The Ministry of Minority Affairs isn’t just a bureaucracy, it’s a lifeline for India’s 300 million minorities, stitching them into the nation’s growth story. From scholarships lifting dropout kids to PMJVK building schools, it’s made strides—literacy’s up, jobs are sprouting. Yet, state delays, thin funds, and political noise hobble its pace.
Originating in the early 20th-century labor movements, IWD has evolved into a globally recognized event, championed by the United Nations and grassroots organizations. It highlights both the progress achieved in women's rights and the enduring disparities that necessitate continued advocacy.
A primary agenda of the Trump administration is the erosion of transgender rights. Soon after taking office, the US president issued an executive order declaring that the federal government would recognise only two sexes — male and female — as unchangeable, impacting federal IDs like passports. Another executive order banned federal funding for gender-affirming care for transgender individuals under 19 years of age, depriving them of vital life-saving services such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement treatments.
The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated approximately 10% more funds to the health sector compared with the last budget. While this increase signals a continued focus on healthcare, it is important to assess it in the right context. A significant portion of the increased allocation in previous years was due to one-time expenditures such as COVID-19 vaccination and other emergency pandemic response measures.
Jawaharlal Nehru wrote: “Reservation… will promote inefficiency and mediocracy.” I often wonder if this was a reason for denying B R Ambedkar a dignified space in the corridors of power. Did the Congress think so little of us, the Dalits? Did Ambedkar resign because he felt neglected or because he became the voice of Dalits and women?
The evil that men do to gain the political upper hand lives on after their success, and threatens to savage the present and undermine the future
Being surrounded by doctors, nutritionists, and other health professionals while working in the public health area led me to believe that I know enough about nutrition and I was getting enough protein from my diet. Three eggs, 200 grams of chicken, a bowl of curd, and a handful of what I believed to be high-protein pumpkin and chia seeds made up my typical day. However, after observing symptoms like brittle nails, thinning hair, and recent muscle loss, I began to question my dietary sufficiency. My hypothesis that I was protein deficient was confirmed by a health app. This insight led to a more thorough examination of dietary practices, protein intake, and the vital function that protein plays in general health.