-Economic and Political Weekly The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been quietly feeding more than 10 crore children every day for more than 10 years. Unfortunately, this popular and relatively successful programme makes it to the headlines only when things go wrong - this time following the tragic death of 23 children in Bihar after eating at school. Recent economic Research clearly documents the positive impact of the scheme on enrolment, attendance,...

-The Hindu What it signifies, what it does not tell us and what it will definitely not be used for Great shrillness has marked the current furore over the Planning Commission's latest poverty estimates. No surprise, therefore, that understanding and wisdom have flowed in an inverse proportion. Surprising and sad, however, is the fact that some political leaders have at times spoken in a manner deeply hurtful to the aam aadmi and...

-The Times of India MUMBAI: Runny noses and stomach flu aren't the only ills associated with overcast skies. The absence of sunlight hits production of Vitamin D in the body, adversely affecting blood pressure. A recent study in London by an Indian-born Researcher has proved beyond doubt that the lower the vitamin level, the higher the BP. Vitamin D is synthesized when the sun's ultraviolet rays fall on the skin. But the...

-CivilSocietyOnline.com Kozhikode: Dubai's agriculture minister recently chartered a flight to Kozhikode and, accompanied by a horticulture consultant, headed to the Agriculture Research Station (ARS) at Anakkayam nearby. There the minister, Abdulla Jassim Abdulla M Almarzooqi, placed orders for fruits, spices and ornamental plants. But on his mind was something bigger. He offered free visas and air tickets to the 100 members of the Research station's agricultural army, which rather grandly goes...

-The Indian Express New Delhi: Taking note of a report published in Newsline on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government and the three civic agencies to look into the issue of why the midday meals supplied to students in schools run by the three civic agencies of the capital are not up to the prescribed standards. The High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and...