As winter envelops Delhi, the city once again finds itself ensnared in an air pollution crisis. With over 30 million residents, the region has seen a surge in hospital admissions, notably among children and the elderly grappling with breathing difficulties. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached an alarming 500 in early November1 and […]

Disclaimer This article was first published in Times of India on August 16, 2023. In Parliament’s tumultuous monsoon session, focus briefly turned to the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, with the presentation of a CAG report. It covers the implementation of PMJAY from its inception in 2018 to early 2021, which overlaps with my […]

1. You started your journey as a writer and then co-founded your NGO ‘Sahiyo’ for eliminating Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in the country. What inspired you to start Sahiyo? It will be great if you could also elaborate on the status of the practice currently in India. I was writing a film on female genital […]

1. You have extensive experience in designing and implementing international health programs, including community-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs and adolescent reproductive health projects in India. How do you see the initiative to digitalise healthcare, especially for women? I have always believed that there is a great potential in digitalising healthcare. First, it will make information and […]

Disclaimer This article was first published in Indian Express on February 4, 2023. India stands on the brink of a massive opportunity. Quality education and health for the 26 million children born each year and the 65 per cent of the population under the age of 35 could help provide a workforce that would propel […]

Disclaimer This article was first published in Indian Express on January 28, 2023. We need an urgent and well-resourced ‘whole-of-society’ approach to protecting, promoting and caring for the mental health of our people. Every other day, we wake up to a disturbing headline of a young person having left us by committing suicide. Suicides rates […]