Latest news with #NehaRai
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Neonatal, infant deaths decline in U.P; no change in under-five mortality rate
In improving signs for Uttar Pradesh, the state reported a decline in neonatal and infant deaths, as per the central government's latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2021. U.P's neonatal mortality rate or NMR stood at 26 per 1,000 live births against 28 stated in the 2020 report. Overall, India reported 19 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, a one-point decline from 20 in 2020. In Bihar, it was at 19, in comparison to 21 in 2020, said the report. In the tally of 19 bigger states, UP stood third in terms of NMR after Madhya Pradesh (30) and Chhattisgarh (28). While a total of eight states reported declining NMR, seven others showed no change in the figures for 2020 and 2021. However, Assam (four points), Chhattisgarh (two), and Haryana and Punjab (one point each) saw their NMR increase. Kerala's NMR was the lowest at four. 'The falling NMR in UP is significant even if the decline is just two points. We can still bring it down considerably if the problems are addressed. Several people, especially in the rural pockets, do not use health services regularly. Avoiding treatment unless it becomes unavoidable is still a prevalent habit,' said Dr Neha Rai, an associate professor (Paediatrics) at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. 'If Kerala's NMR can be four, then why can't Uttar Pradesh's also be,' added Dr Rai. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh's infant mortality ratio (IMR)—which is the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births—stood at 37, compared to 38 in 2020. Bihar's IMR stood steady at 27. Among the 19 bigger states, five (MP, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat and Karnataka) recorded a decline in IMR by two points, whereas nine others (including U.P.) witnessed their IMR decline by one point. Along with Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Kerala did not record any decline in IMR. Nationally, the IMR for 2021 stood at 27 as compared to 28 for 2020. The IMR was the highest in Madhya Pradesh (41) and the lowest in Kerala (six). Meanwhile, there was no significant change in the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) —which is the probability of a child dying before the age of five, per 1,000 live births—in many states. Nationally, it decreased from 32 to 31. A larger decline was observed in 2019-2020, with U5MR dropping from 35 to 32 deaths per 1000 live births. Madhya Pradesh (49) and Kerala (eight) reported the highest and lowest U5MR. For UP, it remained unchanged at 43 even as Bihar saw a one-point increase from 2020. Among the 19 bigger states, four (Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu) recorded a one-point increase in U5MR, while seven others showed no change. The sharpest decline in U5MR was noted in Assam and Andhra Pradesh (three points each), followed by two points each in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. As per the Office of Registrar General, SRS provides reliable annual estimates of infant mortality rate, birth rate, death rate and other fertility & mortality indicators at the national and sub-national levels. It is a large-scale demographic survey conducted every year in all states and UTs
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Where are the ethnic minority stars and stories in Hong Kong films?
The premiere of Hong Kong short film Wood House was watched by a packed house, who applauded when its starring actor Neha Rai, a Hong Kong-born Nepalese, took to the stage afterwards with her fellow cast members. The scene at Soho House Hong Kong, in Sheng Wan, last October was unusual. Ethnic minority actors tend to play criminals – or are largely absent from Hong Kong film and TV. Advertisement It seems clear that Hong Kong productions need to be more welcoming to members of ethnic minority groups and write more diverse roles into their scripts, particularly as this is a city where ethnic minorities make up more than 8 per cent of the population, accounting for nearly 620,000 residents, according to the latest census in 2021. It would allow a greater variety of stories to be told from different perspectives, helping audiences learn about and empathise with Hongkongers of all backgrounds. And if we truly want to revitalise Hong Kong's film industry, we will need to leverage a key yet underused strength: the city's diversity. The road to progress is long. Of the 37 films released in 2023 , just one featured an actor from an ethnic minority group in a prominent role: The Sunny Side of the Street focused on an unlikely friendship between a Hong Kong-born Pakistani boy and a Chinese taxi driver. One reviewer said the film's 'focus on ethnic minority refugees is admirable given how mainstream Hong Kong institutions often either ignore or demonise the community'. But such benevolence is rare and some producers may be guilty of avoiding the use of actors from non-ethnically-Chinese communities. Advertisement In April 2022, for instance, the role of a Filipino domestic worker in TVB's Barrack O'Karma 1968 series was given to Franchesca Wong, who darkened her skin for the role, sparking outrage over what was seen as 'brownface' . Wong had to apologise. 'I genuinely have no intention to disrespect or racially discriminate [against] any ethnic group, please forgive me for getting it wrong,' she wrote on social media. Wong's co-star King Lam also apologised for posting a video of her applying the make-up.
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Where are the ethnic minority stars and stories in Hong Kong films?
The premiere of Hong Kong short film Wood House was watched by a packed house, who applauded when its starring actor Neha Rai, a Hong Kong-born Nepalese, took to the stage afterwards with her fellow cast members. The scene at Soho House Hong Kong, in Sheng Wan, last October was unusual. Ethnic minority actors tend to play criminals – or are largely absent from Hong Kong film and TV. Advertisement It seems clear that Hong Kong productions need to be more welcoming to members of ethnic minority groups and write more diverse roles into their scripts, particularly as this is a city where ethnic minorities make up more than 8 per cent of the population, accounting for nearly 620,000 residents, according to the latest census in 2021. It would allow a greater variety of stories to be told from different perspectives, helping audiences learn about and empathise with Hongkongers of all backgrounds. And if we truly want to revitalise Hong Kong's film industry, we will need to leverage a key yet underused strength: the city's diversity. The road to progress is long. Of the 37 films released in 2023 , just one featured an actor from an ethnic minority group in a prominent role: The Sunny Side of the Street focused on an unlikely friendship between a Hong Kong-born Pakistani boy and a Chinese taxi driver. One reviewer said the film's 'focus on ethnic minority refugees is admirable given how mainstream Hong Kong institutions often either ignore or demonise the community'. But such benevolence is rare and some producers may be guilty of avoiding the use of actors from non-ethnically-Chinese communities. Advertisement In April 2022, for instance, the role of a Filipino domestic worker in TVB's Barrack O'Karma 1968 series was given to Franchesca Wong, who darkened her skin for the role, sparking outrage over what was seen as 'brownface' . Wong had to apologise. 'I genuinely have no intention to disrespect or racially discriminate [against] any ethnic group, please forgive me for getting it wrong,' she wrote on social media. Wong's co-star King Lam also apologised for posting a video of her applying the make-up.
