Large Indian Cities Research Articles

Can a Mandate for Inclusion Change School Choices for Disadvantaged Parents? – Evidence from Urban India

Can inequalities in private school access be bridged through a government mandate? Enacted in 2009, India’s “Right to Education” mandated almost all private schools to admit at least 25 percent of children in their entry class from “economically weak and socially disadvantaged” groups. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the mandate on the nature of schools chosen by targeted households in one of the largest cities in India. Applying a double-difference estimation strategy, we compare the school choices of the targeted children and their elder siblings (not eligible for the mandate) between the households who received and those who failed to receive an allotment under the mandate. In addition, we compare schools that the households applied to but were not allotted under the mandate with the schools they are currently attending. The empirical results suggest that the mandate enables households to access schools that are more likely to be private, use English as a medium of instruction, located further away from home and charge a higher tuition fee compared to the schools that they might have accessed in the absence of the mandate. Given that these are all attributes typically associated with privilege, the mandate arguably has expanded the choices for these households. The effects are larger for households whose fallback option was government schools. But within the targeted populations, more advantaged households are more likely to apply and receive admissions via the mandate. Further, even though choice set of schools has expanded, the expanded set doesn’t include schools that charge relatively higher tuition (i.e. elite schools). Our findings speak to the transformative potential of such mandates in environments with poor track records of policy implementation and the challenges in strengthening them.

Evaluation of Web Portal for Improving Cancer Awareness in General Population in India

Background: With details on various cancers and recent advances in cancer prevention, a Web portal was developed to create awareness and value added education among Web-users in general population in villages, small towns and large cities of India. Aim: The Web portal aims at bringing awareness at the 3 levels of health related education program delivery success/efficacy triangle. The 1st level is cognitive learning of just being aware of cancer & basic knowledge. The 2nd level is a positive effect to be able to adopt life style changes that will lead to habit changes in diet, substance abuse and other life style habits and adherence to prescribed treatment. The 3rd level is actual behavioral change. Methods: A mixed methods study design incorporating etic-emic & qualitative research methodology and quantitative cross-sectional methods. We also used focused group discussions and in-depth interviews as part of qualitative study designs. Results: On the basis of data from the 100 participants, the Web portal was found to have improved attitudes toward accessing information related to cancer in participants. There was also an increase in the knowledge of the people, both general population and level 1 healthcare worker as compared with their previous knowledge about cancer. Also found was improvement in knowledge about the prevalent cancers, their screening procedures and general measures of prevention and treatment. Conclusion: On the basis of participants evaluated, we found that the Web portal may have a positive effect on cancer awareness of general population. Participants found the Web portal as a relevant tool to access information in the feedback. The comprehensive data which will be available after feedback from all participants, will help in understanding the nature of user´s response to Web based resources and its implications in improving lifestyle choices and promoting early screening & early detection of cancer.

Spatio-temporal analysis of urban growth in selected small, medium and large Indian cities

This study attempts to ascertain the spatial and temporal variations in the evolution of Indian cities using multi-date remote sensing data. A two-stage object-based nearest neighbour classification approach with hierarchical segmentation was used to extract built-up area in selected small, medium and large cities, whereas object-based temporal inversion was applied for change analysis. The temporal trend of net population density, degree of scattered development and compactness of urban core in each city was determined using the built-up area. The study observed a declining trend in growth rate of built-up area in small and medium sized-cities, in contrast to large cities. However, the net population density in cities of all types is decreasing as urban growth has outpaced the corresponding population growth. Furthermore, small and medium cities indicated greater tendency for scattered development in comparison to large cities, whereas the core urban areas of the later appeared relatively less compact.

Geographical assessment of urban utilities in Pune Municipal Corporation region with changing urban population

The rapid growth of urban area and extraordinary population growth are the most dramatic phenomenon associated with urbanization. This rapid and haphazard growth of urban sprawl and increasing population pressure results in the various adverse effects on urban environment. In India major metropolitan cities are already saturated due to large scale immigration of population. Urban centres and Metropolitan cities are growing haphazardly in all directions without proper planning. Pune is the eighth largest city in India in terms of both population and GDP driven by rapid urbanization. Pune’s population will grow up from 5.5 million to 7.7 million by 2030 and it will create severe strain on core urban infrastructure. Pune city lies between 18° 25′ to 18° 37′ North latitude and 73° 44′ to 73° 57′ East longitude. The study area covers 243.84 km2 composed of 144 general electoral wards. According to 2011 which comes under 14 administrative wards of Pune Municipal Corporation with population with 3.12 million Pune city in India is growing at a very fast rate. In the present study population changes with utility services are considered for sustainable urban environment. In Pune Municipal Corporation each ward’s population it is found that uneven distribution of various utility services which leads various problems in management and planning of Pune Municipal Corporation. For present study e-Suvidha centres and 24 hours open medical stores are considered. In PMC 88 e-Suvidha centres and 124 medical stores which are day and night are available. Hadapsar administrative ward has maximum number of population in PMC. In 2011, this ward has 3 240 751 populations. This ward has 16% Maha e-Suvidha centres, 12% medical stores which are 24 hours open. When these available utilities are compare with wards total population it is notice that the ratio of number of population and available utility services are not properly distributed with various geographical parameters.

Perceived consumption vulnerability of elderly citizens

PurposeThis study aims to explore the dimensions of perceived consumption vulnerability (PCV) for the elderly citizens (EC) in India and its consequences. Consumer vulnerability is a recent and important construct for marketers and policymakers to understand the consumption behavior of the EC.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the study objectives, the authors conducted 50 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions of ECs in two large cities in India. The authors used grounded theory methodology to understand the PCV construct.FindingsThe findings suggest a five-dimensional formative PCV construct with the dimensions being Physical, Financial, Social, Technological and Service Vulnerability contributing to PCV. The findings also suggest a relationship between PCV and consumption variables such as search cost, choice evaluation, consumption and overall satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe major contribution of the present study is the exploration of the PCV construct for the EC and its dimensions. The propositions developed in the study could be tested in future studies using a quantitative approach.Practical implicationsThe findings call for compassion from the marketers while dealing with the ECs and a separate service strategy that addresses the specific needs of the ECs.Social implicationsThe findings call for public policy action to protect the consumption rights of the ECs to reduce their consumption vulnerability.Originality/valueThe present study is a novel attempt to explore the PCV construct and its role in defining consumer behavior of the ECs.

“Grab Your Culture and Walk with the Global”

The globalization-based acculturation process in the Indian Himalayan region of Ladakh represents a highly complex network of intercultural interactions. Ladakhi youth negotiate their cultural orientation and identity in relation both (a) to indirect intercultural exposure through media and (b) to intermittent cultural contact through tourism in Ladakh. Additionally, many Ladakhi students take sojourns in large Indian cities. Like other Eastern populations exposed to cultural globalization, young Ladakhis are influenced by several local and global cultural streams. Within this acculturative process, Ladakhi youth are caught between ambiguous societal pressures toward both tradition and change. Through in-depth interviews, in the present study we investigated the negotiations of eight Ladakhi students’ cultural identity in Leh (Ladakh) and Delhi. In doing so, we drew pragmatically on theories of multiculturalism and dialogical self. Participants reported negotiating their cultural identity through dialogue between various personal, cultural, religious, and social voices, where these voices require selectively incorporating various cultural elements within the parameters established by societal constraints. Results indicate the vast complexity and dynamics within the Ladakhi acculturation process, with multiple interacting cultural streams, religions, and significant sociohistorical factors calling for an in-depth qualitative approach to elucidate the processes underlying globalization-based acculturation.

A Study on Consumers Motivation Towards Malls in Tamil Nadu

Rapid progress in retailing industry has led to growth of shopping malls, particularly in the large cities of India. Shopping malls are the places these days where people spend their time to shop and relax. With the changing tastes and preferences of customers, shopping malls extend a modern retail across metros, cities and towns. Shopping Mall culture is impacted as a significant change in the life style of Indians, as shopping is no longer an activity of buying things but also viewed as a status symbol and a one-stop retail solution. The metropolitan population is witnessing exponential growth of malls and new malls are to come up in the city as they attract customers with comfort, entertainment, fashion, food court, window shopping, multi-brand portfolio, quality, mall essence, convenience, attractiveness and luxury. In this economical and business scenario, it is essential to understand the preferences of customers and the detriments to visit shopping malls. Purpose of the study is to understand the consumers’ behaviour either dormant or expressive which is very vital for the retailers, sellers, and the market or business as whole. The sample consists of 1621 respondents for analysis. The data was collected from the visitors of malls at Chennai and Bangalore, during the period March 2016 to December 2016. The study revealed visiting habit to the shopping mall and its positive imprecations on the business. The findings summarize that majority of the customers visit the shopping mall with multiple purposes.

Challenges of Chennai Central Metro Rail station

Chennai is the fourth largest city in India with a population of about 8 million. Phase 1 of the Chennai Metro Rail project, currently in progress, comprises two corridors of about 47 km long and 32 stations. Chennai Central Metro station, located in the middle of the city, is an underground-interchange station between the two corridors and also a terminal station for one of the corridors. Due to its unique crossover arrangement, the platforms of the two corridors will be staggered, and the station is about 300 m long and constrained between a canal (c.1882) on one side and a busy road junction on the other side. Strategically located on one of the busy arterial roads – EVR Periyar Salai – and in front of the Chennai Central long-route railway station, the upcoming metro station will provide traffic integration with existing transport modes. Diversion of dense pedestrian and vehicular traffic continuously flowing through this location during construction plays a major role in the design and construction sequencing. The proposed metro station is also surrounded by at least four declared heritage buildings. The architectural and structural design of the above-ground metro structures will strike a commonality among the adjoining heritage buildings of different architectural styles, as well as exhibit a contemporary look.

Cost-Effectiveness of Price Subsidies on Fortified Packaged Infant Cereals in Reducing Iron Deficiency Anemia in 6-23-Month-Old-Children in Urban India.

IntroductionIron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a major public health problem in India and especially harmful in early childhood due to its impact on cognitive development and increased all-cause mortality. We estimate the cost-effectiveness of price subsidies on fortified packaged infant cereals (F-PICs) in reducing IDA in 6-23-monthold children in urban India.Materials and MethodsCost-effectiveness is estimated by comparing the net social cost of price subsidies with the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted with price subsidies. The net social costs correspond to the cost of the subsidy minus the monetary costs saved by reducing IDA. The estimation proceeds in three steps: 1) the current lifetime costs of IDA are assessed with a health economic model combining the prevalence of anemia, derived from a large population survey, with information on the health consequences of IDA and their costs in terms of mortality, morbidity, and DALYs. 2) The effects of price subsidies on the demand for F-PICs are assessed with a market survey among 4801 households in 12 large Indian cities. 3) The cost-effectiveness is calculated by combining the findings of the first two steps with the results of a systematic review on the effectiveness of F-PICs in reducing IDA. We compare the cost-effectiveness of interventions that differ in the level of the subsidy and in the socio-economic strata (SES) eligible for the subsidy.ResultsThe lifetime social costs of IDA in 6-23-month-old children in large Indian cities amount to production losses of 3222 USD and to 726,000 DALYs. Poor households incur the highest costs, yet even wealthier households suffer substantial losses. The market survey reveals that few households currently buy F-PICs, with the share ranging from 14% to 36%. Wealthier households are generally more likely to buy FPICs. The costs of the subsidies per DALY averted range from 909 to 3649 USD. Interventions targeted at poorer households are most effective. Almost all interventions are cost saving from a societal perspective when taking into account the reduction of future production losses. Return per DALY averted ranges between gains of 1655 USD to a cost of 411 USD.ConclusionPrice subsidies on F-PICs are a cost-effective way to reduce the social costs of IDA in 6-23-month-old children in large Indian cities. Interventions targeting poorer households are especially cost-effective.

Strengthening diabetes retinopathy services in India: Qualitative insights into providers' perspectives: The India 11-city 9-state study.

Context:There is a lack of evidence on the subjective aspects of the provider perspective regarding diabetes and its complications in India.Objectives:The study was undertaken to understand the providers' perspective on the delivery of health services for diabetes and its complications, specifically the eye complications in India.Settings and Design:Hospitals providing diabetic services in government and private sectors were selected in 11 of the largest cities in India, based on geographical distribution and size.Methods:Fifty-nine semi-structured interviews conducted with physicians providing diabetes care were analyzed all interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated. Nvivo 10 software was used to code the transcripts. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data.Results:The results are presented as key themes: “Challenges in managing diabetes patients,” “Current patient management practices,” and “Strengthening diabetic retinopathy (DR) services at the health systems level.” Diabetes affects people early across the social classes. Self-management was identified as an important prerequisite in controlling diabetes and its complications. Awareness level of hospital staff on DR was low. Advances in medical technology have an important role in effective management of DR. A team approach is required to provide comprehensive diabetic care.Conclusions:Sight-threatening DR is an impending public health challenge that needs a concerted effort to tackle it. A streamlined, multi-dimensional approach where all the stakeholders cooperate is important to strengthening services dealing with DR in the existing health care setup.

Waiting at the hospital door: a prospective, multicentre assessment of third delay in four tertiary hospitals in India

BackgroundA common framework to assess delays in health-care in countries with low-income and middle-income (LMICs) defines three time periods that add to the interval between onset of symptoms and treatment; the time it takes to receive care after hospital arrival is known as the third delay. Tertiary centres in LMICs are known to be overcrowded and under-capacity, but few studies have formally assessed the third delay. This study aims to quantify the third delay in LMIC tertiary centres and identify contributing factors at the facility level. MethodsA prospective multicentre study was conducted from July, 2013, to July, 2014, in four tertiary care hospitals in the three largest cities in India: Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. The time from patient arrival to the time when vital signs were first recorded was used as a proxy for the third delay. This delay was recorded by the research officers for those patients who were directly observed. For the rest of the patients the data were collected from patient records. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a subset of patients exploring reasons for the delay. FindingsData were collected for 5087 patients (1664 from Delhi, 469 from Mumbai centre-1, 711 from Mumbai centre-2, and 2243 from Kolkatta); median age was 30 years (IQR 20–45), 3944 (78%) were men, 3372 (66%) were transfers from other facilities, and 3424 (67·3%) arrived in an ambulance. Researchers directly observed 1392 (27·4%) patients from arrival to time of vital signs. There were wide variations in delays between groups, transferred versus direct presentation (0 min vs 20 min) and in between hospitals (median time 0·0 min in Mumbai to 1·5 h in Kolkatta) and in groups within each hospital. The reasons for delay were multifactorial: administrative (police case recordings, admission paper registration), logistical (no vacant beds, no physician available), and process-based (investigations before vitals, multiple patients at one time, junior physicians in-charge); process based reasons were the most common (80%). InterpretationDelays in care persist in tertiary centres in LMICs for a variety of reasons. Low-cost but context-specific changes that optimise care processes like prioritisation and transfer protocols could yield major reductions in third delay. Adoption of best practices of the better performing hospitals in the Indian setting will help to improve the trauma quality practices in India. FundingThe Laerdal Foundation for Acute Medicine and the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare.

Real estate market led land development strategies for regional economic corridors – A tale of two mega projects

The rapid population growth has outpaced the planning interventions in most large Indian cities resulting into unplanned, leapfrogged physical development and considerable transport challenges for intra-city and regional traffic. As an afterthought, these concerns have been addressed by formulation of spatial development strategies to guide rapid urban expansion creating planned real estate development opportunities, and to ease regional traffic movements. This paper is based on two unique case studies of regional transportation corridors developed in the fringe areas of rapidly growing mega cities – Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Global Corridor (KMPGC) in the national capital region of Delhi (16 million people and the largest city in India) and Sardar Patel Ring Road (SPRR) in the City of Ahmadabad, India (6 million people and the seventh largest city in India). Both the cases employed unique land development strategies to achieve the larger public purpose while creating planned land and real estate development opportunities. The KMPGC Delhi case employed compulsory purchase for reserving 325-foot wide right-of-way (ROW) and created multiple economic nodes as theme cities, strategically located along its 135 km (84 miles) corridor. While, the case of SPRR Ahmadabad employed land readjustment (LR) technique for reserving 76 km (47 miles) long and 200-foot wide ROW of a regional ring road. Using these two cases, this paper explains both types of land development processes and the financing models involved in these cases, and compares benefits and constraints of compulsory purchase and LR technique, especially in context of regional level real estate and economic development opportunities via new real estate markets as spatial corridors and economic nodes. The paper finally recommends a new hybrid model – a strategy for rapidly growing cities, where both models can be used in a hybrid form to achieve regional level public asset, create real estate market opportunities in fast growing fringe areas and achieve a planned development.

Diurnal Activity Pattern of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus Linn.) in an Urban Landscape of Kolkata, India

The Golden jackal is known to have a wide distribution range and has been put under “Least Concern” category in the IUCN (ver 3.1) Red Data Book. However, the species once quite common along with the Bengal Fox in the eighteenth and nineteenth century of Kolkata has faced serious challenge due to land use and land cover changes in their urban habitats. As such, the Golden jackal has become “locally endangered” in the city of Kolkata, India. Kolkata, one of the largest cities in India, with population density of 14,112,536 is one such example where the land use change is profound. The Tollygunge Club, Kolkata is a social club with restricted entry at the heart of the city of Kolkata and harbours a healthy breeding population of the Golden jackal (Canis aureus Linn.). The present study focuses on the adaptability of the jackals to human proximity and its capacity to switch to natural food (fruits and leaves of available plants in the club, molluscs etc.) present in the club when the club refuse is not available. Their diurnal activity has been studied. These animals show diurnal activity in the open terrains of the club as they are least threatened by the humans. Only few intraspecific and interspecific (with the stray dogs in the club premises) conflicts have been noticed. In is interesting to note that at the heart of a city, in an urban area, such social clubs with restricted entry can provide suitable habitat to sustain a healthy breeding populations of the animals which are showing constant decline in their population due to change in land use pattern.

β-Thalassemia Mutations in Western India: Outcome of Prenatal Diagnosis in a Hemoglobinopathies Project

Prenatal diagnosis (PND) is one of the most cost effective preventive methods, but it is available only in the large cities of India. Therefore, we initiated a program that offers PND and allows us to determine the prevalence of various mutations. Pregnant females (n = 111,426) were screened for hemoglobinopathies using complete blood count (CBC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). If the female had a hemoglobinopathy, her husband was then tested. If hemoglobinopathies were seen in both partners, a genetic mutation study was performed on the couple. Fetal samples were obtained by either chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in 70.6% or amniocentesis in 29.4%. The study included 282 couples. IVS-I-5 (G > C) was the most common mutation in all castes except in the Sindhis and Lohanas, where the 619 bp deletion was the most common. Prenatal testing was informative in 97.9% of the couples. A significant number of couples (41.0%) underwent PND during their first pregnancy. Seven patients with β-thalassemia (β-thal) trait had normal Hb A2 levels. The Hb A2 and Hb F values varied significantly (p < 0.0001 and 0.0082, respectively) among mutations associated with β-thal. The IVS-I-5, 619 bp deletion, codons 41/42 (–CTTT), codons 8/9 (+G) and IVS-I-1 (G > T or G > A), were present in 81.0% of the couples tested. β-Thalassemia mutation frequency varied among the different castes, underlining the need for evolving a testing strategy that considers the caste system. Targeting antenatal clinics could also prove to be a most cost effective way of preventing hemoglobinopathies.

A nonparametric analysis of the growth process of Indian cities

We examine the growth process of the largest cities in India for the post economic reform period 1991–2011 to analyze Gibrat’s and Zipf’s laws by applying nonparametric estimation. The results from stochastic kernel, contour plots, and expected growth rate and variance conditional on city size establish that Gibrat’s law holds for largest cities in India, i.e., city growth is independent of population size, and the local Zipf exponent is around one and stable. Gibrat’s law is also confirmed by the parametric regression of the aggregate relationship of the growth rate on city size.

Land-Based Instruments for Urban Infrastructure Development: The Experience of TDR in Mumbai

Mumbai, one of the few largest cities in India, faces the challenges of continuing as economic powerhouse as well as maintaining the quality of life of its citizens. Civic infrastructure and its provision are important to support economic development as well as to enhance quality of life. However, with much of the land already developed in the city and with an intense competition between various land uses, the costs associated with infrastructure development (both land acquisition and construction) are large. Although the MCGM prepared a development Master plan for the period of 1981-2005 introduced the concept of land reservations for various infrastructure services, the development of infrastructure did not progress much for the paucity of funds; moreover, the conventional method of land acquisition has met severe difficulties. An alternate way is to utilise land based instruments that offer incentives for land owners and/or developers to surrender/develop land for providing urban infrastructure. Transferable Development Rights (TDR) is one such instrument that can be used to achieve urban infrastructure development while utilizing the development potential as well as value of urban land. This paper shows how the MCGM has proposed to achieve the goal of developing civic amenities in Mumbai without burdening its exchequer. It also outlines some of the issues and the reforms required in the current TDR programme to make it more effective.

Installation of roof-top solar PV modules and their impact on building cooling load

It has been shown by many researchers that over a long term there has been a slow but steady rise of ambient temperature within the Indian sub-continent. Due to an increased economic prosperity there has been an accompanied increase in the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, urbanisation of large cities in India has also led to higher population densities. The above factors had the combined effect of a significant increase of cooling load of buildings. The high density of dwellings and other building construction has resulted in shading of walls. However, the flat roof spaces are exposed to an uninterrupted solar radiation regime and this in turn leads to generation of high sol-air temperatures which cause higher cooling loads. Presently, it has been argued that roof spaces are one of the major contributors to building cooling load. In this article, the reasons behind the phenomenal rise in the installation of air-conditioners in India are reviewed. The dual role of roof-top PV systems in electricity generation and reduction of building cooling load due to the shading they provide is then investigated. For this purpose, the CIBSE method to obtain sol-air temperature with solar radiation and outdoor ambient temperature has been used. Sol-air temperature for five key Indian locations (Delhi, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Chennai), based on the recently presented data by the NREL-India Meteorological Department consortium, were then obtained. A computer simulation routine was presently developed for solving the classical transient heat conduction problem with hourly sol-air temperature data and roof construction details provided to the routine. This program was executed to obtain the cooling load profile for each of the five Indian locations for the respective design day. Practical application: The present work reviews the reasons behind the phenomenal rise in the installation of air-conditioners in India. The dual role of roof-top PV systems in electricity generation and reduction of building cooling load due to the shading they provide has been investigated. The computer simulation demonstrated that the energy required for roof-induced cooling load decreased between 73% and 90% after installation of the PV system. The method used in this work has the advantage that it enables the user to obtain cooling load estimates using a general transient heat conduction approach. Moreover, all software was developed within MS-Excel environment, this is also an additional advantage as the cost associated with purchase and training of proprietary building energy software can be prohibitive for many consultants who are based in developing countries.

Living Status/Shelter of Street Families of Kolkata: Prospects and Challenges

Kolkata is a densely populated city of eastern India with an estimated population of about 10 million and it is the fourth largest city in India (after Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore). A huge number of the population has settled their family on the pavements/streets or in the unauthorized slums (jhupri at canal side) of Kolkata for more than 40 years after migration from different districts of West Bengal and its neighboring states like Bihar, Orissa & Uttar Pradesh and from the neighboring country, Bangladesh and Nepal for securing their better living and it is a continuous process. But, there they live without requisite facilities and it is unprotected without any doubt. This present paper examines living status/shelter of street dwellers of Kolkata and their strategies for its improvement in future. For the purpose of the study, qualitative and quantitative data had been collected through adopting a random purposive sampling. Five hundred members of street families of different parts of Kolkata were interviewed in respect of their age, sex, religion, education, occupation, connecting person and etc. using a structured interview schedule. The information on their better shelter had also been collected through focus group discussion. From the study, it reveals that safe shelter was a prime hindrance for their survival. Due to absence of this, women’s privacy and security were violated. For their better shelter the majority of them were indifferent and only 10% of them had taken initiative on their own for safe shelter at the suburban area of the city.

Drivers of ready-to-eat meals consumption: empirical evidence from an emerging country

Emerging countries offer many opportunities to the food marketers of the world. With changes taking place in demographics and socio-cultural vales, the present study aimed at analysing the consumer attitude towards ready-to-eat meals, and exploring the factors influencing the purchase of ready-to-eat meals among the consumers. Based on a consumer (n = 210) survey from three large cities of India, the data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools like ANOVA, principal component method and logistic regression were applied for data analysis. Consumers perceive quality, adulterants, nutrition, trans fats, and artificial colour and flavour, availability, preservatives, convenience, brand image, and price as important parameters as important parameters. The principal component method highlighted six factors as nutrition and quality, convenience, price discount, variety and taste, creativity and enjoyment, and content information influencing the purchase of ready-to-eat meals. Nutrition and quality, price discount, and creativity and enjoyment are likely to influence the willingness of consumers to increase the consumption of ready-to-eat meals. The study offers strategies for the marketers of ready-to-eat food products.

Biliteracy acquisition in Kannada and English: A developmental study

This study investigated the contribution of decoding and language comprehension sub-skills to Kannada and English biliteracy development over three years in multilingual students in urban low-income communities in one large city in India. Syllabic awareness, phonemic awareness and decoding skills were measured in Grades 3–5 (Time 1), and participants were followed to Grades 6–8 (Time 2), when their oral language comprehension and reading comprehension skills were tested. Hierarchical regression results revealed that: (1) both syllabic and phonemic awareness predicted Kannada decoding scores; however, only phonemic awareness predicted English decoding scores; (2) decoding ability from Time 1 and language comprehension skills from Time 2 made unique contributions to reading comprehension skills at Time 2 in both languages; (3) there were significant cross-linguistic relationships between corresponding reading sub-skills at both times; and (4) there was an independent contribution of Kannada decoding to Engl...