The Observer
The Observer An IIJNM publication
The BBMP has proposed a fine of Rs 1,000 for littering, urinating, spitting in public places | P 2
Toilets in Srikanahalli do not have roofs, commodes, septic tanks or water supply | P 4
Doctors prescribe breastfeeding, homemade organic food for them Shrabona Ghosh
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stunted growth and mental retardation. Immunization of a child at the required ages is essential to ensure healthy growth. Respiratory infections, diarrhoea, cold and cough trigger malnutrition, while immunization helps prevent these, Dr Arun Kumar, a specialist in community medicine, said. The lifestyle of pregnant women is important for their unborn babies. They should refrain from alcohol consumption and smoking, the doctor added. Dr Perwaiz Alam, a senior car-
diology consultant, said worm infestation is a common cause for stunted growth, followed by malnutrition. Very young children are vulnerable to worm infestation because they play with mud. The media must not show advertisements for junk food. Readymade food is full of preservatives which have an adverse effect on the child's health, Dr Girija CR, a general physician at Shri Banashankari Nursing Home, said. Readymade foods can burden a baby's kidney. The Protein-Energy Malnutri-
tion (PEM) cycle triggers stunted growth, Dr Munirathnashri, a gynaecologist, said. Breastfeeding is essential for complete nourishment. It promotes good health in children. But many mothers refrain from breastfeeding their babies until they are one and a half years old, Dr Asra Counaine of Bharati Hospital said. In India, children from poor families are malnourished. Awareness on proper nutrition must be created among backward sections of society so that their children don't suffer, Dr Neetu G. Naresh, a gynaecologist at Apollo Hospitals, said. Impaired growth can lead to poor educational performance, low wages, loss in productivity, and nutrition-related chronic diseases in adult life. It can also cause mental depression and lead to inferiority complex, PHC worker Umavati said. In India 38% of children suffer from stunted growth, Bihar tops the list with 48%, followed by UP with 46% and Jharkhand with 45%. Kerala and Goa have the least stunted children with 20% each, according to the National Family Health Survey 4. The survey, conducted in a representative sample of households across India, provides information on fertility, infant and child mortality, family planning, maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition, anaemia, utilization and quality of health and family planning services. shrabona.g@iinm.org
Waive SWM cess for responsible citizens, says legislator Yajush Gupta
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alleswaram MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan has urged the BBMP, through a petition, to waive the solid waste management cess imposed for households and apartments which compost their organic waste. The petition, filed on change.org, addresses chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, Bengaluru development minister G
On the Web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/ the_observer
Vol 18, Issue 11 Monday, November 19, 2018
In Karnataka, 36% of children in 0-5 age group are stunted
hirty-six per cent of children in the 0-5 age group in Karnataka suffer from stunted growth, according to the National Family Health Survey 4. “Improper nutrition, recurrent infections and vitamin D deficiency before the age of 5 years can stunt a child's future growth. Organic homemade food is the best way to provide complete nutrition to children. Proper vaccination, hygiene and healthy food help in complete growth,” Dr Sowmya CC, a paediatrician at Apollo Hospitals, informed The Observer. The World Health Organization defines stunting as the impaired growth and development that children suffer due to poor nutrition, repeated infections and inadequate psychological stimulation. Children are said to be stunted if their height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the WHO Child Growth Standards median. Children whose height-for-age score is below minus two standard deviations from the median of the reference population are stunted or chronically undernourished. Children who are below -3 SD are considered severely stunted. Lack of essential nutrients in a child's diet is the main cause for stunted growth in children. Consumption of vitamins and minerals is important for a child's physical and mental growth. Iodine deficiency often leads to
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Parameshwara and BBMP commissioner Manjunath Prasad. It says: “If the Karnataka government waives the SWM cess for individuals who manage and compost wet waste on their own, it would encourage more households to start composting in their own homes and premises.” “This will greatly reduce the quantum of waste the city has to manage daily and the financial burden of waste management,” the petition reads.
The BBMP collects the SWM cess with property tax. It varies between Rs 160 and Rs 600 depending on the size of property. Removing the cess will encourage citizens to compost and recycle at home, reducing the BBMP’s burden, the BJP legislator has said. Owing to the lack of a proper channel for collection and delivery, compost produced at homes and communities is sold at throwaway prices. Continued on page 3
News Briefs National l Scores of devotees defied prohibitory orders to occupy the enclosure leading to the 18 steps to the Sabarimala Temple, protesting against the regulation on visiting the hilltop shrine. Eight of them were arrested. l The number of injured in the grenade attack on a Nirankari congregation in a village in Amritsar district has gone up to 19. Four persons died when terrorists barged in and lobbed the grenade. l After withdrawing general consent to the CBI, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is planning to approach the Supreme Court to curtail the powers of central agencies like the income tax department and Enforcement Directorate. International l Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has called a third vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Premier was voted down twice within days by a majority in previous no confidence motions. l Pakistani Prime Minsiter Imran Khan held talks with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi on Sunday. They discussed matters of bilateral, regional and mutual interest amid reports that the UAE is ready to extend financial assistance to Pakistan to minimise the cash-strapped country’s dependence on an IMF bailout package. l British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday warned dissidents in her Conservative Party that overthrowing her as leader would make talks with the European Union tough over the future of Britain’s relationship with the bloc after Brexit. l Iraq’s President Barham Salih is visiting Iran less than two weeks after the United States restored oil sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. Business l Ahead of a government-RBI meeting, the rupee depreciated 9 paise against the US dollar to 72.02, halting its four-day rise. l Tata Sons has confirmed it is in talks with Jet Airways to acquire a stake in it. There is speculation that Jet founder chairman Naresh Goyal might have to leave his 51% shares for Tata and their partner Singapore Airlines.