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Recently, Albania’s Foreign Minister said that Albania is planning to open an Embassy in New Delhi, India while India will soon have a diplomatic mission in Tirana, Albania.

About Albania:

• Location: A country in Southeast Europe.
• Bordering Countries: It is bordered by four countries:
  • Northeast: Kosovo
  • Northwest: Montenegro
  • East: North Macedonia
  • South and Southeast: Greece 
    • It is bounded by the Adriatic Sea in the west and the Ionian Sea in the southwest. 
    • Maritime Borders: Italy, Greece and Montenegro

• Capital: Tirana
• Highest Point: Mount Korab (at 9,066 ft or 2,764 m)
• Major Rivers: Drin and Vlore
• Major Lakes: Shkodra, Ohrid and Prespa
  • Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake in the Balkans.

News Source: The Hindu

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In the recently published paper in the Physical Review Letters, the AE¯gIS team has described the laser cooling of Positronium atoms achieved from a Broad-based laser system.

International Collaboration of Physicists Achieves First Successful Laser Cooled Positronium

• The experiment was performed at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, (CERN) Antimatter Factory in Geneva.
• Conducted by: An international team of Physicists representing 19 European and one Indian research group comprising the Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEgIS) collaboration demonstrated the  laser cooling of Positronium.

About Laser Cooling

• Laser cooling is a technique in atomic physics and quantum optics that can slow down and trap atomic and molecular particles. 
• The method is based on the interaction between light and charged matter, and it exploits the way in which photons transfer momentum to atoms.

Working Principle Of Laser Cooling

• It is based on the absorption and re-emission of photons. 
  • When an atom absorbs a photon, its energy is increased, and it moves to a higher energy level. 
  • When it later re-emits the photon, it loses energy and falls back to a lower energy level.
  • The key to laser cooling is to ensure that the atom always re-emits the photon in a direction opposite to its motion. 
  • This means that, on average, the atom loses more momentum to the photons than it gains, and slows down as a result. This allows atoms to be captured in optical traps.
  • This is normally done using a narrow-band laser, which emits light with a small frequency range.
  • The AEgIS team however used a broad-band laser (~380 Kelvin (106.85 degrees Celsius) to ~170 Kelvin (minus 103.15 degrees Celsius), using a 70-nanosecond pulsed alexandrite-based laser system) in their experiment which helped cool the positronium sample.
  • The experiment was carried out without applying any external electric or magnetic field, simplifying the experimental setup and extending the positronium lifetime.

Significance Of Laser Cooling

• Advanced studies in Particle Physics:  It will help to improve understanding of the physical nature, comprising matter and anti-matter facilitated through the interaction between light and charged matter.
• Formation of hydrogen (a positron orbiting an antiproton): This is an important Precursor experiment to the formation of anti-hydrogen and the measurement of Earth’s gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen.
• Open New Avenues: It could open prospects to produce a gamma-ray laser that would eventually allow researchers a look inside the atomic nucleus and may have probable applications beyond physics.
• A ground for Future experiments: To  perform spectroscopic comparisons required for the Quantum Electrodynamics (QED), the study of the light and its interaction with charged matter, and a possible degenerate gas of Positronium could be achieved.
• New possibilities for antimatter research:  It will allow high-precision measurements of the properties and gravitational behaviour of the simple matter–antimatter system, which could reveal newer physics.
• Bose–Einstein condensate: It also allows the production of a positronium Bose–Einstein condensate, in which all constituents occupy the same quantum state.
  • A Bose-Einstein Condensate of Antimatter: It would be a tool for fundamental and applied research.
  • Such a condensate has been proposed as a candidate to produce coherent gamma-ray light via the matter-antimatter annihilation of its constituents – laser-like light made up of monochromatic waves that have a constant phase difference between them.

News Source: The Indian Express

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The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation two new Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS).

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP): Key Highlights

• The new Unit 3 and Unit 4 at KAPS, each having the capacity to produce 700 MW of electricity are the largest indigenous PHWRs built in the country.
• These two reactors will produce about 10.4 billion units of clean electricity per year and supply energy to states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

About Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP)

• Kakrapar Atomic Power Project is built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking of the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Reactor: These reactors are Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as coolant and moderator.
• Coolant: A substance circulated through a nuclear reactor to remove or transfer heat. The most commonly used coolant is water. 
• Moderator: A material, such as ordinary water, heavy water, or graphite, that is used in a reactor to slow down high-velocity neutrons, thus increasing the likelihood of fission.
• Safety Features: The KAPP has advanced safety features like steel lined inner containment, passive decay heat removal system, containment spray system, and hydrogen management system, among others.
  • Passive Decay Heat Removal System  can remove decay heat (released as a result of radioactive decay) from the reactor core without requiring any operator actions.
• India is in the second phase of its three-stage nuclear program, requiring U-235 isotope enrichment of 3 to 5% for power generation.

About Criticality and Nuclear Fission

• A reactor achieves criticality, when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions.
  • The first criticality is the start of a controlled fission chain reaction. After the fission, the heat is used to make steam that turns a turbine and produces electricity.
• Process: When a neutron (a particle with no electric charge) hits an atom like Uranium-235, and splits it into smaller atoms. This process is called nuclear fission, and it releases a lot of heat that can be converted into energy. 
• Fissile Material: Uranium-235 is chosen for nuclear power due to its ease of splitting.
• Regulatory Approval: The criticality test was approved by India’s nuclear regulator, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Significance

• Expansion of clean energy: The KAPP would serve several western states and provide clean and sustainable energy.
• Addresses excess thermal margins issue: KAPP addresses the excess thermal margin issues. 
  • Thermal margin’ is the extent to which the operating temperature of the reactor is below its maximum operating temperature.
• Improves indigenous Capability: Construction of KAPP marks the growth of indigenous capability and would lead the path towards future construction for the PHWRs.
• Safe Nuclear Plants: Installation of world-class safety features and implementing learnings from failures worldwide (such as the Fukushima Disaster) will make nuclear energy more reliable and safe.

Source: AIR

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Recently, A study published in the journal ‘Environment Research’ finds that the tropical glaciers in East Africa are shrinking at a fast pace due to Climatic Factors.

East Africa is losing its Tropical Glaciers: Key Findings of Study 

• In East Africa, total glacierization is estimated to be only 1.36 km2.

• The area of Tropical glaciers was observed to have shrunk with 0.069 sq km on Mount Kenya, 0.38 sq km in the Rwenzori Range(Uganda/DRC), and 0.98 sq km in Kilimanjaro (Tanzania). 
• The glacier area in these three regions of East Africa is retained below 10% compared to the first observation around 1900.
• The overall area has declined by more than half of its early 21st-century extent. 
• Being mainly controlled by high-altitude hygric seasonality, These glaciers are precious indicators of tropical climate variability and climate change.
• Other High Mountain Ranges like the Southern American Andes & Indonesian Sudirman Range that contain tropical Glaciers have one thing in common: They are situated near the Equator & influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Important Tropical Glaciers in East Africa

• In Rwenzori Ranges (Uganda/DRC): Mount Stanley, Mount Speke and Mount Baker.
• In Kilimanjaro (Tanzania):  Northern Ice Field, Southern Ice Field, Kersten Glacier. 
• Kenya: Northey and Darwin glaciers, Lewis Glacier. 
• Other Important Glaciers in African Continent: Credner Glacier and Furtwangler Glacier
• Mount Kilimanjaro: 
• • It is  located in Tanzania, East Africa, is a dormant volcano and 
  • Highest peak on the African continent with its summit towering at 5,895 meters above sea level
  • Comprises three distinct volcanic cones—Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira—Kibo.

News Source: DTE

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A synthetic antibody (human) has been developed to  neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by snakes by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) Bengaluru.

Synthetic Antibody Neutralises Deadly Snake Bite Toxin: IISc Study

• It can neutralise a potent neurotoxin produced by the Elapidae family of highly toxic snakes, which includes the cobra, king cobra, krait and black mamba.
• Process Used: An approach previously used to screen for antibodies against HIV and COVID-19 was applied  in order to synthesize the new venom-neutralising antibody and develop antibodies for snakebite treatment.
  • The researchers used human-derived cell lines to produce the antibody, bypassing the need to inject the venom first into animals like horses.

Significance of the IISC Research

• Initiate development towards a universal antibody solution that can offer broad protection against a variety of snake venoms.
• As compared to the conventional anti venoms in use the efficacy of the antibody was found to be nearly 15 times.
• The  antibody can  neutralises venom even with delayed administration which is a major weakness in the conventional antivenoms used for snakebite at present.
  • For example: The conventional product only worked well when injected alongside the venom and a delay of even 10 minutes significantly reduced the potency of the conventional antivenom.
• The  side-effects like fatal anaphylaxis can be prevented because the antibody is fully human derived.

News Source: The Hindu

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Recently, India hit a target towards eliminating Kala Azar as reported less than one case per 10,000 population across all blocks in 2023. 

Decline in Kala Azar Cases in India

• Data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) showed that there were 595 cases & 4 deaths of Kala Azar reported nationwide compared to 891 cases & three deaths in 2022.

About Kala Azar

• It is a neglected tropical disease affecting almost 100 countries including India.
• Caused by: infection with Leishmania parasites. (Leishmania donovani in India)

• Types of leishmaniasis: 
  • Visceral leishmaniasis affects multiple organs and is the most serious disease. 
  • Cutaneous leishmaniasis causes skin sores and is the most common form. 
  • Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis, which causes skin and mucosal lesions. 
• Spread through sandfly bites. 
• Kala Azar Symptoms: Fever, weight loss and swelling of the spleen or liver. 
• Fatality : 95%, if left untreated.
• Kala Azar Treatment:
  • Administration of  injectable liposomal amphotericin B. 
  • For PKDL (Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis) : Oral Miltefosine.
• Strategies Adopted to Eliminate Kala Azar in India: 3 key interventions

• • Spraying: Rigorous indoor residual spraying effort aimed at curbing sandfly breeding sites.
  • Wall Plastering: Application of a special soil (Gerrard Soil) on walls, preventing sand flies from nesting.
  • Treatment Compliance: Mobilization of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) network to ensure completion of treatment PKDL patients.

Government Efforts To Eliminate Kala Azar

• World Health Organisation (WHO) Targets: Under Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap,target for Eliminating Kala-azar by 2030. 
• Government Initiatives: 
  • The Government of India initiated Kala-azar control programme in the endemic states in 1990-91. 
  • National Health Policy and Revised Targets: The National Health Policy of 2002 initially aimed for Kala-azar elimination by 2010, later revising it to 2015, 2017, and 2020. 
  • Collaborative Partnerships and Oversight: Between Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to achieve Kala-azar elimination. 
• Major Development:  
  • In October 2023, Bangladesh became the first country in the world officially validated by WHO for eliminating Kala Azar as a Public health concern.
• In India
• • Elimination status: Less than one case per 10,000 Progress:
  • More than 98 % decline in cases of Kala-azar (2007 to 2022) in India. 
  • Kala Azar Endemic states: 633 blocks mainly in four Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal states have achieved their targets.

News Source: IE

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Recently, WHO’s weekly epidemiological report highlighted just six cases were identified of  Guinea worm disease in 2023.

About Guinea Worm Disease

• It is an infectious ‘Neglected tropical disease’ (NTD).
• Agent:  parasite “Dracunculus Medinensis” fiery serpent.
• Transmission: Drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae. 
• Affected Regions:
  • It affects poor communities in remote parts of Africa that do not have safe water to drink.
• It is primarily a human disease but can also spread to animals and humans by eating certain aquatic animals that might carry Guinea worm larvae, like fish or frogs.
• Symptoms of Guinea Worm Disease
  • Usually the disease has no initial symptoms. About one year later, there is a painful burning feeling as a blister forms, usually on the legs. The blister bursts as the worm then comes out of the skin over a few weeks.
• Treatment: 
  • There is no drug to treat & no vaccine to prevent Guinea worm infection. 
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine can help reduce pain and swelling.
  • Antibiotic ointment can help prevent infections.
• Prevention: Filtering drinking water through a piece of fine-mesh cloth, chlorination, or boiling.

What Needs to Be Done to End Guinea Worm Disease Globally? 

• Intensify Guinea Worm Eradication Program (National Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) was launched in 1983-84).
• Collaboration between the government agencies, local health workers, and international partners. 
• Empowering local communities with the knowledge and tools —including Filtering water before use and reporting cases to health authorities for immediate response
• Enhanced surveillance to detect all infected animals and to contain them
  • Provision of health education for community members and animal owners, and 
  • Implementation of vigorous and comprehensive vector control interventions.

News Source: The Hindu

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The year 2024 will complete 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Denmark

75 Years Of India Denmark Relations

• India’s External Affairs Minister met the visiting Danish Foreign Minister at the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi.
• A joint logo was unveiled by the ministers to mark the 75 years of diplomatic ties between the nations. 
• The two countries agreed to expand their partnership into new areas, including defence, security and new technology.
• To explore the possibilities of a Danish contribution to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

India Denmark Relations

• India Denmark Relations: Political and Bilateral Ties

• • Green Strategic Partnership: The relationship was elevated to the level of “Green Strategic Partnership” in 2020 
    • An  agreement was finalised for a mid-term review of the Green Strategic Partnership at the earliest in 2024. 
    • Agreed to work towards  a Comprehensive Green Strategic Partnership once the existing Joint Action Plan ends in 2026
  • Minister-level Consultations: Joint Commission Meeting at the Foreign Ministers’ level since 2008 and the Foreign Office Consultations at Secretary-level  provide the broad framework for bilateral consultations encompassing all areas of mutual interest.
  • Mobility  and Migration Agreement: A mobility and migration partnership agreement was signed  to explore the recruitment of Indian healthcare professionals for employment in Denmark.

• India Denmark Relations: Commercial and Economic Relations

  • Trade: The total volume of bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark rose to around USD 6.64 billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of around 33.87% yearly.
  • Indian Exports: Textiles, apparel and yarns related, vehicles and components, metal goods, iron and steel, leather and footwear, and travel goods.
  • Indian Imports: Medicinal/pharmaceutical products, power generating machinery, industrial machinery, metal waste and ore, and organic chemical
• Indian Diaspora: The size of the Indian community in Denmark, inclusive of both NRIs and PIOs is approx 18,492.

News source: News on AIR

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Recently, Coal/Lignite PSUs have adopted the Miyawaki plantation method to transform Landscapes for the Benefit of Coal Communities under sustainable greening initiatives. 

About Miyawaki Technique

• The Miyawaki technique is a unique way to grow forests and restore nature, created by a Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki.
• Its main goal is to make more green areas in a small space by growing a dense forest in just ten years, which usually takes a hundred years.

Features Of Miyawaki Technique

• Cultivating multi-layered forests involves cultivating multi-layered forests that grow rapidly.
  • This type of cultivation mimics the natural biodiversity of native forests.
• The method includes planting two to four varieties per square meter.
  • In the cultivation process, only those largely self-sustaining plants are selected.
    • It reduces the need for regular maintenance like fertilisation and watering.

Benefits of the Miyawaki Plantation

• Mitigation of the ecological impact of mining activities 
• Restoration of biodiversity
• Enhance ecosystem services
• Creation of carbon sinks.
• Creating and offering livelihood opportunities for local communities 
• Sustainable development Promotion 
• In this technique, the interdependence among plants supports the growth of each other
  • It causes trees to grow much faster using this method compared to the conventional ways.

Drawbacks of Miyawaki Technique

• Decreased Tree Variety: In this plantation method, some trees such as Timber trees are mainly preferred which causes a decrease in the variety of tree types found naturally.
• Suitability Limitation: This afforestation technique is suitable for suburban or urban areas with limited space but is unsuitable for tropical regions.
• Disruption of Natural Ecosystem:  The natural wildlife movement is limited due to the narrow spaces between trees which disrupts the natural flow of the ecosystem.
• Uncertainty in Rainfall Impact: The effectiveness of rainfall brought by Miyawaki forest trees remains uncertain.

News Source: PIB

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Recently, the Supreme Court disallowed the reopening of Vedanta’s Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi.

Supreme Court Asks Vedanta How Could It Operate Tuticorin Copper Plant Despite Expiry Of Its Hazardous Waste Authorisation

• Renewal of Licence: The Court heard Vedanta’s appeal to re-open the plant, closed in 2018 after the State Pollution Control Board and authorities refused to renew their consent to operate citing grounds of pollution.
• Shared Responsibility for Environmental Degradation:  The Supreme Court identifies that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Thoothukudi district administration were “equally responsible” for the piling up of toxins linked to Vedanta’s copper smelting plant.

Background of Plant Shutdown:

• In 1994: Sterlite Copper has been facing protests since its inception in 1994. 
  • Concerns: The local community’s concerns include hazardous industrial operations that produce toxins, pollution of the environment and their impact on public health.
• In 2013: Following a gas leak in March 2013, the state government ordered the shutting down of the plant, and the Supreme Court fined Sterlite Rs 100 crore for flouting environmental norms the following month, but the plant was in operation in June 2013.
• In 2018: It was shut down again following the violent protests and police firing in May 2018.

News Source: The Hindu Business line

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This article is based on the news “When can a bill be designated as a ‘money bill’: SC to hear challenge” which was published in the Indian Express. 

There has been a rising debate on the demand for Supreme Court Regional Benches after the recommendation of the Law Ministry.

Supreme Court Regional Benches: Background

• Law Commission Recommendation: In 2009, the 18th Law Commission also recommended the formation of regional benches of the Supreme Court of India.
• Private Member Bill (2021): It raised the demand to set up four regional benches of the Supreme Court in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata for the North, West, South, and East zones, respectively, to decentralise the Supreme Court.
• Parliamentary Standing Committee: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice informed the Lok Sabha that the Law Ministry has accepted its recommendation to establish regional benches of the Supreme Court across India.
• The Apex Court has consistently rejected the idea of the Regional Bench of the Supreme Court.

What Are Supreme Court Regional Benches?

• Supreme Court regional benches are proposed judicial establishments where a few judges from the apex court sit periodically to hear cases from specific regions of the country.
  • This essentially means that the Supreme Court would have branches in different parts of the country, allowing for easier access to justice for people residing in those regions.
  • Article 130, which states “The Supreme Court will sit in Delhi or such other places as the Chief Justice of India, with the approval of the President, may appoint”, mentions regional benches.

Why Do We Need Supreme Court Regional Benches?

• Argument in Favour to Establish Supreme Court Regional Benches

• • Pendency of cases: 

    • Around 80,000 cases are currently pending adjudication out of which 60,000 cases are civil and pending in the Supreme Court, and disposal of appeals takes many years. 
      • Several cases involving the interpretation of the Constitution by five or seven judges have been pending for years.
      • The establishment of Supreme Court Regional Benches will increase the number of judges as well as lawyers resulting in a much-needed boost to our judicial system.

  • Justice More Accessible to People:

• • • Article 39A: It states that “the state shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, based on equal opportunity, and shall ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen because of economic or other disabilities.”

• • Geographical Inaccessibility:

• • • The Parliamentary Standing Committee observed that the Delhi-centric Supreme Court creates a significant hurdle for litigants from faraway areas of the country and denies them the fundamental right to access justice.

• • Reduce the workload of the Supreme Court:

• • • Presently there are 34 seats of judges in the Supreme Court, which is much less in comparison to the population of the country.
      • The formation of Supreme Court Regional Benches will increase the number of judges’ seats. 
    • For Instance, The Supreme Court of India handles a significantly higher number of cases including appeals and original cases—with 28,651 cases instituted in 2022. In contrast, the US Supreme Court deals with a comparatively lower number of cases, ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 cases instituted annually.

• • Opportunity for Local Bars and Legal Professionals:

• • • The setting up of Supreme Court regional benches would lead to the Balkanization of the Supreme Court.
    • The setting up of regional benches would also lead to greater opportunities and democratisation of the Bar, and a robust Supreme Court Bar at the regional level for example, the District Bars in Saket, Rohini, and Karkardooma.

• Arguments Against to Establish Supreme Court Regional Benches

• • Separate Court of Appeal: 

    • Instead of setting up Regional Benches, the Law Commission of India in its 95th and 229th report recommended setting up a separate court of appeal.
      • At present, the Supreme Court is overburdened with matters such as transfer petitions, arbitral appeals, etc which have no business hearing.

  • Need for High Court Reforms:

    • Since a majority of cases filed in the Supreme Court do arise from the High Courts close to Delhi.
    • Instead of setting regional branches of the Supreme Court, a mechanism should be put in place to scrutinize the types of petitions that are permitted to be admitted to the top court by making significant reforms in the High Court.

  • Fragmentation of Law:

    • Different benches might interpret laws differently, leading to conflicting judgments and legal uncertainty.
    • Divergent interpretations could create a “patchwork legal system” with varying standards across regions, potentially harming business and investment.

  • Potential for Regional Bias:

    • Judges in regional benches might be more susceptible to local political pressures or social influences, leading to biased decisions.
    • This could undermine the impartiality and national perspective excepted from the Supreme Court.

  • Increased Costs and Logistical Challenges:

    • Setting up and maintaining Supreme Court regional benches across India would be expensive, requiring resources for infrastructure, staff, and security.
    • Coordinating schedules, logistics, and communication between different benches could create administrative difficulties.

  • Dilution of the Supreme Court’s Authority:

    • Supreme Court Regional benches might overshadow or weaken the central authority of the Supreme Court, potentially diminishing its national stature and impact.
    • This could lead to confusion about which bench to approach for specific cases, creating complexities in navigating the legal system.

Conclusion

The establishment of Supreme Court Regional Benches presents a significant step towards enhancing access to justice and expediting the legal process across the diverse landscape of the nation.

News Source: Writing Law and The Hindu

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This article is based on the news “The women of ASHA: overworked, underpaid and on the edge of breakdown” which was published in the Hindu. A recent study investigating the life of ASHA workers brought out the despicable situation of ASHA workers being overworked, underpaid and on the edge of breakdown.

ASHA Workers: Accredited Social Health Activist

• ASHA workers were introduced as part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005 to act as a bridge between the community and the health system.
  • It was later extended to urban settings with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.
• Central Component of NRHM: ASHA, an all-female cadre of community health workers is the central component of the NRHM, which was launched to address the health needs of the rural population, especially the vulnerable sections of society.
• Training and Collaboration: ASHA workers receive training from Anganwadi Workers (ANWs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) to discharge their duties.
• Inspired by: Mitanins inspired the creation of the ASHA framework, recognising their pivotal role in community health initiatives.
  • In 2002, Chhattisgarh appointed women as community health workers, known as Mitanins, signifying care and support for their communities. 
  • Mitanins translates to ‘friends’. A friendship, between women, one with the promise of compassion.

Roles and Responsibilities of ASHA Workers

• Health Education and Awareness:

  • Health Activism: ASHA acts as health activists for the community by raising awareness of health and its social determinants.
  • Awareness and Information Dissemination: Creating awareness and providing information on determinants of health such as nutrition, basic sanitation, hygienic practices, etc.

• Counseling Support:

  • Maternal Health: They counsel women on birth preparedness, safe delivery practices, and postnatal care.
  • Child Health: They advise on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, immunization, and care of young children.
  • Family Planning: They guide on contraception, family planning, child spacing and prevention of common infections, including RTIs/STIs.

• Community Mobilization and Facilitation

  • Access to Health Services: Facilitating community access to health-related services like immunization, ANC, and PNC at local health centres.
  • Village Health Planning: Collaborating with the Village Health & Sanitation Committee to develop comprehensive village health plans.
  • Support and Escort Services: Assisting pregnant women and children to access medical treatment and admission to health facilities.

• Primary Medical Care

  • Minor Ailments: Providing primary care for minor health issues such as diarrhoea, fevers, and minor injuries.
  • Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS): Acting as a provider under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

• Miscellaneous Roles

• • Reporting Role: Informing about births, deaths, and any unusual health problems or disease outbreaks in the community at the Sub-Centres/Primary Health Centre.
  • Sanitation Campaigns: Promoting the construction of household toilets under the Total Sanitation Campaign.
  • National Disease Control Programs: Rendering services under various national disease control programs.

Selection of ASHA Workers

• Population Coverage: One ASHA is typically selected per 1000 population, ensuring manageable coverage for each worker.
• Geographical Considerations: In tribal, hilly, and desert areas, the selection norm may be relaxed to one ASHA per habitation, considering geographical challenges.
• Phasing and Coverage
• • State-Level Planning:  States must outline district and block-wise plans for ASHA selection, aiming for structured implementation.
• Implementation Timeline: At least 40% of ASHAs should be selected and trained in the first year, with the remainder in the following two years.

Criteria For Selection- ASHA Workers

• Demographic Criteria: ASHA must be primarily a woman resident of the village ‘Married/Widow/Divorced’ and preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 yrs.
• Communication and Leadership: ASHA should have effective communication skills, and leadership qualities and be able to reach out to the community. 
• Educational Qualifications: She should be a literate woman with formal education up to Eighth Class. This may be relaxed only if no suitable person with this qualification is available.
• Representation from Disadvantaged Groups: Adequate representation from disadvantaged populations should be ensured to serve such groups better. 
• Flexibility to State Government: State Governments may modify these guidelines except the basic criteria of ASHA being a woman volunteer with minimum education up to VIII class and that she would be a resident of the village.

Challenges Faced by ASHA Workers in India

• Economic Challenges

  • Underpayment and Irregular Wages: ASHAs receive an honorarium and performance-based incentives. Even these benefits are irregular, leading to financial instability.
  • Out-of-Pocket Expenditures: They incur expenses for job-related logistics (e.g., travel, mobile data) without reimbursement which further strain their finances.
  • Primary Source of Family Income: In many cases, ASHAs are their families’ main income source. However, their family monthly incomes varied between ₹5,000 to ₹15,000.

• Gender-Based Discrimination

  • Triple Shift Burden: They balance household duties, childcare, and extensive community health responsibilities without adequate rest or nutrition. This puts them at risk of anaemia, malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
  • Food and Sleep Deprivation: They take irregular meals and have insufficient sleep due to workload. Gendered food apportionment also results in small food portions. 
  • Gendered Expectations and Abuse: They face societal expectations and abuse within their roles. It includes harassment and assault with little to no redressal mechanisms.

• Occupational Hazards

  • Health Risks: They are vulnerable to malnutrition, anaemia, non-communicable diseases, and obesity due to poor eating habits and high stress.
  • Climate Change: They work in harsh weather conditions, without proper protective gear or adjustments in work timings. Climate change has further strained their work conditions. 
  • Lack of Formal Recognition: They are not officially recognised as workers, which affects their entitlement to occupational health and safety measures.

• Informal Employment Issues:

  • Casualization of Work: The informal nature of their job precludes them from social security measures, including health insurance.
  • Limited Professional Development: Educational limitations and reliance on app-based work without proper training marginalise them further.
  • Lack of Policy Support: Absence of structured policies to address their working conditions, rights, and welfare comprehensively.
  • Expansion of Work: The umbrella of work under ASHA has expanded. It started with maternal and child health, including vaccination follow-ups, data logging, learning palliative care, reporting domestic violence cases, providing mental health support, etc.

• Systemic Inequities:

• • Marginalization: ASHAs often come from marginalised communities, facing caste and gender hierarchies that impact their well-being and job efficacy.
  • Lack of Recognition and Support: Despite their crucial role in community health, there’s a systemic failure to acknowledge their contributions and provide adequate support.

Way Forward

• Formal Recognition and Fair Compensation: Recognizing ASHAs as formal healthcare workers and ensuring fair compensation and timely payment of wages.
• Social Security and Health Insurance: Extending full social security benefits and health insurance coverage to ASHA workers to safeguard their health and well-being.
• Professional Development and Support: Providing continuous training and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Safety and Dignity: Ensuring a safe working environment and mechanisms for grievance redressal to protect them from harassment and abuse.
• Systematic Investment: Continual, systematic investment in the ASHA program is crucial for strengthening India’s public health system and achieving better health outcomes for women, children, and society.

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