Lok Satta News: May 2016

Monday, May 23, 2016

'Does Health Win Votes? If Not, Why not?' - Dr JP to Take Part in Delhi Round Table Discussion on May 24

Loksatta founder Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan is participating as a special invitee in a High Level Round Table Discussion in Delhi on 24 May 2016, organised under the auspices of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Hotel Taj Mahal, Man Singh Road, New Delhi.

Politicians with expert knowledge on health related aspects, senior journalists, health professionals, and psephologists with insights in voter preferences will be participating in the Round Table, chaired by Sasi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Lok sabha. Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan is invited as a specialist to share his vast experience in politics, health administration and his pioneering work in formulating policies for systemic reforms in various aspects of governance.

The Round Table will be broadly discussing as to why public health is not a pressing political and electoral issue in India. After all, the country is torn between the dichotomous challenge of a youth bulge and an increasingly aging population. While a large section of the country suffers from malnutrition, an equally significant section is experiencing a spurt in non-communicable diseases like obesity ushered in by the changes associated with an urban lifestyle. These challenges are further exacerbated by distinct gaps India’s health system. Childhood diseases, including vaccine-preventable ones, are not just big killers in India but severely impair our demographic dividend. In terms of health care provision, poor access, particularly in rural areas, lack of trained medical professionals and high out-of- pocket costs feature as major impediments. Despite the magnitude of India’s public health challenge, healthcare does not feature prominently in political and policy discourses.

On the one hand, government spending in and policy attention to public health has been rising appreciably in the past decade, using frameworks such as the National Health Mission and the Mission Indradhanush immunisation programme. On the other, healthcare still remains absent from political discourse and election campaigns. What could explain this?

Is it because voters don’t see health as a public issue and are comfortable with regarding it as a private burden? Is it because politicians and candidates either evade public health, in pursuit of other, more compelling election and voter hooks? Is it because voters don’t question or pressure candidates on health? Or do they so in an indirect manner, raising ancillary concerns that parties and candidates, and the media, don’t immediately connect with public health?

ఆరోగ్యానికి ఓట్లు పడతాయా? చర్చించటానికి 24న ఢిల్లీలో రౌండ్ టేబుల్, పాల్గొంటున్న జేపీ

Monday, May 9, 2016

A Crusader For Decentralisation And Empowerment Of Local Governments: Dr.JP's Tribute To Chennamananeni Rajeswara Rao

Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, Founder, Loksatta has stated today that with the passing away of Sri Chennamaneni Rajeswara Rao, we have lost a true democrat who fought relentlessly, throughout his life, for a strong India, for the progress of Telugu people and for Telangana’s bright future. Dr.JP added that Rajeswara Rao was a very broad-minded and enlightened social democrat, who wished for the genuine progress of each and every Indian, cutting across the barriers of caste, religion and region.

With an aching heart and tearful eyes, Dr. JP said in his tribute, that it is very rare to find a person like Rajeswara Rao, a towering personality of great stature, commanding respect and fame equal to that of Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers, loved by one and all, and yet a very simple person to the core of his being, without an iota of arrogance and pride.

A very enthusiastic participant in all the programmes of Loksatta

Recalling his long association with Sri Rajeswara Rao, Dr. JP said in a media statement that he used to participate with great pleasure in all the programmes of Loksatta without caring for his ill-health or old age constraints. He has said that his passing away is a great personal loss to him and Loksatta has lost a staunch supporter and well-wisher. It is indeed very painful that his very valuable advices based on mature and prescient thinking will no more be forthcoming and it is a big void, Dr.JP added.

Dr.JP said that the day is not too far, when Rajeswara Rao’s most cherished dream of an egalitarian society based on universal values and equality will become a reality and whole-heartedly wished that all right thinking people will come together to make our nation a genuine democracy, politically, economically and socially as well.

Lok Satta leaders paid respects to Sri Chennamaneni Rajeswara Rao at his residence and offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.