Bengaluru urban district most unsafe in state for children: Karnataka child rights index
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Urban has been ranked the most unsafe district for children in the state, according to a recent report by Child Rights Index of Karnataka.
The report, cited by Deccan Herald on Friday, was prepared by researchers S. Madheswaran and B. P. Vani from the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) in collaboration with the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The study is based on child labour, child marriage, teenage pregnancy and crimes against children. Bengaluru’s poor performance, the report notes, is largely linked to the vulnerabilities associated with its rapidly expanding urban environment.
Other districts that fared poorly on child protection include Kolar, Vijayapura, Gadag and Belagavi. In contrast, Kodagu and Udupi were identified as the safest districts for children.
The report was prepared considering six indicators: Right to life, right to enabling environment to live, right to nutrition, protection, education and participation.
Best performing districts without including the participation index (since it varies for urban and rural areas) are Udupi, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Bengaluru Rural, the report added.
The study also highlights a sharp concentration of crimes against children in Bengaluru. The district recorded the highest crime rate in the state, followed by Mysuru, Mandya, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Belagavi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkaballapur and Ramanagar.
Alarmingly, the crime rate against children in Bengaluru is eight times higher than the average across other districts.
Meanwhile, nutrition indicators continue to raise concern, with over 70% of children in seven districts, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region, found to be anaemic. In Mysuru and parts of the Bengaluru divisions, the prevalence ranged between 50% and 60%.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
