Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics

Ravi Prakash ¹, Sulabha Parasuraman ²

Affiliations
1 International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, IN
2 Department of Population Policies and Programmes, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, IN

Abstract

This article explores the process by which young adults shape their early stages of adult life. The analysis is carried out for a society which is traditional in nature and under the wave of contemporary societal changes. The young people’s transition into marriage is analyzed to examine whether the practice of early marriage still prevails in the traditional society or is governed by the law of normative sequencing of life cycle, that is education, employment, and marriage. Using age-wise retrospective primary data, the determinants of marriage timing are also analysed here.

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Anjali Radkar ¹, Sulabha Parasuraman ², Jai Ghanekar

Affiliations
1 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, IN
2 Department of Population Policies and Programmes, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai 400088, IN

Abstract

Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) Programme is primarily a preventive and promotive activity carved by ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) to capture inadequate growth early enough and take the required action before the child suffers undernutrition. This study explores its functioning in Maharashtra. Data is collected in rural, urban and tribal settings from three districts. It includes observations during 93 GMP sessions and interviews of 100 AWWs, 78 supervisors and 500 mothers. The study reveals unavailability of proper child weighing scales and sometimes sophisticated instruments with inadequately trained staff. None of the workers plots the growth charts then and there and children are weighed in chaotic conditions during the session, resulting in incorrect weights. Most mothers have neither seen the growth charts nor do they understand it. Effective interaction with mothers is lacking which defeats the Programme. ICDS should try to improve this well-thought programme.

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