Communication *must* be specifically designed to suit particular contexts or characteristics of target groups, encourage participation of individuals and the community.https://t.co/zluw36qNOC
— India Outbound (@india_outbound) November 28, 2018
The weather may have been cold,but during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UK in 2015, there was clear warmth between the then British Prime Minister David Cameron and his guest; yet, in the last visit, when the weather was definitely warmer in April this year, the chill in the relationship was clear to even the casual observer.
Terse exchanges on Britain becoming the safe haven for Indians who have been accused of swindling the tax payers in their own country to India’s refusal to sign the MoU on ‘repatriation of illegal immigrants, the situation couldn’t have been more starkly different from the Cameron – Modi bonhomie and the slogan “Two Great Countries – One Common Future.”
Trade & Cooperation Still Continues….
Not with standing the confusion and frost in the inter-governmental relationship, the private sector and the people to people engagement across various sectors, enabled often by what PM Modi calls the “living bridge” – the British Indians alongside governmental initiatives, have ensured that cooperation continued with cross-border investments and trade between the two countries, across a range of sectors including new ones in life sciences and infrastructure among others.
There was 15% increase in bi-lateral trade in 2017 reaching 18 billion pounds,after a few years of falling numbers. The private sector confidence in each other’s markets continues to grow and today UK businesses employ over 800,000 Indians, while 800 Indian businesses in the UK employ over 100,000 people. London city has established itself as the premier place for India to raise capital to meets its trillion-dollar requirement to transform infrastructure; and masala bonds have raised over $4 billion so far.
Although much of the progress have been driven by the private sector, the governments in both countries have invested in collaborative programmes such as the Access India Programme, Urban gateway or the innovative £50 million Newton Bhabha Fund co-created by the UK and Indian governments is stimulating UK and Indian scientific research into tackling the challenges that deter India’s socio-economic development. The UK’s proactive support in helping India improve its rankings on Ease of Doing Business has been widely recognised and acknowledged from the highest levels of the Indian Government.
Despite all these progress, one cannot help but think the relationship is increasingly seeming to be siloed and “transactional” rather than a comprehensive win – win strategic dialogue. Because we can do so much more!!
Why is the Partnership vital?
The United Kingdom and India can truly be partners in helping each other achieve their mutual aspirations and together be a force for good in tackling climate change, alleviating poverty, empowering people around the globe, especially the commonwealth, through access to technology, education and healthcare – a partnership Prime Minister Modi himself has anointed an “unbeatable combination.”
This is not altruism – instead,this partnership is “realpolitik”; and it strategically benefits both, UK and India.
Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a transformed and New India with focused campaigns on “Digital India”, “Make in India”, “Smart Cities Mission”,“Startup India”, “Skill India” and efforts to bring the country’s infrastructure to 21st century standards, fits well with UK’s expertise and skills set, including the ability to help India raise capital from London. These partnerships have already been proven to be fruitful and mutually beneficial.
Beyond the obvious transactional nature of these partnerships around specific areas, this opportunity presents the Commonwealth as a potential growth market and an influential international alliance that can counter Chinese expansionism and hard power; while delivering growth and prosperity for the millions at home and abroad.
Sadly, flawed perceptions and misplaced expectations exacerbated by lack of diplomatic sensitivities have created a situation where the full potential of the relationship is not even really being discussed, let alone being realized. The challenges and issues around the visa regime and labour mobility are not insurmountable and flexibility on both sides along with mutual respect and trust could resolve this impasse.
This is indeed a failure of both governments and also that of the British Indian community, especially those self-appointed “community leaders” of Lutyens London.
Shamit Ghosh
November 27, 2018
India’s solar power revolution started with the launch of the National Solar Mission in 2010 that targeted adding 20 GW by 2022. The objective of containing global warming, as reflected in the Paris Agreement, requires India to be a global leader of renewable energy, as the third largest emitter of CO2. India was one of the first countries to have a dedicated ministry for renewable energy. In 2014, even before the Paris climate agreement, the government increased the solar energy capacity target by almost five times to 100 gigawatt (GW) by 2022.
With its current momentum and an enabling policy environment, India is strategically positioned to achieve its solar-related goals. The International Solar Alliance is an ambitious solar diplomacy project that brings together around 121 solar energy-rich countries with the agenda of ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. These countries intend to collaborate on increasing the use of solar energy and mobilize $1 trillion in investments by 2030.
In the past two years, India has increased the overall share of renewables in its energy mix and is committed to raise this installed capacity from 18% to 40% by 2030. India’s commitment to solar power as a sustainable source of energy reflects innovative solutions and energy efficiency initiatives to supply 24*7 electricity to people by 2030. Given its solar belt, India is at the forefront of the transformation of world energy markets towards profitable renewable energy sources. It has sought creative solutions in hosting solar panels by installing rooftop solar panels and floating solar platforms.
Solar is suited to addressing the issues of cost, access, air quality and security in the energy sector and has the potential for economic and environmental transformation. The progress of renewable energy in India is driven by governmental support, targets and economics rather than a consumer push towards being green and curbing the long-term impact of a largely invisible climate change. Stakeholders have been gearing to address this challenge through increased awareness and improved solutions.
Today, the available solar systems can easily solve basic energy needs to a large extent, especially in rural areas, but there is a lack of awareness about India’s solar potential coupled with high capital costs. The main challenge of unpredictability and intermittency can be solved via improvements in storage technology. India’s current system of kerosene subsidies impacts the distribution of off-grid solar lighting solutions. The purchase of solar appliances, unlike kerosene, is not spread over time and hence, poor households face affordability issues. Thus, off-grid solar penetration must be enhanced by transitioning from kerosene to solar lighting.
Solar energy installations have been present in India for over two decades but earlier, technical innovation was not focused upon. However, this is changing as researchers across institutions are developing ways of improving efficiencies and finding new solar applications. Solar technologies like anti-soiling coatings and backsheets for PV solar glass can help optimize production in solar farms by maximizing returns in terms of longer optimum performance, more energy output, cost-effective maintenance of solar farms and recycling processes.
Today, India is amongst the top three PV markets in the world. Large-scale PV deployment has taken place only recently so major end-of-life PV waste volumes in India may not be expected until after 2030. However, sustainable growth of photovoltaics can play an increasing role in the decarbonization of the power mix. These must remain green in both the production and end-of-life management stage.
The development of renewable energy solutions and durable product innovations demand strategic collaborations that promote clean technologies and responsible production and consumption, based on reducing adverse environmental impacts by eliminating toxic materials. Technology can play a critical role in achieving future renewable energy balance.As the future of renewable energy, the solar sector must be made environmentally and financially viable in the long run. The underlying rationale must be to make solar energy clean. Thus, issues related to recycling processes in solar need to be urgently addressed via a strong policy-based approach in order to avoid harmful future implications.
With a projected capacity addition of 8.8 GW (5% of global solar capacity), India emerged as the world’s third biggest solar market in 2017, after China and the US.With falling prices and increasing efficiencies of solar panels, solar power can become more attractive than competing power sources. Thus, there is a need to efficiently and cost effectively convert this capacity efficiently into robust energy supply.Otherwise, the uncertainties in the renewable space could prompt India to rethink its energy mix and climate action commitments rather than shape the global response to climate change.
Aditi Rukhaiyar
November 26, 2018
Hidden hunger is caused by micronutrient deficiency i.e. the lack of minerals and vitamins that are essential in small amounts, for adequate growth and development of the human body. Thus, hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition wherein their intake or absorption is not enough to sustain overall good health. Micronutrient deficiency can lead to low immunity levels, hampered motor and cognitive development, stunted growth or even increased morbidity and mortality. However, unlike under-nutrition, its signs and effects are usually “invisible” and hence, are often ignored or remain unnoticed. Clinical signs include night blindness caused by Vitamin A deficiency, goiter due to inadequate intake of iodine etc. Certain micronutrient deficiencies lead to development disorders and are interlinked in complex ways.
The burden of hidden hunger in India is reflected in the persistently high levels of anemia prevalent especially amongst women and children, despite the presence of a massive iron and folic acid supplementation program running since 2012. Often, the micronutrient needs of people remain unmet due to poor diets, disease or lack of adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation (FAO 2013). Moreover, the malnutrition problem in India reflects a unique development paradox i.e. rapid economic growth alongside decelerating decline in under-nutrition. Inherent discrepancies exist between the recommended daily allowance of a specific vitamin and the personal requirements of individuals.
The transition from traditional diets to highly processed and energy-dense ones that are high on calories but low on micronutrient content or those centered around staple crops like wheat, rice and maize, is a major contributor to the problem of hidden hunger in India. In rural areas, diets complete with different types of pulses, millets, oilseeds and seasonal vegetables are being replaced by the subsidized wheat and rice supplied by the Public Distribution system or the mid-day meal scheme. This transition contributes to the triple burden of malnutrition in India i.e. under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiency and over-nutrition (obesity). The consumption of locally produced and diverse foods, including nutrient-rich vegetables and foods, are key to curbing hidden hunger.
Poverty or budget constraints limit access to dietary diversity. A rise in food prices entails consumers to focus on affordable staple foods while cutting down the consumption of non-staple foods that are rich in micronutrients. Diversification of diets entails the inclusion of food items that belong to different food groups as all the micronutrient requirements cannot be fulfilled from a couple of food groups. This implies the regular intake of different types and varieties of foods in adequate quantities. Food fortification is a cost-effective approach to address the issue of micronutrient deficiencies, beyond the relatively narrow solution of providing vitamin supplements. This implies enriching food items to boost their micronutrient content and nutritional value.
The nutritional challenge of hidden hunger calls for urgent and sustained action, both, at the policy and ground level, especially amongst the most vulnerable sections of the population that are trapped in an intergenerational cycle of nutrition deprivation. This entails comprehensive and cross-sectoral action by multiple stakeholders like the government, private sector, NGOs and international organizations. This will ensure faster, inclusive and sustainable growth of healthy and productive citizens.
India Outbound
November 23, 2018
The human brain develops throughout a person’s life but exhibits maximum plasticity and growth in the 1000 days spanning the period between conception and the first two years of the child’s post-natal life. This period provides a unique window of opportunity to lay strong foundations of neurodevelopment, growth and health. Inadequate or lack of nutrition during this time can cause long-term damage to cognitive and development functions as well as nutritional deficiencies that are irreversible. In addition, any later-stage investments in nutrition and health are heavily undermined vis-à-vis the realization of the child’s development potential.
According to a policy brief by WHO, childhood stunting, an irreversible outcome of inadequate nutrition and repeated bouts of infection during the first 1000 days, is one of the most significant impediments to human development. Projections indicate that the continuation of current trends will lead to 127 million children under 5 being stunted by 2025. Stunting is inextricably linked with other nutrition targets i.e. anemia in women, low birth weight, obesity, exclusive breastfeeding and wasting. Stunting can also economically drain a country by reducing its GDP by up to 3%.
For a country like India, harnessing the long-term dividends from its young demographic is a significant challenge. One of the preconditions for sustainable development is the existence of a well-nourished and healthy population and consequently, the success of government flagship programmes like Make in India, Skill India and Digital India is tied to the availability of a healthy workforce. Therefore, lack of investments in early childhood development can prove to be a policy blunder.
Malnutrition is 100% preventable and evidence-based interventions that specifically target the first 1000 days are not only cost-effective and affordable, but can alleviate severe socio-economic and health consequences, while yielding massive long-term returns. These must focus on prevention by ensuring that pregnant and lactating mothers are adequately nourished. Exclusive breastfeeding practices in the first six months followed by optimal and complementary feeding until 23 months is crucial. This continued breastfeeding ensures the intake of crucial nutrients that may be lacking in complementary diets, especially in resource-poor settings.
Provision of balanced and diversified diets with adequate nutrient content(folic acid, iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids, colostrum etc.) can ensure stronger physical and mental development of children so that they become productive adults with healthy eating habits. From the health perspective, these children are ten times more likely to overcome life-threatening childhood diseases. Thus, it is critical that pregnant women and infants are provided with appropriate nutrients as both under-nutrition and over-nutrition can cause health risks for them.If stunted children rapidly gain weight after 2 years, they increasingly risk become overweight or obese later in life, leading to further risks of lifestyle diseases like coronary issues, hypertension, diabetes.
Adequate availability of nutrition-rich foods and diets need to be supported by nutrition-sensitive interventions. These include household practices like hand-washing with soap to prevent infections, behaviour change to adopt the best sanitation and hygiene practices and availability of safe water supply.
Unless, government interventions and public-private collaborations do not converge their efforts to effectively target the first 1000 days, the invisible, pernicious and intergenerational cycle of maternal and child malnutrition will continue to pose a critical public health concern, embodying severe challenges and consequences.
Aditi Rukhaiyar
November 22, 2018
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is the world’s largest food security project and a unique outreach programme, aimed at meeting the nutritional, pre-school education and primary healthcare needs of children under the age of six and those of pregnant/lactating mothers from the most vulnerable sections of society. Designed to combat the multi-dimensional causes and complex inter-generational nature of malnutrition, ICDS has the potential to have long-term impact on human development and economic growth. Gaps between its policy intentions and actual implementation must be addressed by dealing with underlying fiscal and institutional implications.
Under the ICDS scheme, supplementary nutrition is provided to bridge the gap between the Average Daily Intake (ADI) and the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Challenges in implementation range from the type of services actually being delivered, characteristics of the beneficiaries being served and geographical areas being targeted. Clear criteria need to be set for quality assurance and supplementary feeding activities must be designed better for effective targeting.In addition, there must be some standardization of the nutritional component, prioritization of educational outreach and investment in anganwadi centers.
The challenge of providing aspirational, affordable and available nutrient-rich diets reflects a significant potential forincentivizing production of nutritionally rich food and supplements across the value chain. Particular region-specific diets lack some micro-nutrients that can be supplied to augment (not substitute) hot-cooked meals. Fresh, balanced and culturally-appropriate food can be supplemented with packaged mixes. Fortification of staples like flour, rice, wheat and edible oils is a cost-effective solution for the enhancement of nutrient intake. This will entail some changes in ICDS guidelines to promote the use of fortified inputs in the hot-cooked meals.ICDS must prioritize decentralized and locally produced food made by self-help and women’s groups, thus providing fresh food to children and other potential positive spin-offs like employment for women or spurring the local food economy. Thus, even if packed readymade food is not included, the corporate sector can play a role in helping the government provide nutrient-rich food.
The private sector can play a critical role in filling delivery gaps using a targeted and evidence-based approach. Public-private partnerships or private sector engagements can help scale up food fortification initiatives andleverage technological solutions by complementing government outreach efforts through mass education and awareness campaigns within communities. The underlying rationale is that multi-lateral stakeholder participation within the corporate and civil society is required to curb institutional and market limitations and effectively cater to the needs of the marginalized communities. Limitations in last-mile delivery are compounded by scarcity in channels that mandate communication of simple yet timely and important information regarding nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers.
Anganwadi centers comprise an important pillar of engagement and accountability within the ICDS program. These can truly become game-changers in broadening the scope of the ICDS. Food distribution plays a crucial role in attracting women and children to anganwadi centers whereinbeneficiaries also receive other important services like ante-natal care, growth monitoring, nutrition counselling etc. The mobilization of anganwadi centerscan be enhanced with increased community involvement and improvement in the quality of service delivery.Long-term success of policy implementation and targeting requires a paradigm shift in stakeholder engagement in order to complement India’s economic achievements with social welfare gains.
Aditi Rukhaiyar
November 21, 2018
Amul milk ads evoke nostalgic childhood memories of the 90s. They effectively captured myriad messages i.e. the importance of consuming milk and milk products, women’s empowerment and dairy farming as a self-sustaining industry. In 2015, Ching Secret’s “India Ke Hunger Ki Bajao!”, in partnership with the NGO Akshaya Patra and actor Ranveer Singh as brand ambassador, spread the message that “it takes only INR 750 to feed a child for a whole year.” The campaign’s website served as an information and donation hub, giving actionable voice to the cause encapsulated in its tagline. Such focused media campaigns reflect the importance of nutrition education.
According to the Journal of Nutrition education and Behaviour, “nutrition education” broadly refers to “any combination of educational strategies, accompanied by environmental supports, designed to facilitate voluntary adoption of food choices and other food- and nutrition-related behaviors conducive to health and well-being”. Key to building food security and fostering sustainable development, it is “delivered through multiple venues and involves activities at the individual, community, and policy levels” (Isobel Contento, 2011). It extends beyond “education” as merely an information-providing process to include communication strategies (motivational campaigns), provision of skills (facilitating people’s ability to take action), and providing enabling environments (supporting/reinforcing actions).
Nutrition education activities constantly influence public policies, increase knowledge of myriad nutritious foods and nutrient values, influence behaviors, attitudes and beliefs as well as develop motivation to adopt healthy eating practices. Community-based tools like radio, theatre and street plays are commonly used to help build people’s confidence and ability to discriminate between credible nutrition information and deceptive/misleading commercial food advertisements. In the long run, these measures help shift perceptions of relevant stakeholders, especially among vulnerable groups.
Availability and affordability shape people’s choices regardless of prevalent nutrition-sensitive food systems. This influences nutritional statuses and the nature of sustainable production. In this context, education and awareness importantly empower people/consumers to seek, select and demand better nutritional outcomes, while claiming their rights. People can then accept responsibilities to improve their nutrient intake via informed choices.
Often, there are multiple impediments to the implementation of nutrition-related initiatives on each level despite political will and proactive commitment towards the goal of achieving zero hunger. These include political chaos, delayed decision-making and lack of departmental leadership. Centrality must be accorded to education and targeted awareness-raising interventions. It is also essential to ensure the availability of a committed and well-equipped and knowledgeable workforce at all levels, to garner widespread community-level support and build public opinion.
Overall, awareness campaigns should target everyone, not just those affected by food insecurity. These must present new ideas or information in a concise, compelling and inspiring manner, to avoid saturation. Usually, “Change Leaders” embody the intended change and become drivers within the community. “Early Adopters” cognitively embrace the change, but usually need guidance for implementation. Gradually, “Followers” adopt the change, following interventions and reiterative reinforcements through Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) by the Change Leaders. The “Laggards” need the most work in terms of convincing.
Inaccurate attitudes, practices and beliefs alongside certain traditional values and food taboos, long-established dietary and snacking habits, food distribution patterns in the family, ideas about child feeding, and lack of knowledge of food hygiene and sanitation, contribute to malnutrition. Thus, communication must be specifically designed to suit particular contexts or characteristics of target groups, encourage participation of individuals and the community, strengthen local knowledge and emphasize the value of local food, dietary and eating patterns (FAO, 2010).
Aditi Rukhaiyar
November 20, 2018
