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Health

Awareness: The First Step in Healthcare-seeking Behaviour

Addressing Nutritional Needs of Pregnant Women
Addressing Nutritional Needs of Pregnant Women

According to available data, young people in the age group of 10-30 years in India face a range of health behaviours and problems. Nutritional disorders, including both malnutrition and over-nutrition, are prevalent among this population.

National Institute of Nutrition data indicates that more than half of the population aged 10-18 years in India is undernourished. The prevalence rates range from 56.4% to 68.5%.

Additionally, a high prevalence of stunting has been observed, with studies reporting rates of 36.9% to 51.7% among adolescents. Micronutrient deficiencies, such as anemia, are also common, affecting around 25% of the rural population in some studies.

These health behaviors and problems among young people have long-lasting impacts. They contribute to the burden of non-communicable diseases, mental and neurological disorders, and injuries in Indian society. It is crucial to address these issues through comprehensive health promotion policies and programmes that prioritize the health and well-being of youth.

Integrated approaches that consider the multiple coexisting behaviors and conditions experienced by young individuals are needed to effectively tackle the challenges and reduce the associated morbidity, mortality, and socio-economic losses.

Importance of Health Literacy

Health literacy, the ability to understand and use health information to make informed decisions, is a key factor in improving healthcare-seeking behavior. By enhancing health literacy, individuals can better understand their health needs, make informed decisions about seeking healthcare, and actively participate in their own care.

Healthcare-seeking behaviour plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of individuals and communities. It refers to the actions people take when they perceive a health problem and seek appropriate healthcare services.

In India, where healthcare systems face numerous challenges, understanding and addressing healthcare-seeking behaviour is of paramount importance. By promoting awareness and initiating behavioral changes, it is possible to enhance the health outcomes of the population.

Several real-life examples illustrate how awareness and behavioral changes can positively impact healthcare-seeking behaviour in India. One such example is the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in India. The NRHM focused on improving healthcare access and quality in rural areas.

By raising awareness about available healthcare services, encouraging community participation, and enhancing health literacy, the programme witnessed significant improvements in healthcare-seeking behaviour among rural populations.

Addressing Barriers to Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour

India faces several barriers that hinder optimal healthcare-seeking behavior. These include low health literacy levels, lack of awareness about available services, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic factors. It is crucial to address these barriers to facilitate behavioral change and improve the existing behavior.

Awareness campaigns are powerful tools for initiating behavioral changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour. They can educate individuals about the importance of seeking timely healthcare, promote preventive measures, and debunk myths and misconceptions.

A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health emphasized the effectiveness of awareness campaigns in influencing healthcare-seeking behavior. By disseminating accurate and accessible information, campaigns can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.

Addressing barriers to healthcare-seeking behavior requires a comprehensive approach involving programs, policies, and the collaboration of various stakeholders, including NGOs. These barriers can range from limited access to healthcare facilities, financial constraints, cultural beliefs, lack of health literacy, and social stigma associated with certain health conditions. To overcome these barriers, several initiatives can be implemented.

Steps to Improving Health Awareness Among General Populations

Firstly, programmes and policies aimed at improving access to healthcare services are crucial. This can involve

  • establishing primary healthcare centers in remote areas,
  • providing mobile healthcare units to reach underserved populations, and
  • ensuring the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies.

Financial assistance programmes, such as health insurance schemes or subsidies, can also alleviate the financial burden associated with seeking healthcare.

Secondly, raising awareness and improving health literacy is essential. NGOs play a vital role in this aspect by organizing health education campaigns, conducting workshops, and disseminating information through various channels. NGOs can collaborate with healthcare organizations to establish mobile healthcare units that reach remote and underserved areas. These units can provide primary healthcare services, preventive screenings, and health education, overcoming geographical barriers and improving access to healthcare.

Enabling the Healthcare Ecosystem

Health education campaigns in communities can be organized to raise awareness about common health issues, prevention strategies, and the importance of seeking timely healthcare. These campaigns can utilize various mediums such as community meetings, informational pamphlets, radio programs, and social media to disseminate vital health information.

Government can train and deploy community health workers who act as a bridge between the community and healthcare facilities. These workers, often from within the community, can provide health education, assist with navigation through the healthcare system, and address cultural or language barriers that may hinder healthcare-seeking behaviour.

By working together, NGOs, healthcare professionals, government, and communities can develop tailored approaches to facilitate healthcare-seeking behavior.

Smile Foundation and Healthcare-seeking Behaviour

One of the major components of our healthcare programme, Health Cannot Wait is improving healthcare-seeking behaviour in urban villages and remote populations.

  • Door-to-door mobilisation,
  • capacity-building of the medical personnel stationed at mobile healthcare units and telemedicine units,
  • health camps, and
  • impact studies both qualitatively and quantitatively

are some of the long-term interventions in our efforts to make quality healthcare accessible among disadvantaged sections of society.

Special care is provided to the elderly, pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children whose health status determines the well-being of the country and its standing in various international findings as a whole.

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Education Livelihood

The Cycle of Quality Learning to Better Earning

The Cycle of Quality Learning to Better Earning
The Cycle of Quality Learning to Better Earning

The fast-paced world that we live in demands skilled labor in order to grow and develop further. Employers seek skilled professionals while hiring, they want people to be adept at their jobs quickly.

Hence, skill development is one of the most significant characteristics a person should focus on to earn better. Today’s youth needs that to succeed and live a satisfactory life. All of this starts with the concept of quality in learning and education. 

The Close Relation of Learning and Earning

The process of learning new things is always rewarding for an individual on a personal level. But people fail to realize how rewarding it is on a professional level as well. Degrees and prestigious institute names look enticing on a resume or CV, but realizing that learning is not classroom-restricted and there are qualities beyond what an education degree guarantees that an employer looks for is equally important. 

The world of work seeks individuals who are knowledgeable and skill-oriented, they look for soft skills as much as they do for hard skills, and a quality education would push an individual to develop both. Ensuring quality learning will surely amount to better earnings. 

The world is full of things for us to learn. With every step, we learn something new. A person first gets to know something, then becomes curious and gains knowledge, or learns a new skill, after which they hone the skill and expand their knowledge in attempts of getting better at it.

A person will only prove to be useful if they can utilize their skills and knowledge in an effective way, and the more “learned” and “practiced” a person is, the more they’ll be able to utilize it effectively in order to maximize profits. This culminates in a better-earning potential. Hence, in order to earn, one must first learn.  

The Prowess of Quality in Education

The importance of education is reflected by the jobless economic growth India has been facing for the past few years. The country has seen disproportionate growth in terms of GDP and employment generation. The economic growth is focused on a small portion of the country with the rest being deprived of the same due to the impediments created by poverty stemming from the unequal distribution of wealth across the nation.

Quality is of great importance when it comes to education. Quality education ensures a holistic learning environment and learning in all spheres, be it rote or practical, vocational or professional. It provides equitable and standard education and promotes a person’s willingness to learn throughout their lifetime. 

Educational equity is another thing that should be concentrated upon. Every person has the right to quench their curiosity and learn more. The sheer amount of learning poverty that India faces is highly concerning, and what’s worse is that the pandemic has widened this humungous gap. About 50% of Indian children fail to acquire basic education.

Investment in quality education will eventually reap profits for the nation. A well-educated and more confident population will result in them incurring higher incomes which will boost the economic growth of the country. Overall, quality education is something that is necessary in order for youth and the country to flourish as a whole. 

Poverty as a Determinant for Level of Quality?

There is a stark difference between the accessibility of education and the accessibility of quality education. A large part of the Indian demographic resides in rural areas, and India has made progress in providing education in these parts as well, but what the country must realize is that the quality of education the low-income demographic receives is widely different from the quality of education the higher-income strata does, and this makes all the difference. 

We have often seen a dislike shimmer in the urban or high-income population’s eyes when asked about government-run schools. This is because of the ideology that private schools provide better quality education than government schools. 

Quality of education is deemed highly important and rightfully so. An individual is in need of education that caters to rote learning, skill development, and practical knowledge, broadly speaking. 

The low-income strata of society deserve the right to quality education as much as anyone else. We need to understand the importance of quality education and work towards achieving that.

Conclusion

Properly trained professors and teachers, a holistic approach to studies, equal focus on rote and practical knowledge, promoting vocational studies, and providing adequate sanitation facilities for girls and boys, all these factors together determine the quality of education a child is receiving. Guarantee of them in educational institutes, urban or rural, is of high importance. 

A little more effort toward this will provide oil to the chains of the cycle of learning to earn and provide a better grip for people to confidently paddle towards success. Poverty and education are two major problems in India and are in some ways interdependent. But there is a need for education to not be dependent on the level of income.

Quality in education should be equitable enough, which will also help poverty to be subsided slowly since more people will have access to education and will consequentially earn better. 

Smile Foundation and Quality in Education

Smile Foundation follows a lifecycle approach in their work starting from various educational interventions through its flagship programme, Mission Education (ME) like remedial classes, bridge courses for non-school-going children, Anganwadi support, vocational education, and necessary scholarship support to over 1,00,000 children across 23 states of India including 12 aspirational districts.

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Girl Child

Scholarships To Increase STEM Participation of Women in India

Scholarships To Increase STEM Participation of Women in India
Scholarships To Increase STEM Participation of Women in India

Scholarships are an important financial resource for Indian students, and particularly for Indian women. They can help to cover the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses, making it possible for women to pursue STEM education and careers. In the last 5-10 years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of increasing women’s participation in STEM fields. 

This is due in part to the fact that STEM careers offer high salaries and good job prospects. However, there are still many barriers that prevent women from entering these fields, including financial constraints. Scholarships can help to break down these barriers by providing financial assistance to women who are interested in STEM education. 

They can also help to create role models for other women, showing them that it is possible to succeed in STEM fields. There are many different scholarships available to Indian women who are interested in STEM education. These scholarships are offered by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, educational institutions, and private companies.

By providing financial assistance to Indian women, scholarships can help to increase the participation of women in STEM fields. This is important because it will help to close the gender gap in STEM. It will ensure that women have the opportunity to pursue rewarding and high-paying careers.

Importance of Scholarships for Women in STEM

According to a report by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, the number of scholarships granted to Indian students has witnessed a significant increase over the past decade, with a particular focus on empowering women in education. The Udaan scholarship program, initiated by the Central Board of Secondary Education, has been instrumental in providing financial aid to meritorious girl students, enabling them to pursue higher education in engineering and related fields. 

Similarly, the Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child has facilitated the education of single girl children, addressing gender disparities prevalent in Indian society. While scholarships have made a notable impact across various fields of study, their potential impact on Indian women’s participation in STEM education is immense. STEM fields have historically witnessed a gender disparity, with women being underrepresented. 

However, scholarships for women in science can serve as catalysts for change by addressing financial barriers and empowering Indian women to pursue STEM education. By providing financial support and creating a level playing field, scholarships can encourage more Indian women to explore and excel in STEM disciplines, driving innovation, and contributing to India’s progress in the global technological landscape.

Women in STEM

When we talk about women in STEM scholarships 2023, it is also important to understand the role of women in STEM.  STEM education is important because it teaches students the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. The jobs in STEM are in high demand, and they offer high salaries. STEM education also teaches students critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. These skills are essential for success in any field. In India, there is a growing awareness of the importance of STEM education. 

Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, making up only 28% of the workforce in these fields globally. This is a problem because STEM jobs are in high demand and offer high salaries. Increasing the participation of women in STEM fields would help to close the gender gap and ensure that women have the opportunity to pursue rewarding and high-paying careers.

Despite having one of the highest proportions of female STEM graduates (43%) in the world, just 14% of them go on to become technologists, engineers, or scientists. In terms of the percentage of women working in technology, India ranks second among the top 20 countries in the world.

While the number of women in STEM has increased by almost 53,338 over the past three years, there has not been a parallel increase in the number of men enrolling in STEM programmes, which has decreased from 12,48,062 in 2018–19 to 11,88,900 in 2019–2020.

Scholarships for Women in STEM

By addressing various barriers, scholarships play a crucial role in increasing the participation of Indian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Corporates are increasingly taking steps to encourage women to pursue STEM careers. These initiatives primarily include offering scholarships. Many companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM offer scholarships to women who are studying STEM subjects. This can help to make STEM education more accessible to women from low-income families. 

Similarly, The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has a number of programmes that support women from all walks and stages of life to boost their careers in STEM fields. These programmes include The Vigyan Jyoti programme, INSPIRE programme, The Women Scientists Scheme, and The WISTEMM programme.

In addition to these programmes, DST also works to create a more inclusive environment for women in STEM fields. This includes addressing issues such as unconscious bias and providing flexible work arrangements. By creating a more welcoming environment, DST is helping to ensure that women have the opportunity to succeed in STEM careers.

Opportunities Galore

There are many other scholarships available for Indian women who are interested in pursuing STEM education and careers. These scholarships can help to cover the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses, making it possible for women to pursue STEM education and careers. Some of the most well-known scholarships for Indian women include The Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship, The Google Anita Borg Scholarship, and The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarship, among others.

Apart from all this, there are many other initiatives by various players to help increase the participation of women in STEM. From British Council to Universities in the United Kingdom, there are many such opportunities available for Indian students. This is a big support for women in India.

So, as we move forward, in the coming years, we can expect scholarships to play an important role in STEM education for women in India. Smile Foundation’s She Can Fly campaign is all about girl children and young women who are trying their best to break the shackles of patriarchy, inequality and the lesser value of female lives endemic in our country. We provide various scholarships to young girls and women who want to pursue higher education in STEM-related fields across India. Help our young ones to reach the sky by making a small meaningful contribution here.

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Women Empowerment

Nutritious Meals for the Whole Family: The Road to Healthy India

Nutritious Meals for the Whole Family: The Road to Healthy India
Nutritious Meals for the Whole Family: The Road to Healthy India

You are what you eat. Food dictates your mood, actions, and thoughts and is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Eating the right food is crucial for everyone, but it holds greater importance for senior citizens and young children in rural India.

Unlike their urban counterparts, rural Indians suffer from overconsumption of processed foods. People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and PIPAL conducted a study titled ‘Children Nutrition and Ultra-Processed Food.’ They surveyed Varanasi and Gaya to understand the unhealthy food problem in rural India.

Among other things, the study found Dalit families spend over 90 per cent of their income on food, and about 10-15 per cent of it was spent on ultra-processed and packaged foods like chocolates, carbonated drinks, and chips.

Therefore, ensuring nutritious meals for the entire family should be a priority in India, as the prevalence of malnutrition and lifestyle diseases is a growing concern. A well-balanced diet promotes physical well-being and strengthens the bond between family members.

Read on as we explore the importance of healthy meals for the family, provide practical family meal plans, and offer inspiring ideas for nutritious meals.

The Importance of Healthy Meals for the Family

A healthy family meal plan is vital for several reasons. It provides essential nutrients for supporting growth and development, especially in children. Proper nutrition during childhood can help prevent stunted growth, boost cognitive function, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.

Healthy meals also help senior citizens stay fit and active, keeping them away from illnesses. However, most importantly, regular family meals encourage communication and strengthen family bonds.

How to Create a Nutritious Family Meal Plan?

Creating a family meal plan can be a game-changer when it comes to providing nutritious meals. Families in rural, as well as urban India, can focus on the following to ensure nutritious meals:

  • Balanced Diet

The importance of a balanced diet is well-known. Families can incorporate foods from various food groups to ensure a balanced diet that develops all organs. Including whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products in meals can help maintain a balanced diet.

  • Plan in Advance

Planning meals beforehand is an excellent way to inculcate healthy eating habits in families. Ensure you set aside time each week to plan your meals, as it will help you make healthier choices, save time, and reduce last-minute stress. Involve family members to ensure everyone’s dietary restrictions and eating habits are addressed.

  • Healthy Ingredients

The most important part of keeping the family healthy is choosing the right ingredients. Spend time researching to know the ingredients of the dishes you want to cook. Remove unhealthy raw materials from the dishes and find healthier alternatives. Later, find companies that provide the highest quality ingredients.

  • Stick to the Plan

Nutritious meals aren’t always popular because they do not include additives and artificial ingredients that satisfy taste buds. As a result, it is difficult for everyone, especially children, to stay motivated and make healthy meals a habit. Therefore, ensuring they stay motivated is vital. Educating them about the importance of healthy meal options and leading by example are two ways to ensure kids become addicted to the right meals.

Healthy Family Meal Ideas

Mentioned below are a few healthy family meal ideas you can try:

  • Power-packed Fruit Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While there are various breakfast ideas, eating fresh fruits during breakfast is healthy. Watermelons, bananas, apples, and oranges are a few options you can include in your breakfast. They are healthy and help improve various organs and boost immunity. You can also include vegetable omelettes and whole eggs in your breakfast.

  • Salads for Snacks

Salads are incredibly nutritious and healthy but often overlooked. They make a great snacking option and should be encouraged among family members. You can also choose yoghurt with nuts or vegetable sticks with hummus as a healthy snacking option.

  • Wholesome Lunches

If your family has less time for breakfast, ensure you compensate for the lack of nutrients with a power-packed lunch. Add nutrient-rich lunches for school or work. Also, consider whole wheat wraps with grilled chicken and vegetables, colourful salads with lean protein, or homemade vegetable soup with whole grain bread.

  • Light Dinners

Dinners should be light, but that doesn’t mean compromising on your family’s health. Prepare light dishes with steamed vegetables, curry with rice, or whole wheat pasta with roasted vegetables.

Clothing Thoughts on Healthy Meals for Family

Nutritious meals for the whole family play a pivotal role in building a healthier rural India. By incorporating a balanced family meal plan, you can provide the essential nutrients needed for growth, development, and overall well-being for your family.

Smile Foundation through its women empowerment programme, Swabhiman is ensuring that young women, especially mothers are able to prepare easy-to-make nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Low-cost, high-nutrition recipe workshops conducted by certified nutritionists are one of the key features of the programme.

The workshops seem to have high participation rates that also see the distribution of healthy food baskets and women sharing their positive feedback with the project coordinators in their next sessions. You can consider making a thoughtful donation here to help healthy meals reach more women, their children and families at large. 

You can make mealtime a joyful experience by trying out diverse and healthy recipes that appeal to everyone’s taste buds. Remember, when it comes to creating a healthy India, the journey starts at the family table.

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Smile Livelihood

India Top Destination for MNCs Now

Are Core Skills Important in the 21st Century?
Are Core Skills Important in the 21st Century?

India is poised to be the next global economic powerhouse. With a young and growing population, a rapidly expanding middle class, and a favourable business environment, there are many attractive opportunities for multinational corporations (MNCs) in India today. According to the World Bank, India’s economy is expected to grow by 8% in 2023, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. 

This growth is being driven by a number of factors including a young and growing population. Today, India has the second-largest population in the world, with over 1.3 billion people. This large and growing workforce is a major draw for MNCs looking to expand their operations. A rapidly expanding middle class is also a boon for India. India’s middle class is now estimated to be over 400 million strong. 

This growing middle class has more disposable income and is looking for new products and services, which MNCs can provide. Lastly, India is creating a favourable business environment for these corporations. The Indian government has made a number of reforms in recent years to make the country more business-friendly. These reforms have included reducing corporate taxes, simplifying regulations, and improving infrastructure.

All these factors combined are making India a preferred destination for MNCs. Let us take a look at how it is going to influence the country’s growth story and the impact of MNCs on the Indian economy.

India: Taking a Lead

A survey of 100 CEOs of multinational corporations (MNCs) by research firm IMA India found that India is the top destination being explored by MNCs as an alternative to China. The survey, which was conducted in November 2022, found that 88% of the CEOs said they were considering India as a potential location for their next investment. The survey findings come at a time when MNCs are increasingly looking to diversify their supply chains away from China. 

China’s rising labor costs and geopolitical tensions have made the country a less attractive destination for investment. India is well-positioned to benefit from this trend. The survey findings suggest that India is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for MNCs. 

Opportunities for MNCs in India

India is considered one of the most preferred destinations for business due to its large and growing market, favourable business environment, and skilled workforce. The country’s economy is growing at a rapid pace, and it is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2050. 

India also has a young and educated workforce, which is attractive to businesses looking to set up operations in the country. The Indian government has also taken steps to make the country more business-friendly, such as reducing taxes and improving infrastructure. These reforms have made India a more attractive destination for foreign investment. In 2022, India received a record $84.4 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI). 

The Indian government also focuses on developing new sectors, such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital technology. These sectors are expected to create new jobs and boost economic growth in the coming years. Overall, India is a promising market for businesses of all sizes. The country has a number of advantages that make it an attractive destination for investment.

Impact of MNCs on the Indian Economy

India becoming the preferred destination for MNCs is great news for the country looking to capitalize on its demographic dividend. However, it is also important to explore all the positive and negative impacts of MNCs in India. While MNCs have undoubtedly played a positive role in India’s economic development, they have also raised a number of concerns.

Multinational corporations (MNCs) have had a significant impact on India’s economy and society. On the one hand, MNCs have helped to create jobs, boost economic growth, and transfer technology to India. On the other hand, MNCs have also been accused of exploiting natural resources, displacing local businesses, and contributing to environmental pollution. Overall, the impact of MNCs on India has been mixed. 

However, this does not limit the importance of MNCs for a country like India that wants to grow its economy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to make the take country’s economy $ 5 trillion by 2025. For this, MNCs can play a significant role in driving India’s vision of becoming a developed nation. MNCs can bring much-needed investment, technology, and jobs to India. They can also help to improve India’s infrastructure and skills development.

The Next Five Years Are Crucial: Opportunities for MNCs in India

According to a report by EY and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), MNCs have the potential to attract $475 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the next five years. This FDI can help to create millions of jobs and boost economic growth. MNCs can also help to improve India’s infrastructure by investing in new roads, ports, and airports. 

They can also help to develop India’s skills base by providing training and education to Indian workers. Overall, MNCs can play a major role in helping India to achieve its vision of becoming a developed nation. However, for this to happen, India needs to create a favourable investment climate and ensure that MNCs are operating in a responsible manner.

Smile Foundation and Employment Opportunities

Smile Foundation believes that a livelihood is important for upward mobility for marginalised communities in India. It is only through a decent employment opportunity that the curse of generational poverty and associated social evils break down for a lower social class family.

Through our livelihood programme, STeP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme), we are training thousands of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Most of the trained youth are placed in brands across India in healthcare, retail, digital marketing and more roles.

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Education

High Returns on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

High Returns on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
High Returns on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

Iconic American astronomer Carl Sagan was fascinated by children. In an old video, he talked about children’s curiosity and how they naturally asked deep questions and saw the world from a unique, imaginative lens.

Sagan also spoke about how society and the laid-out ladder for everyone sucked the life out of children, destroying their ability to think freely. Emphasis on the right education and care can prevent such creative destruction and help children choose what interests them.

As children represent the future of a nation, early childhood care and education (ECCE) is also pivotal for the economy. Fortunately, India has recognised the significance of investing in early childhood development in recent years. The remarkable results emphasise the value of early care and education for children.

Understanding Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

Early childhood care and education is an approach focused on care, health, and education for children aged 0-8 years. It includes quality preschool education, health and nutrition interventions, and support for parents and guardians. The objective is to ensure holistic development during the critical early years, which are formative in shaping a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional abilities.

Investing in Childhood Development

Part of the West’s success in the last few decades can be attributed to its focus on child development and education. The curriculum followed by Western schools and universities is far different from countries like India, where educational institutions steer children toward a specific subject.

Thankfully, India has arrested the problem and recognised the importance of investing in early childhood development education, understanding that these formative years lay the foundation for a child’s future success. By providing quality ECCE programs, the country is fostering an environment that nurtures young minds, allowing them to reach their full potential.

The government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and various stakeholders have joined hands to create an inclusive and supportive ECCE ecosystem across the nation.

The NEP (National Education Policy) 2020, NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), and NCF (National Curriculum Framework) represent a few transformational changes from the Indian government.

These initiates highlight the importance of transforming Angwanwadi centres into ‘learning centres’. Anganwadi centres and workers can harness the power of activity-based learning and develop cognitive skills and socio-emotional development in children during their formative years.

Additionally, the government has recognised that nutrition and early childhood education outcomes are equally important. The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s ‘Poshan bhi, Padhai bhi’ initiative is a move in this direction, although the investment amount must increase for better results.

Going by numbers, the average Anganwadi centre spends ₹2,000 per child compared to around ₹20,000 spent on a child in a government primary school.

Successful ECCE Programs in India

While there’s clearly scope for improvement in a few flagship early childhood development education initiatives, the government can draw inspiration from a few successful programs. India has witnessed the successful implementation of various ECCE programs across the country, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Maharashtra.

It provides a package of essential services like nutrition, healthcare, immunisation, and early learning opportunities, to children under the age of six.

NGOs have also played a crucial role in augmenting ECCE efforts. Many organisations have established model ECCE centres, which reach out to underprivileged children and communities with innovative approaches and inclusive practices.

Studying the success of these models can help the government and private companies gain learnings to implement in their initiatives. No two programs can yield the same results, but stakeholders can draw parallels and tweak them to fit the objectives of each program.

Key Benefits of Early Childhood Care and Education

Early childhood care and education hold value for children as well as the economy. Listed below are a few reasons why:

1. Enhanced cognitive development

The brain develops rapidly during the early years, and ECCE interventions support cognitive development, language skills, and school readiness. Quality early learning experiences lay a strong foundation for future academic achievements.

2. Improved social and emotional skills

ECCE programs promote positive social interactions, emotional well-being, and empathy. Children learn valuable social skills, such as sharing, teamwork, and conflict resolution, which contribute to their overall emotional intelligence.

3. Health and nutrition

Early childhood is a critical period for physical growth and brain development. ECCE initiatives prioritise access to proper food nutrition, immunisations, and healthcare, leading to improved overall health and reduced long-term health risks.

4. Long-term educational attainment

Children participating in high-quality ECCE programs are likelier to enrol in and complete formal education. This increased educational attainment sets the stage for higher employment opportunities and overall socio-economic development.

5. Reduction in inequalities

ECCE initiatives aim to bridge gaps in access to education and reduce disparities among children from different socio-economic backgrounds. By focusing on inclusivity, India is working towards a more equitable society.

Closing Thoughts

India’s focus on early childhood care and education is yielding significant returns in terms of childhood development and long-term societal benefits. By investing in ECCE programs, the country is nurturing the potential of its youngest citizens and equipping them with essential skills and capabilities. The positive impact of ECCE can be witnessed in enhanced cognitive development, improved social and emotional skills, increased educational attainment, and reduced inequalities.

However, there’s still a long way to go to completely realise the potential of ECCE. Continuous effort and individuals hold the key, while various stakeholders must draw inferences from successful models already in place.

Smile Foundation realising the importance of early interventions in the lives of marginalised children invests its all in the quality education of young children through its flagship program, Mission Education (ME). You too can make a difference in their lives by donating an amount that doesn’t affect your own quality of life and is also able to provide a decent life to those who need it the most.

Categories
Education

Education as a Powerful Poverty Alleviation Intervention

World NGO Day 2024: Building a Sustainable Future through the Power of NGOs
World NGO Day 2024: Building a Sustainable Future through the Power of NGOs

Eradicating poverty seems like a never-ending battle for India. A considerable decrease has been observed over the years but there still exists a major part of the Indian demographic that spends the entirety of their lives working hard but ends up in poverty. It pains us to say that the aphorism “the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer” stays true even in this day and age. 

65% of Indians are a part of rural India and about 24% of that population is financially literate. Education is an effective way to boost the poverty-driven demographic of India. Transforming the way education is perceived and imparted to all and ensuring educational equity is imperative in alleviating poverty. 

‘E’ In Education also corresponds to the Economy: Role of Education in Economic Development

Economic prosperity does not solely depend on an increase in physical capital as previously believed. Education is a crucial component in the development of the Indian economy. Investing in education in order to make it accessible to all will reap profitable returns. The formation of human capital alongside physical capital is equally necessary. This is important to achieve a fast-progressing economy and comprehensive nation-building.

Education allows a person to boost their skills and confidence. A well-educated individual boosts productivity as well as one’s overall income. 65% of rural India remains high in the uneducated spectrum.

Presently, the situation of the low-income demographic education remains dire and needs improvement. The role of education in economic development of rural India is a crucial step in order to increase literacy and consequentially the overall situation of the economy. 

The agricultural sector of India is of great significance, and a large section of rural India is actively involved in this sector. There are many agricultural workers who perform tasks tirelessly despite being devoid of adequate technology or the knowledge to use it. They are uneducated and unaware of the prospects of their field that do not reward their efforts adequately and hence they spend most of their lives if not the entirety of it in poverty. 

In addition to the agricultural sector, the MSME sector too contributes greatly to the economy comprising 30% of the total GDP. It remains an imperative determinant of the economic situation and requires good educational facilities in order to flourish. 

Poverty is one of the major obstacles to economic development. Education being the foundation that helps alleviate poverty, is hence a significant determinant of economic development. 

A Pen is mightier than a Sword

Education exposes an individual to new ideas and helps them adapt to the changing and growing world. It is seen as an effective pathway that caters to the empowerment of an individual.

Education provides the values, confidence, skills, and knowledge required for the development of an individual and of society. When a person understands the ways of the world and utilizes their abilities to the best, it nurtures an individual’s self-confidence. 

Role of Education in Economic Development and the Importance of Equity

Educational equity is of high importance to achieve this. It is the right of every person to be educated. India needs to mend the wound the pandemic has left in the education sector. This wound has deeply impacted the Indian economy as well as poverty in India and globally. Around 100 million children have been subjected to poverty due to inaccessible educational facilities during the pandemic. 

Proper training programs should be introduced for the low-income demographic that faces issues in acquiring education. They should focus on all three factors– accessibility, affordability, and quality of education in order to be effective for a larger number of people.

Youth, no doubt, should have access to these facilities, but in addition to them, poverty-stricken adults too require adequate facilities that provide them with knowledge with respect to earning better for their families and children’s education. 

Additionally, the education provided should be approached holistically with equal importance to rote and practical learning. 

The data on poverty still remains ambiguous but it is no secret that poverty is an acute problem for India. As a developing nation with one of the fastest-growing economies, India should focus on improving the quality of education and educational equity so that the country gives birth to self-empowered individuals that will help it to grow further.

Education will lead to rewarding the people who are working without breaking a sweat. Education will help empower the ones whose voices the world needs to hear. It will help them climb the ladder of success, leaving behind poverty in the dust. 

The Road to Dimish Poverty

Ensuring each child is educated to the reading and writing level can result in a 15% decline in poverty a year. Education opens the door to new ideas and makes a person realize their worth. Education is not only necessary for a person to get a job but also to perform better at their job and earn better. An educated person has a better understanding of how a particular task can be completed easily and how it may yield better outputs. 

Education also helps alleviate the gender bigotry this country faces. An educated individual is more likely to understand that women are equal to men and not inferior, they too deserve an education and have the right to earn, and that it is not a waste to educate a girl child. This will improve the overall literacy rate and consequentially decrease poverty. 

Poverty is a huge impediment to the progress of India’s development and requires urgent attention. The government has introduced certain poverty alleviation programs. Some of which are– 

  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojna 
  • National Social Assistance Programme
  • Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna 
  • Integrated Rural Development Programme 
  • Food for Work Programme 
  • National Social Assistance Programme 

These schemes have been implemented with sheer goodwill and dedication to cater to the problem of poverty, but have fallen short somewhere or the other of completely eradicating the issue. Initiatives like these will not prove to be very beneficial unless greater attention is paid to education. 

Why wait for Tomorrow when we can do it Today

There are always two sides to a coin. For states like Mumbai, the most evident of these two are the high-rise buildings and the slums, and investment in physical capital alone is of no use. Building new machines and equipment might make it easier. Easier to destroy slums and build more high-rise buildings, but it will not eradicate the problem of poverty. It is time to address the role of education in economic development for uprooting this issue. 

Smile Foundation believes that education is the starting point to true empowerment and in that effort is educating lakhs of children through our flagship programme Mission Education (ME). If your core too believes that children of all social classes should be in schools, you can make a small donation here.

Categories
Livelihood

Workforce Prepared Indian Youth

College Education: What Happens After That?
College Education: What Happens After That?

After years of lectures, classes, note-making, rigorous revisions, and examinations, the Indian youth is prepared for the “real world”, more commonly termed as the workforce. And yet there is a significant gap between the readiness of youth and the needs of a workplace. 

Higher educational institutions and colleges are supposed to fortify youth for the walks and talks of a workplace. However, we see a discrepancy in the skills acquired by youth and those required by employers. This often leads to youth unemployment in India. 

Youth unemployment in India is accelerating and if not curbed fast, will result in bruises to the rapid-growing economy. With an equally growing population in the country, the competition in the workplace will only increase. 

Youth Unemployment in India

A workplace is not like an educational institution. A workplace expects one to utilize the skills one has acquired over time and an employer is in search of skills more than credentials. Then why do most employers observe a mismatch of skills in youth? 

The capitalist world we live in has given rise to jobs of high specializations and Indian education has failed to provide adequate skill development for the same. Youth comprise more than 40% of the Indian population and 45% of those were reported unemployed. India, like any other country, will benefit from the sheer amount of youth it harbors, but if this situation entails, it will result in a grim future for the country. 

A college degree improves job prospects for youth but colleges have become unnecessarily costly. There is no reason for students to incur debts in order to get a degree and education that is dissatisfactory. The idea that a degree secures a life with better living standards leads students to pay humungous amounts of money.

More than a Degree

Education is extremely important, but one has to keep in mind that a degree is not a guarantee of employability. Youth is extremely bright and always on the lookout for new opportunities, with the right training they are sure to bloom and provide outcomes that aid the development of the country and benefit all. 

Around 33% of youth that has gained an education remain unemployed due to a deficit of future skills. They do not have adequate practical knowledge and skills required for the workforce. 

The rates of youth unemployability in India are shooting like ever before and there is an immediate need to curb them. Educational institutions should ensure a holistic approach that gives adequate industry experience while striving toward the degree a person is aiming for. Industry experience alongside education will surely aid in skill development and better prepare youth for the workforce. 

The Emerging Need for Vocational Education

Vocational education is considered inferior to any other kind of education in several aspects. Even the jobs that come along these lines are considered inferior. But we are forgetting how in reality, vocational jobs are a huge boost to the Indian economy. Hence, there is a need to alter this mindset and provide exposure to youth to vocational education and training. 

The stigma of vocational training being important for jobs of an electrician, beautician, etc. still exists. Firstly, there is a need for this misconception to go away. Vocational education does not solely expand one’s skills and knowledge in vocational courses or fields. It generates the scope of development of skills required in the modern workplace as well. There is an indirect impact of vocational training on the industry as well. Proper VET will lead to an increase in profitable outputs in the informal sector which in turn will boost the industrial sector. It is like a chain reaction.

Secondly, who are we to demean jobs like that of a master artisan or beautician? Each and every job has its own importance in the development of the country and its economy. No form of education or job should be demeaned and looked down upon. 

Government Interventions To Curb Youth Unemployability in India

With training catering to skill development, vocational education will allow us to bridge the gap created between education and employment. Youth will be trained adequately in order to climb further in their careers. Indian youth themselves are greatly interested in learning and developing their skills, it is high time the education system too understands the importance. There is a dire need for inculcating practical approaches that allow individuals to develop skills that prepare them for the workforce. 

The government has come up with ways to make vocational training acknowledged. The most recent is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The revised version of National Education Policy 2020 is a great step in this direction wherein vocational education will be introduced from sixth grade onwards. These changes are at the initial stages of their development and will require time and effort.

Things To Remember

The curiosity and want to constantly learn more are what defines most of the youth. This thirst to learn should be quenched with the preparedness to face the real world. The country is looking at bright kids paving the way to an even brighter future with adequate guidance and training. Smile Foundation with its Smile Twin e-learning programme, STeP provides youth with these facilities and prioritizes skill development that helps youth to lead an independent life for themselves and their families. To date, the programme has trained more than 90000 youth with placement of over 56000 trained youth in respectable brands across India. 

Categories
Women Empowerment

Menstrual Hygiene Awareness at the Forefront of Indian Women’s Growth Story

Menstrual Hygiene Day: Closing India's Gender Gap
Menstrual Hygiene to close Gender Gap

The word ‘period’ comes with hushed voices and a ton of taboos surrounding it. The practice of chhaupadi in Nepal is one such taboo that has led to many deaths. Candice Chirwa shared an incident about the same about the progress of the menstrual situation and the limited menstrual hygiene awareness in an interview. 

Candice Chirwa, popularly known as The Minister of Menstruation, is a social activist set on changing the demoralizing notions surrounding periods and the concept of period poverty. The ideas that arise from insufficient awareness regarding periods are a major cause of the lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, a debilitating fear of openly talking about menstruation, and the societal taboos that surround it. These factors prove to be major hindrances to the empowerment of women. 

Don't like the word ‘period poverty’ and can menstrual cups end it? Menstrual hygiene awareness

Menstrual Hygiene – A Luxury? 

On average, an Indian woman pays around INR 300-500 a month to manage her periods in a hygienic way. Tax is levied on period products in several countries around the world. There still exist women in the low-income demographic unable to afford period products and have to settle for unsanitary means. Despite the tax elimination on sanitary napkins, the prices of period products are still unaffordable for many Indian women. 

Globally 500 million women still resort to using unhygienic facilities during their periods. About 77 percent of women in India itself use reused clothes, ashes, dried leaves and newspapers for the same. Unhealthy menstruation management can lead to women contracting diseases like urinary tract infections, genital tract infections, dermatitis and bacterial vaginosis. All these increase the susceptibility to cervical cancer. 

How did a right as fundamental as health come to be termed a luxury? Menstrual hygiene awareness along with period products is a necessity. In order to tackle the situation of menstrual hygiene, the concept of menstruation should be viewed more holistically. Eliminating taxes and reducing costs are not the only things that need to be shed light upon. The provision of adequate hygiene facilities for a menstruating woman is equally crucial. 

Why Period Poverty In India Needs A Proper Discussion?

A Change In Mindsets

Eyes being raised at asking for a period product at the chemist and being handed a black polythene bag as if to save the woman from being ashamed for menstruating; hiding a sanitary napkin in the pocket of the school uniform on the way to the restroom; cringing at the idea of talking to a male about periods; avoiding religious rituals, washing hair and entering the kitchen–- ask any woman and they have experienced at least one of these. 

What is worse is that living outside in unhygienic facilities is not limited to small cities. Girls are forced to live outside whilst menstruating in big cities like Mumbai as well. 

These taboos and illogical practices have been normalized to the extent that a menstruating woman feels ashamed of herself. Elimination of these ideas is also a huge step towards empowering women. Education and spreading awareness are the most crucial steps to achieve this. 

There is a need to engage the entire community in this cause. An effective approach should be taken to move forward the discussion of menstruation where the term majorly revolves around misconceptions and taboos. 

The country surely has progressed having famous male personalities speak up about normalizing menstruation. Campaigns like the red dot challenge have played a huge role in destigmatizing and empowering periods. Earlier this year, the festival of ‘Maasika Mahotsav’ was celebrated in 19 other countries apart from India. 

Menstrual Hygiene Awareness – A Gateway to Empower Women

Educated Girls as Community Mobilisers
Rupa is a student of Class 6 at Smile Foundation Mission Education Centre at Karnala, Kalahandi, Odisha

23 million girls drop out of school annually – the reason for this is the lack of adequate menstrual hygiene facilities available in schools. Is this not a hindrance to the growth of a girl child and women as a whole? 

In fact, this is common in workplaces as well. Women in the workforce have faced these problems as well. Menstrual hygiene is more often than not overlooked and due to the existing taboos around the subject, not brought up as an issue. Menstrual leaves are still non-existent in many organisations. 

Brushing off menstruation and menstrual hygiene in workplaces and educational institutions impedes a woman’s ability to perform well, and her educational and economic prospects. There is a dire need for the implementation of these facilities to be talked about openly. It is as much a necessity as any other healthcare facility and requires an all-encompassing understanding of the public. 

Where is India at with Respect to Menstrual Hygiene?

The country has undoubtedly made progress. There have been discernible initiatives taken by nonprofits, celebrities and other prominent figures that have surely made an impact. People talk relatively freely about menstruation and there are seminars held in educational institutions to talk about menstruation. The majority of the population still thinks in the traditional way, but currently, we do have people who speak up against those norms. 

The red dot challenge to stop period shaming and Asmita Yojna, She Pad and Swechcha distributing free sanitary napkins are notable initiatives. Celebration of ‘Maasika Mahotsav’ is also a notable step that is a simple yet effective way to curb stereotypes and empower women. In addition, the five-year-long plan by Niine Sanitary Napkins to tackle taboos and spread menstrual health awareness is a great initiative too. Not to forget the biopic of Arunachalam Muruganantham, Padman. 

Despite such remarkable initiatives, once in a while, we get to hear distressing news about a menstruating woman’s death due to unsanitary facilities in a rural area, or due to some incorrect ideas about menstruation in general. One such example is the killing of a young menstruating girl by her brother in Mumbai merely due to a lack of menstrual education. 

Despite these initiatives, menstrual hygiene practices in India still include the use of dirty rags, hay, old clothes and even hay. These potentially unsafe measures are a result of

  • inadequate education on the subject
  • unaffordable period products
  • unavailability of the products
  • the stigma behind menstruation. 

Smile Foundation and Menstrual Hygiene

Menstruation is a natural biological process. It is not something to belittle, it is not something that makes women a burden, and it is most certainly not something to be ashamed of. We need to strive towards a world that is period-positive; a world where period dignity exists. There is no longer a need for a world where the term period is followed by a flustering silence.

Initiatives ensuring proper menstrual health facilities for women can boost their confidence by leaps and bounds. Menstrual hygiene awareness is a gateway to empowering women and transforming society into a more gender-equal society. Embracing menstruation is a step closer to making women and young girls embrace themselves for who they are and society has no right snatching this away wrongfully. 

Smile Foundation through its women empowerment programme, Swabhiman, is trying to induce behavioural change in menstrual hygiene awareness. Through the distribution of sanitary napkins, workshops and door-to-door mobilisation for adolescent girls and women of underserved urban villages and remote rural areas – the programme is aimed at providing young girls and women a period-positive world. 

Categories
Livelihood

Capacity Building of Retail Management Workers 

Capacity Building of Retail Management Workers 
Capacity Building of Retail Management Workers 

A major reason for the flourishing economy of India remains the retail industry with the retail management workers acting as the backbone. With retail management as one of the most popular career options for college students, it is important to recognize the importance of these individuals and focus on their capacity building.  

Why Retail Management?

The short answer is, potential. This career has proved to have great potential in terms of growth. There are multiple chances for an individual to develop their skills and grow alongside their job.  

Another possible reason is that the nature of the job deals with multiple areas of expertise – from customer service to inventory management. There is always something you can learn from.  

This industry has become more complex with the increase in e-commerce. It has come a long way and is still undergoing several changes. The industry hence requires more skilled and proficient workers.  

Focusing on Capacity Building

There are many areas a person can struggle with while initially setting up their store. Financial planning,  cost control, inconsistent feedback, the changing market dynamics, and customer needs are some common things that people struggled with at first when setting up a store in Delhi or any other metropolitan. A few changed businesses as well in order to better fit the needs of consumers.  

The use of technology in order to better understand consumer behavior and improve customer experience is increasingly common now. The retail industry is heavily investing in the same. The use of AI also enhances the scope of the industry in e-commerce, digital marketing, etc., and requires skilled persons for the same.

There should be adequate training in data analytics and the identification of customer trends using technology. It is vital for retail management workers to have that in the age of the digital revolution.  

Retail Management and Brand Image

Capacity-building programs in order to cater to these problems should be implemented. Retail management is a big field that requires extensive knowledge in order to excel. It is vital for individuals who are interested in the same to receive appropriate skills. This is for the benefit of the workers, consumers, and the country as a whole.  

Retail management workers play a major role in setting a brand image. It is again important for them to be well-versed in what they are doing. Empowering retail management workers is an asset all around.  

Proper training for building leadership skills, coaching for the staff, data analysis, learning how to adapt to new inventions and changing needs, and enhancing industry knowledge is extremely important for the retail industry to function smoothly. These are the qualities that a worker should be trained upon in order to strengthen the industry.  

In addition to the personal development of workers, managers should be aware and well-versed in ethical and legal compliance. Proper safety guidelines, labor laws, etc. related to retail operations are vital to protect the workers. 

Should Retailing Apps Be Made for Training?

Capacity building of upcoming working professionals in the retail industry requires the implementation of proper training facilities for them. But what about the workers already in the field? They too deserve the same.  

The world turned to technology during the covid-19 pandemic and still majorly functions that way. Will a retailing application too help the flow of communication and training of workers?  

Companies with retail management workers already working full-time may find the idea of in-person training expensive and time-consuming. There is an easy enough solution to this – technology. Incorporating technology in the capacity building of retail workers can prove to be beneficial.  

Applications can be formed in order to provide on-demand training for the employee on their respective devices since the skills of the employee have a major impact on the company directly.  

Retail Management in India 

The retail industry in India ranges from pop-up stores to large supermarket chains and e-commerce platforms (more so after the pandemic). The industry has to overcome a lot of challenges including competition from competitors, changes in consumer behavior, supply management due to a fragmented market, etc.  

The country has seen significant initiatives taken by the government that has aided the sector but again,  India has a long way to go. India has one of the most promising retail infrastructures. Recent years have experienced growth in the industry not only in the urban and metro cities but also in the smaller cities.  

The country has also seen a lot of investments in the industry in the past few years. A few examples are IKEA, H&M Home, the investment of the Lulu group to make a mall in Gujarat, and several partnerships with Reliance Limited. 

Retailing while having a number of outstanding features, is still done in a traditional way in some aspects. There still exist retailers who are not well-equipped to incorporate world-class practices of supply chain management. Bases of modern retailing management are not seen. It is important to curb these gaps in this sector in order to grow further.  

This is a sector that is constantly growing and is immediately affected by the changing demands of the world. It requires skills that are important not in one, but multiple areas, and having workers that are well-endowed with these skills will be a huge help. 

Smile Foundation and Retail Management

Understanding the market trends and gaps, Smile Foundation reimagined its livelihood programme, STeP (Smile twin e-Learning Programme) recently made the retail and supply management course one of its six-course modules. The course has led to thousands of youth from underserved communities getting trained in retail management courses, many of which have been placed in reputable brands across India.

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