India’s WASH transformation through the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission has significantly expanded sanitation and safe drinking water access, improving public health, gender equality, and rural livelihoods. The next phase focuses on sustaining these gains through resilient systems, community ownership, and climate-sensitive water management. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is not only a…
Holi in a changing India reflects the tension between tradition and transition, highlighting concerns about environmental cost, public health, consent and dignity, and economic inequality. The festival’s true spirit lies in celebrating with responsibility, inclusion, and community compassion. Holi has continuously been one of the happiest festivals in India. It is the beginning of spring,…
Two fruit vendors in Mumbai were arrested after a viral video showed rat poison applied to fruits, triggering serious food safety and public health concerns. Authorities booked the accused under IPC Sections 272 and 273 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Key Highlights of the Incident • Viral video showed vendors applying rat…
The Union Budget 2026 has made a significant statement on mental health by announcing the creation of new national-level mental health and trauma care institutes. The government has recognised that mental health is no longer a marginal issue but a core public health priority that requires strong institutions, trained professionals, and long-term investment. Presenting the…
Particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, health has gradually taken centre stage in India’s development rhetoric. Although there has been steady increase in the Union Budget for health in recent years, it is still unclear if this increase will be adequate and strategic enough to provide noticeable health results. Expectations are influenced by…
The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to address Delhi’s worsening air pollution. The court has directed the Union government and the Delhi government to submit a clear and time-bound action plan based on the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The order reflects the court’s concern that, despite repeated warnings,…
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced its largest-ever annual budget, committing a record $9 billion in spending for 2026, even as it prepares to reduce its workforce by up to 500 positions over the next five years. The move marks a significant strategic recalibration for one of the world’s most influential philanthropic institutions,…
A major fire and gas leak occurred at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) oil well in the Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. It caused widespread disturbance and fear. The event happened at the Mori-5 well, which is close to Irusumanda village, when a private contractor was drilling. The gas leak occurred…
In the last week of December 2025, the Andhra Pradesh government rolled out a programme called Mustabu. It was announced without much fanfare. It did not come with a long list of promises. The focus was limited to government schools and to something very basic. Hygiene support for students. According to The Times of India…
As India urbanizes faster than almost any other country in the world, our cities are failing to provide the emotional safety nets we need across all age groups. Urbanization in India has ushered in economic growth and infrastructural development, yet it has also introduced significant emotional and psychological challenges for its residents. Mental health concerns…
