Neera Bali

When algorithms decide and children die Neera Bali of @PahleIndia presents the case for governing AI in warfare governancenow.com/views/columns/…

As envisioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. @himantabiswa, I held a significant meeting with senior-most officials from the Departments of Economics and Statistics, Transformation and Development, Finance, Agriculture, and Industry, along with the visiting delegation from Pahle India Foundation (PIF), New Delhi, to review the progress of the District Domestic Product (DDP) Estimation Project. Pursuant to the MoU signed on 28th June 2023, between the Government of Assam and PIF, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) has undertaken this important initiative to strengthen the accuracy and relevance of district-level economic data. The project is designed to move from the existing top-down approach to a bottom-up methodology, which captures economic activity at the grassroots level, ensuring equitable growth and improved policy planning. The project is being implemented in three phases, and completed the first phase: • Phase I (Planning & Methodology Development): A detailed study of the existing methodology was carried out through a series of discussions and workshops in consultation with DES, District Commissioners, line departments at the HQs, and in six (6) pilot districts. Based on this, a new bottom-up methodology for district-level estimation has been developed. Additionally, PIF has also submitted a new methodology for compilation of DDP. • Phase II (Surveys & Data Collection): Labour Force Survey (LFS), Survey of Unincorporated Enterprises (SUSE), and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) will be undertaken across all 35 districts, along with the collection of 23 additional economic indicators. This comprehensive survey approach will strengthen district-level data accuracy and address major gaps in the current methodology, which so far relies heavily on allocations from state and national data. • Phase III (District Vision Documents): Based on the survey outcomes, district-wise Vision Documents will be prepared, incorporating the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) identified during the Phase II survey, to ensure continuity in policy implementation and provide a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive growth. Drawing from best practices such as those adopted in pilot studies in Uttar Pradesh, this initiative will enable the identification of micro-level economic activities and provide more accurate estimates of district-wise per capita income. A key highlight of today’s meeting was the decision to utilize GST data for the calculation of GSDP, which will provide more accurate and timely estimates. A nodal officer will also be notified to coordinate regularly with the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Central Goods & Services Tax and Customs, Guwahati, for smooth data sharing and integration. The Government of Assam’s collaboration with PIF marks a significant step toward strengthening fiscal federalism, identifying district-level growth drivers, and building a robust foundation for evidence-based planning and development across the state. @CMOfficeAssam @GoIStats @cgstcusgau @PahleIndia

@RajivKumar1, Founder & Chairman,@PahleIndia and team called on the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India(@PrinSciAdvGoI), Prof. @AjaySoodIISc and Scientific Secretary Dr. Parvinder Maini, to present about PIF’s project on natural farming. The project in partnership with Sattva Foundation, tests natural farming as a potent tool for carbon removal from the environment. They discussed the project's application across policy support, carbon sequestration, health outcomes, farmers’ incomes, effect on fiscal subsidies and its alignment with India’s food security goals. Dr. @Sangeet17658802, Scientist F, from OPSA, also attended the meeting.

AIIMS Nagpur signs an MoU with @PahleIndia to assess lead exposure in children across India 📍The MoU was formally signed by Exec. Director, AIIMS Nagpur, Dr @Prashant_PJoshi and Director, Programmes and Partnerships, @PahleIndia Foundation, Dr Ishan Joshi on 03.07.25 📍The study will be conducted in collaboration with 7 AIIMS, @AIIMSRaipur @aiims_patna @aiims_jodhpur @mangalAiimsAP @AiimsBibinagar @AiimsKalyani

@urvashi01 @LSHTM_Alumni @NISAU_UK @birminghamalum Congratulations Urvashi, much deserved 👏👏

An update to close out the year -- I have been awarded an honorary doctorate for my work in public health, social development, and public policy in India. Like all accolades, this one holds special significance for my parents. My mother was by my side when I received this award, and to honor my father's memory, I chose to accept it on the 19th which is his date of birth. Of course, I missed him deeply, and the unfairness of his absence continues to pierce my heart immeasurably, more so on such occasions. While professional accolades and external validations of one’s work are undoubtedly significant, they hold even greater value when you are intimately aware of the monumental challenges you have faced to reach this point. The last few years have been incredibly challenging for me, to say the least, with countless near-death experiences that have made each day a struggle for survival. This also means that I doubly cherish any recognition that comes my way. Gratitude to my former bosses and mentors: @APanagariya @amitabhk87 @RajivKumar1 @sumanbery Dr Vinod K. Paul, Dr Sekhar Bonu. Thank you @PramathSinha @DrShashankjshah @tweet2amanhans for taking the time to be present on this occasion. @ambesh_tiwari @spgoyal you were missed.

WATCH || Dr Indu Bhushan (@ibhushan), Chair, India Working Group on Lead Poisoning and former head, National Health Authority, Government of India, led the first International Convening on "Lead Poisoning in India: Status, Challenges, and Way Forward." He emphasized the mission to eliminate lead poisoning in India by 2040. @tapasjournalist

Anjali Acharya, Senior Environmental Specialist from @WorldBank talked about 'Financing Lead Toxicity Mitigation'. She highlighted providing financing through sectoral projects with lead remediation co-benefits. #IndiaLeadThreat

M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, New Delhi underscored the imperative of engaging with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Jal Shakti to address the rising industrial exposures to institute preventive measures. #IndiaLeadThreat

Panel 5 of the International Convening, moderated by PIF Exec Director @RaviPokharna will see Mr Luigi D'Aquino, Dr M Srinivas, @harkeshsdabas , Mr LM Singh, Dr Sutapa Bandyopadhyay and Dr Monoranjan Mohanty discuss innovations to tackle the issue.

Honored to have Prof. Philip J. Landrigan deliver Keynote Address at International Convening at 5 PM IST, 27th August. His research played a key role in the US govt. phasing out lead from gasoline in 1970s. To listen in, register on forms.gle/ZDa1fDKrPbHGvR…

Dr @RajivKumar1, Chairman of @PahleIndia (PIF) spoke about the importance of acknowledging lead poisoning in India, at the International Convening on ‘Lead Poisoning in India: Status, Challenges and Way Forward’.

Session 2 saw an insightful discussion with speakers, RS Dhaliwal from @ICMRDELHI, Debanjana Choudhary from @PureEarthIndia, Vikas Kapil from @CGDev, Dr Santasabuj Das from @NIOH and Dipa Singh Bagai from @NRDC_India, moderated by Ankita Srivastava, Associate Fellow at PIF.

5. PIF-IPE Global report Assessing the Knowledge and Practices Regarding Lead Toxicity Among Healthcare Professionals in Jharkhand. #India #IndiaLeadThreat #LeadPoisoning

2. PIF report on Indian & Global Legal Frameworks on Lead Poisoning 3. Study on Understanding the Informal Used Lead Acid Battery or ULAB Recycling Ecosystem 4. Our Knowledge Partner for this Convening, Vital Strategies’ report on Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance in Bihar.

Back to using sails on ships to cut down on emissions. A company has successfully tested the use of massive sails, hoisted 300 feet above the sea level and reduces emissions by 20% (courtesy Nice news)⁦@nitin_gadkari⁩ ⁦@JM_Scindia⁩ ⁦@kvijayraghavan⁩

Beyond the GST debate, there is an urgent need for Govt and Industry to work together on developing a de-addiction infrastructure, conduct studies to ascertain the expanse of challenge and plan mitigation efforts. @ShraiyaPant and I highlight the challenge and share some suggestions in this context, in this oped published in the Hindu Business Line!

Our sincere gratitude to all the participants of the @NSEIndia -PIF Seminar on Gender Equality at India Inc. Special thanks to our panellists Ms. Monica Agrawal, Prof. Premalatha, Ms. Rajkamal Vempati and Mr. Ashwini Saxena for sharing their insights with us.

PIF is honoured and excited for this opportunity to work with the Assamese government on DDP @CMOfficeAssam economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/ass… @RajivKumar1 @RaviPokharna

Gig workers are playing an important role in the Indian economy today. @sakshiabrawl and I have tried to make a case for extending social security cover for Gig workers. Do read. @nsitharaman @FinMinIndia @FinancialXpress @RajivKumar1

A balanced short report on Online Gaming Industry :It’s potential and Challenges,from @aloke_priya Features my 5 sec intervention as well :) @Rajeev_GoI