Friday 17 July 2020

Hemantha Kalam - 70 "Maatrudevo Bhava"


For a change this blog is not about me; but about us. In fact it is about our mothers.

The third goal among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals prescribed by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Disability of the United Nations is, “Good Health and Well Being”. This third goal has 9 sub goals and three further sub goals. Sub Goal 3.1 says “by 2030 reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births”.

As per a bulletin from the Sample Registration System (SRS) for the year 2016-18, there appears to be good news for India that the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of India declined to 113 per 100,000 live births down from 130 per 100,000, a reduction by 13.08% so to say. The MMR was 212 by 2007-09. So in a decade there has been a drop of 99 per 100,000 or about 46.70%. No mean task that it is. We are still 43 short of the prescribed number but then we have at least another decade of a chance to look at it.

So what exactly is the MMR? As per the SRS bulletin, “Maternal mortality in a region is a measure of reproductive health of women in the area. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management”.

So let’s take a look at how the regions in India have taken this up. From the figures it does look like that the Southern region has done quite well when compared to our brethren in the Northern region.


The inference from the above table is that excepting Karnataka, rest of the states in South India have already reached the SDG 3 but there are still miles to go for the North Indian states in this respect, with the exception of Uttarakhand where it appears to be relatively much better and manageable.

Now the question is, India got independence at the same time for all the regions. So, why so much of difference in the development among the regions? People need to introspect and take corrective steps; if not for them, at least for the mothers and future generation of citizens of this great country.

Well, what do you think?

Krutagjnatalu (Telugu), Nanri (Tamil), Dhanyavaadagalu (Kannada), Nanni (Malayalam), Dhanyavaad (Hindi), Dhanyosmi (Sanskrit), Thanks (English), Dhonyavaad (Bangla), Dhanyabad (Oriya), Gracias (Spanish), Grazie (Italian), Danke Schon (Deutsche), Merci (French), Obrigado (Portuguese), Shukraan (Arabic), Shukriya (Urdu), Bohoma Sthuthiyi (Sinhalese) Aw-koon (Khmer), Kawp Jai Lhai Lhai (Laotian), Kob Kun Krab (Thai), Dankie (Afrikaans), Asante (Kiswahili), Maraming Salamat sa Lahat (Pinoy-Tagalog-Filipino), Tack (Swedish), Fa'afetai (Samoan), Terima Kasih (Bahasa Indonesian & Malay), Tenkyu (Tok Pisin of Papua New Guinea), Malo (Tonga) and Vinaka (Fiji).

Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy
Chennai, India

Info Courtesy:

15 comments:

  1. Well researched on a topic of global interest! Appreciate your interest on varied subjects, dear Hemanth 💐

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    1. Thank you dear Maya!

      Being in the Development Sector I do realise that it is not an easy matter to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. One way it is a matter of pride for the Southern states. However the pride comes with the responsibility that we don't slide back!

      Thank you again for your time and indulgence.
      Much appreciated and obliged.

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  2. Well the data is interesting. The blog could have been exhaustive with probing details of the causes and effects NOW & THEN. Felt it ended abruptly without your inputs Hemant. Presenting is one aspect and evaluating is another difficult task. Keep it going with your investigative mind.

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    1. Thank you dear Naidu.

      If I have to undertake an evaluation, I charge a fee for that, as that is my business and profession, while blogging is just my hobby. :-)

      Moreover, I feel it is people and the governments who have to ponder and find a solution. Hence I stopped with just presenting the facts.

      It's more like a news with a possible comparison and comprehending given on a platter.

      Now it's for people, netas and aspiring netas :-) to ponder about!

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  3. This issue has been afa to my mind. Made me what I am. I chose to study MSW because of this issue. Coming from a small town in Bihar and growing up with a doctor father I have realised that the issue of maternal mortality in India is affected by so many social, medical and regional factors.

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    1. I know dear Richie Rich!

      Thank you for looking at!

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  4. Well Researched as well thought Deep... But with regards to South & North... Always in every aspect except in Trade South Dominates due to their intellectual capabilities & Understanding.

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    1. Thank you so much dear Mr. Varadarajan.

      Much appreciated and obliged.

      Increasingly it is being proven that the north wants power and pelf and nothing much else. Let us hope that the future holds better!

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  5. Good. Power equation in the family, tradition of remaining without food till everybody has eaten, lack of knowledge about backyard nutritious leafy vegetable .Keeps the expectant mother deprived

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    1. Yes. These are some of the contributing facts. But apathy s also a crucial factor Sangeeta ji.

      Thank you for looking.

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  6. Sad that the North Indian states are doing badly when compared to the South but they could do better too. This could be due to many reasons like education, religious dogmas and proper facilities. It’s time the authorities did something about it. Appreciate you presenting facts Hemanth! Truly ‘Maatru deva Bhava’

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    1. Yes Savithri.

      Thank you for going through.

      Best wishes and warm regards
      Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

      Delete
  7. Your data is quite interesting and eyeopener for many. Data also says the rate is directly proportional to the literacy also. May be Govt should consider this factor also in making further plans. Last but not the least, your krutagnataku in so many languages is mind blowing.

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  8. Dear Chalapathy Rao garu,

    First thank you for taking time out to read my blog and then for reaching out to me.

    Yes, while literacy is an important factor, mostly it is apathy by self, family, the local health system taking the responsibility finally to the respective governmental agencies.

    About the 'Thanks giving' in so many languages, most of the languages are used by countries which I had visited so far and where many of my students and other contacts use!

    Thank you once again.

    Best wishes and warm regards
    Hemantha Kumar Pamarthy

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