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This study analysed the short- and long-term impacts of fiscal consolidation on social sector spending in Indian economy and thereby on human capital. Using autoregressive distributed lag framework, the study found that fiscal adjustments have significant potential to undermine the short- and long-run spending in human capital. A fiscal adjustment aimed at strengthening fiscal position of the Indian economy can have adverse impacts on the growth rate of income. Lower-income growth will imply increased constraint on part of the government to spend in public utilities like education and health. Similarly, a fiscal adjustment based on slashing government spending can adversely impact both short- and long-term welfare spending as these spendings are mainly financed by deficits. The policymakers while framing the design of a consolidation programme need to take extra precaution as far as the composition of these adjustments are concerned. Moreover, there is need of legislate aimed at changing the nature of welfare spending from discretionary to compulsory.

section 1. Poverty -- section 2. Unemployment & social enterepreneurship [i.e. entrepreneurship] and micro finance -- section 3. Education and development -- section 4. Social security

Vaccination is not only a medical term rather it is framed under socio-cultural perspectives and debates as well. Human history is full of illnesses caused bacteria and viruses killing millions of people including children and adults. Technological development in the health sector enabled to combat pathogenic illnesses through different methods whereby vaccination is one of them. However, it is a dilemma that vaccination has faced many barriers including logistical but most importantly sociocultural and religious. In 2019, WHO revealed vaccine hesitancy as a leading threat to health throughout the globe even in the top 10. This study looks to analyze peer reviewed literature to explore barriers to vaccination. Methodologically, this is desk research and systematic review. Numerous databases were searched with key words and purposively studies were selected for this study. A total of 17 most relevant studies were sampled. Findings show that there are four major factors hindering vaccination. 1st cultural and ethnic background matters whereby religion and the belief system are predominant factors. 2nd awareness and educational variables are also there, for instance, it is noted that many people are not aware of vaccination process specifically in case of HPV vaccination. 3rd social media plays a pivotal role whereby misinformation internalizes negative attitudes and misperceptions about vaccines. 4th social media is a key dimension whereby disinformation and misinformation are communicated through platforms whereby some are intentionally circulated. It is suggested that culturally relativism perspective can be helpful in increasing vaccination percentages. It pertains to intervention through culturally approved methods, for example, sensitizing the ethnic backgrounds through their leadership. In addition, vaccination tracking, media campaigns, focus on school level education to include health related course can be helpful.

COVID-19 has impacted the world socio-economically. Unemployment, poverty, social stigma, social isolation, domestic violence and mental illnesses are the notable social issues related to COVID-19 pandemic. Framed under a review based approach, the current study searches for the link between COVID-19 pandemic and an increased vulnerability to suicide across the globe. Linking the current situation with researched determinants of suicide shows that COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating various socio-economic and psychological causes of suicide. In near future or even during the pandemic, suicide will be a key challenge for the public health sector across the globe. Besides, future research suggestions are given in light of the discussion in order to provide an impetus to researching the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide.