-Down to Earth It is a novel idea; but in a country where the ruling class openly favours corporates, it could prove disastrous for farmers India’s agriculture sector makes a significant contribution to its Gross Domestic Product and provides livelihood for many millions of people. Agriculture is not only a means of trade and a source of livelihood, but is fundamentally associated with our culture. Today though, farmers are distancing themselves from farming...

Commenting on the recently released fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data for 17 states and five Union Territories (UTs) in an article published in The Indian Express (dated 6th January, 2021), Arvind Subramanian and his co-authors have stated that India has made progress on certain outcomes, including infant mortality rate (IMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and neonatal mortality rate (NNMR). Relying on various rounds of NFHS data,...

-Down to Earth Mushrooms in one’s daily diet will eventually promote a healthy body, behaviour and brain power The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted some experts to look at the consumption of mushrooms, known for their immunity-boosting anti-viral properties, with renewed vigour. In fact, immunity has been one of the most-searched keywords on the internet since the last few months. Immunity is basically the foremost defence system against all sorts of viruses,...

-Down to Earth As many as 250 crows in Rajasthan, 1,700 migratory birds in Himachal Pradesh have died since December 2020 The Union Ministry of Environment, Science and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has ordered a strict vigil on the wintering habitats of migratory birds for any sign of a flu outbreak in the backdrop of rising deaths of birds. The ministry issued a set of guidelines January 3, 2021 in view of Himachal Pradesh...

-Down to Earth The latest figures suggest that Manipur spends more OOPE in both rural and urban areas, whereas Gujarat spends less among states and Dadra and Nagar Haveli among Union territories There has been a substantial increase in out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) in various states and Union territories of India despite various maternal schemes having been implemented by the Union and state governments, according to the National Family Health Survey-5. Dependency...