GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context

Indian sanitation policy has undergone significant evolution over the past few decades, with initiatives like the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) and the Total Sanitation Campaign paving the way for more targeted approaches.

Evolution of sanitation initiatives

• Groundwork: Initiatives like CRSP and the Total Sanitation Campaign laid the groundwork for India's sanitation policy, transitioning from high subsidy to demand-driven approaches.
• Mission-driven approach: The Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), launched in 2014, aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019, marking a significant shift towards a mission-driven approach.
• Persistent issues: Despite achieving remarkable milestones, such as reaching 100% sanitation coverage by 2019, India faces persistent challenges in ensuring behavioral change and equitable access to sanitation facilities.

Achievements:

• Sanitation coverage increased from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2019.
• Under SBM-G, over 10 crore household toilets were constructed, contributing significantly to this achievement
• Phase II of SBM-G focused on sustainability, emphasizing solid and liquid waste management and extending coverage to previously underserved households and ODF Plus status by 2024-25.

Challenges in Behavioral Patterns:

• Structural issues: Despite improved coverage, the NSSO survey revealed that 4% of individuals with access to toilets did not use them, citing reasons such as structural issues, hygiene concerns, and personal preferences.
• Social Norms: Upper caste-dominated villages showed unique sanitation network characteristics, influencing decision-making processes and behaviors related to sanitation practices.
• Behaviour issues: Despite substantial investments, lack of coordination among programs undermines efficiency in achieving collective behavioral change.

Context:

India is working towards its vision for developing itself into a developed nation by its 100th year of Independence in 2047.

Overview of India's Progress:

• Massive Expansion Across Sectors: India experiences significant growth in social and economic infrastructure, entrepreneurship, rural development, and education.
• Milestones in Science and Technology: Achievements like the Chandrayaan mission and robust digital public infrastructure enhance India's global stature.
• Health: The government has emphasised on the importance of healthcare in achieving this goal and leveraging India's demographic dividend.

Mission of Viksit Bharat:

• Propelling India into a Powerhouse: The Viksit Bharat Mission aims to make India a hub of innovation, economic strength, and social prosperity.
• Focus on Citizen Well-being: Prioritizing healthcare is central to this mission, ensuring the well-being of citizens.
• Opportunity of a Young Population: India's demographic advantage presents a significant opportunity for economic growth.

Healthcare:

• Rising Burden of Chronic Diseases: India faces challenges from increasing cases of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
• Importance of Preventive Healthcare: Prioritizing preventive healthcare is crucial to mitigate the economic and health impact of chronic diseases.
• Role of Technology in Healthcare: Innovations like AI and genomic data analysis are transforming preventive healthcare. AI enables risk assessment, early detection, and personalized prevention plans, empowering individuals to manage their health proactively.

Context:

Uttar Pradesh showcases the significance of women's empowerment in addressing malnutrition through community-based micro enterprises.

Empowering Women for Nutrition:

• Women's Participation: Over 4,000 women across 43 districts form self-help group micro-enterprises, contributing significantly to local economies.
• Community-based Enterprises: Self-help groups spearhead the production of fortified foods for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, along with children.
• Production Capacity: Utilizing automated equipment, women groups produce various nutrient-rich variants, thereby fostering economic empowerment.

Nutritious Rations and Reformulation:

• Decentralized Production Model: The state shifts from a centralized to a decentralized model, empowering women's groups in production and distribution.
• Enhanced Formulation: Take-home rations undergo reformulation, incorporating high-quality ingredients to combat malnutrition effectively.
• Diverse Offerings: Various formulations cater to different demographic groups, with revamped packaging enhancing product appeal and community acceptance.

Strengthening Demand:

• Collaborative Efforts: Partnerships with WFP focus on enhancing nutritional value and utilization of ICDS-supplied nutrition. Furthermore, research-driven development introduces a diverse range of products, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Development of an app-based solution to enhance women's production capabilities, promoting sustainability.
• Community Empowerment: Expansion of women-led micro-enterprises reflects successful targeting and sustainable processes for long-term nutritional improvement.