Bias against girls spreading in Kerala too?

Thiruvananthapuram: Child sex ratio trends in Kerala may be following the trends in the country's northern states, warn academics who have undertaken a detailed study analysing disaggregated data from the state over four decades.

The trend, which shows declining numbers of girl children for every 1,000 boy children, is widespread in the region and reported also in South Asia and China. Kerala, however, was long perceived to be uninfluenced by the trend, with its traditionally matriarchal Nair community and wide participation of women in the workforce.

Academics M. Kabir and K. Pushpangadan, as part of a project sponsored by the state's social welfare department, analysed data from different districts of the state over four decades to show that the child sex-ratio in Kerala declined from 976 to 958 in the course of the two decades between 1971 and 1991. It registered a marginal increase by two points in 2001, but a decline by one point - from 960 to 959 - in 2011.

On the sidelines of a seminar Friday at the Centre for Development Studies where these findings were presented, Kabir told IANS that disaggregation of the data to the taluk level throws up disturbing facts -- 26 of the state's 63 taluks had lower FMRs (female- male ratio) in 2001 than in 1991; 39 had lower FMRs in 2011 than in 2001.

He said that the taluks that registered the decline fall into clusters, and are contiguous, cutting across district boundaries.

'In 2011, the decline spread to more areas, adjoining those which reported decline in the preceding decade, while a few that had reported decline in 1991-2001 escaped decline in the next decade. Studies on India and China have already noted the diffusion of decline in the child sex ratios, which they have called the 'contagion effect'. Scholars have noted 'this geographical clustering as a typical feature of sex ratio degradation in Asia and directly refers to the diffusion process of discriminatory behaviour,' Kabir said.

The study points out that considering the censuses of 1991 and 2011, when district boundaries remained unchanged, the female deficit increased in six districts - Kasaragod, Kannur, Waynad, Palakkad, Thrissur and Idukki - out of the fourteen in the state; Palakkad showed steady decline in all censuses from 1991.

Considering the censuses of 2001 and 2011, decline was recorded by Palakkad (by one point, from 963 to 962), Thrissur (10 points, from 958 to 948), Idukki (11 points, from 969 to 958), Kottayam (five points, from 962 to 957), Alapuzha (nine points, from 956 to 947) and Pathanamthitta (three points, from 967 to 964).

Kabir also pointed out that the calculations based on the 1991 and 2001 census clearly indicates that in the below age five category, there is an excess of female infant mortality over male infant mortality; the latest Sample Registration System data indicates excess of female infant mortality over male infant mortality - this is a disturbing finding, one that points to possible discrimination against the female child in Kerala.

'In the 1981 census in the below age five category 85 male children died, while there were 76 female infants deaths; in the 1991 census it was 60 males and 61 females; in 2001, it was 40 males and 54 females; and figures for 2011 are yet to come out, it should be no different,' Kabir said.

Incidentally, this detailed analysis comes at a time when, according to the 2011 census, Kerala had 1,084 females for every 1,000 males.

This is not only the highest in India, but is also comparable to those in large parts of the developed world.

Bias against girls spreading in Kerala too?

Thiruvananthapuram: Child sex ratio trends in Kerala may be following the trends in the country's northern states, warn academics who have undertaken a detailed study analysing disaggregated data from the state over four decades.

The trend, which shows declining numbers of girl children for every 1,000 boy children, is widespread in the region and reported also in South Asia and China. Kerala, however, was long perceived to be uninfluenced by the trend, with its traditionally matriarchal Nair community and wide participation of women in the workforce.

Academics M. Kabir and K. Pushpangadan, as part of a project sponsored by the state's social welfare department, analysed data from different districts of the state over four decades to show that the child sex-ratio in Kerala declined from 976 to 958 in the course of the two decades between 1971 and 1991. It registered a marginal increase by two points in 2001, but a decline by one point - from 960 to 959 - in 2011.

On the sidelines of a seminar Friday at the Centre for Development Studies where these findings were presented, Kabir told IANS that disaggregation of the data to the taluk level throws up disturbing facts -- 26 of the state's 63 taluks had lower FMRs (female- male ratio) in 2001 than in 1991; 39 had lower FMRs in 2011 than in 2001.

He said that the taluks that registered the decline fall into clusters, and are contiguous, cutting across district boundaries.

'In 2011, the decline spread to more areas, adjoining those which reported decline in the preceding decade, while a few that had reported decline in 1991-2001 escaped decline in the next decade. Studies on India and China have already noted the diffusion of decline in the child sex ratios, which they have called the 'contagion effect'. Scholars have noted 'this geographical clustering as a typical feature of sex ratio degradation in Asia and directly refers to the diffusion process of discriminatory behaviour,' Kabir said.

The study points out that considering the censuses of 1991 and 2011, when district boundaries remained unchanged, the female deficit increased in six districts - Kasaragod, Kannur, Waynad, Palakkad, Thrissur and Idukki - out of the fourteen in the state; Palakkad showed steady decline in all censuses from 1991.

Considering the censuses of 2001 and 2011, decline was recorded by Palakkad (by one point, from 963 to 962), Thrissur (10 points, from 958 to 948), Idukki (11 points, from 969 to 958), Kottayam (five points, from 962 to 957), Alapuzha (nine points, from 956 to 947) and Pathanamthitta (three points, from 967 to 964).

Kabir also pointed out that the calculations based on the 1991 and 2001 census clearly indicates that in the below age five category, there is an excess of female infant mortality over male infant mortality; the latest Sample Registration System data indicates excess of female infant mortality over male infant mortality - this is a disturbing finding, one that points to possible discrimination against the female child in Kerala.

'In the 1981 census in the below age five category 85 male children died, while there were 76 female infants deaths; in the 1991 census it was 60 males and 61 females; in 2001, it was 40 males and 54 females; and figures for 2011 are yet to come out, it should be no different,' Kabir said.

Incidentally, this detailed analysis comes at a time when, according to the 2011 census, Kerala had 1,084 females for every 1,000 males.

This is not only the highest in India, but is also comparable to those in large parts of the developed world.

FAZFARI SPORTS ACCADEMY-sports coching camp-2013

FAZFARI SPORTS ACCADEMY-sports coching camp-2013

Protests in Delhi after minor raped in school

NEW DELHI: A seven-year-old girl was raped by an unidentified man inside a municipal school in the capital, prompting protests by locals who were cane-charged Friday, police said.

The Class-II student was sexually assaulted inside the North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run primary school in Mongolpuri L Block and the incident came to light at around 9 am today when her parents informed police about it.

The girl was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where a medical examination confirmed rape.The girl was later discharged from hospital.

"The victim was raped by a man inside the school campus yesterday. Her parents approached us this morning and a case has been registered. The victim could not tell us anything about the attacker.

"We are investigating the case. We are questioning the male staff, including teachers and a guard," a senior police official said.
Enraged over the incident, locals staged protests in the locality as well as near the hospital.

As the protest turned violent, police used batons to disperse the crowd.

Some government-run buses and private vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Police have been deployed in large numbers to ensure no untoward situation in the locality.

Protests in Delhi after minor raped in school

NEW DELHI: A seven-year-old girl was raped by an unidentified man inside a municipal school in the capital, prompting protests by locals who were cane-charged Friday, police said.

The Class-II student was sexually assaulted inside the North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run primary school in Mongolpuri L Block and the incident came to light at around 9 am today when her parents informed police about it.

The girl was taken to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where a medical examination confirmed rape.The girl was later discharged from hospital.

"The victim was raped by a man inside the school campus yesterday. Her parents approached us this morning and a case has been registered. The victim could not tell us anything about the attacker.

"We are investigating the case. We are questioning the male staff, including teachers and a guard," a senior police official said.
Enraged over the incident, locals staged protests in the locality as well as near the hospital.

As the protest turned violent, police used batons to disperse the crowd.

Some government-run buses and private vehicles were damaged in the incident.

Police have been deployed in large numbers to ensure no untoward situation in the locality.

ndian-origin science writer wins British Physics journalism prize

 IWASHINGTON: Anil Ananthaswamy, a London based Indian origin writer, has won the inaugural Physics Journalism Prize sponsored by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The prize is designed to inspire the next generation of physicists by encouraging journalists to grapple with often complex topics and help spread excitement about the subject, according to an IOP release forwarded by the American Astronomical Society.

Ananthaswamy, a consultant at New Scientist Magazine and author of "The Edge of Physics," has won the prize for his article "Hip Hip Array," which focuses on the Square Kilometre Array, an international project to design and build the largest radio telescope ever conceived.

"Anil Ananthaswamy is being awarded the prize for writing a feature which brings one of the world's most exciting astronomical endeavors to life -- the Square Kilometre Array," said IOP President Sir Peter Knight.

The Physics Journalism Award offers the prize of an expenses paid trip to Japan, to visit world-leading facilities carrying out research at the frontiers of physics.

On winning, Ananthaswamy commented, "Writing about physics, especially about the work being done in remote, difficult and sometimes hostile environments, is a special pleasure. Winning an award for doing what I love to do is just icing on the cake. I truly appreciate the recognition."

  

Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.40

NEW DELHI:  State-owned oil companies have hiked the price of petrol by Rs 1.40 effective midnight tonight.

This is the second hike in over two weeks, after the companies had on February 15 increased the price of the fuel by Rs. 1.50, and diesel by 45 paise.

This hike does not take into account local sales tax or value added tax (VAT), so the effective hike for consumers will actual work out to more than the quantum announced.

Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.40

NEW DELHI:  State-owned oil companies have hiked the price of petrol by Rs 1.40 effective midnight tonight.

This is the second hike in over two weeks, after the companies had on February 15 increased the price of the fuel by Rs. 1.50, and diesel by 45 paise.

This hike does not take into account local sales tax or value added tax (VAT), so the effective hike for consumers will actual work out to more than the quantum announced.

ndian-origin science writer wins British Physics journalism prize

 IWASHINGTON: Anil Ananthaswamy, a London based Indian origin writer, has won the inaugural Physics Journalism Prize sponsored by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The prize is designed to inspire the next generation of physicists by encouraging journalists to grapple with often complex topics and help spread excitement about the subject, according to an IOP release forwarded by the American Astronomical Society.

Ananthaswamy, a consultant at New Scientist Magazine and author of "The Edge of Physics," has won the prize for his article "Hip Hip Array," which focuses on the Square Kilometre Array, an international project to design and build the largest radio telescope ever conceived.

"Anil Ananthaswamy is being awarded the prize for writing a feature which brings one of the world's most exciting astronomical endeavors to life -- the Square Kilometre Array," said IOP President Sir Peter Knight.

The Physics Journalism Award offers the prize of an expenses paid trip to Japan, to visit world-leading facilities carrying out research at the frontiers of physics.

On winning, Ananthaswamy commented, "Writing about physics, especially about the work being done in remote, difficult and sometimes hostile environments, is a special pleasure. Winning an award for doing what I love to do is just icing on the cake. I truly appreciate the recognition."