Saturday, April 2, 2011
Public Undertakings and New Enterprises in Sikkim
source:Sikkim Now
by KC PRADHAN
I SAW WITH A tinge of sadness that the industrial flagships of the yesteryears - Sikkim Jewels and SITCO - are in the process of closing down with golden handshakes offered to its staff- the package varying from 4.5. lakhs to 10 lakhs. It was at the time of PP Pherwani and even Gyamtso Tashi in earlier times in Sikkim Jewels and Taga Khampa in SITCO that these institutions reached their zenith and were must-visit institutions for all dignitaries, from the Presidents to Prime Minsters to Ministers, from the Centre.
The world has changed, times have changed and so has the technology. It was expected that the executives in these institutions would be keeping abreast as to what was going around and keep changing the technology and the product as the market demanded. It is simple logic.
All institutions are headed by a board of directors. It is a lesson for the government to do away with all the party nominees heading organizations of such highly technical nature and go for the best brains either from home or outside to keep a close watch on the organization and keep abreast of the times.
It is not just the question of closing down, as these prime properties will have lucrative findings anyway, but the irony that the collective future of hundreds of such talented and well trained workers is going astray; that is a waste of human resources that we are desperately trying to achieve through capacity building measures at an enormous cost with doubtful uncertainty. Here lies the folly in not looking ahead and this lesson should apply to all such government and semi-government undertakings.
My immediate thought went to the assembly of mobiles or even laptops - the in-things of the present age of ever-developing technology. I wonder if persons of Sam Pitroda’s caliber and our technology-savvy Member of Lok Sabha could give it some thought. How about using the elegant premises of the old Sikkim House in Delhi to garner the best brains in the capital to create a think-tank under our competent MP to constantly deliberate on such issues facing our State.
Then again, I read the local dailies that the ruling party considered it fit to call for a Bandh on 04 and 05 April directed towards the numerous private enterprises that have mushroomed in the State over the last five to six years, without the least regard for our prized resources, and have violated the assurances and terms of the MoU. The only consolation we had was that the resource-strife State does need some resources for sustenance, or might I may, to keep the bloated bureaucracy and the paraparnalia of a small State to keep going and also the hope that the projects will impart gainful employment to the people of the State. The vision is appreciable. But it appears all these have gone awry. Is there any flaw in the agreements that we have entered into? Has Sikkim lost its inherent strength to show the doors to such unscrupulous entrepreneurs?
People at large were of the impression that what is going on is in the best interest of the State despite some environmental damages. But this sudden Bandh call gave us a jolt not because Sikkim will go hungry by 48 hours, but it gives a clear and loud signal that all is not well in the city of Rome. Some heads should surely roll if the house is to be put in order.
Considering the ground reality, the decision of the ruling party appears in right direction. After all, the ruling party has done a commendable job to present almost a balanced budget of over 8,000 crores - a historic occasion in the financial management of the State and can do very well even without all these grandiose schemes by all shades of people from all over the country with their own hidden agenda. After all they are here to make a quick buck and not for the love of Sikkim. So, it will augur well to keep all new enterprises on hold. There is undue hurry beyond the imagination of the people for whom the whole development revolves. I feel there is urgent need to introspect and do some re-thinking. Having said all that, I shudder to think why this Bandh on this particular day – the 4th of April?
I also take this opportunity to say adieu to TT Dorji, one of the ablest bureaucrats in the long history of Sikkim administration, who retires from the Chief Secretary’s post. He brought Sikkim on even keel in the field of financial management. Our grateful thanks to TT and welcome to the new incumbent. Our best wishes and good luck.
Astroturf starts rolling out at Paljor Stadium
source:Sikkim Now
GANGTOK, 01 April: The laying of Field Turf Outdoor Series grade of 65 mm thick Astroturf on Paljor Stadium ground started early last morning after completion of all initial works. The work is being carried out by a US-based firm, Field Turf Tarkett, and Great Sports Infra Private Limited, Hyderabad.
Ronald Knott of Field Turf Tarkett was at work on the ground supervising the laying the Astroturf along with Consultant Engineer, Great Sports Infra, Abhijit Desai, and their team.
After the Astroturf has been laid out, it will be filled with rubber and silica which will be further compressed.
It was further informed that at present, the turf is two and half inches long and after filling with compressed rubber and silica, just two-third portion will be exposed.
This rubber for the turf has also been imported from Field Turf Tarkett.
The turf will be completely laid out by mid-April if all the works move as per schedule.
The work is being regularly monitored by the Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, Karma P Bhutia, and Deputy Director [Coaching], Thupten Rapgyal.
It has to be mentioned here that this project began in the first week of January at a total project cost of Rs 3.77 crores.
This Astroturf is of the same quality as the one laid at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sikkim’s world premiere postponed to 06 Apr
source;SikkimNow
A press release issued by the secretary, ACT of Sikkim, Atul Kaura, informs that in view of the 2-day bandh called for 04 and 05 April, the world premiere of the much-awaited documentary film has been is rescheduled for 06 April, Wednesday.
The Trust has conveyed its apologies for the inconvenience caused to patrons and well-wishers due to the rescheduling of the program.
The bandh-enforced postponement is unfortunate because this documentary film, commissioned by Chogyal Palden Thendup Namgyal has waited for 40 years [it was completed in 1971] for its official premiere and was slated for its world premiere on 04 April, aptly, the birth anniversary of the Chogyal. That date will now be missed.
Cricket has become a uniting factor- PM
Prime Minister's speech at Dinner hosted by him in honour of the Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the august gathering at the Dinner hosted by him in honour of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at Mohali. Following is the text of Prime Minister’s speech delivered on the occasion:
“Cricket has become a uniting factor and I think one thing which we can agree is that the sporting links between our two countries should be normalized as early as possible.
We live in the world of great uncertainty. What is happening in the West Asia - no body could imagine only a month or two ago. And all this makes it all the more necessary that India and Pakistan, placed as we are strategically in this region, should both together exchange views and evolve a cooperative strategy on how to deal with the highly uncertain regional and global environment we live in today. It goes without saying that if oil prices rise, if there is unrest in West Asia it would affect both of us, both our countries, enormously as I mentioned to you this afternoon. It is therefore very important that the two countries should increasingly look at all these developments from the point of view of our peoples' needs, their aspirations and how working together we can find cooperative strategies to deal with these massive challenges that we face.
What has happened in Japan is unthinkable - earthquake followed by tsunami and that followed by nuclear tragedy. But in this increasingly integrated world, peace and prosperity are both indivisible. And we are neighbors. Destiny requires that we should find cooperative solutions to all the problems that we face. When we met in Thimpu last year we both agreed that trust deficit is one area where we need to act, and act fast enough, to create a new climate in which cooperative modes of thinking will flourish and take us on the path of progress.
That you have honored me in accepting my invitation to join me in watching this beautiful match, I am very very grateful to you. India and Pakistan face enormous challenges but also enormous opportunities. Our biggest enemy is poverty, ignorance and disease. If we work together to find cooperative solutions, if we do not allow ancient animosities to affect the possibility of working together in the contemporary setting of our region and the world, I dare say we can write a new chapter in the history of development cooperation in this subcontinent of ours.
Prime Minster, we had a very elaborate and extensive exchange of views on all outstanding issues and the message that should go from Mohali is that the Prime Ministers of both countries are agreed that they are determined to find cooperative solutions to all the outstanding issues that we face. If there are difficulties we have the will to persevere, we have the will to overcome.
And in you we have a leader, a Prime Minister who inspires confidence. As I mentioned to you, you come from a family with the great tradition of Saint Miyan Mir who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple, the abode of peace. And God has given me this opportunity and I sincerely hope and pray that under your distinguished leadership democracy will flourish in Pakistan. And that we will find peaceful and productive ways of engaging our two countries in the diverse areas which have enormous bearing on the future of our two countries and the wellbeing of our two people.
With these words I once again extend to you a very warm and cordial welcome. Though your stay here is very brief but you would have sensed how the love for sports is some thing which unites the people of our two countries and we should build on that.
And if we have to bridge the trust deficit, it is essential that at all levels we should work together. Political personalities must visit each others countries more often. Official contacts must be increased; civil society contact must be increased. And I am very happy that the presiding officer of our Lok Sabha and the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha have sent invitations to their counterparts in Pakistan to come and pay a visit. I dare say in moulding the future climate of opinion, parliamentarians have a very crucial role to play. I sincerely hope that parliamentarians from India and Pakistan would set in motion a process of permanent reconciliation between our two countries so that we can realize the aspirations of our people for a life of dignity and self-respect. Once again, my grateful thanks to you sir for accepting my invitation.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the august gathering at the Dinner hosted by him in honour of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at Mohali. Following is the text of Prime Minister’s speech delivered on the occasion:
“Cricket has become a uniting factor and I think one thing which we can agree is that the sporting links between our two countries should be normalized as early as possible.
We live in the world of great uncertainty. What is happening in the West Asia - no body could imagine only a month or two ago. And all this makes it all the more necessary that India and Pakistan, placed as we are strategically in this region, should both together exchange views and evolve a cooperative strategy on how to deal with the highly uncertain regional and global environment we live in today. It goes without saying that if oil prices rise, if there is unrest in West Asia it would affect both of us, both our countries, enormously as I mentioned to you this afternoon. It is therefore very important that the two countries should increasingly look at all these developments from the point of view of our peoples' needs, their aspirations and how working together we can find cooperative strategies to deal with these massive challenges that we face.
What has happened in Japan is unthinkable - earthquake followed by tsunami and that followed by nuclear tragedy. But in this increasingly integrated world, peace and prosperity are both indivisible. And we are neighbors. Destiny requires that we should find cooperative solutions to all the problems that we face. When we met in Thimpu last year we both agreed that trust deficit is one area where we need to act, and act fast enough, to create a new climate in which cooperative modes of thinking will flourish and take us on the path of progress.
That you have honored me in accepting my invitation to join me in watching this beautiful match, I am very very grateful to you. India and Pakistan face enormous challenges but also enormous opportunities. Our biggest enemy is poverty, ignorance and disease. If we work together to find cooperative solutions, if we do not allow ancient animosities to affect the possibility of working together in the contemporary setting of our region and the world, I dare say we can write a new chapter in the history of development cooperation in this subcontinent of ours.
Prime Minster, we had a very elaborate and extensive exchange of views on all outstanding issues and the message that should go from Mohali is that the Prime Ministers of both countries are agreed that they are determined to find cooperative solutions to all the outstanding issues that we face. If there are difficulties we have the will to persevere, we have the will to overcome.
And in you we have a leader, a Prime Minister who inspires confidence. As I mentioned to you, you come from a family with the great tradition of Saint Miyan Mir who laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple, the abode of peace. And God has given me this opportunity and I sincerely hope and pray that under your distinguished leadership democracy will flourish in Pakistan. And that we will find peaceful and productive ways of engaging our two countries in the diverse areas which have enormous bearing on the future of our two countries and the wellbeing of our two people.
With these words I once again extend to you a very warm and cordial welcome. Though your stay here is very brief but you would have sensed how the love for sports is some thing which unites the people of our two countries and we should build on that.
And if we have to bridge the trust deficit, it is essential that at all levels we should work together. Political personalities must visit each others countries more often. Official contacts must be increased; civil society contact must be increased. And I am very happy that the presiding officer of our Lok Sabha and the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha have sent invitations to their counterparts in Pakistan to come and pay a visit. I dare say in moulding the future climate of opinion, parliamentarians have a very crucial role to play. I sincerely hope that parliamentarians from India and Pakistan would set in motion a process of permanent reconciliation between our two countries so that we can realize the aspirations of our people for a life of dignity and self-respect. Once again, my grateful thanks to you sir for accepting my invitation.
Shiva Thapa is now ranked 6th in the World Youth. He was ranked 22nd in 2010. Thapa (in blue) is seen here strike a mean left on Zack Davis (UK) in the Bantam 54kg match during the boxing at the convention centre on August 22, 2010 in Singapore, Singapore. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images AsiaPac
PRESS RELEASE OF AOS-SIKKIM.
The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim strongly supports the 48 hour Bandh being called by the Sikkim Democratic Front on the various demands pending with the Central Government including seeking exemption from payment of income tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the left out categories of persons.
We are grateful to Honorable Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling, for having brought a Government Resolution in the recently concluded Budget Session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for considering inclusion of Left Out categories of persons including Old Settlers from exemption under Income Tax Act, 1961, who could not secure inclusion of their names in the erstwhile Sikkim Subject Register and hence deprived.
The Association is also thankful to Honorable Speaker and Honorable members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for having extended their consent and strong support in favour of the resolution thereby giving equal justice to all the people of Sikkim.
The Association appeals to all its members to extend full support and make the Bandh successful.
S.K.SARDA
President
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim
Gangtok
Ist April, 2011
The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim strongly supports the 48 hour Bandh being called by the Sikkim Democratic Front on the various demands pending with the Central Government including seeking exemption from payment of income tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the left out categories of persons.
We are grateful to Honorable Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling, for having brought a Government Resolution in the recently concluded Budget Session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for considering inclusion of Left Out categories of persons including Old Settlers from exemption under Income Tax Act, 1961, who could not secure inclusion of their names in the erstwhile Sikkim Subject Register and hence deprived.
The Association is also thankful to Honorable Speaker and Honorable members of Sikkim Legislative Assembly for having extended their consent and strong support in favour of the resolution thereby giving equal justice to all the people of Sikkim.
The Association appeals to all its members to extend full support and make the Bandh successful.
S.K.SARDA
President
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim
Gangtok
Ist April, 2011
PM's address at the Council on Trade and Industry meeting
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, chaired the meeting of PM’s Council on Trade and Industry in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion:
“I welcome you all to the second meeting of this Council. When we met in May last year, many of you had spoken about Government and industry partnering to address the challenges facing our economy.
Your enthusiasm resulted in the formation of sub-committees of the Council on five thematic areas. I am happy to know that the sub-committees have given their recommendations. We will carefully study these to see how they can be useful in tailoring our policies to achieve the desired outcomes.
Wherever I meet representatives from our industry and businesses, the question I am most often asked is whether economic reforms will continue. You should have no doubt on this score. The economic reforms of the past have brought us advantages and I can assure you that we will continue travelling on this path. We might do it gradually, and in a manner which builds a consensus for economic and social change. But I assure you that we will persevere.
Tax reforms, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax, are a very important part of our agenda. So also are financial sector reforms. We are also committed to major reforms in education and skill development. We have started a program to raise resources by sale of equity in public sector enterprises. Legal reforms aimed at reducing delays are another key priority.
We need to develop long-term debt markets and to deepen corporate bond markets. This in turn calls for strong insurance and pension sub-sectors. Some of the reforms needed, especially in insurance, involve legislative changes. We have taken initiatives in this area and will strive to build the political consensus needed for these legislative actions to be completed. We need to improve futures markets for better price discovery and regulation. We also need to remove institutional hurdles to facilitate better intermediation.
You are all aware of the new challenges we face in an increasingly open engagement with the world economy. We need to deal effectively with the consequences of rising oil, food and commodity prices, political upheavals in many countries and unprecedented natural disasters in various parts of the world.
In recent months, inflation and food inflation in particular, has been a problem. We want to deal with it in a manner that the growth rhythm is not disturbed. I believe we have pursued prudent fiscal and monetary policies to strike the right balance between growth and inflation. I am hopeful of seeing lower levels of inflation in the coming months.
Manufacturing remains an area where we need to improve our performance. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council are working together on a comprehensive manufacturing policy which would seek to improve industrial infrastructure and the business environment, and encourage development of appropriate technologies and human resources.
We have made a conscious effort to strengthen international diplomacy and aid our industry in their businesses internationally. It is a matter of great pride for the country that many of our industry houses are recognized names throughout the world.
The country's increasing engagement with the world economy has resulted in increased volumes of trade in goods and services. We are ensuring that our interests are protected in negotiations at the WTO and are also entering into various bilateral and regional trade agreements in order to create greater opportunities for our trade and industry
We are confident that our industry shall ably meet the new challenges of increased competition that come with emerging new opportunities afforded through these agreements.
We are committed to ensuring compliance of environment laws and at the same time reviewing the regulatory institutions and implementing frameworks to ensure that they are rule based, and aligned to the legitimate needs and aspirations of local populations and of businesses alike. Captains of Indian industry have to set standards in this regard, which could then become the norm for other businesses to follow. I am happy that the corporate sector has responded positively to the challenge of sustainability and some of the Indian models of integrating sustainability in core business processes are being showcased as the best in the world.
Let me again reaffirm our Government's commitment to providing an enabling environment conducive to the growth of the corporate sector in our country. Our Government is aware of the many challenges that our industry faces, like the infrastructure deficit. We will do everything possible to help it overcome these challenges. I have said on an earlier occasion that I am aware of the nervousness in some sections of the corporate sector arising out of some recent unfortunate developments. We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension. The Government is committed to improving the quality of governance. We are considering all measures, including legislative and administrative, to tackle corruption and improve transparency. Comprehensive steps have been taken to strengthen the intelligence and implementing institutions to combat the menace of black money and rein in corruption. A Group of Ministers has been entrusted the task of considering issues relating to enunciation of public procurement standards, formulation of a public procurement policy, review and abolition of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers, and introduction of an open and competitive system for the use of natural resources.
I am sure you have many valuable ideas and suggestion to share. I look forward to hearing your views.”
*****
RCJ/SH/LV
(Release ID :71409)
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, chaired the meeting of PM’s Council on Trade and Industry in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion:
“I welcome you all to the second meeting of this Council. When we met in May last year, many of you had spoken about Government and industry partnering to address the challenges facing our economy.
Your enthusiasm resulted in the formation of sub-committees of the Council on five thematic areas. I am happy to know that the sub-committees have given their recommendations. We will carefully study these to see how they can be useful in tailoring our policies to achieve the desired outcomes.
Wherever I meet representatives from our industry and businesses, the question I am most often asked is whether economic reforms will continue. You should have no doubt on this score. The economic reforms of the past have brought us advantages and I can assure you that we will continue travelling on this path. We might do it gradually, and in a manner which builds a consensus for economic and social change. But I assure you that we will persevere.
Tax reforms, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax, are a very important part of our agenda. So also are financial sector reforms. We are also committed to major reforms in education and skill development. We have started a program to raise resources by sale of equity in public sector enterprises. Legal reforms aimed at reducing delays are another key priority.
We need to develop long-term debt markets and to deepen corporate bond markets. This in turn calls for strong insurance and pension sub-sectors. Some of the reforms needed, especially in insurance, involve legislative changes. We have taken initiatives in this area and will strive to build the political consensus needed for these legislative actions to be completed. We need to improve futures markets for better price discovery and regulation. We also need to remove institutional hurdles to facilitate better intermediation.
You are all aware of the new challenges we face in an increasingly open engagement with the world economy. We need to deal effectively with the consequences of rising oil, food and commodity prices, political upheavals in many countries and unprecedented natural disasters in various parts of the world.
In recent months, inflation and food inflation in particular, has been a problem. We want to deal with it in a manner that the growth rhythm is not disturbed. I believe we have pursued prudent fiscal and monetary policies to strike the right balance between growth and inflation. I am hopeful of seeing lower levels of inflation in the coming months.
Manufacturing remains an area where we need to improve our performance. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council are working together on a comprehensive manufacturing policy which would seek to improve industrial infrastructure and the business environment, and encourage development of appropriate technologies and human resources.
We have made a conscious effort to strengthen international diplomacy and aid our industry in their businesses internationally. It is a matter of great pride for the country that many of our industry houses are recognized names throughout the world.
The country's increasing engagement with the world economy has resulted in increased volumes of trade in goods and services. We are ensuring that our interests are protected in negotiations at the WTO and are also entering into various bilateral and regional trade agreements in order to create greater opportunities for our trade and industry
We are confident that our industry shall ably meet the new challenges of increased competition that come with emerging new opportunities afforded through these agreements.
We are committed to ensuring compliance of environment laws and at the same time reviewing the regulatory institutions and implementing frameworks to ensure that they are rule based, and aligned to the legitimate needs and aspirations of local populations and of businesses alike. Captains of Indian industry have to set standards in this regard, which could then become the norm for other businesses to follow. I am happy that the corporate sector has responded positively to the challenge of sustainability and some of the Indian models of integrating sustainability in core business processes are being showcased as the best in the world.
Let me again reaffirm our Government's commitment to providing an enabling environment conducive to the growth of the corporate sector in our country. Our Government is aware of the many challenges that our industry faces, like the infrastructure deficit. We will do everything possible to help it overcome these challenges. I have said on an earlier occasion that I am aware of the nervousness in some sections of the corporate sector arising out of some recent unfortunate developments. We stand committed to ensuring that our industry moves ahead with confidence and without fear or apprehension. The Government is committed to improving the quality of governance. We are considering all measures, including legislative and administrative, to tackle corruption and improve transparency. Comprehensive steps have been taken to strengthen the intelligence and implementing institutions to combat the menace of black money and rein in corruption. A Group of Ministers has been entrusted the task of considering issues relating to enunciation of public procurement standards, formulation of a public procurement policy, review and abolition of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers, and introduction of an open and competitive system for the use of natural resources.
I am sure you have many valuable ideas and suggestion to share. I look forward to hearing your views.”
*****
RCJ/SH/LV
(Release ID :71409)
Prime Minister's Office
31-March, 2011 21:04 IST
Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry meeting.
The Prime Minister chaired the meeting of the Council on Trade and Industry. In his address to the council he, while noting that the economic reforms have helped the country, stated that the Government will continue down the road of economic reforms, even if the process is gradual; for, building a consensus for economic and social change is crucial. He stated that the Government plans to push ahead on reforms in key areas, especially those aimed at fiscal consolidation, while ensuring a strong expansion in investment in infrastructure, taxation, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax and the financial sector. He said the reforms in education and skill development sectors were already underway.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a broad agenda for reforms for financing infrastructure development. He outlined the challenges of rising crude, food and commodity prices, international political uncertainties and the impact of natural disasters that the economy faces today. He assured that the Government was keenly aware of these challenges and the concerns of the industry. He spoke of the need for aggressive acquisition of assets abroad, stronger research and development, strengthening international diplomacy, protecting the interests of the country at the WTO and making available good quality infrastructure in the country and assured that the Government was alive to these needs and was taking effective measures.
While speaking of the need for every sector in the economy to work towards inclusion, the Prime Minister lauded the increasing engagement of corporate sector with the rural economy. He spoke of the need to consolidate the linkages between rural and urban sectors, agriculture and manufacturing sectors and regions.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to provide an environment conducive to the growth of the corporate sector. He said that he was aware of the perception of governance and ethical deficit in public life and stated that Government was committed to improving the quality of governance and enhancing transparency, probity and integrity in public life. Government is considering all measures, including legislative and administrative, to tackle corruption and improve transparency. Comprehensive measures have been launched to strengthen institutions to combat the menace of black money and corruption. A Group of Ministers has been entrusted the task of considering issues relating to enunciation of public procurement standards, formulation of a public procurement policy, review and abolition of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers, introduction of an open and competitive system for the use of natural resources.
The Prime Minister said that ethical and responsible behaviour needs to become the cornerstone of public and corporate behaviour, as indeed of our national outlook. He said the Government was totally committed to ensuring that faith of the public is restored in governance and probity of the highest order is restored in public life, and we have already taken action against powerful and entrenched individuals. Systems will be put in place to prevent recurrence of incidences of corruption and malfeasance. He also called upon the corporate sector to work towards improving the ethical standards in corporate governance.
The industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work in partnership with Government particularly in areas of inclusive growth, skill development and job creation and environmental protection.
The sub-committees of the Council that had worked on the following five thematic areas presented their reports to the Council:
i. Financial inclusion,
ii. Tribal area development,
iii. Public private partnerships in R&D,
iv. Agricultural production and food security, and
v. Skill development, affirmative action and corporate social responsibility.
On behalf of the sub-committees presentations were made by Shri Ratan Tata, Smt. Chanda Kochhar, Shri Jamshed Godrej, Dr. A.S. Ganguly and Shri S.K. Munjal.
The Prime Minister thanked the industry leaders for devoting their valuable time to the deliberations of the sub-committees and the useful recommendations made by them. He said that the Government will carefully study the recommendations and ensure that public policies are suitably modified wherever feasible to achieve the desired outcomes. He also called upon the members of Council from the corporate sector work towards implementation of the recommendations, in cooperation with the Government.
While the Government and the industry will work in partnership and study all the recommendations of the sub-committee and work towards their implementation, wherever feasible, the following recommendations would be prioritized for immediate focused attention:
(i) Agriculture, food production and food security: The sub-committee recommended that a comprehensive package of initiatives and measures should be implemented for meeting the envisaged demand for food in 2020, which include liberalising procurement of agricultural commodities, trading, storage and transportation, encouraging private investment in agriculture value chain, reforming minimum support price regime, developing the reach and effectiveness of rural credit, agriculture insurance, establishment of special agriculture zones and undertaking focussed interventions for pulses and oilseeds. The Government is already implementing several measures towards the achievement of the above recommended reforms. The industry will hasten its process of engagement with the agricultural sector and work towards its development, particularly in the areas of agricultural inputs, technology, extension and the total value chain from farm gate to the consumer.
(ii) Public Private Partnerships especially in R & D: The sub-committee recommended (a) to develop new relationship models and guiding principles for promotion of Public-Private Partnership for R&D based on global best practices and broaden the horizon for public sector R&D professionals; and (b) To establish a public fund for investments into PPP projects for R&D in five identified sectors for formulation and implementation of a few path breaking major national projects involving major technological challenges through existing structures. The Government is committed to encouraging investment in R & D with the involvement of the industry and exploring avenues for PPP in R&D and clean energy sectors. The Council Members said that the industry was committed to increasing investments in R&D and engaging with the Government and educational and research institutions in promotion of R & D through Public Private Partnerships.
(iii) Tribal Area Development: The subcommittee has, among other things, recommended that the control of tribal people over Minor Forest Produce (MFP) should be made effective by measures such as (a) definition and notification of MFP by the state governments, as per the Forest Rights Act, (b) announcement of minimum support prices (MSP) for MFPs and (c) deployment of an effective mechanism for ensuring fair prices to collectors of MFP. The Government is committed to the effective realization of rights of tribal people and their empowerment through the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, PESA and the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act. The Forest Rights Act is a significant tool for empowerment of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers. The Government is aware of the issues relating to the implementation of the Act and is considering various measures to strengthen its implementation. The Members of Council from the industry expressed their commitment to the inclusive agenda of involving the tribal people in the process of growth and development and partnering with the government and local administrations in finding markets for MFP and creating a value chain.
(iv) Financial Inclusion: The sub-committee has recommended, among other recommendations, allowing of ‘for profit’ entities to be Business Correspondents, allowing of low value remittances by non-banking players and sharing of common infrastructure. The Government has already taken significant steps in the direction of financial inclusion: The ‘Swabhimaan’ programme has been launched for which connectivity has been provided this year to around 73,000 habitations. This will facilitate remittances across banks in any part of the country seamlessly. This has also enabled deposit of MNREGA wages to the beneficiaries in the no frills bank accounts opened by them for this purpose. In future, all government payments including subsidies can be paid through such no frills accounts. Through the involvement of non-profit entities serving as Business Correspondents the ramping up of the identification and entrusting the job of Business Correspondents has increased exponentially. This has enabled banks to roll out the financial inclusion programme at a significant pace and at the same time ensuring control over the operations. The Council Members expressed the commitment of the industry to expand its engagement with non-included sectors and people in order to further financial inclusion.
(v) Skill Development, Affirmative Action and Corporate Social Responsibility: The sub-committee recommends to (a) encourage industrial houses to set up own training institutes/take up existing centres under PPP, and (b) adopt innovative ways to remodel apprenticeship programme with industry involvement, and as part of affirmative action and corporate social responsibility to affirm that: (i) no SC/ST trainee would be turned away by any skill development centre, and (ii) in vendor development, preference would be given to SC/ST entrepreneurs. The Government is already implementing a Skill Development Initiative which derives its inspiration from the Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development. The members of the Council felt that the private sector had an important role to play in skill development and expressed their commitment to implementation of the recommendations of the sub-committee and to work with the Government’s Skill Development Initiative.
***
SH
(Release ID :71411)
31-March, 2011 21:04 IST
Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry meeting.
The Prime Minister chaired the meeting of the Council on Trade and Industry. In his address to the council he, while noting that the economic reforms have helped the country, stated that the Government will continue down the road of economic reforms, even if the process is gradual; for, building a consensus for economic and social change is crucial. He stated that the Government plans to push ahead on reforms in key areas, especially those aimed at fiscal consolidation, while ensuring a strong expansion in investment in infrastructure, taxation, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax and the financial sector. He said the reforms in education and skill development sectors were already underway.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a broad agenda for reforms for financing infrastructure development. He outlined the challenges of rising crude, food and commodity prices, international political uncertainties and the impact of natural disasters that the economy faces today. He assured that the Government was keenly aware of these challenges and the concerns of the industry. He spoke of the need for aggressive acquisition of assets abroad, stronger research and development, strengthening international diplomacy, protecting the interests of the country at the WTO and making available good quality infrastructure in the country and assured that the Government was alive to these needs and was taking effective measures.
While speaking of the need for every sector in the economy to work towards inclusion, the Prime Minister lauded the increasing engagement of corporate sector with the rural economy. He spoke of the need to consolidate the linkages between rural and urban sectors, agriculture and manufacturing sectors and regions.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to provide an environment conducive to the growth of the corporate sector. He said that he was aware of the perception of governance and ethical deficit in public life and stated that Government was committed to improving the quality of governance and enhancing transparency, probity and integrity in public life. Government is considering all measures, including legislative and administrative, to tackle corruption and improve transparency. Comprehensive measures have been launched to strengthen institutions to combat the menace of black money and corruption. A Group of Ministers has been entrusted the task of considering issues relating to enunciation of public procurement standards, formulation of a public procurement policy, review and abolition of discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministers, introduction of an open and competitive system for the use of natural resources.
The Prime Minister said that ethical and responsible behaviour needs to become the cornerstone of public and corporate behaviour, as indeed of our national outlook. He said the Government was totally committed to ensuring that faith of the public is restored in governance and probity of the highest order is restored in public life, and we have already taken action against powerful and entrenched individuals. Systems will be put in place to prevent recurrence of incidences of corruption and malfeasance. He also called upon the corporate sector to work towards improving the ethical standards in corporate governance.
The industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work in partnership with Government particularly in areas of inclusive growth, skill development and job creation and environmental protection.
The sub-committees of the Council that had worked on the following five thematic areas presented their reports to the Council:
i. Financial inclusion,
ii. Tribal area development,
iii. Public private partnerships in R&D,
iv. Agricultural production and food security, and
v. Skill development, affirmative action and corporate social responsibility.
On behalf of the sub-committees presentations were made by Shri Ratan Tata, Smt. Chanda Kochhar, Shri Jamshed Godrej, Dr. A.S. Ganguly and Shri S.K. Munjal.
The Prime Minister thanked the industry leaders for devoting their valuable time to the deliberations of the sub-committees and the useful recommendations made by them. He said that the Government will carefully study the recommendations and ensure that public policies are suitably modified wherever feasible to achieve the desired outcomes. He also called upon the members of Council from the corporate sector work towards implementation of the recommendations, in cooperation with the Government.
While the Government and the industry will work in partnership and study all the recommendations of the sub-committee and work towards their implementation, wherever feasible, the following recommendations would be prioritized for immediate focused attention:
(i) Agriculture, food production and food security: The sub-committee recommended that a comprehensive package of initiatives and measures should be implemented for meeting the envisaged demand for food in 2020, which include liberalising procurement of agricultural commodities, trading, storage and transportation, encouraging private investment in agriculture value chain, reforming minimum support price regime, developing the reach and effectiveness of rural credit, agriculture insurance, establishment of special agriculture zones and undertaking focussed interventions for pulses and oilseeds. The Government is already implementing several measures towards the achievement of the above recommended reforms. The industry will hasten its process of engagement with the agricultural sector and work towards its development, particularly in the areas of agricultural inputs, technology, extension and the total value chain from farm gate to the consumer.
(ii) Public Private Partnerships especially in R & D: The sub-committee recommended (a) to develop new relationship models and guiding principles for promotion of Public-Private Partnership for R&D based on global best practices and broaden the horizon for public sector R&D professionals; and (b) To establish a public fund for investments into PPP projects for R&D in five identified sectors for formulation and implementation of a few path breaking major national projects involving major technological challenges through existing structures. The Government is committed to encouraging investment in R & D with the involvement of the industry and exploring avenues for PPP in R&D and clean energy sectors. The Council Members said that the industry was committed to increasing investments in R&D and engaging with the Government and educational and research institutions in promotion of R & D through Public Private Partnerships.
(iii) Tribal Area Development: The subcommittee has, among other things, recommended that the control of tribal people over Minor Forest Produce (MFP) should be made effective by measures such as (a) definition and notification of MFP by the state governments, as per the Forest Rights Act, (b) announcement of minimum support prices (MSP) for MFPs and (c) deployment of an effective mechanism for ensuring fair prices to collectors of MFP. The Government is committed to the effective realization of rights of tribal people and their empowerment through the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, PESA and the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act. The Forest Rights Act is a significant tool for empowerment of tribals and other traditional forest dwellers. The Government is aware of the issues relating to the implementation of the Act and is considering various measures to strengthen its implementation. The Members of Council from the industry expressed their commitment to the inclusive agenda of involving the tribal people in the process of growth and development and partnering with the government and local administrations in finding markets for MFP and creating a value chain.
(iv) Financial Inclusion: The sub-committee has recommended, among other recommendations, allowing of ‘for profit’ entities to be Business Correspondents, allowing of low value remittances by non-banking players and sharing of common infrastructure. The Government has already taken significant steps in the direction of financial inclusion: The ‘Swabhimaan’ programme has been launched for which connectivity has been provided this year to around 73,000 habitations. This will facilitate remittances across banks in any part of the country seamlessly. This has also enabled deposit of MNREGA wages to the beneficiaries in the no frills bank accounts opened by them for this purpose. In future, all government payments including subsidies can be paid through such no frills accounts. Through the involvement of non-profit entities serving as Business Correspondents the ramping up of the identification and entrusting the job of Business Correspondents has increased exponentially. This has enabled banks to roll out the financial inclusion programme at a significant pace and at the same time ensuring control over the operations. The Council Members expressed the commitment of the industry to expand its engagement with non-included sectors and people in order to further financial inclusion.
(v) Skill Development, Affirmative Action and Corporate Social Responsibility: The sub-committee recommends to (a) encourage industrial houses to set up own training institutes/take up existing centres under PPP, and (b) adopt innovative ways to remodel apprenticeship programme with industry involvement, and as part of affirmative action and corporate social responsibility to affirm that: (i) no SC/ST trainee would be turned away by any skill development centre, and (ii) in vendor development, preference would be given to SC/ST entrepreneurs. The Government is already implementing a Skill Development Initiative which derives its inspiration from the Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development. The members of the Council felt that the private sector had an important role to play in skill development and expressed their commitment to implementation of the recommendations of the sub-committee and to work with the Government’s Skill Development Initiative.
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SH
(Release ID :71411)
Drink the truth about health drinks
AP Coca-Cola’s 2004 buy-up of Energy Brands Inc (which makes Vitaminwater), was the largest purchase in its115-year history.
They’re big business, but not all consumers seem to be aware that some so-called health drinks contain more sugar than a bottle of Coke.
Earlier this month, the global drinks giant Coca-Cola dropped out of an annual list of the world’s top 10 brands for the very first time; having come third in 2010, the company found itself in 16th place, and the fall, analysts said, was in part fuelled by the fact that consumers are increasingly choosing “healthier drinks” over traditional fizzy pop.
The shift in our drinking habits over the past two decades has been remarkable: the global rate of bottled water consumption quadrupled between 1990 and 2005, and today the industry is worth some GBP2bn in the UK alone. Over the last few years we have seen an explosion in enhanced waters — not only flavoured waters, but also waters with added vitamins and minerals (Vitaminwater), electrolytes (SmartWater), not to mention waters that promise to aid energy levels, concentration, sleep, sex and relaxation (Neuro drinks). The predicted growth of the market can be judged by Coca-Cola’s 2004 buy-up of Energy Brands Inc (which makes Vitaminwater), which was the largest purchase in Coca-Cola’s 115-year history.
But are these drinks any healthier than, say, lemonade or cola? Certain flavours of This Water (the flavoured water range that shares a parent company with Innocent) contain 42g of sugar per 420ml bottle (a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola contains 35g of sugar).
“The nutritional information is clearly stated on all our drinks labels,” says Sarah Smart, This Water’s marketing manager. “This Water drinks are made from pure squeezed juices from real fruits, spring water and sugar. The sugars found in our drinks are made up of the sugars in fruit juice and sucrose, which is needed to ensure that our drinks taste great — without it, they would taste too sharp. Unlike other flavoured water brands, our drinks will never contain concentrates, colourings or preservatives.” The problem with the enhanced water market is in part one of perception — as consumers, we associate the words “vitamins” and “fruit” and even “preservative-free” with a healthy diet, and give little thought to less desirable ingredients.
In January, the Advertising Standards Agency declared an advert that claimed Vitaminwater was nutritious “misleading“; while the drink promises much by way of added vitamins, including 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C, and while it does qualify as a “low-calorie” drink by EU guidelines, each 500ml bottle also contains the equivalent of around five teaspoons of sugar — about a quarter of the consumer’s guideline daily amount.
“We have always been completely transparent that the drinks contain 23g of sugar in each 500ml bottle,” a spokeswoman said, adding that its flavours and colourings are now “naturally derived” and that the drink “provides a convenient way to help people hydrate and get more of the vitamins and minerals they may require”.
Of course a drink that promises extra vitamins, not to mention improved focus, sex or sleep, cannot help but seem alluring. Neuro Bliss, for instance, claims to be “designed to promote happiness and eliminate stress without affecting your energy levels”. It contains L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, to aid relaxation and mental function, phosphatidylserine, which “may help to maintain and improve healthy mental performance” and vitamin D3, which “supports healthy bones; may help support cognitive function and immunity”. Should we be sceptical? “For these claims to appear on a label,” explains Bridget Benelan of the British Nutrition Foundation, “they have to either comply with the European Commission approved list, or be going through the process of applying for that approval.” But the EC regulation has only been in place since 2007, and since thousands of appeals have been submitted, it is understandably taking a long time to check them all.
“A lot of them haven’t got through,” Benelan says. “For example, some probiotics, as well as the link between omega 3 and cognitive function. But vitamin D’s link to bone health has been proved, and as long as there’s more than 15% of the recommended daily amount in the drink, they can make that claim.” Neuro Bliss contains 50% of the RDA of vitamin D3.
While such drinks can do no harm as an occasional treat, it is the cumulative effect of drinking them regularly, and in large quantities, that could prove harmful: a 2009 study found that Americans now obtain 25% of their calories from liquids.
“If people are consuming large quantities of things with high calorie content, then there is reason to worry,” says Benelan. “If we want something to drink, it’s usually because we’re thirsty, not because we need energy — and it’s unlikely to mean that later we don’t eat something because we’ve consumed calories from that drink.”
Copyright: Guardian News & Media 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
SDF calls 48-hour bandh to leverage 31 demands
Source:SIKKIM NOW
BANDH TO REITERATE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND DEMANDS PENDING WITH CENTRE
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK: The Sikkim Democratic Front has called a 48-hour Sikkim Bandh on 04 and 05 April. The bandh will be effect from 6 AM of 04 April to 6 AM of 06 April. The party has called for all shops, offices and schools to remain closed for the two days. This has been called to press for a set of 31 demands with local protection by way of employment taking up most of the points while also included are demands pending with the Centre.
Ambulances, medicine shops, milk transport vehicles, press, Fire Department, Police, armed forces and paramilitary traffic, court and garbage vehicles and class X and XII board examination students have been exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Addressing a press conference today, SDF spokesperson, Bhim Dahal, explained that the party was compelled to take up this “strong democratic weapon” in the interest of the local people and to press for their rights and aspirations.
This step has been taken in continuation of party’s move against private industrial units in Sikkim which continue to sideline local interests while hiring personnel.
Out of the 31 demands listed to explain the need for the bandh, 28 demands relate to local employment issues, insisting that be given to local candidates in various jobs and other opportunities opening in the private and central government organisations in the State.
Mr Dahal stated that even in his two meetings with the private companies which have invested in the State, the Chief Minister had directed them to abide by the MoUs in which they have undertaken to provide priority to local people in various opportunities created in these units.
“But these units have not been working earnestly in favour of the local people even though the MoUs require them to do so. Locals are only being hired through labour contractors and are being denied their rightful dues,” he stated.
He underlined that the strike was to press for these demands because the people have been suffering for too long and the party wants to solve these problems in a peaceful way.
Vice-president, All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front, BM Ramudamu, in turn informed that on 03 February, the ASDLF had served an ultimatum to the companies which has gone unheeded, necessitating the bandh call now.
Mr Ramudamu stressed that if these companies still did not take these issues seriously, then the party would go in for even stronger steps in future.
The demands mainly seek that priority be given to local candidates even in various central departments, banks, industrial units, hydel projects, hotels, show-rooms and shopping malls in the state.
The SDF is also demanding that the services of all local employees in the private industrial units and hydel projects be regularised and that no favouritism be allowed in salaries and other benefits between local and employees from outside the State, who are reportedly receiving better emoluments in most cases for the same jobs.
The party has further demanded that the practice of using labour contractors be stopped immediately and local employees be enrolled directly with the company as regular and that employees from outside the State replaced by locals in abidance with Rule 4 (4), which incidentally extends only to government employment.
It has also demanded that the Employment Exchange (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act 1959, Labour Compensation Act and Minimum Wages be implemented in all industrial units and hydel projects in Sikkim.
The party has also demanded that employment be provided to the next of kin of employees who die in harness and that the EPF process be made more convenient by opening an EPF office in Sikkim.
It has also demanded that the tenders issued by different industrial units here be conducted in the State to provide full opportunity to local contractors, that they also establish warehouses inside the state and hire only local drivers.
The party has also demanded that every unit establish health centres and schools and offer employment only to locals in C and D categories.
Also included in the list are the demands for immediate reservation of seats for Limboo and Tamang communities in the State Assembly, tribal status for all others as well and Income Tax exemption for the old settlers.
source:SIKKIM NOW
Census 2011: population pegged at 1,210.2 million
The Hindu The provisional report has pegged India’s population pegged at 1,210.2 million (male — 623.7 million and female — 586.5 million). File photo shows people at a wholesale market in New Delhi.
India’s population is now pegged at 1.21 billion, an increase of more than 181 million in the last 10 years, according to the provisional 2011 Census report released on Thursday.
The population comprising 623.7 million males and 586.5 million females is almost equal to the combined population of the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together.
The population has increased by more than 181 million during the decade 2001-2011, the report said. The growth rate in 2011 is 17.64 per cent in comparison to 21.15 per cent in 2001.
The 2001-2011 period is the first decade — with exception of 1911-1921 — which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade, Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner of India C. Chandramauli said in the presence of Home Secretary G. K. Pillai.
Among the states and Union territories, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state with 199 million people and Lakshadweep the least populated at 64,429.
The combined population of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra is bigger than that of the U.S.
The highest population density is in Delhi’s northeast district (37,346 per sq km) while the lowest is in Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh (just one per sq km).
Child sex ratio in 2011 is 914 female against 1,000 male — the lowest since Independence.
According to the data, literates constitute 74 per cent of the total population aged seven and above and illiterates form 26 per cent. The literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21 per cent.
Interestingly, the addition of 181 million population during 2001-2011 is slightly lower than the total population of Brazil, the fifth most populous country in the world.
While China has 19.4 per cent of the world’s total population, India has 17.5 per cent of the world population.
However, the percentage decadal growth during 2001-2011 has registered the sharpest decline since Independence — a decrease of 3.90 percentage points from 21.54 to 17.64 per cent.
Apart from Uttar Pradesh, other most populous states are — Maharashtra (112.3 million), Bihar (103.8 million), West Bengal (91.3 million) and Andhra Pradesh (84.6 million).
Besides Lakshadweep, smallest UTs and states are — Daman and Diu (2,42,911), Dadra and Nagar Haveli (3,42,853), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (7,79,944) and Sikkim (6,07,688).
The percentage decadal growth rates of the six most populous states have declined during 2001-2011 compared to 1991-2001. Uttar Pradesh (25.85 per cent to 20.09 per cent), Maharashtra (22.73 per cent to 15.99 per cent), Bihar (28.62 per cent to 25.07 per cent), West Bengal (17.77 per cent to 13.93 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (14.59 per cent to 11.10 per cent and Madhya Pradesh (24.26 per cent to 20.23 per cent).
“For the first time, there is a significant fall in the growth rate of population in the Empowered Action Group states after decades of stagnation,” Mr. Chandramouli said. The EAG states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
RBI reaches Rey-Mindu with Financial Outreach Programme
source:Sikkim Now
GANGTOK: A Financial Outreach programme, organized by the Reserve Bank of India [RBI] was held at Rey-Mindu village, on Sunday.
The chief guest, S Kurrupasamy [Executive Director, RBI, Mumbai], while addressing the function explained that the Chief Minister’s Rural Universal Financial Inclusion programme was focused to make the rural people financially secure by inculcating a habit of saving. He added that by March 2012, every village in Sikkim will be provided with banking facilities.
“Introduction of Financial Inclusion, which has a number of schemes under it, is for people from rural areas and they should utilize it well because the development of a county is assured only when there is development in rural areas,” stated Mr. Kurrupasamy.
“To sustain the development process, financial knowledge is very important, so the heads of the different RBI Branch should visit every village to provide financial knowledge to the villagers,” he added.
EE Karthok [General Manager, RBI, Gangtok], in turn, informed that three villages - Rey-Mindu and Samdur in East and Darap in West District have been adopted by RBI for its Business Correspondents Model, which will reach door-to-door banking facilities to the villagers through different correspondents. Besides these facilities they will organize different banking awareness programmes in villages as well,” he said.
AK Ganeriwala [Secretary, RMDD] added that with the establishment of RBI in Sikkim last year, lots of earnest banking initiatives have begun here. Good banking facilities in Sikkim will assist the State government’s mission of making Sikkim a poverty free state, he underlined.
The programme was also addressed by BK Dey [General Manager, NABARD] and Basantan [Banking Ombudsman, Kolkata]. Other dignitaries present at the function were Urvashi Poudyal [BDO Ranka], Yadav [AGM] and other banking officials.
A cultural programme and quiz competitions were also held.
Control mood swings
source:The Hindu
Make lifestyle changes: Women are more vulnerable to mood swings than men. Photo: K.R. Deepak
With a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle irrational mood swings can be curbed
An unpredictable one day match can be an ideal showcase for mood swings of any individual. Whether it is the loss of a wicket that pushes the crowd into desolation or the caressed cover drive of Tendulkar bringing joy to millions; a human mind is on either extreme of the spectrum. As such the human mind wants to be tranquil in pursuit of happiness but few minor thoughts can swing and sway the emotions so that mood swings become inherent part of it. Negative emotions like anger, irritability, tearfulness and sadness are a normal part of day to day life but if they happen to go beyond the control of the human being and tend to affect work and personal relationships, it is a matter of concern and need to be looked into. The need becomes even more urgent, if the episodes are excessive and frequent.
This transition of emotions has been found to be more common in women than in men.
Mood swings have become much more common part of lifestyle when stress and strain of work, relationships and the anxiety to achieve are of utmost priority on the mind of individuals either young or old, men or women. This complex situation of imbalance in daily lifestyle with little time for family has been found to be the usual precipitating reason for the swings.
Fresh fruits and vegetables when taken regularly provides enough vitamins and minerals for the human metabolism whereas the lack of it can precipitate the issue.
Excessive sugar rich foods causes rise in sugar levels in the blood stream, even as it remains stranded can cause the emotional highs and lows and also the unexplained fatigue.
For that matter low levels of blood sugar can also cause the same issue too. Smokers and also alcoholics are more prone to it. Women are vulnerable because of the hormonal imbalances that occur during premenstrual phase, pregnancy, post delivery and menopausal phases of life.
These hormones have control over not just the reproductive organs but very subtly over the mind too, that makes a woman's life either pleasurable or cause havoc.
The lack of sufficient iron and haemoglobin in cases of anaemia is another cause for mood swings. But more often than not, if excessive and frequent emotions are the order of the day, it is most probably due to the chemical imbalance in the brain causing conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders and needs to be remedied at the earliest.
The first effort to fight the mood swings would be through lifestyle changes. Counselling sessions would be of help too.
Taking a deep breath and taking the mind away from the sensitivities of the moment can help reduce the negativity to a certain extent at that acute phase. It is not always possible to see reason when the emotions are overpowering but once the storm has passed, it should be the time for some rational thinking and also see that next time when one has to go through the same issue one's response could be more positive than before. That in itself helps temper down swinging emotion. Eating a balanced diet regularly, exercise and relaxation with enough sleep would go a way in tempering down the predicament. Homoeopathic medicine has good remedies to see that there is a much moderate response to such situations, if one is used to them. Belladonna, Hyoscyamus Stramonium, Op., are remedies which slow down the surge of negative emotions while Ignatia, Natrummur, Staphysagria, Kali phos help one out of the sadness while Sang can, Cimcifuga, Ambra grisea help a woman with the surge of hormones influencing the mind.
To keep the mind cool and calm, homoeopathic medicine is the best bet.
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Salient features of Sikkim Budget
The Chief Minister, Dr Pawan Chamling, who also looks after the finance portfolio, unveiled his budget proposals. The salient features are:
Satisfactory all round economic growth in Sikkim buoyed by the economic growth that the country is experiencing at over 8.5 percent. He however, cautioned on the price rise due to increase in fuel costs as the country imports a large amount of crude oil. Volatility in the world may impact inflation adversely and hence it is important to see that we can hedge this through more production of our own food needs and use of electric power in transportation of the future since we are going to be more than selfsufficient in this due to our hydro power generation.
Sikkim continues to receive accolades and recognition of success in development in all major sectors. Sikkim has in the process achieved the core of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The number of tourists visiting Sikkim exceeded 7 Lakhs.
This is Final year of the 11th Plan and hence there is more emphasis being given on completion of ongoing projects and improvement in quality of implementation. Furthermore, there is going to increased monitoring through use of new tools that will be introduced. More training programs of high quality are on the anvil for our young officers to help inculcate a sense of purpose in them. This will equip them with the latest knowledge and skills to serve the people of Sikkim more professionally.
Balanced Budget* – A deficit of just R 20 Lakhs, on a proposed expenditure of R 8,090.24 Crores. Tax Revenues are to climb over 27 percent.
The budget continues to be Pro-poor and rural centric in alignment with stated goals of Government.
The various Missions will continue to be supported. Mission mode is also going to be oriented toward bringing in greater cooperation between departments and their budgets. This is in keeping with Government of India policy.
Poverty elimination by 2015- all schemes are converging to make this a positive outcome.
Eradication of illiteracy by 2015 - quality of education will be further enhanced and more training of teachers is being targeted. ICDS children will be provided with free uniforms along with the food that they are already receiving.
Organic farming and marketing of produce – this is a paradigm changing program which is well on its way to becoming a reality. More outlets and ‘Kisan Bazaars’ are planned. All aspects of farming will be further improved with technological interventions.
This budget is also youth centric in terms of higher education and skills development – this ongoing scheme will be further improved upon and more resources to this sector is being devolved.
Green mission – this mission is now becoming a way of life for the rural people. More and more encouragement is being given to plant trees and green cover.
Rural Housing – 6,000 houses are to be built at an average cost of R 4.40 Lakhs each. A total of R 264.62 has been earmarked in the budget for this. This is the Mukhiya Mantri Awas Yojana Kutcha House Free Sikkim program which seeks for expanding the scope and method in implementation. From a fragmented approach to an integration of various schemes is the mantra in this program.
Social sector – all forms of backwardness will be tackled with greater zeal. Senior citizens are also being given primacy with the establishment of the Mukhya Mantri Jyestha Nagrik Sewa Samman Kendra.
The new initiatives, with an eye on the future of planning and growth, include the following:
FRBM 2010 – the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act will kick in this year. This will ensure that there is greater responsibility in terms of revenue expenditure whilst increasing Tax and Non Tax revenues. There will be a process orientation to enable greater monitoring of expenditure. Also new sources of tax revenues are planned widening the tax base.
HDR 2011 – this is to come up with a Human Development Report incorporating the latest knowledge creation in this area.
Innovation – the year 2011 -12 has been declared as the ‘Year of Innovation’. Emphasis will be given to seeking out and disseminating innovations and processes in both private and Government sectors. Major documentation on traditional innovation will be done.
Urban infrastructure will be given emphasis in the ongoing scheme of improvement in the quality of life of the citizens.
Transformation in urban transport is being hinted at in terms of solving some of our urban woes that are already upon.
Water- this is a crucial area of intervention. New and innovative ways of conservation and use of water will be targeted.
Increase in payments to various categories of people will be done since prices have risen over the years. So old age pension, disability pension etc are increased. Those working in ICDS Centres will also see increased emoluments.
Cooperative Movement will be further energized.
Rural, cultural, religious and eco tourism will continue to receive the attention of the Government. This is a source of much of the new livelihoods that are being created in Sikkim.
Finally, the Chief Minister has appealed to all sections of our Society to come forward and help in the creation of a modern and forward looking Sikkim. He takes accountability but the citizens are the main stakeholders who must also show responsibility toward the ‘common good’. They must also be part of the process in this quest for inclusive growt
The Chief Minister, Dr Pawan Chamling, who also looks after the finance portfolio, unveiled his budget proposals. The salient features are:
Satisfactory all round economic growth in Sikkim buoyed by the economic growth that the country is experiencing at over 8.5 percent. He however, cautioned on the price rise due to increase in fuel costs as the country imports a large amount of crude oil. Volatility in the world may impact inflation adversely and hence it is important to see that we can hedge this through more production of our own food needs and use of electric power in transportation of the future since we are going to be more than selfsufficient in this due to our hydro power generation.
Sikkim continues to receive accolades and recognition of success in development in all major sectors. Sikkim has in the process achieved the core of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The number of tourists visiting Sikkim exceeded 7 Lakhs.
This is Final year of the 11th Plan and hence there is more emphasis being given on completion of ongoing projects and improvement in quality of implementation. Furthermore, there is going to increased monitoring through use of new tools that will be introduced. More training programs of high quality are on the anvil for our young officers to help inculcate a sense of purpose in them. This will equip them with the latest knowledge and skills to serve the people of Sikkim more professionally.
Balanced Budget* – A deficit of just R 20 Lakhs, on a proposed expenditure of R 8,090.24 Crores. Tax Revenues are to climb over 27 percent.
The budget continues to be Pro-poor and rural centric in alignment with stated goals of Government.
The various Missions will continue to be supported. Mission mode is also going to be oriented toward bringing in greater cooperation between departments and their budgets. This is in keeping with Government of India policy.
Poverty elimination by 2015- all schemes are converging to make this a positive outcome.
Eradication of illiteracy by 2015 - quality of education will be further enhanced and more training of teachers is being targeted. ICDS children will be provided with free uniforms along with the food that they are already receiving.
Organic farming and marketing of produce – this is a paradigm changing program which is well on its way to becoming a reality. More outlets and ‘Kisan Bazaars’ are planned. All aspects of farming will be further improved with technological interventions.
This budget is also youth centric in terms of higher education and skills development – this ongoing scheme will be further improved upon and more resources to this sector is being devolved.
Green mission – this mission is now becoming a way of life for the rural people. More and more encouragement is being given to plant trees and green cover.
Rural Housing – 6,000 houses are to be built at an average cost of R 4.40 Lakhs each. A total of R 264.62 has been earmarked in the budget for this. This is the Mukhiya Mantri Awas Yojana Kutcha House Free Sikkim program which seeks for expanding the scope and method in implementation. From a fragmented approach to an integration of various schemes is the mantra in this program.
Social sector – all forms of backwardness will be tackled with greater zeal. Senior citizens are also being given primacy with the establishment of the Mukhya Mantri Jyestha Nagrik Sewa Samman Kendra.
The new initiatives, with an eye on the future of planning and growth, include the following:
FRBM 2010 – the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act will kick in this year. This will ensure that there is greater responsibility in terms of revenue expenditure whilst increasing Tax and Non Tax revenues. There will be a process orientation to enable greater monitoring of expenditure. Also new sources of tax revenues are planned widening the tax base.
HDR 2011 – this is to come up with a Human Development Report incorporating the latest knowledge creation in this area.
Innovation – the year 2011 -12 has been declared as the ‘Year of Innovation’. Emphasis will be given to seeking out and disseminating innovations and processes in both private and Government sectors. Major documentation on traditional innovation will be done.
Urban infrastructure will be given emphasis in the ongoing scheme of improvement in the quality of life of the citizens.
Transformation in urban transport is being hinted at in terms of solving some of our urban woes that are already upon.
Water- this is a crucial area of intervention. New and innovative ways of conservation and use of water will be targeted.
Increase in payments to various categories of people will be done since prices have risen over the years. So old age pension, disability pension etc are increased. Those working in ICDS Centres will also see increased emoluments.
Cooperative Movement will be further energized.
Rural, cultural, religious and eco tourism will continue to receive the attention of the Government. This is a source of much of the new livelihoods that are being created in Sikkim.
Finally, the Chief Minister has appealed to all sections of our Society to come forward and help in the creation of a modern and forward looking Sikkim. He takes accountability but the citizens are the main stakeholders who must also show responsibility toward the ‘common good’. They must also be part of the process in this quest for inclusive growt
India plans 558 roads along China, Pakistan border
Indo-Asian News Service
India will build 558 roads totalling 27,986 km by 2030 at a cost of over Rs.500 billion (over $10 billion) in an effort to shore up its infrastructure along the borders with China and Pakistan, IANS has learnt.
This massive project, to be completed in two phases, seems to be India’s answer to China’s infrastructure development in Tibet in the last decade and Pakistan’s five major road projects.
During the last decade, China constructed three major highways totalling about 6,000 km and 55 more roads along the Indian border.
Road connectivity to border areas are now considered a force multiplier in wars, as they help faster troop and equipment mobilisation.
Under the road construction project, India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been tasked to build 277 roads with a total length of 13,100 km at a cost of Rs.248.86 billion in the first phase, a defence ministry official told IANS here.
Another 281 roads with a length of 14,886 km and costing Rs.252.68 billion would be built as part of the second phase, the official added.
Though the original plan was to complete the first phase of the project by 2012, the work did not proceed at the desired pace and may get stretched to 2015. The second phase was to be completed by 2022, but it would now extend up to 2030, the official said.
Under the first phase, the BRO has completed 29 roads. Work is in progress on 168 more roads and construction is yet to start on 80 roads.
The second phase of the border roads project too has started, with work on 11 roads totalling 876 km in progress.
Officials blamed the delays on time overruns in obtaining forest clearances, restricted fund flows, extreme weather conditions in high-altitude areas and administrative reasons such as poor logistical support and manpower.
“Maximum efforts are being put into the 73 China-Indian border roads by moving 61 units of BRO to Jammu and Kashmir, seven units to Himachal Pradesh, 33 units to Uttarakhand, 46 units to Arunachal Pradesh and 21 units to Sikkim to ensure timely completion of the roads,” the official said.
China has already completed three major highways between Lhasa in Tibet and Aksai Chin in the west of the country (3,105 km), Gormo in the central mainland to Lhasa (1,154 km) and Chengdu and Linzhi in the east of the country (1,715 km).
The 52 other roads linked to these highways are spread over China’s western, central and eastern regions.
These apart, China is also focussing on roads (1,739 km) from Kunming in its Yunnan province to Pangsau pass on the India-Myanmar border. Of this, the Kunming-Myitkyina (647 km) all-weather road was completed in May 2007.
Work on the Myitkyina-Tanai (192 km) road is in progress and work on the Tanai-Pangsau stretch has already been awarded to a pro-Chinese Myanmarese company.
Pakistan is working on converting the Jaglot-Skardu road and Sazin-Thakot road into highways, apart from carrying out a feasibility study for a Karakoram Highway-Dushanbe road through the Kuliab Pass. These roads are in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
It is also exploring the possibility of four-laning the Karakoram Highway and its realignment to make way for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam that would submerge 100 km of the highway from Sazin to Raikot
source:isikkim
Indo-Asian News Service
India will build 558 roads totalling 27,986 km by 2030 at a cost of over Rs.500 billion (over $10 billion) in an effort to shore up its infrastructure along the borders with China and Pakistan, IANS has learnt.
This massive project, to be completed in two phases, seems to be India’s answer to China’s infrastructure development in Tibet in the last decade and Pakistan’s five major road projects.
During the last decade, China constructed three major highways totalling about 6,000 km and 55 more roads along the Indian border.
Road connectivity to border areas are now considered a force multiplier in wars, as they help faster troop and equipment mobilisation.
Under the road construction project, India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been tasked to build 277 roads with a total length of 13,100 km at a cost of Rs.248.86 billion in the first phase, a defence ministry official told IANS here.
Another 281 roads with a length of 14,886 km and costing Rs.252.68 billion would be built as part of the second phase, the official added.
Though the original plan was to complete the first phase of the project by 2012, the work did not proceed at the desired pace and may get stretched to 2015. The second phase was to be completed by 2022, but it would now extend up to 2030, the official said.
Under the first phase, the BRO has completed 29 roads. Work is in progress on 168 more roads and construction is yet to start on 80 roads.
The second phase of the border roads project too has started, with work on 11 roads totalling 876 km in progress.
Officials blamed the delays on time overruns in obtaining forest clearances, restricted fund flows, extreme weather conditions in high-altitude areas and administrative reasons such as poor logistical support and manpower.
“Maximum efforts are being put into the 73 China-Indian border roads by moving 61 units of BRO to Jammu and Kashmir, seven units to Himachal Pradesh, 33 units to Uttarakhand, 46 units to Arunachal Pradesh and 21 units to Sikkim to ensure timely completion of the roads,” the official said.
China has already completed three major highways between Lhasa in Tibet and Aksai Chin in the west of the country (3,105 km), Gormo in the central mainland to Lhasa (1,154 km) and Chengdu and Linzhi in the east of the country (1,715 km).
The 52 other roads linked to these highways are spread over China’s western, central and eastern regions.
These apart, China is also focussing on roads (1,739 km) from Kunming in its Yunnan province to Pangsau pass on the India-Myanmar border. Of this, the Kunming-Myitkyina (647 km) all-weather road was completed in May 2007.
Work on the Myitkyina-Tanai (192 km) road is in progress and work on the Tanai-Pangsau stretch has already been awarded to a pro-Chinese Myanmarese company.
Pakistan is working on converting the Jaglot-Skardu road and Sazin-Thakot road into highways, apart from carrying out a feasibility study for a Karakoram Highway-Dushanbe road through the Kuliab Pass. These roads are in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
It is also exploring the possibility of four-laning the Karakoram Highway and its realignment to make way for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam that would submerge 100 km of the highway from Sazin to Raikot
source:isikkim
Family medicine & medical education reform
by P. Zachariah
The Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) has been continuously refining its proposals for major reforms in undergraduate medical education. These are to be discussed today with the State Directors of Medical Education and the Vice-Chancellors of universities, who together are the CEOs in this field of education.
This week could see far-reaching beneficial consequences for health care in India. But we need to ensure that the emerging paradigm shift does not miss out on what medical education can and should do to overcome the inadequacies.
Recent events in our country have been full of sound and fury, which have disillusioned the public with their futility. But this week has the potential for promising developments in Indian medical education which, in turn, could have far-reaching beneficial consequences for health care in India. The Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) has been continuously refining its proposals for major reforms in undergraduate medical education. These are to be discussed today with the State Directors of Medical Education and the Vice-Chancellors of universities, who together are the CEOs in this field of education.
The Board has been hard at work on these proposals for some months, with the aid of a designated Working Group for Undergraduate Medical Education. This Working Group, in turn, has been holding wide and sustained consultations with scores of expert groups, which have resulted in a general consensus that major changes are overdue and must occur expeditiously. Thus this week could be a rare, opportune and pregnant moment in the troubled history of regulation of medical education in India. The nation has a vital stake in ensuring that the emerging paradigm shift does not miss out on what medical education can and should do to overcome the inadequacies and inequities in our health care system. And to take our country to the happy consummation of quality assured and universal health care. There should not be a slip between the cup and the lip.
It is important to recognise the special potential and limitations of the present Board of Governors of the MCI, inherent in its origins. The long simmering discontent with the inefficiency and improprieties of the MCI finally erupted when, in April last year, its president was arrested on charges of corruption. The government moved quickly, in May 2011, to issue an ordinance entrusting the considerable powers of the elephantine Council to a small group of six nominated Governors. They were chosen with commendable care, both for their eminence in the profession and their reputation for integrity. In August, Parliament gave its assent to the provisions of the ordinance, but only for a one-year term ending in May 2011.
Thus, on the one hand, for the first time, a small body of reputed experts has the power and, indeed, the mandate to rectify the perceived wrongs of the MCI. They have recognised the need to move quickly on many other fronts as well such as shortage of medical manpower, quality of medical education, shortage of faculty in medical colleges, deficiencies in postgraduate training and so on. The issue of the short period of their trusteeship has now been resolved by extending their term to May 2012.
New medical graduate
Thus the MCI and the Health Ministry together are in a position to consummate this long process of gestation and produce a new Indian medical graduate. And hence the need and urgency to raise in the public domain one crucial aspect of reform of medical education which may not receive the priority it deserves. In spite of the danger of over simplification, the argument here can be stated briefly.
(1) It is generally agreed that the major challenge in health care is in ensuring sound and competent basic health care to the disadvantaged communities, both rural and urban. Indeed, it is an every day experience that even for those who can afford it, dependable and quality assured basic care is a very rare commodity.
(2) This type of care is non-specialised, has to address all common and urgent medical conditions, with limited laboratory and other facilities. It should ensure continuity of care for all members of the family, of all ages. It is mainly ambulatory. And it must include disease prevention and promotion of health, in the family and the community.
(3) Obviously this is not the kind of care that medical students are now exposed to in the so-called teaching hospitals. It is a different kind of clinical practice, usually referred to as Family Medicine (or family practice, though the former is a better term). This can be taught only through a significant exposure to secondary and primary levels of care, the lack of which is the foremost deficiency in Indian medical education today.
(4) Unless and until this component is introduced as a required part of the undergraduate course, India will never be able to solve the lack of competent, well trained, basic doctors in our primary and secondary level health clinics and hospitals. Without this, the proposed new medical graduate will not be the basic doctor who forms the backbone of a sound health care system all over the world and which India sorely needs.
The logic of this is such that a high powered “Retreat” of the Health Ministry on September 28 and 29, 2010 expressed its approval as follows: “Request the MCI to address the issue of curriculum change to make doctors more sensitive to primary health care. Subjects such as Family Medicine need to be given importance.”
But there are many difficulties in this proposal which might result in its being put aside for the present. Health issues have never been a powerful element in our political discourse. They have never been a decisive factor in the elections, unlike in Britain or the U.S. So there is no great incentive for political parties to reflect on or act decisively on the societal responsibilities of medical education.
Electorate easily pacified
In the public perception, sound medical care is equal to access to particular medical interventions and publicised advances in medical care. The electorate is more easily pacified by the offer of medical insurance of the type instituted recently in the southern States. The move suggested above requires the creation of a speciality which hardly exists now. This discipline has to work in close coordination for the State health care system whereas the MCI works at a national level.
Family Medicine is not a field of medical practice that readily attracts the private sector or professionals who make their career decisions based on socio-economic rewards. And, therefore, at this moment in the formulation of the reforms in medical education, there is a special need for all the custodians of Indian medical education, especially the Ministry of Health, to act on behalf of the public to ensure the following:
About 20 to 25 per cent of clinical training, during the “clinical” phase of MBBS, should occur outside the teaching hospitals, at the primary/secondary levels.
Since this is quite different from tertiary care, new departments of Family Medicine should be established in all medical colleges to implement the above.
Either by arrangement with the State health care system or on their own, medical colleges must have sufficient clinical services at the primary/secondary levels to implement the above two. The outlay required for these, in faculty and infrastructure, is minor compared to the prevailing requirements for medical colleges.
There is a tide in the affairs of men. This week has the possibility of a tide which, taken at the flood, could lead to better health for all of us. “Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.”
(Dr. P. Zachariah was formerly a Professor of Physiology and continues to engage in issues in medical education.)
source: The Hindu
by P. Zachariah
The Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) has been continuously refining its proposals for major reforms in undergraduate medical education. These are to be discussed today with the State Directors of Medical Education and the Vice-Chancellors of universities, who together are the CEOs in this field of education.
This week could see far-reaching beneficial consequences for health care in India. But we need to ensure that the emerging paradigm shift does not miss out on what medical education can and should do to overcome the inadequacies.
Recent events in our country have been full of sound and fury, which have disillusioned the public with their futility. But this week has the potential for promising developments in Indian medical education which, in turn, could have far-reaching beneficial consequences for health care in India. The Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) has been continuously refining its proposals for major reforms in undergraduate medical education. These are to be discussed today with the State Directors of Medical Education and the Vice-Chancellors of universities, who together are the CEOs in this field of education.
The Board has been hard at work on these proposals for some months, with the aid of a designated Working Group for Undergraduate Medical Education. This Working Group, in turn, has been holding wide and sustained consultations with scores of expert groups, which have resulted in a general consensus that major changes are overdue and must occur expeditiously. Thus this week could be a rare, opportune and pregnant moment in the troubled history of regulation of medical education in India. The nation has a vital stake in ensuring that the emerging paradigm shift does not miss out on what medical education can and should do to overcome the inadequacies and inequities in our health care system. And to take our country to the happy consummation of quality assured and universal health care. There should not be a slip between the cup and the lip.
It is important to recognise the special potential and limitations of the present Board of Governors of the MCI, inherent in its origins. The long simmering discontent with the inefficiency and improprieties of the MCI finally erupted when, in April last year, its president was arrested on charges of corruption. The government moved quickly, in May 2011, to issue an ordinance entrusting the considerable powers of the elephantine Council to a small group of six nominated Governors. They were chosen with commendable care, both for their eminence in the profession and their reputation for integrity. In August, Parliament gave its assent to the provisions of the ordinance, but only for a one-year term ending in May 2011.
Thus, on the one hand, for the first time, a small body of reputed experts has the power and, indeed, the mandate to rectify the perceived wrongs of the MCI. They have recognised the need to move quickly on many other fronts as well such as shortage of medical manpower, quality of medical education, shortage of faculty in medical colleges, deficiencies in postgraduate training and so on. The issue of the short period of their trusteeship has now been resolved by extending their term to May 2012.
New medical graduate
Thus the MCI and the Health Ministry together are in a position to consummate this long process of gestation and produce a new Indian medical graduate. And hence the need and urgency to raise in the public domain one crucial aspect of reform of medical education which may not receive the priority it deserves. In spite of the danger of over simplification, the argument here can be stated briefly.
(1) It is generally agreed that the major challenge in health care is in ensuring sound and competent basic health care to the disadvantaged communities, both rural and urban. Indeed, it is an every day experience that even for those who can afford it, dependable and quality assured basic care is a very rare commodity.
(2) This type of care is non-specialised, has to address all common and urgent medical conditions, with limited laboratory and other facilities. It should ensure continuity of care for all members of the family, of all ages. It is mainly ambulatory. And it must include disease prevention and promotion of health, in the family and the community.
(3) Obviously this is not the kind of care that medical students are now exposed to in the so-called teaching hospitals. It is a different kind of clinical practice, usually referred to as Family Medicine (or family practice, though the former is a better term). This can be taught only through a significant exposure to secondary and primary levels of care, the lack of which is the foremost deficiency in Indian medical education today.
(4) Unless and until this component is introduced as a required part of the undergraduate course, India will never be able to solve the lack of competent, well trained, basic doctors in our primary and secondary level health clinics and hospitals. Without this, the proposed new medical graduate will not be the basic doctor who forms the backbone of a sound health care system all over the world and which India sorely needs.
The logic of this is such that a high powered “Retreat” of the Health Ministry on September 28 and 29, 2010 expressed its approval as follows: “Request the MCI to address the issue of curriculum change to make doctors more sensitive to primary health care. Subjects such as Family Medicine need to be given importance.”
But there are many difficulties in this proposal which might result in its being put aside for the present. Health issues have never been a powerful element in our political discourse. They have never been a decisive factor in the elections, unlike in Britain or the U.S. So there is no great incentive for political parties to reflect on or act decisively on the societal responsibilities of medical education.
Electorate easily pacified
In the public perception, sound medical care is equal to access to particular medical interventions and publicised advances in medical care. The electorate is more easily pacified by the offer of medical insurance of the type instituted recently in the southern States. The move suggested above requires the creation of a speciality which hardly exists now. This discipline has to work in close coordination for the State health care system whereas the MCI works at a national level.
Family Medicine is not a field of medical practice that readily attracts the private sector or professionals who make their career decisions based on socio-economic rewards. And, therefore, at this moment in the formulation of the reforms in medical education, there is a special need for all the custodians of Indian medical education, especially the Ministry of Health, to act on behalf of the public to ensure the following:
About 20 to 25 per cent of clinical training, during the “clinical” phase of MBBS, should occur outside the teaching hospitals, at the primary/secondary levels.
Since this is quite different from tertiary care, new departments of Family Medicine should be established in all medical colleges to implement the above.
Either by arrangement with the State health care system or on their own, medical colleges must have sufficient clinical services at the primary/secondary levels to implement the above two. The outlay required for these, in faculty and infrastructure, is minor compared to the prevailing requirements for medical colleges.
There is a tide in the affairs of men. This week has the possibility of a tide which, taken at the flood, could lead to better health for all of us. “Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.”
(Dr. P. Zachariah was formerly a Professor of Physiology and continues to engage in issues in medical education.)
source: The Hindu
Monday, March 28, 2011
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