From: Press Information Bureau Ministry of I&B <pib.kolkata@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Features for release..........1,2,3
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Human Resource Development FEATURE
India Marching towards Global knowledge hub
V. Mohan Rao **
India is gradually marching ahead to become a knowledge hub in the world thanks to various measures taken by the Government through its Literacy Mission and reforms in the education sector. Realizing that creation of new knowledge and its dissemination are critical to the progress and development of the society, the government has been taking effective steps like strengthening of existing higher educational institutions as well as creation of new knowledge based intuitions, striving quality and excellence in research both in public sphere as well as by not-for-profit private initiative. Putting its Literacy Mission high on agenda, the Government has initiated a number of measures including the adoption of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education, to achieve higher literacy rate in the country. Constant efforts are also made to recasting of the National Literacy Mission to focus on literacy of women, reduction in the drop out rate of children at school levels and introduction of public private participation in the school education.
RIGHT TO EDUCATION (RTE) ACT, 2009.
The Act has come into force with effect from 1st of April 2010. It has been enacted to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6 to 14 years. The provisions of the Act provide that with a view to prepare children above the age of three years for elementary education and to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years. Under the Integrated Child Development Service Scheme (ICDSS), over 3.5 crore children between the age group of 3 to 6 years are being provided pre-school education in the Anganwadi Centres.
SAAKSHAR BHARAT
Saakshar Bharat, a new variant of the National Literacy Mission has been launched in September 2009. The Mission was rolled out in 167 districts targeting over 30 million adults predominantly belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities and other disadvantaged groups. It aims to provide literacy, basic education, skill development and continuing education to adults, especially women in rural areas. During 11th Five Year Plan, Saakshar Bharat aims to impart literacy to 70 million non-literate adults at an estimated cost of Rs.5,257 crore. It has been launched primarily to bridge the gender gap with the aim of achieving 80 per cent literacy at the end of 11th Plan. Under Adult Literacy programme, a total 597 districts across the country have been covered so far.
SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (SSA)
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is the national flagship programme of the Government being implemented throughout the country. The World Bank provides financial assistance for implementation of SSA as sector wide support. The World Bank has reimbursed Rs.2736 crore during the last three years. During the 11th Plan, several schemes for strengthening existing higher educational institutions for enhancing access, quality, equity and relevance have been launched. A Task Force of eminent experts appointed by the Government has circulated a draft Bill for an overarching promotional and regulatory authority. The Government also proposes to set up 14 universities for innovation across 11th and 12th Five Year Plan to make India a global knowledge hub and set benchmarks for excellence for other institutions, synergizing teaching and research.
NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Government has constituted a National Advisory Council (NAC) on 8th of July 2010 to over the see implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. For 2010-11, a central budget allocation of Rs.15,000 crore has been made for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the main vehicle for implementation of the provisions of RTE Act. The 13th Finance Commission has given Rs.24,068 crore for the period 2010-11 to 2014-15 for elementary education.
LITERACY RATE
As per the 2001 Census, the literacy rate in 7 plus age group was 79.92 per cent in Urban areas and 58.74 per cent in rural areas showing a gap of 21.18 per cent between urban and rural literacy rates in the country. According to UNESCO Global Monitoring Report 2010 on literacy in the age group of 15 and above, India with 66 per cent occupies second position among its neighbouring countries. Sri Lanka tops with 91 per cent of literacy rate.
DROP OUTS
As per a study by the National Sample Survey Organisation in 2009, estimated 81.50 lakh children representing 4.28 of the child population in the 6 - 13 age group as school dropouts. The Government adopted a multi-pronged approach for reducing drop out rates. The Government has also taken several measures to strengthen the Mid Day Meal Scheme.
GROSS ENROLMENT RATIO IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The Government is planning to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher Education from the present 12.4 per cent to 30 per cent by 2020. As per estimates, the country needs 27,000 additional colleges and over 24,000 technical colleges. The Knowledge Commission has estimated that 1500 universities would be needed as against the present 504 university level institutions. For achieving capacity expansion in higher education, the Government plans a mix of initiatives in stepping up public investment, encouraging not-for-profit private participation and public private partnerships. (PIB Feature)
* International Literacy Day 8 september, 2010
* Freelance Journalist
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB
rts/hn/ss-149/sf/dk/kol/15:47 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Special Service and Features
Trans Fatty Acids : Harmful Effects on Human Health
Dr. Santosh Jain Passi*
Ms. Swati Bhardwaj*
India is undergoing rapid dietary transition. High economic growth has resulted in a burgeoning middle-class having greater access to commercially available foods, including fried and baked food items. Most of these foods contain high amounts of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs), particularly if cooked in vanaspati (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) which is often preferred for its low cost and longer shelf life. TFAs can adversely affect cholesterol levels, predispose the individual to diabetes, coronary heart disease and may also affect many of his body organs.
Trans fatty acids or Trans fats are the most harmful type of fats which can have much more adverse effects on our body than any other dietary constituent. These fats are largely produced artificially but a small amount also occurs naturally thus in our diet, these may be present as Artificial TFAs and/ or Natural TFAs. Artificial TFAs are formed when hydrogen is made to react with the oil to produce fats resembling pure ghee/butter. In our diet the major sources of artificial TFAs are the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO)/vanaspati/ margarine while the natural TFAs are present in meats and dairy products, though in small amounts.
TFAs pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats. While saturated fats raise total cholesterol levels, TFAs not only raise total cholesterol levels but also reduce the good cholesterol (HDL), which helps to protect us against heart disease.
Trans fats consumption increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It is also associated with a higher risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infertility, certain types of cancers and can also lead to compromised fetal development causing harm to the yet to be born baby.
Despite their harmful effect the reason why food manufacturers frequently use them because TFA containing oils can be preserved longer, they give the food the desired shape and texture and can easily substitute 'Pure ghee'. Further, these are comparatively far lower in cost and thus add to profit/saving.
The most common dietary source of Trans fats is the partially hydrogenated vegetable fat commonly known as 'Vanaspati Ghee'/Margarine. Since partially hydrogenated vegetable fat (Vanaspati/Margarine) is rather high in TFA, all food items prepared, baked or fried by using Vanaspati/Margarine contain TFA. These include: Cakes and Pastries; Patty, Rusk; Fried Aloo Chaat , AlooTikki (prepared in 'Vanaspati'), Sweets (Mithai) (prepared in 'Vanaspati'), Cookies / biscuits, French fries, Potato chips, Bhatura, Samosa, Parantha, etc.
Strategies to limit Trans Fat intake through food is by avoiding use of "Vanaspati Ghee" or margarine in kitchen, heating the oil for very long time or re-using the same oil for frying. So also avoiding the use of ready to use (instant) mixes for preparing foods as they have a greater chance of having Trans fats and checking the Nutrition Facts label on packaged food items for their TFA content if indicated.
If a label says "0" trans fat, it can still contain 0.5 grams trans fats per serving or less.
While some developing countries have laid down norms for TFA content of food, India has yet to pass/implement the regulation regarding the TFA containing fats or the TFA content of commercially prepared food items. Therefore, the responsibility lies with the consumers to safeguard their interest.
Harmful Effects of Trans Fats on Human Health
Studies across the world indicate that:
• TFA raise the VLDL, LDL-c, Triglyceride, Lp (a) lipoprotein and Free fatty acid levels on the other hand it lowers the LDL-c particle size and HDL-c levels. All these contribute to raising the risk of heart diseases.
• Intake of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils contributes to the risk of myocardial infarction
• TFA promotes systemic inflammation which increases the C-reactive protein leading to thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), diabetes, and sudden death due to heart failure.
• TFA causes endothelial dysfunction (by increasing circulating bio-markers including soluble inter cellular adhesion molecule1, soluble vascular-cell adhesion molecule1 and E-selectin) which is a key step in the development of atherosclerosis
• TFA have been found to increase insulin resistance and seem to have a unique cardio-metabolic imprint that is linked to insulin-resistance and metabolic-syndrome pathways.
• Consumption of trans-unsaturated fatty acids has shown to increase the risk for ovulatory infertility.
• TFA compromises fetal growth and development.
• Dietary TFA can also lead to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline in later life.
* Associate Professor in Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics (University of Delhi)
** Research Officer, Diabetes Foundation (India), Delhi
* Associate Professor in Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics (University of Delhi)
** Research Officer, Diabetes Foundation (India), Delhi.
***National Nutrition Week is observed from September 1-7
Disclaimer : The views expressed by the authors in this feature are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB
rts/vn/ss-148/sf-148/07.09.2010/dk/kol/15:49 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Special Service and Features
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA)
Smt. Anita Patnaik*
Empowerment of adolescent girls is one of the top most priorities of the Government. The Cabinet approval for the expansion of the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) is another move in this direction. The scheme is being implemented through Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) projects and Anganwadi Centers in 200 select districts across the country for empowering adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to 18. The Cabinet approval followed the recommendation of a Group of Ministers (GoM) aiming at enhancing their nutritional and economic status. Under the scheme, adolescent girls will be provided Take Home Ration. There is also a provision in the scheme that if any state insists on providing hot cooked meal, standards should be set for the same. In addition, the Women and Child Development Ministry will explore feasibility for implementing Conditional Cash Transfer scheme as an alternative of adolescent girls in 100 more districts. Around 92 lakh to 1.15 crore adolescent girls of 11 to 18 years per annum are expected to be covered under the scheme during the Eleventh Plan.
Salient Features
50:50 per cent sharing between the Centre and the States of nutrition provision (600 calories and 18 to 29 gram of protein) at the rate of Rs.5 per beneficiary per day for 300 days a year for 11 to 14 years out of school girls and all girls in the age of 15 to 18 years. A provision of Rs.3.8 lakh per ICDS project per annum has been made for various components of the scheme like training kit at each Angawadi center, National Health Education, Life Skill Education, purchase of Iron Folic Acid Tablet for mothers. Continuation of Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) in remaining districts from funds of SABLA and utilization of savings available under KSY and RGSEAG-SABLA in 200 districts are the other salient features of the Scheme.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has formulated the SABLA scheme to address multi-dimensional problems of adolescent girls between 11 to 18 years. An allocation of Rs.1,000 crore for the scheme in 2010-11. The Government has approved a cumulative 7075 ICDS projects and 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres across the country. Of these, a total of 7012 projects and 13.67 lakh AWCs have been sanctioned as on 31st of May 2010. Out of the approved ICDS, 6560 are operational. Keeping in view the expansion under the Scheme, the allocation for ICDS was enhanced from the Budget Estimates of Rs. 6,705 crore to Rs. 8162 crore for the year 2009-10. For the year 2010-11, an allocation of Rs. 8700 crore has been made, which is higher than the allocation of the previous year.
Survey On Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the key issue. The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) has carried out sample surveys on diet and nutritional status of rural (2005-06) and tribal population (2007-09) in 9 states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. As per the report of 2001-03 by the Registrar General of India on causes of deaths among 0 to 4 years due to nutritional deficiencies is 2.8 per cent. As per the National Family Health Survey, the underweight children below three years of age has declined from 42.7 per cent in 1988-99 to 40.4 per cent in 2005-06. However, there has been an increase in the anemia levels as anemia in children (6 months to 35 months) has risen from 74.3 per cent to 78.9 per cent. Similarly in women aged 15 to 49 years, the anemia has increased from 51.8 per cent to 56.2 per cent. Though malnutrition is not a major cause of infant death, it can increase morbidity and mortality by reducing resistance to infections. As per the Sample Registration System (SRS), Registrar General of India, the infant Mortality Rate has declined from 57 per thousand live births in 2006 to 53 per thousand live births in the year 2008.
A number of measures has been taken by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare like Supply of Vitamin-A supplementation for children till the age of 5 years, Iron Folic Acid supplementation for children up to 10 years, pregnant and lactating women, promotion of iodized salt, zinc supplementation for treatment of diarrhea in children above two months.
Combating Malnutrition
The problem of malnutrition is a multi-faceted and multi-sectoral in nature requiring coordination and convergence between the different sectors and at all levels. The Government, which has been according high priority to the overall issue of malnutrition and particularly in respect of children, adolescent girls and women is implementing several schemes, which have an impact on the nutritional status of the people. These schemes besides ICDS projects include, Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) and Nutritional Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM), Drinking Water and Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), Swarjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) and Public Distribution System (PDS). The ICDS scheme provides a package of six services – supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunization, health check-up and referral services. Three of the services (immunization, health check up and referral services) are delivered through the public health system of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Government has taken various steps, which include universalisation of the scheme with special focus on SC/ST and minority habitations, revision in cost norms as well as the Nutritional and Feeding norms of the Supplementary Nutrition component of ICDS. The Centre has adopted the standards proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 15th of August 2008 to identify malnutrition in children. The National Nutrition Policy of 1993 and the National Nutrition Action Plan of 1995 envisage establishment of State Nutrition Councils in the states. This has been emphasized during the meetings held with the States. Recently, the Chief Secretaries of all states have been addressed to ensure that the State Nutrition Action Plans factor in the availability of services provided at AWCs under the ICDS and also ensure that expansion is undertaken in a manner that it meets inter-alia the nutritional and health demands of the beneficiaries particularly the marginalized sections in areas having high incidence of poverty and deprivation. The Women & Child Development Ministry has considered a Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme for Maternity Benefits called Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) on a pilot basis to provide cash transfers to pregnant and lactating women in response to fulfilling specific conditions. The objective of the scheme is to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women. A budget allocation of Rs.390 crore has been made for the scheme during the current financial year. (PIB Features)
*Freelance Writer
Disclaimer : The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PIB
rts/vn/ss-147/sf/dk/kol/15:49 hrs.
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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