The Beautiful Life

Former IAS officer E Z Khobragade, while working as the chief executive officer, zilla parishad, Nagpur initiated the preamble reading programme in the year 2005 at the school level. He followed up on this issue with the state government, after which, in 2008, the Maharashtra government issued orders regarding celebrating Constitutional Day in all offices, schools and colleges on November 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently declared that Constitutional Day will be celebrated on November 26 across the country. Chitra Sawant spoke to Khobragade on the importance of celebrating Constitution Day. Q: It has been decided to celebrate November 26 as Constitution Day in various institutions across the country… A: The Constitution is framed for the people with an objective to build a developed, prosperous and strong nation. The Preamble is the soul of our Constitution, the opening page and an integral part of our Constitution which is our ‘Rashtra Granth’. The Preamble to the C...

Mr. Ram Puniyani  With dozens of intellectuals returning awards claiming the “growing intolerance” in the country. Chitra Sawant spoke to noted secular activist Ram Puniyani on the Award Wapsi and also about what it can mean for society if the trend is not arrested. A professor of biomedical engineering, IIT Mumbai, he took voluntary retirement in 2004, and since then has been involved in human rights activities. Here, the excerpt of the interview with the chairperson of Center for Study of Society and Secularism: Is Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliberately maintaining silence over the statements made by the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad or that he’s really helpless? The PM is an RSS pracharak, and is a part of the Sangh Parivar too. These groups are committed to Hindu nationalism and there is coordination, division of labour between their different wings. If he wants he can rein in these elements. His silence and occasional muted voice against the doings of VHP...

Infant mortality rate (IMR) at Melghat was as high as 200 per 1,000 when Dr Ravindra Kolhe started working for the tribals in the year 1989 in this dense forest region of Maharashtra notoriously known for malnourishment deaths. It was Dr. Kolhe’s tireless efforts with the strong support of his wife Dr. Smita that he changed the entire scenario. Along with other developmental changes in this region, IMR has come down to 60. The Kolhes charge only Re 1 from the patients visiting their clinic at Bairagad village, in Dharni taluka in Amravati which is tucked deep in the interiors of Melghat. The couple was in the city where they were felicitated by medicos for their contribution towards providing health care, introducing modern agriculture among other facilities to the tribals of this region. FPJ spoke with Dr Ravindra Kolhe  on the occasion. Q: In spite of several measures and funds provided by the government why does malnutrition still exist in Melghat? A: Maln...

10% women in India have polycystic ovarian syndrome, says study Mumbai: A recent study has revealed that around 10% of women in India have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). While there is little support available, experts claim, women with PCOS have to follow a strict diet and exercise regime.  “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic, endocrine and reproductive disorder that results in overproduction of male hormones, and is associated with insulin resistance (IR), multiple small cysts are formed in the ovaries,” explains Dr Sandhya Kadam, MD, Ayurveda. Dr Sandhya Kadam Hormone imbalance affects the regularity of periods, and can also cause problems for women when trying to conceive. PCOS may also cause serious health concerns such as diabetes and heart disease. Studies claim that PCOS is also linked to mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Women with PCOS have lower life satisfaction and poorer health up to their late reproductive years. ...

— By Chitra Sawant  Durga Shirodkar is a well-qualified woman hailing from a middle-class Maharashtrian family, but what makes her stand out is that she chose to become a priest. Durga has done her MSc in Chemistry, MBA in HR, LLB, Diploma in Computers and Diploma in Cyber Law. Durga’s priestly role will lead her to various homes to perform poojas for the Ganesh festival, which begins today. Durga’s life took a turn when she began training to become one of the few Hindu women priests at a time when very few women were into this male-dominated field. She performed the Ganapati Pooja for the first time since her training under the tutelage of Purohit Suresh Bhole in 1998. She also performs Satyanarayan Pooja among other Poojas. While the Hindu culture is bestowed with several female goddesses, yet it suffers from gender discrimination when it comes to the appointment of female priests. Women are restricted to performing ceremonies in private homes and are not allowed to l...

  ‘Even population issue is fodder for saffron forces’ Chitra Sawant Demographic experts have opined a different line of thought on the findings of the Census data of 2011. The Census data has revealed that the share of Muslims in the Indian population has increased from 13.4 percent to 14.2 percent while Hindus’ population has fallen very slightly. In other words, they say the Hindu population has increased by 13.87 crore while Muslim population has increased by just 3.4 crore. In fact, they say that Muslims are now trying to limit their families and also facing increasing problems of fertility. The reduction in fertility rates will inevitably lead to a stabilisation in the total population, they feel. On the whole, they feel that it is part of the saffron agenda to politicise such issues for vested interests. Says Qudsiya Contractor, Assistant Professor, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences: “The current controvers...