Children in India– Stumbling from the Beginning
In 2009, the World Bank elevated India from the poor status to a country with middle-income brackets. However, this has not translated in areas of child education and health, compared to other countries in the same status. When we look at the basic standards for a child’s well-being, four parameters are imperative. Sadly, India scores a low 66% only and there are still miles to cover to help a poor child.
1. The infant life expectancy and survival rate
2. Immunisation
3. Nutrition
4. Literacy and schooling
However, states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and even adjacent countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have made rapid strides in many areas of child development. The key for their success is due to the rights-based approach by the state, along with its active involvement in facilitating nutrition, health and education.
How are the Children Growing?
While the economy in general has made huge strides, the status of the children in India are at a level of humanitarian emergency. Yes, charity organizations are doing their bit, but their goals cannot be achieved without the support of the government and the public at large. The indicators of infant and child development show that growth is slow; and other nations like Bangladesh have surpassed India over the past few years. People do not realise that failed progress in this area casts a dark shadow in the nation’s progress in other sectors.
A Child’s Life Cycle
Most of the children start their life on a poor note. In fact, this is the case even as they cocoon in their mother’s womb.They head towards adversities in health and physical development owing to maternal malnutrition and antenatal care. Expectant mothers lack vitamins and nutrition and are still forced to work as heavy-weightlifters,even at late stages of pregnancy, causing severe deformities in children. By the end of the 9-month period, they becomeanaemic and frail, which leads to low birth weight babies being born, the primary cause of infant malnutrition. Similarly, they are denied of tetanus vaccinations as a precaution against birth infection and most of the deliveries are without the assistance of professional medical support. Hence, it isn’t just necessary to help a poor child after birth,but prenatal and neonatal care is also crucial.
Life after birth takes the same rocky course; the nutrition source becomes more erratic due to poor breastfeeding by the frail mother and other deprived sources of nutrition. Children grow to become undernourished, anaemic and lack immunity. Soon,they fall prey to fever, diarrhoea, malaria, dengue and the list is never ending. Over one-tenth of the children population in India never reach the age of 5.
In 2009, the World Bank elevated India from the poor status to a country with middle-income brackets. However, this has not translated in areas of child education and health, compared to other countries in the same status. When we look at the basic standards for a child’s well-being, four parameters are imperative. Sadly, India scores a low 66% only and there are still miles to cover to help a poor child.
1. The infant life expectancy and survival rate
2. Immunisation
3. Nutrition
4. Literacy and schooling
However, states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and even adjacent countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have made rapid strides in many areas of child development. The key for their success is due to the rights-based approach by the state, along with its active involvement in facilitating nutrition, health and education.
How are the Children Growing?
While the economy in general has made huge strides, the status of the children in India are at a level of humanitarian emergency. Yes, charity organizations are doing their bit, but their goals cannot be achieved without the support of the government and the public at large. The indicators of infant and child development show that growth is slow; and other nations like Bangladesh have surpassed India over the past few years. People do not realise that failed progress in this area casts a dark shadow in the nation’s progress in other sectors.
A Child’s Life Cycle
Most of the children start their life on a poor note. In fact, this is the case even as they cocoon in their mother’s womb.They head towards adversities in health and physical development owing to maternal malnutrition and antenatal care. Expectant mothers lack vitamins and nutrition and are still forced to work as heavy-weightlifters,even at late stages of pregnancy, causing severe deformities in children. By the end of the 9-month period, they becomeanaemic and frail, which leads to low birth weight babies being born, the primary cause of infant malnutrition. Similarly, they are denied of tetanus vaccinations as a precaution against birth infection and most of the deliveries are without the assistance of professional medical support. Hence, it isn’t just necessary to help a poor child after birth,but prenatal and neonatal care is also crucial.
Life after birth takes the same rocky course; the nutrition source becomes more erratic due to poor breastfeeding by the frail mother and other deprived sources of nutrition. Children grow to become undernourished, anaemic and lack immunity. Soon,they fall prey to fever, diarrhoea, malaria, dengue and the list is never ending. Over one-tenth of the children population in India never reach the age of 5.
