The Daughter Disadvantage

Fairer system of parental care would lead to more equality in families.

A few weeks after I was born, my father travelled to Japan for work for a month. My mother packed her bags and baby, and headed to the cool hills of Darjeeling, to the warmth of her mother’s home and to the magic of her love.

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I remember nothing of that time, but in the 25 years since, my maternal grandmother, my nani, has always been there for my mother, my younger brother and me. We saw her during summer vacations. We were nourished on her love and her lamb kebabs, the best in the world.

This special relationship between mothers and daughters, two women actively working on maintaining a relationship, pays huge dividends to relevant grandchildren in terms of food, devotion and love. I have lived that experience. As a daughter, and as a granddaughter.

Yet, despite the strength of this bond, when it comes to practical matters, my maternal grandparents rely more on their son.

world. One where parents have similar expectations from their sons and from their daughters, and divide their time living with children equally between them. In such a world, parents would invest in their daughters to be financially independent and expect support from them, no longer relying only on sons. Daughters-in-law wouldn’t have to forego their relationships with their own mothers. Daughters would have more support from their parents in juggling careers and children. Grandchildren would get the best of all grandparents.

A fairer system of dependence would forge healthier interdependence. I wish that all Indian parents expected more from their daughters.

That, if anything, will help make our families and societies more equal, and ensure that no child in a giant family tree has to miss out on kebabs stuffed with love.

Indian Express, 22/07/2019

Domestic violence has not got the attention it needs

We have very few domestic abuse counsellors in India and the police who are the first port of call for a victim often do little more than warn the husband and then send the woman back to the abusive home.

On an enforced period of medical leave recently, I watched a disturbing documentary on domestic abuse in the Thames Valley area in England called Behind Closed Doors. It was worrying on many counts – the first being that seemingly loving partners can turn almost overnight into violent monsters. The second is that the victim continues in the abusive relationship till it becomes life-threatening. But the most heartening aspect is the efficiency of the official support system once a complaint is made. The police are quick to respond, often making the difference between life and death for the victim; the State provides legal support and domestic abuse counsellors talk to the victim on the nature of the violence; the victim’s home is put on priority for the police to respond; and the victim is provided a round-the-clock alarm mechanism to summon help. None of this is foolproof, but in the majority of cases, it has helped the victim rebuild her life away from the arena of abuse.

Domestic abuse is an area of women’s rights that has not got the attention it needs in India though it is one of the many problems that women face daily. Our system can in no way match that in the UK, but there are not even rudimentary systems in place for victims of domestic violence. The National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4) says that every third woman in India faces some form of domestic violence, 27% of them since the age of 15. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, is a comprehensive law, but as with many other such laws, it fails in the implementation. Of all the women abused, only 14% have sought any form of help.

There are many reasons for this. One is that many women in India do not even know that there is a law to support them. Many abused women take it as normal to be beaten or emotionally abused for a variety of issues, ranging from not looking after the home well enough to failing to pander to her husband’s needs. Surprising, a sizeable number of women are supportive of domestic violence. The NFHS-4 survey found that 54.8% agree that the violence is justified, with 47.7% of women in the age group of 15-19 saying that the husband had a right to beat his wife.

Domestic violence in middle and upper class homes is often kept under wraps so that the family name is not undermined. Women who have been exposed to their mothers being abused, or who lack economic means, go to great lengths to justify staying on in abusive marriages or relationships. He is a good provider; he only gets this way when he drinks; I am also to blame are some of the excuses women give to avoid making a break.

We have very few domestic abuse counsellors in India, and the police, who are the first port of call for a victim, often do little more than warn the husband and then send the woman back to the abusive home. This has often proved dangerous in many ways. The abused woman suffers serious health problems, sleep and eating disorders, mental trauma and even suicidal impulses. In the worst case scenarios, she is killed or maimed.

One avenue to help women, especially those who live in the rural areas, is the panchayats. However, studies by the International Centre for Research on Women show that women do not approach the panchayat as an institution, but would rather go to the sarpanch in a personal capacity. But the system is rooted in a patriarchal environment that upholds male privilege and the woman is usually counselled to ‘adjust’, that terrible omnibus word that cloaks a multitude of abuses, and go back home for the sake of the family. Four-fifths of all abused women in India do not seek help from anyone except, in the odd instance, their families.

There have been so many positive legal reforms in the area of women’s rights, but they remain largely inaccessible to abused women. The Bollywood kind of abused woman who rises to seek vengeance is not the answer. This is a problem which needs specialised redressal, at least starting with domestic abuse counsellors attached to police stations. With a dynamic women and child development minster in place, we could make a start on this now.

Source: Hindustan Times, 22/07/2019

Nothing But Dreams

All that can ever be experienced is phenomena. Remember, not only are the objects of the world phenomena and dreams, but also objects of consciousness. They may be objects of the world, they may be just objects of the mind. They may be great spiritual experiences. You may see kundalini rising in you: that too is a phenomenon — a beautiful dream, but a dream all the same. You may see great light flooding your being, but that light is also a phenomenon. You may see lotuses blooming inside you and a great fragrance arising within your being: those too are phenomena, because you are always the seer and never the seen, always the experiencer and never the experienced, always the witness and never the witnessed. Start contemplating in this way: if you are walking on the street, contemplate that people passing by are all dreams. The shops and the shopkeepers and the customers and the people coming and going, all are dreams. The houses, the buses, the train, the airplane, all are dreams. Suddenly, like a flash, one thing comes into your vision, “I am a dream too.” Because if the seen is a dream, then who is this ‘I’? If the object is a dream, then the subject is also a dream. If the object is false, how can the subject be the truth? If you watch everything as a dream, suddenly you will find something slipping out of your being: the idea of the ego. Meditating this way again and again, one day the miracle happens: you look in, and the ego is not found there. The quality of your consciousness will have a new flavour to it

Economic Times, 22/07/2019

Indian Journal of Human Development: Table of Contents

Volume 13 Issue 1, April 2019

Multidimensional Deprivation Spectrum: A Step Forward from Alkire–Foster Methodology Taseer Salahuddin, Alia Ahmed First Published April 30, 2019; pp. 1–12 Abstract Preview |

Poverty Reduction and Human Development: Impact of ENRICH Programme on Income Poverty in Bangladesh Farhana Nargis First Published April 11, 2019; pp. 13–31 Abstract Preview |

Tracking Financial Inclusion in India: A Study of SHG Initiatives Shrabani Mukherjee, Subhadri Sankar Mallik, Debdulal Thakur First Published April 30, 2019; pp. 32–46 Abstract Preview |

Determinants of Choice of Care Providers During Childbirth in Rural West Bengal, India Mampi Bose First Published March 6, 2019; pp. 47–70 Abstract Preview |

Quality of Informal Jobs in India’s Banking Sector: A Primary Study Through the “Decent Work” Framework Nitu Jaiswal First Published April 8, 2019; pp. 71–83 Abstract Preview |

Perspective

Adam Smith on Wages and Education: Some Policy Implications for India Alex M. Thomas First Published April 17, 2019; pp. 84–89 Abstract Preview |

Research Note

Livelihood of the Char Dwellers of Western Assam Balram Kumar, Debarshi Das First Published April 15, 2019; pp. 90–101 Abstract Preview |

Commentaries

Low Cost Private Schools: How Low Cost Really Are These? Tanuka Endow First Published April 4, 2019; pp. 102–108 Abstract Preview |

Developmental Screening of Children of Migrant Construction Workers in Mumbai Vrishali Pispati, Asmita Naik Africawala, Shiny Varghese First Published April 15, 2019; pp. 109–114 Abstract Preview |

Book Reviews

Book review: Harsh Mander, Ashwin Parulkar and Ankita Aggarwal (Eds.), The Right to Food Debates: Social Protection for Food Security in India Anjana Thampi First Published April 30, 2019; pp. 115–117 Abstract Preview |

Book review: International Labour Organisation, India Wage Report: Wage Policies for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth Ishan Anand First Published April 30, 2019; pp. 117–119 Abstract Preview |

How to future proof your career in the world of Artificial Intelligence

The artificial intelligence (AI) market, which was valued at $21.5 billion in 2018, is expected to touch $190.6 billion by 2025 as per a report by Markets and Markets.

AI is certainly one of the biggest buzzwords today, and it is not without reason. A recent survey by Gartner covering 89 countries found that there has been a massive 270% jump in AI implementations in the last four years. This growth is only set to continue. The artificial intelligence (AI) market, which was valued at $21.5 billion in 2018, is expected to touch $190.6 billion by 2025 as per a report by Markets and Markets.

This massive growth in AI makesabsolute sense when you look at the benefits that AI adoption brings to enterprises and businesses. One, it can help companies automate several repetitive, painstaking processes. It can also help provide unprecedented visibility through advanced analytics, thereby helping to improve decision-making significantly. A report by the MIT Sloan Management Review in collaboration with BCG Henderson Institute found that 91 percent of enterprises expect AI to deliver new business growth by 2023. With the growing adoption of big data, cloud, and robotics, we can expect AI adoption to take off in a big way.

Impact on Jobs

Any discussion on the growth of AI inevitably veers towards its impact on the job market. While there are concerns about the inevitable job losses that AI will bring, most of these narratives seem to miss the big picture. The fears about job losses are not unfounded, though. By 2030, as many as 800 million people around the world will lose their jobs to automation as per a study by the McKinsey Global Institute. But we need to juxtapose these statistics with reports such as a recent World Economic Forum study. The study finds that while 75 million jobs will be displaced by 2022 due to the onslaught of machines and algorithms, this very trend is also expected to create about 133 million new roles.

If we look at the absolute numbers, AI will likely create more jobs than it will destroy. However, the new jobs that emerge will require new sets of skills, which are in short supply today. As per the EY- Nasscom ‘Future of Jobs in India’ report, 9 percent of the workforce will be deployed in new jobs that do not exist today. This could happen as early as 2022. In addition, 37 percent are likely to be deployed in jobs that require radically different skill sets. These new jobs will likely place a premium on innovative thinking, creativity, and analytical abilities.

There are several new job roles such as data scientist, robotics scientist, business intelligence developer, AI software developer that are gaining currency, as AI comes to the forefront.

Next Steps to Grab a job in AI

Whether you are already a part of the industry or a fresher or job aspirant, it makes sense to invest in gaining the requisite skills to prepare for a career in AI. But merely doing a random MOOCs course or learning a new programming language isn’t enough. This often results in inadequate knowledge that is not sufficient to bag your dream job. As we discussed earlier there are two major applications of AI where there is a lot of work going on in the industry. One is applications in Data Science and analytics & the other is Robotic process automation.

To build a career in Data Science / AI, it isn’t simply about learning a new programming language. Working in data science requires well-rounded knowledge in areas such as statistics, mathematics, NLP, etc. in addition to programming. It also requires good communication skills and an ability to match business problems with technology solutions. Apart from AI basics, it is useful to delve deeper into subjects such as data science, machine learning, deep learning, Python etc.

Similarly to build a career in Robotic process automation, it is important to know of platforms and technologies which are popular in the RPA space - like Ui-Path and Automation-anywhere.

Most importantly, in both areas what is most critical is to have hands-on learning through projects and actual technology execution. While choosing a course to further your AI skills, it makes sense to opt for a blended learning approach – with a mix of online self-learning, interactive sessions, projects and labs to ensure that by the end of it, one has good hands-on experience and thorough understanding of how things work. This kind of approach would get you job-ready for the opportunities out there.

Future Ahead

As data analytics and AI becomes increasingly mainstream, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find the right talent to implement projects in these areas. In such a scenario, having the right skills indeed allows professionals to command a premium. For instance, last year, TCS announced that it would double the salary for freshers who possess new-age digital skills in fields such as AI/ML. And for experienced professionals, most companies have a significant premium in their compensation for people with high demand skills like AI/ML.

The future will hold huge opportunities for those who have the right skills and many threats for those with legacy skills which go out of demand. By investing in learning the right skills, you can prime yourselves for a successful career that allows you to grow steadily over the years. Now is a good time to start!

(Author Kashyap Dalal is Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, Simplilearn. Views expressed here are personal.)

Pursuing a degree in public health after MBBS

Amongst the most plum of health-related avenues is that of Public Health, which entails all aspects of promoting and maintaining the standards of people’s health. There are specialized courses that empower and guide students for this role, the most important being MPH or Master of Public health.

Remember the simpler days when our dreams were restricted amongst core jobs such as doctor and engineer? When one’s medical journey led to either being a doctor or a medical practitioner. When opportunities post MBBS remained in restrictive categories? Apparently, the diaspora education has evolved to such an extent that life after MBBS is enriching, as various verticals of health and welfare expand to create newer positions and avenues to contribute towards the benefit of a robust future.This is a world envisioned based on demands and hence, the educational world evolving to meet these circumstances.

Amongst the most plum of health-related avenues is that of Public Health, which entails all aspects of promoting and maintaining the standards of people’s health. There are specialized courses that empower and guide students for this role, the most important being MPH or Master of Public health.

What is Master of Public Health?

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree entails on nuances of public health practices, on both grass root and government levels. Here, students are encouraged to develop strong competencies over a set of integrated interdisciplinary domains such as Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Policy and Systems, Public Health Leadership and Management, Evidence-Based Policy and Health Care, Health Communication, Diversity and Culture, Program Management and Planning, Public Health Biology, Systems Thinking and Environmental Health Sciences. This degree often supplements the skill sets achieved by an MBBS course, making it the perfect post-MBBS program.

Why is Public Health important?

While the health status of the population has improved to the great extent globally in this century, a lot more needs to be done. With the evolution of the public health comes the enormity of diseases that manage to withstand the test of advancement. The public health initiatives taken by such public health officers affect mankind on a global scale. Public health professionals address broad issues that can affect the health and well-being of individuals, families, communities, societies, and countries —taking proactive measures to proceed towards a better future. Here are a few achievements that public health officers have made a reality:

Increase in life expectancies.

Reduction in infant and child mortality, at a global scale.

Eradication/reduction of deadly communicable diseases.

Career options for the future

Physicians-MPH covers preventive care and patient education- two of the most crucial aspects that every physician needs to master over. This degree provides its bearers with expertise to conduct awareness

programs among their patients, lowering the risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases.

Nurses-MPH program has newly inculcatedthe branch of Occupational Health Nursing, catering to this segment. Now, degree holders can oversee various community outreach programs at their facilities, while gaining a chance to work with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations in the field of public health.

Occupational and Environmental Health Specialists- MPH program changes the focus from individual specific issues to population-based problems. This makes it easier for individuals to understand the impact of the environment on the health of the community, grooming enthusiast into being the catalyst of change.

Epidemiologists and biostatisticians gain great knowledge from undertaking an MPH course. It helps them harness an understanding of diverse social, economic, cultural and religious factors that impact community health, bringing in a broader perspective into the table.

Policy analysts-Public health forms an integral aspect of public policy and programs, based on which the betterment of the world is considered. Analysts with a Masters in Public Health tend to have an in- depth understanding of health issues affecting the community, noting their impact on the political mark up.

The demand and supply

The demand of individuals holding this degree has risen, owing to the upward state of health and sanitation that contributes greatly to the well-being of the nation. To supplement this demand, eminent institutions s are uplifting the educational framework of the health domain, through its Master of Public Health (MPH) degree.

(The author is President, IIHMR University, Jaipur)

Source: Hindustan Times, 17/07/2019

Reorganise Your Mind

People increase their standard of living but not their standard of thinking. The best computer is the one between the ears. Understand the mind, transform the mind and transcend the mind — this is possible through the discipline of yoga. One goes on gathering impressions based on the sensory perception of seeing, touching, talking and, of course, thinking. The world that we create is often a collection of many such impressions. The great masters invite us to look into the fact that impressions are the highest food that we consume. But if these impressions are not digested, then they become a burden. To create an orderly digestive system must be our priority on the spiritual path. When we make impressions in the wrong centre, then no transformation will happen. If someone scolds you and you mechanically react with anger and frustration, then you start interpreting, mechanically. That impression comes in the domain of your mechanical centre. But when someone scolds you and you react through your magnetic centre, then a transformation of impressions will happen. You become more conscious and you will not react mechanically. Slowly, you realise that to react is to increase the hurt body, to react is to increase the toxic centre in you. Bring the experience in the light of the teaching of enlightened masters. This change itself sets the process of transformation or digestion of the impression. You have to start seeing things in a new way. A new mind of openness has to be created.

Economic Times, 19/07/2019