People
Enhancing Accessibility to Legal Abortion in India
Kiran Kumbhar, a woman in India, faced life-threatening complications during her first pregnancy and continued to experience health issues afterward. After 15 years, she became pregnant again, facing societal criticism due to her age and the long gap between pregnancies. Despite conservative beliefs against abortion in India, she sought medical care due to her health risks. She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). A community health care worker, Maya Patil, supported her decision to seek an abortion, highlighting the challenges of accessing safe abortion in India.
The accessibility of abortion care in India is limited due to the scarcity of public health facilities providing abortion services. Unsafe abortions contribute to maternal mortality rates, particularly affecting marginalized communities. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) like Maya Patil work tirelessly to advocate for pregnant individuals seeking abortion, facing abuse and challenges from both medical professionals and community members. These ASHAs also provide post-abortion counseling, connecting patients to psychological support.
Abortion-seeking individuals often face stigmatization and mistreatment from doctors, leading some to resort to unsafe methods or avoid seeking medical help altogether. The preference for male children further complicates the situation, as some doctors fear legal consequences related to sex-selective abortions. ASHAs like Suraiyya Terdale, who experienced an unsafe abortion herself, work to raise awareness about abortion laws and access, bridging the gap between policy and practice. Despite their life-saving efforts, ASHAs are often overworked, underpaid, and not recognized as full-time workers.
Overall, while abortion is legal in India, the accessibility and acceptance of safe abortion services remain challenges due to societal norms, inadequate medical infrastructure, and healthcare workers’ limited capacity.
People
Delhi University Plans to Establish WiFi Network Across Its College Campuses, Allocates ₹67.71 Crore for Project
According to an official document, the Delhi University has earmarked a sum of ₹67.71 crore for the establishment of a WiFi network across its various college campuses, including an upcoming girls’ hostel in Mukherjee Nagar, northwest Delhi.
The WiFi connectivity project will cover approximately 90 colleges of the Delhi University, spanning both the north and south campuses, as well as the Dhaka Hostel complex.
Funding for this initiative will be sourced from the loan corpus of ₹938.33 crore obtained by the university from the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) in October of the previous year for various developmental endeavors.
A portion of ₹261.33 crore from this corpus has been allocated by HEFA for the implementation of the WiFi network project, along with the commencement of construction work for a building designated for the Faculty of Technology.
HEFA, a collaborative enterprise of Canara Bank and the Ministry of Education, extends financial support for the establishment of educational infrastructure and research facilities in India’s leading educational institutions.
In 2022, the Delhi University had submitted an application for a HEFA loan to address its infrastructural requirements and expansion initiatives, including the establishment of a campus in east Delhi’s Surajmal Vihar and the inauguration of a new college in Najafgarh, among other ventures.
Additionally, HEFA has granted approval for funding to five other projects, the implementation of which will commence upon the allocation of funds.
People
Inspirational Journey: Anna Rajam Malhotra, India’s First Female IAS Officer
Anna Rajam Malhotra commenced her journey in civil services in 1951, a time when deeply rooted gender stereotypes posed formidable challenges.
Born as Anna Rajam George in 1927 in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, she pursued higher education at the University of Madras after completing initial schooling in Kozhikode.
Navigating through the prevalent gender biases of the era, Malhotra chose the Madras cadre for civil services. She served in the state under the leadership of then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Rajagopalachari. During her training, she crossed paths with RN Malhotra, her future husband and the later Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1985 to 1990.
A significant milestone in her career was the establishment of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai. As the chairperson during the project’s execution, Anna Rajam Malhotra played a pivotal role in steering the development of this state-of-the-art port, contributing to trade and infrastructure.
In recognition of her illustrious civil service journey, Anna Rajam Malhotra received the Padma Bhushan Award in 1989, acknowledging her exceptional contributions and commitment.
Her versatile professional trajectory included service under seven chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, showcasing adaptability and versatility. Collaborating closely with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, she contributed to the event’s success. Furthermore, her tenure in central services made significant contributions to the personnel section of the Union Home Ministry.
After her official retirement, Malhotra continued to actively contribute, taking on roles such as the director of Hotel Leela Venture Ltd, demonstrating her prowess in diverse fields. Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 91 at her residence in suburban Andheri, Mumbai, in 2018, leaving behind a legacy that serves as a perennial source of inspiration for generations to come.
People
Vehicle Sales Show a 9% Increase in August: Positive Growth in the Sale of Automobiles
Due to strong demand in all segments, including Passenger Vehicles and Two-wheelers, the retail sales of vehicles increased by 9% in August. This information was provided by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).
According to the figures, the total sales of vehicles rose by nine percent to 18,18,647 units last month, compared to 16,74,162 units in August 2022.
In August, the sale of Passenger Vehicles increased by seven percent, reaching 3,15,153 units, compared to 2,95,842 units in the same period last year. Manish Raj Singhania, President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), mentioned that the extended customer schemes in the Passenger Vehicles segment led to better vehicle supply and market dynamism.
In the Two-wheelers segment, retail sales increased by six percent to 12,54,444 units, compared to 11,80,230 units in August 2022.
The retail sales of Commercial Vehicles increased by three percent annually to 75,294 units last month. Tractor sales witnessed a significant growth of 14%. There was a remarkable improvement of 66% in the retail sales of Three-wheelers.
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