Assam has emerged as the state with the lowest life expectancy in India, averaging just 66 years, according to recent data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).This figure not only falls below the national average of approximately 69 years but also trails behind other Northeastern states, with neighboring Nagaland boasting a life expectancy exceeding 75 years.
Health experts attribute Assam's lagging life expectancy to a combination of factors, including air pollution, poor dietary habits, high blood pressure, smoking, and environmental hazards.Dr. Rahul Mehra, UNESCO Chair Representative for Global Health and Education, emphasized the urgency of integrating health education into school curricula to address these issues from an early age.He highlighted that 68% of children aged 6 months to 5 years and 66% of women in Assam suffer from anemia, underscoring the need for preventive measures.
In terms of health system performance, Assam has shown some progress.The NITI Aayog's "Healthy States, Progressive India" report recognized Assam as one of the most improved states in health, noting a 4.8-point increase in its health index score.However, the state still faces significant challenges in achieving better health outcomes.
Financial constraints further complicate the situation.The NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index (FHI) for the financial year 2023 assessed the fiscal health of eighteen major Indian states, excluding Northeastern states like Assam.This exclusion highlights the need for more comprehensive data to address the unique challenges faced by these regions.
Experts advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve health outcomes in Assam.Recommendations include implementing health education in schools, promoting awareness about nutrition and hygiene, and addressing environmental issues such as air pollution.Dr. Mehra also suggested practical measures like the use of air purifiers and continued mask usage to mitigate pollution-related health risks.
Addressing these health challenges is crucial for enhancing the quality of life in Assam and aligning the state's health indicators with national and regional standards.
Instead of the Armed Forces Special Act, the Naga peace framework dominates the pre poll heat and dust between Congress and BJP in Manipur. Rahul Gandhi firmly took on Narendra Modi four days after the Prime Minister blame Congress for backwardness. The Congress vice president on Tuesday slammed the Centre for keeping the north eastern in dark when the Centre struck the peace pact with NSCN-IM in Delhi last year.In his address at a poll rally in Imphal, Gandhi hounded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not examining the pulse of the Manipuris before striking the deal to fetch peace for the Nagas.He said even Okram Ibobi Singh was kept in dark not to speak of the other ministers. “What is...
In a move that benefits Assam and Gujarat, the Centre is paying a huge Rs 22,000 crore fund to ONGC and OIL to bear the burden of pending oil royalty to both the states.Rs 14,698 crore will straightly go to the state exchequers on the condition that the states will never insist on levy of Rs 7,223 crore pending interest.ONGC has Rs 1,404 crore outstanding for Assam as royalties for the period between April 1, 2008 and January, 2014 where the interest liability stands at Rs 2,868 crore. On the other hand, India Ltd (OIL) has Rs 4,902 crore royalty for Assam with Rs 4,355 crore as interest.A couple of years back, Gujarat moved the court a writ petition which asked ONGC to clear the payment of...
Thousands of devotees along with their well-wishers throng in Makhibaha Sabha Mahotsav, a century old socio-cultural & religious festival of northeast India, which was kicked-off last Sunday (26 February 2017). Held in six hundred years old village under Nalbari district in Assam, the festival will continue for nine days. Organized annually by Makhibaha village-development committee at Harimandir premises, the unique fiesta witnesses various programs including rituals, cultural shows, public discourses etc along with brisk business activities. Each and every household of the large village contribute for the fair that gives them an opportunity to showcase their hospitality to guests....
The Assam Government has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation each in the name of the deceased in the Rangoliting incident where four people were charred to death on Tuesday wee hours.According to information, those who sustained injury would receive Rs 2 lakh each in addition to the free treatment.Minister Pallab Luchan Das along with Golaghat MLAs Mrinal Kumar Saikia and Teros Goala are on a visit to the spot to take stock of the situation.The incident took place in the wee hours when a huge inferno engulfed 20 houses killing 4 people after the gas leakage of a tanker on the National Highway No 37. At least five of 20 injured people have been battling for life at the Guwahati Medical College...
Manipur police claimed to have recovered a powerful bomb in Imphal hours before Rahul Gandhi’s arrival poll campaign on Tuesday.The crude bomb was recovered at Basikhong Torban in East Imphal where the Congress vice president was scheduled to hold a huge rally forcing the authority to beef up security.Unlike during the Prime Minister’s visit, CorCom militants have not announced any bandh call on Tuesday. Gandhi is on a visit to the restive north eastern state three days after Narendra Modi addressed a huge rally in Imphal blaming it all on the ruling party for Manipur’s backwardness which goes to polls on March 4 and March 8.
Four people were charred to death and 25 others injured sustained injury when their houses caught fire which oozed from a gas tanker in Golaghat district on Tuesday.The incident took place on Tuesday early morning in Rangoliting village beside the National Highway 37 where the fire erupted from gas leakage to ravage 20 roadside houses.Bimal Bhuyan, his wife and daughter were charred to death after they were trapped inside the house. One of their neighbours succumbed to injury on the way to the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.Later experts from the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) came and brought the situation under control.
Stunned by the BBC expose in the Kaziranga National Park, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has banned the British media in the country’s tiger forest with immediate effect.According to sources, NCTA has banned BBC’s south Asia correspondent Justin Rowlatt from filming in these tiger reserves who in his recent documentary tried to justify the rhino conservation at the cost of human rights.
The probe into the multi crore social welfare scam seems to have gathered momentum when the investigating sleuths of the anti corruption cell took 6 officials of the department in their custody for interrogation.Many stunning revelations are believed to have surfaced on the scam as the interrogating is going on which have confirmed their direct involvement in it. Five others are also under scanners for their alleged involvement. The arrested officials include Goalpara district officer Hemi Borah, his Kamrup counterpart Kishori Dutta, accounts officer RS Bhattacharya, assistants Debasish Dey and Sajid Hussain and Kulen Saikia who is a programme officer.The cell has already...
A special court in Guwahati heard the status of the ongoing probe into the APSC scam on Tuesday.The special investigation team set up to probe the scam in the state public service commission on Monday submitted the status report hours after the team grilled former Congress minister Gautom Roy. After interrogating, the SIT led by Surjeet Singh Panesar asked Roy to appear again on March 18 saying that his statements need to be justified. Roy left the place leaving no comment before the media people who kept waiting for several hours in Kahilipara based SB headquarters.
The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expresses serious concern over the bomb threats to Manipur editors. JFA condemns the militants for their misdeeds. The forum argues that targeting media persons by triggering explosion would not serve any purpose, rather it will complicate the situation. Local media reports narrated that a bomb explosion took place in front of the residence of Hueiyen Lanpao newspaper editor, H Ningomba and ISTV news channel editor, B Ningomba in Imphal on Sunday evening. Later the Manipur police recovered a live bomb from the locality. All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union has already condemned the incident. Manipur goes to polls in two phases on March 4 and 8 for its...
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