THAT as many as 100 infants have died in a Government hospital in Rajasthan’s Kota is nothing short of a health disaster for the families who suffered the agony and a major concern for the society. That a public health utility should be so helpless as to be unable to prevent deaths of new-borns reflects very poorly on the Government’s health department. But the blame cannot be laid entirely at the door of the health department alone. The entire Government and political leadership, who jostle for positions of power, owe an answer and responsibility. It is ironic that a facility that mostly serves the poor and the middle class should be so ill-equipped as to be unable even to render simple health services is a clear sign of lack of critical infrastructure and also lack of vision on the part of the leadership. Not only that even the hospital management cannot escape the blame for this state of affairs. Union Health Minister Mr. Harsh Vardhan has done well to send a team of experts from Jodhpur AIIMS to study the situation and render immediate help.

DIFFERENT STROKES

INDIA’S ace pugilist Vijender Singh is donning multiple hats these days apart from blazing a glowing trail in the professional boxing ring. Undefeated on the pro circuit since 2015 with a stupendous 12-0 record, the first Olympic medal winning Indian boxer is now eyeing the world title. Being the world’s best, likely to happen in front of home crowd, will be the crowning glory for a champion whose solid punches have inspired a generation of boxers in India. Vijender has carried the straightforwardness he exhibits against opponents with gloves in the political ring where he tasted the only defeat in the last five years. His exhortation to fellow sportspersons to express their opinions may not cut ice in the fraternity that largely chooses to remain apolitical, refusing to mix politics with sports. Vijender’s logic is different, he seeks to help the youngsters following him by being a role model as well as an opinion-maker. The political journey may or may not pan out as per his desire but Vijender is destined to clinch his deserving due in the boxing ring with a solid punch.