#WhatsInAHeadline – March News Brings Positivity in the Lives of India’s Children

From children’s perspective, the month of March witnessed a series of positive events. Right from child-friendly city planning and a drop in child mortality rates to a special skateathon and a welcome change in adoption patterns, this month packed in a host of reaffirming and inspiring events. Let’s unpack these events in the March edition of What’s In A Headline.

1.Teacher’s Selfless Act Transforms Dilapidated School into Learning Haven

Shattering the stereotypical image of a public-school teacher, Madhya Pradesh’s Gopal Bhalwala set a new benchmark of going above and beyond the assigned responsibilities. Using his own savings of Rs. 3 lakhs, this school teacher renovated the dilapidated government school he was working in, transforming it into a vibrant and conducive learning space. Bhalwala’s efforts stemmed from the belief an unwavering belief that every child deserves quality education despite what the limited resources indicate. Serving as a remarkable example, Gopal Bhalwala’s story reminds us of the impact of individual efforts required in uplifting educational standards in rural areas.

2. Indian Cities Embrace Child-Friendly Urban Planning Initiatives

Globally, cities such as Barcelona and Istanbul have led the way in developing and implementing play masterplans in their city’s landscape. Now, Indian cities are all set to join the bandwagon and cater to the growing need of child-friendly urban planning. A melange of safe play spaces, pedestrian-friendly zones, and improved public transportation are now part of new plans for cities like Pune and Bengaluru. Delhi too is drafting a special policy that emphasizes on child participation in city planning and design. Bengaluru is focusing on enhancing parks and playgrounds, while Pune is prioritizing safe routes to schools. These efforts aim to provide children with better access to recreational areas and safe environments, promoting their overall well-being in urban settings.

3. India makes notable progress in dropping child mortality rates

India has made significant progress in child survival, with the under-five mortality rate dropping from 126 to 34 deaths per 1,000 live births in the last three decades. This improvement is attributed to advancements in healthcare, immunization coverage, and government initiatives such as the National Health Mission. Despite this progress, challenges like regional disparities and malnutrition persist. Continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and nutrition programs is crucial to sustaining and further improving child health outcomes across the country.

4.Bengaluru’s youth get educated about sustainable solutions

Despite Bengaluru’s water crisis receiving national attention, the city loses 90% of its rainwater due to improper planning and harvesting. Not only remote villages but even elite housing societeoes of the city are feeling the brunt. The city’s Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) schools are also facing the heat of water the crisis owing to the fast-depleting borewells in the region. Tackling the issue head-on is environmentalist Hariharan Chandrashekhar. Having initiated the Rain Reach programme, his initiative educates school-going children in the age group of 9-15 years about water conservation. Additionally, the programme establishes rainwater-harvesting systems and sewage-treatment systems in schools. Going a step ahead, the installed rain gauge weather stations are helping children to measure rainfall—the result—40 schools saved 14 million litres of water in just a year. Chandrashekhar’s efforts highlight the importance of educating youth about water conservation, which could have far-reaching impacts not only in Bengaluru but across India.

5. National Curriculum set to empower early childhood development

Recognizing the impact of brain development before the age of 6, the Ministry of Women and Child Development recently unveiled a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Aimed at children aged 3 to 8 years, it focuses on holistic development, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social aspects. The curriculum emphasizes play-based learning, language development, and promoting creativity. Combining in-center and at-home, indoor and outdoor, and child-led and educator-led activities, the curriculum aims to standardize ECCE programs across the country. With the empowerment of caregivers and Anganwadi workers as one of its core objectives, the curriculum ensures quality education and development opportunities for young children, aligning with global best practices in early childhood education.