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Safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is critical in public health. There is growing evidence that millions of people globally lack adequate WASH services and consequently suffer from or are exposed to a multitude of preventable illnesses. Lack of safe WASH services not only have adverse socio-economic and cultural impacts on people’s lives, but also weaken health systems and threaten health security at large.

While there are significant efforts from governments and civil society to strengthen, scale up and sustain inclusive and resilient WASH services, it is yet to explore how people’s health, their social-wellbeing and future resilience benefits in different socio-cultural, economic and political contexts. More attention is needed to improve access to WASH services in healthcare facilities, schools, families and public places and harness the community engagement toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Provision of safely managed and sustained WASH services can greatly contribute to better health, nutrition and education in the families and communities. Shifting the locus of WASH services from infrastructure delivery, it is high time to establish inclusive, sustainable and resilient WASH systems where people’s voiced experiences, needs and choices are socio-culturally addressed in local policies, strategies and interventions.  

More significantly, WASH-related diseases and risks are wide-ranging, and these are exacerbated by a range of factors such as climate change, population growth, migration and urbanization. The infectious diseases and risks, among others, include diarroheal disease, neglected tropical diseases, maternal and neonatal sepsis and infections from unsafe healthcare waste management.

Undoubtedly, the health risks will have profound impacts on people’s social well-being and their quality of life. At the individual level, it undermines dignity and personal safety with the prevailing fear, anxiety and stress.  In the healthcare facilities, healthcare seeking behavior, safety and morale of the service providers are largely affected due to the poor provision of WASH services.   

According to WHO, 42 percent of healthcare facilities lack hand hygiene facilities at the point of care and 40 percent do not have systems to segregate waste around the world. Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce healthcare-associated infections and can reduce the risk of diarrhoeal diseases. Compared to hospitals, smaller facilities like clinics, health centers and health have limited access to water and sanitation services.

Therefore, integrating WASH into health systems can increase synergies and impacts on health programs such as maternal, neonatal and child health, nutrition, neglected tropical diseases, infection prevention and control, and many others. Therefore, such an integration is more likely to reduce the burden of multiple diseases and help break the vicious cycle of disease and poverty. Understandably, infectious diseases are most common among poor and marginalized populations having limited access to safely-managed WASH services.

Among WASH in health initiatives, integrating hygiene behavior change into routine immunization is a historic progress in Nepal. With the technical support from WaterAid Nepal and other implementing partners, hygiene promotion through routine immunization initiative is a nationwide scaled-up model of integrating hygiene behavior change in health systems that aims to empower mothers of children under 15 months of age in adapting key hygiene behaviors. With this intervention, evidence suggests that there is significant reduction in diarrhea and other WASH-related diseases.

Additionally, poor management of menstrual health and hygiene has a negative impact on adolescent girls and women. Still, many girls have to miss school due to menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding and fear of leakage. Therefore, a comprehensive package of WASH services is necessary for better health and education outcomes.

We continue to face healthcare waste that exposes health care workers, waste handlers, patients and their families and the community to preventable infections, toxic effects and injuries. There are critical needs of ensuring safe waste management practices in hospitals and healthcare facilities by promoting WASH in healthcare facilities in partnership with other technical agencies and relevant experts. 

Considering the critical needs of WASH in urban areas, city-wide inclusive sanitation (CWIS) is gaining priority in recent years. Recently convened ‘National Citywide Inclusive Sanitation Conclave 2023’ offered a good platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and learning in the area of WASH, and advocate for local governments to invest more in addressing WASH-related issues and challenges.

As we see, there is a growing emphasis on the sustainability of WASH services, including the need to promote community-led approaches to WASH service delivery. Despite some remarkable progress, there is an urgent need to significantly increase political commitment and ownership to deliver reliable, resilient and inclusive WASH services at scale. More concerted efforts are needed to strengthen multi-sector engagement and partnerships to increase investments in the area of WASH systems strengthening for better health outcomes at all levels.

The author is a health policy analyst

There have been improvements in some of the economic indicators in recent times. Inflation came down to 4.95 percent in mid-December 2023 compared to 7.38 percent a year ago, according to Nepal Rastra Bank . Foreign exchange reserves continue to grow and the interest rate has also gone down. Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat has said that the economy is showing signs of recovery and is optimistic about further improvement. But the business community and ordinary people continue to feel the pinch of the struggling economy. Here’s what you need to know about the current state of economy:

What is the current state of the global economy?

As the world nears the midpoint of what was intended to be a transformative decade for development, the global economy is set to rack up a sorry record by the end of 2024—the slowest half-decade of GDP growth in 30 years, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. By one measure, the global economy is in a better place than it was a year ago: the risk of a global recession has receded, largely because of the strength of the US economy. But mounting geopolitical tensions could create fresh near-term hazards for the world economy. Meanwhile, the medium-term outlook has darkened for many developing economies amid slowing growth in most major economies, sluggish global trade and the tightest financial conditions in decades. 

Global trade growth in 2024 is expected to be only half the average in the decade before the pandemic, the World Bank report says.  Meanwhile, borrowing costs for developing economies—especially those with poor credit ratings—are likely to remain steep with global interest rates stuck at four-decade highs in inflation-adjusted terms. The World Bank report says that global growth is projected to slow for the third year in a row—from 2.6 percent in 2023 to 2.4 percent in 2024, almost three-quarters of a percentage point below the average of the 2010s.

What is the economic status of South Asia?

The World Bank says growth in South Asia (SAR) is estimated to have slowed slightly to 5.7 percent in 2023, yet it remains the fastest among emerging market and developing economy regions. This is largely attributed to a robust expansion in India, which accounted for more than three-fourths of the regional output in 2023. Excluding India, however, activity was more subdued. The World Bank outlook says that growth in SAR is expected to edge slightly lower to a still-robust 5.6 percent pace in 2024, before firming to 5.9 percent next year. Domestic demand, including public consumption and investment, will remain major drivers of economic growth. A pickup in external demand, albeit still subdued, is also expected to contribute to growth.

What is the situation of Nepal’s economy?

According to the recent report released by the International Monetary Fund, Nepal’s post-pandemic rebound, fueled by a credit boom, ended last year as growth slowed markedly. Low domestic demand helped resolve external pressures but also deflated government revenue and led to a widening of the fiscal deficit despite expenditure control. Inflation is declining. Growth is expected to recover to 3.5 percent in the fiscal year FY 2023/24, which is below potential, led by increased domestic demand, new hydroelectric capacity and a continued recovery in tourism.  

External sector risks dominate Nepal’s outlook given its high remittance income and dependence on imported goods. Domestically, further deterioration in bank balance sheets or lack of progress in addressing the deficiencies identified by the Asia Pacific Group of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) could create financial system stress.

What is the current status of inflation?

Surprisingly, inflation came down to 4.95 percent in mid-December 2023 compared to 7.38 percent a year ago. Though people have not felt it, a report prepared by Nepal Rastra Bank shows that inflation has heavily gone down. Food and beverage category inflation stood at 5.10 percent, whereas non-food and service category stood at 4.84 percent in the review months. Similarly, year to year wholesale price inflation stood at 2.63 percent in mid-December 2023 compared to 9.15 percent a year ago.

What is the current flow of remittance?

Remittance inflows increased 27.6 percent to Rs.613.25bn in mid-December 2023 compared to an increase of 23.0 percent in the same period of the previous year. In the US dollar terms, remittance inflows increased 24.5 percent to $4.62bn in the review period compared to an increase of 13.1 percent in the same period of the previous year. 

A report published by Nepal Rastra Bank says, “In the review period, the number of Nepali workers, both institutional and individual, taking first time approval for foreign employment stands at 173,555 while those applying for renewed entry approval stands at 104,037. In the previous year, such numbers were 236,779 and 115,948 respectively.”

What is the current situation of foreign exchange reserves?

Gross foreign exchange reserves increased 14.8 percent to Rs.1767.04bn in mid-December 2023 from Rs.1539.36bn in mid-July 2023. In the US dollar terms, the gross foreign exchange reserves increased 13.6 percent to $13.31bn in mid-December 2023 from $11.71bn in mid-July 2023.

What is the current state of interest’s rate of banks?

According to Nepal Rastra Bank, the average base rates of commercial banks, development banks and finance companies stood at 9.64 percent, 11.64 percent and 13.14 percent respectively in the fifth month of FY 2023/24. The average base rate of commercial banks was 10.69 percent in the corresponding month a year ago.

Why is the current growth of GDP ?  

The National Statistics Office (NSO) has estimated a 3.2 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth at basic prices in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. However, the seasonally unadjusted data suggests that the growth could be down by 1.4 percent compared to the fourth quarter of FY 2022/23. The government has set a 6 percent growth target in the current fiscal year.

Which sector is witnessing the largest growth ? 

The NSO data indicates that the largest growth is anticipated in the mining and quarrying sector, with an estimated growth of 15.8 percent compared to the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, thanks to increased quarrying activities. Increased mining activities ensured easy availability of construction materials and provided a significant boost to the construction sector. On this basis, the NSO estimates a 11.4 percent increase for the construction sector. However, seasonally adjusted numbers project contractions of 5 percent and 7.8 percent in these sectors respectively, compared to the data of the last quarter of FY 2022/23.

The NSO estimates a 13.2 percent growth for the financial and insurance sector in the first quarter of the current fiscal year due to factors like deposit and credit growth, changes in inter-banking lending rates and rising insurance premiums. Seasonally adjusted growth rate of this sector, however, is only 6.7 percent compared to data of the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Similarly, accommodation and food services activities are projected to register a growth of 11.7 percent compared to the first quarter of the previous fiscal year due to a rise in foreign tourist arrivals. Seasonally adjusted growth rate of this sector, however, is only 2 percent compared to data of the fourth quarter of FY 2022/23.

What is the state of growth in agriculture ? 

The growth of the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector is projected at 1.4 percent compared to the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, mainly due to the growth in paddy production.

What about the impact of the import ban in the economy? 

Wholesale and retail trades are estimated to contract by 1.2 percent, indicating that trading activity, which was hit hard by the government ban on certain imports in the previous fiscal year, is yet to revive. Seasonally adjusted growth rate of this sector is estimated to be 8 percent negative compared to the fourth quarter of FY 2022/23. 

What are the current states of 18 sectors of economy? 

Out of 18 sectors of the economy, 12 recorded growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the last quarter of FY 2022/23 after seasonal adjustments, while six may have contracted, according to the periodic report of the NSO. Water supply, sewage and waste management is forecast to grow by 7.3 percent, public administration and defense by 5.5 percent, compulsory social security by 5.5 percent and human health and social work activities by 3.4 percent. Similarly, information and communication, and real estate activities are forecast to grow by 3.8 percent and 2.2 percent respectively.

The movie ‘Annapoorani’ advocates for women empowerment but a failure to execute the plot on many levels takes away from the story and leaves you feeling baffled. 

The story is female centric. Annapoorani (played by Nayanthara) sheds light on gender issues by entering the culinary business, a business dominated by men. She wants to become an inspiration for many women. 

Annapoorani is born to an orthodox Iyenger family but she is swept away by the aroma of a fish fried on a hot pan by the roadside.

The name Annapoorani means the goddess of food and she does indeed seem to have been born to cook and taste delicious food. There is magic in this girl. She was born with enhanced taste buds that allows her to differentiate flavors really well. 

The movie starts with Annapoorani walking next to her doting father, Rangarajan, (Achyuth Kumar) who is a chef at the Srirangam Ranganatham temple. They are seen carrying freshly made offerings. 

It’s the father’s love for cooking that inspires his daughter to become the best chef in the country like the famous chef Anand Sundarajan (Sathyaraj).

As she grows up she shares her wish to join a culinary school to become a chef. But her father Rangarajan forbids her to join the course, telling that she will have to cook and eat meat. As she belongs to a Hindu vegetarian family, she will not be able to chop chicken and is forbidden to eat meat. Her childhood friend and secret lover Farhaan (Jai) manages to help her join the culinary school despite her father’s disapproval.

Torn between her passion and her father’s orthodox ideologies, she aims to achieve her dream of becoming a corporate chef. Does she succeed? What kinds of difficulties does she face in the journey? 

The pre-intermission has a number of things but all of them are predictable. It’s a typical Hindi masala movie. But it doesn’t captivate you at any point. It feels lame and slow. 

There are many issues in the movie. Her father eventually finds out about her joining the culinary school. She is caught red handed inside the classroom chopping a chicken. The scene is predictable. The scene where Annapoorani lashes out at her landlord is too filmy and mechanical. It’s difficult to enter a five star hotel’s kitchen. But Annapoorani does it in just two scenes and something about this feels off. 

Karthik Kumar, in the role of chef Ashwin, is reduced to being a caricature. He is angry for no reason and doesn’t even hesitate to hit his father with a wine bottle.

The film takes a dramatic turn when Annapoorani loses her tastes because of an accident in the kitchen. Was that really an accident or was it planned? Again, you can guess what happened.

The use of an animated sequence to show a young girl climbing up Everest moving closer to her dreams facing multiple hurdles is well anticipated.

Annapoorani leaving the house when the groom is there on her wedding day reminds of the scenes of 2017 comedy, Raj Kumar Rao starrer, ‘Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana.’

However, it’s a good inspirational drama. Though there is nothing exceptional in the movie, it’s quite palatable. The film revolves around food and cooking but it has very few mouthwatering visuals of food one expects in such a film.

The film has tried to convey a message of women empowerment. It has heartfelt ideas but the narration feels rushed. The storyline is convenient. The writing is weak and thus the screenplay feels stretched. 

Nayanthara has given her all to the role. Sathyaraj as Chef Anand, a renowned chef who is Annapoorani’s role model, plays the role of a supportive mentor. He seems to be too soft in his role. Jai as Farhaan has very little to do as a chef. Karthik Kumar is the villain in the story. He is envious of the heroine and has to constantly seek validation from his father.

There is a lot of spoon feeding in the film. There are a lot of emotions, but nothing really sticks. The ideas seem to be forced. The film would have been better if it had focused on a particular theme. 

The film speaks about how taste isn’t the only sense that cooking requires but it fails to raise questions on why there isn’t an alternative for chefs to cook non-vegetarian food without having to eat it.

All in all, the movie doesn’t satiate your craving for a good story. 

3 Stars

Drama

Annapoorani

Cast: Nayanthara, Karthik Kumar, Jai, Achyuth Kumar, Sathyaraj, Redin Kingsley

Director: Nilesh Krishnaa

Runtime: 135 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED-4d0S4Mj0

‘The Housemaid’s Secret’ is the sequel to ‘The Housemaid’ and this is perhaps one of those rare times when the second book is better than the first. It’s much more engaging than the first, and that’s saying a lot because The Housemaid was a tense thriller.

In Housemaid, we met Millie as she was desperately searching for a job. Then Nina Winchester hires her to help clean her beautiful home. The messes keep piling up, Nina accuses her of stealing her clothes, and Nina’s daughter hates her. The only respite comes in the form of Andrew, Nina’s husband, who seems to understand Millie and the two soon develop feelings for each other. But things aren’t as they seem and everything quickly goes downhill for Millie.

The Housemaid’s Secret doesn’t begin where the first book left off. Quite a few things have happened in Millie’s life since then. Millie is now working as a nanny and has a wonderful, caring boyfriend called Brock. Then she gets fired from the job when the baby calls her ‘mama’ instead of her real mother. Brock asks her to move in with him but, as lovely as he is, she just can’t bring herself to take that next step in their relationship.

So, she needs another job immediately. She has to pay rent for her decrepit room. But she is unable to find one. Then Douglas Garrick, CEO of Coinstock, contacts Millie. He says he and his wife require Millie to cook and clean their house twice or thrice a week. Douglas tells Millie that his wife Wendy is sick and not to disturb her. It seems like an innocent request and Millie agrees.

But soon Millie starts to hear cries from the bedroom. She finds a nightdress with blood along the neckline when doing the laundry. She sees Wendy with bruises on her face. Millie realizes Douglas is an abusive husband and wants to help Wendy escape but Wendy is far too scared of Douglas to let Millie help her. But Millie doesn’t give up and manages to help Wendy. What happens after that is for the readers to find out. Saying anything more would spoil the fun of reading it.

What I can say is that McFadden’s writing and craft have gotten better with each book. The Housemaid’s Secret kept me riveted. I was constantly second-guessing every action and I got quite a few things right. I could see where the story was headed yet I wasn’t prepared for many of the twists in the book.

There is a lot of tension and a fair bit of drama in the book. The story picks up in the second half and I didn’t want to put it down. You could read The Housemaid and then read the second book in the series if you want to know Millie’s backstory but it isn’t necessary. The Housemaid’s Secret works well as a standalone novel. With short chapters and crazy situations, the book will keep you entertained.

Fiction

The Housemaid’s Secret

Freida McFadden

Published: 2023

Publisher: Penguin Books

Pages: 365, Paperback