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It is widely accepted that the fundamental rights under Part III of the Constitution of India are guaranteed against the state and its instrumentalities. However, fundamental rights, such as those enumerated in Articles 15(2), 17, 23, and 24, apply horizontally to individuals and entities. The Supreme Court's recent judgment in Kaushal Kishor vs. State of Uttar Pradesh allows the horizontal application of Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The apex court discussed the gradual shift from a purely vertical application to the decisions where Articles 19 and 21 have been applied horizontally between private parties. This judgment is transformative and crucial for the protection of the fundamental rights of individuals from centers of power other than the state. It will also help build a normative framework to bridge the public-private divide and redress fundamental rights violations. It would further lead to the effective protection of fundamental rights. This consequence is desirable, suitable, and a welcome step, given the might and power of non-state actors like big corporations and given the socioeconomic milieu in India [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted Reproductive technologies (ARTs) like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy have made aspirations of parenthood come true for many. With quality medical services, low costs and an indifferent regulatory regime, the surrogacy industry, particularly of the commercial and trans-border variety, has boomed in India so much so that India had once been termed as the 'baby factory' of the world. Through successive administrative measures the government of India has tried to regulate surrogacy with a view to prevent exploitation of women. At least two comprehensive bills to regulate various aspects of surrogacy arrangements have been tabled in the Parliament, viz: The Assisted Reproductive Technologies Bill -2008 and the Surrogacy Regulation (2016) Bill, both of which did not see light of the day. The Government's initiative to table a new bill on this subject is a welcome move. The Surrogacy Regulation (2019) Bill brings clarity on the rights of stakeholders in surrogacy arrangements and seeks to protect the vulnerable. This is an opportune time for a comprehensive discussion on all aspects related to surrogacy arrangements in India so that the legislation becomes an effective tool for social progress. In particular, considerable thought is needed on pressing issues arising out of the provisions of this bill, such as the possibility of a flourishing grey market in cases where commercial surrogacy is completely banned and the possibility of soft coercion of women by relatives, against their own choices, for altruistic surrogacy by matrimonial families. The rights of the child in cases of arrangements in contravention with the proposed law also need deliberation. This paper discusses the lacunae in the bill on the above aspects taking into consideration the Indian experience and that of the world and attempts to propose possible alternatives that may be adopted for a more meaningful and just legislation. Keywords: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), Commercial surrogacy, Altruistic surrogacy, Surrogate, Surrogacy Regulation (2019) Bill., Introduction Black's Law Dictionary defines 'surrogacy' as the process of carrying and delivering a child for another person (Garner, 2009). This arrangement is often referred to as 'renting of the [...]

The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns had a deleterious impact on violence against women. Infact, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres even called a halt to the "global surge in domestic violence" and pressed for a domestic violence "ceasefire." The UN termed violence against women a "shadow pandemic." The National Commission for Women in India reported that there was a surge in complaints related to domestic violence during the lockdown. Officially reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg, as underreporting of these crimes is a major problem. In light of this background, the paper seeks to find a correlation between domestic violence and other crimes against women. It highlights that domestic violence and other crimes against women may have common underlying causal factors. Knowledge of the interlinkage between the two can help in devising strategies to counter all crimes against women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In smoke treatment, some medicinal plant products are processed in fire with the help of specific medium and medicinal vapours, gases and phytochemicals are released. Smoke treatment is basically an inhalation therapy that promises wider healing applications without any risk of side effects or drug-resistance. The present study was conducted with the objective of measuring the awareness regarding fumigation treatment and its impact on holistic health of children. A pilot study was conducted on 100 children (both male and female, aged 0-2 years) mother who performed smoke treatment at home with the help of pretested and scheduled questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate, and chi-square test were used for data analysis. This survey method was used to understand the respondent’s observation about fumigation as a therapy. A number of mothers was used smoke treatment by using different plant’s resources and claimed they were healthier as compared to non-fumigation performing ones. Approximately half of the mother also reported happier and having positive observation after performing fumigation as a part of their observation test. In conclusion, in a nutshell, it can be concluded that our rituals such as fumigation, as resource from various plants can help a number of populations be healthy and wealthy in a pure and clean environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is dismal. Despite best treatment and care, the patients with this malignancy only showed 2.7–4 months of overall survival. It is debatable whether liver transplantation helps PVTT sufferers. The effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating HCC patients with PVTT should not be undervalued. By limiting the high dosage region to a small planning target volume, stereotactic radiation delivery has shifted toward hypofractionation, limiting the radiation exposure to healthy organs and tissues. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has a local control rate of 75–100%, depending on the treatment. The major limitation in SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma with PVTT is the paucity of prospective evidence for longer periods beyond the first two years after treatment. More prospective studies/randomized clinical trials with a longer follow-up, larger sample size, and adequate statistical power are the dire need of the present situation to ascertain the curative effect of SBRT as primary therapy for advanced HCC with PVTT. SBRT can improve survival, particularly for patients receiving multidisciplinary treatment. This review sums up our most current understanding of how radiation therapy, notably SBRT, can be used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma when combined with PVTT. Recent research has led us to believe that irradiation in the form of SBRT may cure hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accident law, we seek a liability rule that will induce both the parties to adopt socially optimal levels of precaution. Economic analysis, however, shows that none of the commonly used liability rules induce both parties to adopt optimal levels, if courts have access only to 'Limited Information' on. In such a case, it has also been established (K. (2006). Efficiency of liability rules: a reconsideration. J. Int. Trade Econ. Dev. 15: 359–373) that no liability rule based on cost justified untaken precaution as a standard of care can be efficient. In this paper, we describe a two-step liability rule: the rule of negligence with the defence of relative negligence. We prove that this rule has a unique Nash equilibrium at socially optimal levels of care for the non-cooperative game, and therefore induces both parties to adopt socially optimal behaviour even in case of limited information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartel formation by suppliers in government procurements is a common occurrence. However, establishing the presence of cartel is not an easy exercise. The oft-cited indicium adopted for such determination is quotation of identical prices by the bidders. The paper explores the sufficiency and power of identical pricing as a tool for determination of cartel formation in the tendering process. For this purpose, an in-depth analysis is done of two cases related to procurement of materials by the Indian Railways which were brought before the Competition Commission of India. Both cases show striking similarities in facts, including quoting of identical prices by the competing bidders. Interestingly, the Competition Commission came to diametrically opposite conclusions on the issue of presence of cartels in these cases. The paper analyzes whether quoting of identical prices, as much as it seems important in identifying cartelization, is the 'clinching factor' in this determination. The analysis shows that the Competition Commission of India has adopted a more nuanced approach in this regard. The paper also identifies some learnings for public procurement professionals when dealing with cases of suspected cartel formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, India has witnessed unprecedented stress on its water resources, and the scarcity of usable water has drawn considerable attention. The problem of scarcity is exacerbated by widespread pollution of water bodies that renders even the available water resources unfit for use. Past experience, internationally and in India, has demonstrated that water resources are best managed at the local level with a watershedbased approach and involvement of local communities. Therefore, institutions of local self-government like the Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural areas and Municipal Councils in urban areas can play a central role in management of water resources. The local selfgovernment bodies in India have indeed been vested with the responsibility of management of water resources under the constitutional scheme. However, the impact of these institutions on water resources management has been miniscule and unsatisfactory, and so is their involvement in centrally-sponsored schemes in this field. This paper discusses the facts stated above and builds a case for better involvement of local bodies in water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postpartum anaemia has been defined as hemoglobin (Hb) less than 11 g/dl in early postpartum period. Parenteral iron therapy ensures good compliance, rapid correction of anaemia and replenishment of iron stores but needs multiple doses and prolonged infusion time. There is need for newer, safer and preferably single dose therapy. Objective: This study was designed as an open label, interventional, randomized controlled clinical trial to compare Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) injection with oral iron in treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anaemia. Materials and methods: In this study, a total of 140 women were recruited and randomized in two groups. Group I (n=70) received intravenous ferric carboxymaltose and Group II (n=70) received oral ferrous sulphate. All subjects were followed at three and six weeks. Repeat haemoglobin estimation was done at three and six weeks while RBC indices and serum iron parameters were repeated at six weeks. Ninty-seven percent of subjects in parenteral group and 76% subjects in oral group completed the study. Data was analysed as per intention to treat. There were no significant side effects in either group. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in all haematological parameters post treatment. The change from baseline was highly significant in all haematological parameters in parenteral group as compared to oral group (p=0.001), except for the reticulocyte count. Serum ferritin which is a marker of iron stores rose multifold in parenteral group and only marginally in oral group. Conclusion: Ferric carboxymaltose is a newer, effective and safer parenteral iron and seems promising in curbing postpartum anaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginitis, inflammation of vagina, is a common condition encountered in day to day practice Factors causing disruption of . normal acidic environment of vagina can lead to development of vaginitis. Vaginal discharge is a prominent symptomof vaginitis. The nature of discharge varies depending upon the aetiology. Physical examination is done to look for the degree of vulvovaginal inflammation and the characteristics of the vaginal discharge. Examining the vaginal discharge for pH, odour, and cells on microscopy will lead to a definitive diagnosis. Oral and topical clindamycin andmetronidazole are equally effective at eradicating bacterial vaginosis Any nitroimidazole drug (e.g.,metronidazole) . given orally as a single dose or over a longer period resolves 90 percent of trichomoniasis cases. Sex partners should be treated simultaneously. Vulvovaginal candidiasis should be treatedwith topical or oral antifungals. Vaginosis due to simultaneous infection with at least two pathogens (mixed infection, e.g. bacterial vaginosis in patient with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)) is also highly prevalent and makes up to 30% of all cases . The fixed dose combination of clindamycin and clotrimazole has been found to be effective in treatment of vaginosis and providing relief from the symptomsof infective vaginosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

18 FPET- CT showed avid nodular enhancing 1.1 × 1.2 cm residual lesion in brain and FDG avid 6.9 × 5.1 cm expansile lytic lesion in the fourth rib involving chest wall with soft tissue component. In view of stable primary and solitary metastatic lesion the treatment was planned to give ablative SBRT to the chest wall lesion. After 18 months, the chest wall lesion was stable, but the patient developed multiple bone metastasis and liver metastasis. [Extracted from the article]