collective efforts in trade facilitation in regulatory environment, the intra-regional exports could increase tremendously in a range of scenarios which could not be achieved even by phasing out of tariffs within the region.

This paper intended to provide and critical and analytical review of research on workplace information literacy published form South-Asia with a view to inform policy and practice. Library, Information Science and Technological Abstracts (LISTA) was searched to identify the key studies published in the proposed research area using multiple keywords. The search process resulted in 384 citations which was screened for duplication and relevance. As a result, 375 citations were excluded due to duplication and non-relevance. Only nine citations remained to deal with for review. The reference lists of these citations were also examined to identify more related citations which resulted in 3 more citation to be included. Thus, there were only 12 citations included in this review. The results indicated the dearth of studies on workplace information literacy in South-Asia. Most of these studies focused on library and information professionals, followed by scientists, and university teachers using survey research design. There was only a single study that addressed information literacy in visually impaired teachers. The respondents of the reviewed studies were competent to basic levels of information literacy where they were less comfortable in advanced levels of information literacy. There was a critical necessity for a need-based IL curriculum for workplace environments. These results indicated the need for more research on workplace information literacy in South-Asia to information policy and practice. This study would be a great contribution to the existing literature as it can be used a foundational study for workplace information literacy in South-Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Labour migration has become a common phenomenon in globalised world. Almost all migrant workers send a portion of their earnings back home. This became a good source of foreign exchange for the home country. Therefore, most governments of South-Asian region promotes out-migration. Thus, it becomes essential to study the impact of migration on economies. The impact of external migration can be analysed on the basis of multiple factors. Available literature suggest, migration is beneficial to labour receiving country as well as labour sending country. Receiving countries encourage labour in flow to reduce shortage in workforce and skill level. On the other hand, incoming labour class retain their attachment with country of origin with a hope to eventually return home. Similarly, labour sending countries welcome remittance as a way to receive foreign exchange. Remittances are often a means to reduce balance of payment deficit. Remittance through multiplier effect, contributes to the macro-economy of the sending country. The sending nation at macro level is influenced in terms of GDP, Job market, inflation and balance of payment. Remittance sent by migrants, act as an important source for growth in developing nation. There are research studies conducted on use of remittance for long term development. At the same time, a close study at micro level reflects increased demands of consumerism in the family of migrants. Significant changes in terms of expenditure can also be noticed on health care, education and living conditions. In addition to economic well-being, migrants and family members also enjoy higher social status. Objectives: The primary aim of the paper is to evaluate the relation between migration and remittance on the economies of countries of South Asia. Methods:The methodology adopted is doctrinal in order to evaluate micro and macro level impact on South Asian Economies. Doctrinal methodology has been adopted since there is published data available in the form of primary and secondary sources. The secondary sources include governmental websites of South Asian countries as well asreports published by international agencies such as World Bank (WB). The collected data is analysed through a descriptive approach as aim is to describe impact on migrant, dependants of migrants and thereby economy of sending country. Results:After East Asia, South-Asia is the largest remittance receiving region in the world. (World Bank). In 2016, the region received US$ 110 billion in remittance which increase respective remittance percentage of GDP extremely high for all countries in South-Asia. For example, 31.3 per cent of GDP in Nepal, 8.9 per cent in Sri Lanka, 7.1 per cent in Pakistan and 6.1 per cent in Bangladesh. India being the fore-runner of the region did not rely only on remittance and gained 2.7 per cent of its GDP in the same year. (World Bank). It is true that remittance from North-South migration is higher than South-South migration but small increase in income leads to significant consequences for poor. Following are the few results identified in the study:Migrants contribute to fill in the gaps of labour-market by contributing to the need of high and low skill labour. Emigration helps in increasing economic status of the nation by enhancing skills in migrants. Migration benefit are multi-faced like building entrepreneurship, improving market efficiency and many more (ILO 2010). Many developing nations have started utilizing migration as a means for curtail unemployment issue. South-Asian region is no exception. Out-migration is considered a way to reduce poverty and earn advantage of remittances. South-Asian countries are taking special measures for creation of special unit of remittance in central banks, revisiting licensing process for money transfer, liberalizing exchange rate and encouraging domestic banks to establish partnership with foreign banks where migrants have relocated in high numbers. Governments are also promoting families receiving remittance to invest in small and medium scale businesses to generate income in home countries. South-Asian outward migration is dependent on networking (network theory) which results in informal remittance channels. It becomes impossible to trace informally transmitted remittance. Informal means may appear to be lucrative but is also responsible for smuggling, money laundering and other forms of financial abuse. Governments of both receiving as well as sending countries are taking steps to curb informal channels of remittances. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a positive impact of out-migration on the economies of South-Asia. Unskilled or semi-skilled labour of the region are lacking job opportunities in home country. Migration to foreign lands in search of employment proved to be double win for sending country. On one hand, the home economies are gaining out of remittance send back and on the other hand, unemployment problem is also reduced. Moreover, migrant workers are coming back with enhanced skill-level thereby proving themselves more productive in future. But informal means of remittance transfer has become responsible for smuggling, money laundering and other forms of financial abuse. Anonymous transfer in hawala system, allow income of illegal activity to enter money market at ease. Addressing the financial risks associated with informal flow of remittances, World Bank (2003) suggested integration of informal channels with formal channels. In other words, it is almost impossible to put an end to the system because of its popularity, but it highly beneficial, if hawala brokers can be registered with central banks. In such scenario, transactions can be tracked and problems associated with the system can be avoided to a great extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paddy-wheat crop rotation is responsible for declining soil health, underground water table, arising new micronutrient deficiencies, new weed flora, and resistance to herbicides, declining both land and water productivity and is claimed to be capital and energy-intensive, more particularly in emerging countries. This is further aggravated when micronutrients are deficient, particularly zinc (Zn), which plays an important role in human health, especially in developing countries. Zn biofortification is a technique in which the inherent Zn status of the edible portion of plants is improved by simply spraying a Zn solution onto the crop or through a soil application at a predetermined stage and a proper dose. The concentration of Zn within a wheat grain is genotype-dependent and interacts with the environment, inducing variation in a grain’s concentration of micronutrients. Grain quality parameters are positively correlated with a higher dose of nitrogen in the late reproductive stage. Broadcasting of ZnSO4·7H2O at 62.5 kg ha−1 and foliar application of Zn chelates such as Zn–HEDP (C) at 2 g L−1, Zn–HEDP (L) at 3 g L−1, or a 0.4–0.5% ZnSO4 solution during grain development stage enhanced the growth, productivity, and micronutrients concentration in the edible portion of the plant which further improves the quality of wheat grains and ultimately improves human health in the region. Given the central importance to Zn in cereal-based nutrition, zinc biofortification appears as an innovative technology to alleviate the zinc deficiency in human health, especially on the Indian subcontinent, by applying Zn either as a foliar or soil application.

Background: Obesity rates are rising rapidly in low-middle-income-countries (LMICs). School-based interventions have shown moderate efficacy in improving diet and lifestyle associated with obesity in high-income countries. However, there is little data available on effective interventions suitable for LMICs. We devised a novel program for primary school children including a simple storybook and sticker-based food-diary (FD) and conducted a pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and short-term effectiveness of the program.Methods: This pre-post intervention study included grade 1 and 2 students from four public schools in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Weight and height were assessed, and participating children self-monitored their diet using sticker-based FDs for one week at baseline (pre-test). The following week, class teachers discussed the storybook, which incorporated the benefits/disadvantages of a healthy/unhealthy diet and lifestyle in classrooms. At the end of the intervention, participating children were self-monitoring their diet again for a week (post-test). A simple scoring system was used to derive a weekly score based on the healthiness of the meals consumed each week (FD-score). The primary outcome of the study was change in eating habits following the story book discussion (post-test FD score - pre-test FD score). Acceptability and effectiveness were also assessed by anonymized feedback questionnaires for parents and teachers.Results: One thousand and forty-two students completed the program. There was an improvement in eating habits of participating children, with FD scores improving by 12% from 51 ± 23 at baseline to 63 ± 24 following the intervention (p < 0.001). Further, when considering BMI category of participants: 69.1% were normal weight (NW), 18.3% underweight (UW), 7.4% overweight (OW) and 5.2% obese (OB). Improvement in eating habits were seen among children of all BMI categories (change in FD-score: UW 13.2%, NW 12.3%, OW 10.4% and OB 12.4% (p < 0.001)). Furthermore,> 90% parents(n = 1028) and > 95% teachers(n = 39) strongly agreed/agreed that the intervention was easy to implement, motivated children and led to an observable improvement in healthy eating.Conclusion: This novel program led to an immediate improvement in eating habits and was well accepted by parents and teachers making it a potentially suitable intervention for wider implementation in primary schools in urban Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although new-born screening (NBS) for classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (C-CAH) has been available for decades, it is not widely implemented. We assessed the usefulness of introducing NBS for C-CAH, by analyzing presenting status of infants with C-CAH, over the past two decades, in Sri Lanka. This retrospective clinic-based study, from the largest tertiary children's hospital in Sri Lanka, analyzed initial presenting features of children with C-CAH from 1999 to 2018, in the absence of NBS for CAH, and included gender-based comparisons. Features suggestive of impending adrenal-crisis were seen at initial presentation in >80 % (dehydration 70%, hyponatremia 65%, hyperkalemia 47%, vomiting 45%, hypoglycemia 22%, collapse 20%). Hyperpigmentation was seen in 78%, and consanguinity in 27%. There were fewer affected males (n = 12) compared to females (n = 28). Most girls (96%) had virilized genitalia, and 16 faced uncertainty about gender at birth. Median age at diagnosis was 20 days. More than 70% of children had SW-CAH (males = 9 and females = 20). There were fewer males with SW-CAH, and all had features of impending adrenal crisis, including severe hyponatremia in 50%, while 62% of girls also developed hyponatremia and 33% had hyperkalemia, prior to treatment. Treatment of SW-CAH was initiated at a median age of 30 days in boys, and 10 days of age in girls. Many boys and girls with C-CAH from Sri Lanka presented late with impending adrenal crisis. Males were diagnosed later, and some possibly succumbed to C-CAH undiagnosed. These findings support including CAH in NBS programs to avert preventable childhood morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the clinical presentation, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) features, and outcomes of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center of Pakistan. All patients who underwent CMR for further evaluation of DCM during the period of 2011-2019 and in whom CMR confirmed the diagnosis of DCM, were included in the study. Patients were followed up in the year 2020 for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Results: A total of 75 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 38.7 ± 13 with the majority (n = 57, 76%) being male. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom (n = 68, 90.7%). The mean left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) by CMR was 29.3 ± 12 and mean left ventricle stroke volume (LVSV) was 66.5 ± 31. Late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) was present in 28 (37.3%) patients. Follow-up was available in 61 patients with the mean follow-up duration of 39.7 ± 27 months. Most patients (40, 65.6%) experienced all-cause major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during the follow-up and mortality was observed in 10 (16.4%) patients. LVSV by CMR (P = 0.03), LVEF by CMR (P = 0.02), and presence of pericardial effusion (PE) (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with all-cause MACE. On multiregression analysis, SV by CMR was associated with all cause MACE (P = 0.048). The presence of LGE was associated with higher mortality (P = 0.03). Conclusion: LVSV, LVEF by CMR, and PE were significantly associated with all-cause MACE. LGE was associated with higher mortality. Our cohort had a relatively younger age of presentation and diagnosis, and a greater mortality on follow-up, when compared with other regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: National forest inventory and forest monitoring systems are more important than ever considering continued global degradation of trees and forests. These systems are especially important in a country like Bangladesh, which is characterised by a large population density, climate change vulnerability and dependence on natural resources. With the aim of supporting the Government's actions towards sustainable forest management through reliable information, the Bangladesh Forest Inventory (BFI) was designed and implemented through three components: biophysical inventory, socio-economic survey and remote sensing-based land cover mapping. This article documents the approach undertaken by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to establish the BFI as a multipurpose, efficient, accurate and replicable national forest assessment. The design, operationalization and some key results of the process are presented. Methods: The BFI takes advantage of the latest and most well-accepted technological and methodological approaches. Importantly, it was designed through a collaborative process which drew from the experience and knowledge of multiple national and international entities. Overall, 1781 field plots were visited, 6400 households were surveyed, and a national land cover map for the year 2015 was produced. Innovative technological enhancements include a semi-automated segmentation approach for developing the wall-to-wall land cover map, an object-based national land characterisation system, consistent estimates between sample-based and mapped land cover areas, use of mobile apps for tree species identification and data collection, and use of differential global positioning system for referencing plot centres. Results: Seven criteria, and multiple associated indicators, were developed for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management goals, informing management decisions, and national and international reporting needs. A wide range of biophysical and socioeconomic data were collected, and in some cases integrated, for estimating the indicators. Conclusions: The BFI is a new information source tool for helping guide Bangladesh towards a sustainable future. Reliable information on the status of tree and forest resources, as well as land use, empowers evidence-based decision making across multiple stakeholders and at different levels for protecting natural resources. The integrated socio-economic data collected provides information about the interactions between people and their tree and forest resources, and the valuation of ecosystem services. The BFI is designed to be a permanent assessment of these resources, and future data collection will enable monitoring of trends against the current baseline. However, additional institutional support as well as continuation of collaboration among national partners is crucial for sustaining the BFI process in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My artistic inquiries draw from gender and sexuality in public space and use performance as process. In inspiration, the works emerge as aesthetic responses to post-colonial, gendered public identities and as negotiations with the cultural politics of modernity. Dwelling on the interaction of Indian modernity with cultural memory through myth, ritual, traditions and colonial histories, I hope to touch upon multiple influences of the Indian public sphere. Through a fragmented contemplation on guiding impulses, this discussion propositions the production of works as potentials to re-eroticise the public sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite South Asia’s many challenges, including a rapid increase in non-communicable eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, the many and varied successes of the last thirty years are a cause for celebration.

Mass migration is increasing urban populations globally. One country where urban migration is significantly increasing is Bangladesh, where systematic research will explore the reasons for urban migration in order to devise policies in this area, including maintaining the balance of urban–rural developments. This study used the Urban Health Survey (UHS) 2013 to ascertain the reasons for urban migration in large divisional cities in Bangladesh. The 2013 survey examined the differences between male and female migration, alongside any significant sociodemographic factors that might contribute to their motivation for moving to the city. The survey revealed that a majority of women (64.8%) migrated for family purposes, for example, joining husbands or in-laws, or parents/children. However, in recent years, female migrants have been involved in income-generating activities mostly due to a recent garment-making boom in Dhaka and its suburbs. A higher proportion of men (85.3%) moved to urban areas for work-related reasons: searching for new jobs, better income, or transfer in services. Among the sample in this study, 77% of the respondents (79.3% female and 73.5% male) migrated from villages. This migration mostly centered on Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, where 68.1% of the total study sample migrated followed by 15.7% who went to Chittagong. The results indicate that the contemporary urban-centered economic policy in Bangladesh might require revision to accommodate the increased migrants from rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Use of simulation-based learning in midwifery education programmes is crucial. Due to midwifery educators in Bangladesh were lacking competence in using such pedagogical methods in their teaching, they were invited to participate in a simulation-based learning course. In this paper, we present a study on the perceived usefulness of this course. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 17 of the 28 midwifery educators participating on the course and data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Findings showed that the simulation-based learning course for midwifery educators in Bangladesh was useful. It "builds the professional competence of midwifery educators" and "equips them with strategies to empower midwifery students". The findings show that a simulation-based learning course is of major importance in pre-service education in settings where the capacity of midwifery educators needs to be strengthened. However, without continuous in-service training, the midwives' competence will deteriorate and this in turn will threaten the quality of midwifery education and the midwifery profession. Thus, contextualized pre- and in-service simulation-based education to secure midwifery core competencies is necessary. Simultaneously implementing and evaluating pre- and in-service education programmes is the next step in the struggle to increase the quality of maternity care services. Highlights • A simulation-based learning course was useful for midwifery educators in Bangladesh. • It increased educators' theoretical knowledge and practical skills. • It equipped educators with new teaching empowering strategies. • Implement and evaluate pre- and in-service simulation learning routines are crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of regional rainfall trends over South Asia is critically important for food security and economy, as both these factors largely depend on the availability of water. In this study, South Asian summer monsoon rainfall trends on seasonal and monthly (June-September) time scales have been investigated using three observational data sets. Our analysis identify a dipole-type structure in rainfall trends over the region north of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, with significant increasing trends over the core monsoon region of Pakistan and significant decreasing trends over the central-north India and adjacent areas. The dipole is also evident in monthly rainfall trend analyses, which is more prominent in July and August. We show, in particular, that the strengthening of northward moisture transport over the Arabian Sea is a likely reason for the significant positive trend of rainfall in the core monsoon region of Pakistan. In contrast, over the central-north India region, the rainfall trends are significantly decreasing due to the weakening of northward moisture transport over the Bay of Bengal. The leading empirical orthogonal functions clearly show the strengthening (weakening) patterns of vertically integrated moisture transport over the Arabian Sea (Bay of Bengal) in seasonal and monthly interannual time scales. The regression analysis between the principal components and rainfall confirm the dipole pattern over the region. Our results also suggest that the extra-tropical phenomena could influence the mean monsoon rainfall trends over Pakistan by enhancing the cross-equatorial flow of moisture into the Arabian Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• From Mount Everest to the Indian Ocean, microplastics are ubiquitous in South Asia. • In South Asia, unregulated plastic waste produces about 36.2 million tonnes MPs/year. • India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan contributed 94% of Indian Ocean plastic. • About 44 to 32% of total global deaths from air pollution occur in South Asia. • No regional program covers monitors and controls transboundary atmospheric MPs pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micronutrient deficiencies continue to be a major public health concern worldwide with many South Asian countries suffering a significant proportion of the global burden. A lack of nationally representative data on micronutrient deficiencies hampers sustained action to address the problem. Using data on the national food supply produced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and international food composition tables, the present study estimated the prevalence of inadequacy of seven micronutrients (vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B-12, zinc and calcium) in seven South Asian countries--Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The estimated average requirement cut-point method was employed to determine the likelihood of inadequate micronutrient intakes. We report multiple micronutrient inadequacies in the food supply in the region, especially in the low and lower-middle income countries. Of the seven micronutrients investigated, calcium had the highest risk levels of inadequacy. Folate, riboflavin, vitamin B-12 and zinc were also deemed to be at high risk of inadequacy, although results differed markedly between countries. Various strategies to combat micronutrient deficiencies are currently underway in these countries. In order to facilitate the implementation of these efforts, the collection of nationally representative nutritional assessment survey data are urgently required to ascertain the true burden of micronutrient malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to conceptualize a comparative framework on civil-military relations (CMR), at both political and strategic levels, in the context of major South Asian states such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. There are complexities involved in framing and explaining power relations between political/ bureaucratic and military elites in these countries. Methodology used in this paper is basically content analysis, interviews, and observations made, and inferences drawn by the author himself, given his professional experience. The paper concludes there are both similarities and dissimilarities in such relations between democratic and quasi-democratic or between liberal and illiberal polities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and statement of the problem: There is sufficient evidence to say that female empowerment affects economic and social outcomes, in particular for girls. There is, however, no unified approach to the measurement of female empowerment. The relative economic position of the two spouses, which in turn may reflect the position of the extended families on both sides, may affect the woman's influence on household decisions. And both economic empowerment and the woman's decision-making power will depend on social norms, which in turn vary between and within societies. Research is still needed to understand these complex relations between economic empowerment, female decision-making power, social norms, and economic and social outcomes. Research methodology and data: The relative land ownership of the paternal and maternal sides of the extended family was used as a measure of female economic empowerment, and the measure was, in turn, used as an instrument for female decision-making power within the family. The latter was measured by DHS-type questions on who make important decisions within the family. In the second stage of the instrumental variable (IV) estimation it was investigated whether the general measure of decision making power affected a particular outcome, children's education. Data was collected in an ethnically diverse area of the eastern plains of Nepal, where 480 women were surveyed. Research findings: The findings indicate that economic empowerment and subjective decision-making power have independent effects on children's education. The relations are quite complex, indicating that one should not automatically use economic empowerment as the ultimate measure of female empowerment. In the present context there is a positive association between female empowerment and children's education for both genders, whereas boys are prioritized if the paternal side of the family is economically weak. Furthermore, there is heterogeneity among social groups with respect to the importance men and women assign different levels of education for children of different genders. The main message is that the mother's relative bargaining power matters in different ways - and through different mechanisms - and depends on the gender of the child, the social group and the level of education. Policy implications: Policies for female empowerment need to be tailor-made to specific societies and social groups. The findings indicate that policies for economic empowerment of women, such as education and entrepreneurship programs, may have to be combined with programs that affect social values and norms if the target is to change intrahousehold decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The review covers livestock genomics of South Asian cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, yak, mithun, and poultry. • Advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies led to the discovery of numerous SNP arrays for different livestock species. • The application of genomics in animal breeding has had the biggest economic impact on livestock production. Livestock plays a central role in sustaining human livelihood in South Asia. There are numerous and distinct livestock species in South Asian countries. Several of them have experienced genetic development in recent years due to the application of genomic technologies and effective breeding programs. This review discusses genomic studies on cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, horse, camel, yak, mithun, and poultry. The frontiers covered in this review are genetic diversity, admixture studies, selection signature research, QTL discovery, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genomic selection. The review concludes with recommendations for South Asian livestock systems to increasingly leverage genomic technologies, based on the lessons learned from the numerous case studies. This paper aims to present a comprehensive analysis of the dichotomy in the South Asian livestock sector and argues that a realistic approach to genomics in livestock can ensure long-term genetic advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The majority of Sri Lankans and South Asians are rural dwellers but follow-up data on glycaemic control and its associations in rural communities are sparse. We followed up a cohort of hospital-based rural Sri Lankans with diabetes from diagnosis up to 24-months., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of people with type-2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnosed 24 months before enrolment who were being followed up at Medical/Endocrine clinics of five hospitals selected by stratified random sampling in Anuradhapura, a rural district of Sri Lanka from June 2018 to May 2019 and retrospectively followed them up to the diagnosis of the disease. Prescription practices, cardiovascular risk factor control and their correlates were studied using self-administered and interviewer-administered questionnaires and perusing medical records. Data were analysed using SPSS version-22., Findings: A total of 421 participants [mean age 58.3 ± 10.4 years, female 340 (80.8%)] were included in the study. Most participants were started on anti-diabetic medications in addition to lifestyle measures. Of them, 270 (64.1%) admitted poor dietary-control, 254 (60.3%) inadequate medication-compliance and 227 (53.9%) physical inactivity. Glycaemic control was assessed mainly on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) data were available in only 44 (10.4%). Target achievements in FPG, blood pressure, body mass index and non-smoking at 24-months following initiation of treatment were 231/421 (54.9%), 262/365 (71.7%), 74/421 (17.6%) and 396/421 (94.1%) respectively., Interpretation: In this cohort of rural Sri Lankans with type-2 diabetes mellitus, all were started on anti-diabetic medications at the diagnosis, but glycaemic target achievement was inadequate at 24 months. We identified the major patient-related reasons for poor blood glucose control were poor compliance with diet/lifestyle and/or medications and misconceptions about antidiabetic medications., Funding: None., Competing Interests: None., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

The uncertainties in the regional climate models (RCMs) are evaluated by analyzing the driving global data of ERA40 reanalysis and ECHAM5 general circulation models, and the downscaled data of two RCMs (RegCM4 and PRECIS) over South-Asia for the present day simulation (1971-2000) of South-Asian summer monsoon. The differences between the observational datasets over South-Asia are also analyzed. The spatial and the quantitative analysis over the selected climatic regions of South-Asia for the mean climate and the inter-annual variability of temperature, precipitation and circulation show that the RCMs have systematic biases which are independent from different driving datasets and seems to come from the physics parameterization of the RCMs. The spatial gradients and topographically-induced structure of climate are generally captured and simulated values are within a few degrees of the observed values. The biases in the RCMs are not consistent with the biases in the driving fields and the models show similar spatial patterns after downscaling different global datasets. The annual cycle of temperature and rainfall is well simulated by the RCMs, however the RCMs are not able to capture the inter-annual variability. ECHAM5 is also downscaled for the future (2071-2100) climate under A1B emission scenario. The climate change signal is consistent between ECHAM5 and RCMs. There is warming over all the regions of South-Asia associated with increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and the increase in summer mean surface air temperature by the end of the century ranges from 2.5 to 5 °C, with maximum warming over north western parts of the domain and 30 % increase in rainfall over north eastern India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]