Suchergebnisse

This book introduces the issues of the contemporary state of Bihar, India, in terms of its performance on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators and the initiatives taken by the central and state governments towards realizing human development. Doing so, it draws upon the mistakes committed in the past and moves ahead towards a better future with the idea of sustainable human development. The book also presents a comprehensive evaluation of the background and indicators of the human development index, and it analyses the impact of COVID-19 on India in general and on Bihar in particular. India is a nation of unbalanced states in terms of development. In spite of all the development initiatives, India still contains states that have not conformed to the breakthrough claimed by the nation, and the state of Bihar falls under this category. Bihar has emerged as the worst performer in human development, based on the ranking of the Human Development Index 2020. Nevertheless, Bihar has the potential for overall development to achieve its glorious past once again, by various pro-poor policies implemented by the government of Bihar in the last two decades, which is critically analysed in detail.

This book offers a comprehensive study of the complexities of newborn survival in resource-poor regions, using the state of Bihar (India) as a case study. It provides important lessons for other low-performing countries, in similar socioeconomic contexts, where newborn survival is a major challenge. The volume opens with a brief account of the trends and regional variations in neonatal mortality. The empirical verification of socio-cultural, economic and health system barriers and the state interventions that affect newborn survival are subsequently explored. Innovative strategies are then proposed to scale up maternal newborn and child health (MNCH) services and improve neonatal health outcomes. Addressing this issue through appropriate policy action is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goal-3, "Good Health and Well-being". This book will therefore appeal to public health scholars, professionals and policymakers interested in improving outcomes in low-income regions. Sandhya R. Mahapatro is Assistant professor, Economics, A. N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna, India. Her research focus is on health economics, migration and gender issues. Her pursuit of understanding health problems in resource-poor states led her to undertake a study on newborn survival in Bihar, India.

The world has become obsessed with the Western notions of progress, development, and globalization, the latter a form of human and economic homogenization. These processes, through the aegis of the United Nations, are comparatively monitored. Those nations deemed to be lagging behind' are then provided with foreign aid and developmental assistance. For nearly seventy years, India has sought its place in this global endeavour; yet, even today, abject poverty and backwardness can be observed in districts in almost every state; with the highest concentration of such districts found in the state of Bihar and a cultural enclave, known as Mithila. Development in India has been elusive because it is difficult to define; and because the Western concepts of development and progress have no absolute equivalents within many non-Western settings. As a consequence, development programmes often fail because they are unable to ask the right questions, but equally important is the political economy derived from foreign aid. For politicians, there is no long-term benefit to be derived from successful development. In general, foreign aid only serves to corrupt governments and politicians and, in the end, does very little for those who need help. The struggling states of Bihar and Mithila serve as extreme examples of Indias problems. Development here has been thwarted by a hereditary landed aristocracy supported by religion, casteism, custom, social stratification, tradition, and patterns of behaviour that can be traced back millennia. In turn, all these have been masterfully manipulated by co-opted politicians, who have turned politics into a veritable art form as this volume comprehensively demonstrates.

With increased climate variability, aggravated natural hazards in the form of extreme events are affecting the lives and livelihoods of many people. This work serves as a basis for formulating a 'preparedness plan' to ensure the effective policy formulation for planned development. Increased demand and competition with a high degree of variability have forced people to struggle in order to prosper. Good governance and innovative policy formulation are necessary to create a resilient society. This may promote a paradigm shift in the mindset on and perceptions of natural hazards and their impacts on development and growth. This new perspective will make people more concerned about minimizing the loss of life, property, and environmental damage and directly safeguard the development process. This book presents a detailed methodological approach to monitoring meteorological, hydrological, and climate change aspects to help resolve issues related to our environment, resources, and economies in the changing climate situation.