RaisingIndia
In a world where facts are often lost in the noise of fiction, this is a space for what truly matters in raising a healthy, happy child. From trusted news and research to practical parenting tips, health, nutrition and education advice — all curated with Indian families in mind.
India's polluted air: Why children may pay the price long after winter
Imagine asking your children to smoke four cigarettes every day for the rest of their lives. Would you want that for them? That is essentially what breathing in polluted air can mean for your child. According to State of Global Air report 2025, 2 million deaths were associated with air pollution in India in 2023, showing 43 percent increase since 2000. The Lancet Countdown 2025 links 1.72 million deaths in 2022 to human-made fine particles alone, and values that loss at US$339.4 billion, 9.5% of GDP.
Read full storyAir pollution and the developing brain: How toxic air can affect children's learning, memory and behaviour
Is Staying Indoors Enough To Protect Children? What Can We Do To Protect Our Children?
As Delhi-NCR enters another season of hazardous air pollution, the health consequences could extend far beyond coughing, wheezing and burning eyes. Research links prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter with impaired lung development, respiratory infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Emerging evidence also points to possible effects on children's brains, cognition and long-term health. Here is a parent's guide to reduce their child's exposure as much as possible
When Every Breath Hurts: Dr Manish Taneja's Warning on Air Pollution
Dr Manish Taneja, a critical care specialist, explains why children are especially vulnerable to toxic air, how pollution affects their lungs and brains, and what parents can do to reduce exposure.
Daily Discoveries
New articles and insights for curious parents
Diwali And Mithai: What To Eat, How Much To Indulge and How To Get Back on Track After Festivities
Fearing Overindulgence This Diwali? Here’s How to Get Your Diet Back on Track
Festive Mithai, Made Healthier: 4 Dietitian-Approved Dessert Recipes To Try This Diwali
Sugar-Free Miithai: Is It Really A Healthier Choice This Festive Season Or Are We Fooling Ourselves ?
UPFs May Shape Children’s Brain Responses To Food, Study Finds; Calls Grow For Curbs On Advertising In India
How AI, nanotechnology and personalised therapies are changing the future of cancer treatment
Seven Common Myths About Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer in India: Why Younger Women Must Pay Attention
Breast cancer in India: Why early diagnosis remains a critical challenge
FSSAI proposes ban on added sugars in infant foods for babies up to six months, activists say increase to older age group as well
From obesity to nuclear conflict and AI use: 17 threats that could shape humanity’s future, warns Lancet Commission
When Allergies Became My Voice: A Young Girl’s Struggle with Mental Health and the Pressure to Fit In
Growing Up In A Gas Chamber:What Is Air Pollution Doing To Our Children
Episode 7 · 35.20
Air pollution is taking a toll on children's health: Dr Sivaranjani Santosh.
Conversations with experts, educators, and parents.
" Repeated asthma and other allergic flare-ups can affect a child's growth and development. The impact isn't limited to the respiratory system. There are also concerns about brain development and cognitive performance."
— Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, an eminent paeditrician and activist, fondly known as the ORS lady of India
From the Blog
Why I Leave Noida Every Diwali: A 16-Year-Old's Escape From Toxic Air
I am thankful to God for a home away from home, and I hope that one day I can celebrate Diwali in Noida without worrying about what the next morning will bring. Until then, my Diwali will begin with a journey to Jammu.
When the Air Becomes Unbreathable: A Mother's Personal Battle With Delhi's Pollution
I grew up breathing Kashmir's cleaner mountain air, but now Delhi's toxic winters trigger debilitating sinus attacks, headaches, and breathlessness. This is not it; I have to also watch my children struggle with the same polluted air that has shaped much of their growing years.
Between Kulfi and Karela: The Food Battles of Living with Two Diabetic Parents
Two diabetic parents, two opposing food habits and one daughter caught in between. As age, illness and nutritional needs complicate every meal, keeping them healthy without taking away the joy of eating becomes a daily negotiation.
The trauma of cancer is bad enough. Finding a doctor you can trust can be harder
From conflicting advice on chemotherapy to pressure for another operation, a son recounts the emotional toll of navigating cancer care — and the relief of finally finding a doctor who put her mother at ease.
More Interviews
Can sugar-free sweets spike blood sugar in diabetics? Dr. Ambrish Mithal explains what to watch out for in the festive season
"Packaged products may list the sweeteners used and their nutritional content, but consumers still have to rely on the accuracy of that information. With traditional mithai, especially sweets sold loose during festivals, we often have no reliable information about the ingredients, the type and quantity of sweeteners used, or the calorie content. Even if a sweet is genuinely sugar-free, it doesn't mean it is low in calories or will not affect blood glucose. "
Breast Cancer in India: 6 in 10 Patients Diagnosed at an Advanced Stage, Says Dr Atul Batra
"When breast cancer is detected at stage I and treated appropriately, the chances of cure are very high. In some cases, the likelihood of cure can be around 95%. Many patients with intermediate-stage disease can also be treated successfully. The situation is different when the cancer has spread to organs such as the liver or lungs. Stage IV breast cancer is generally not considered curable, but it is treatable. Some patients, particularly those with hormone-receptor-positive disease, can live for many years with appropriate treatment."
Children’s Mental Health: The Warning Signs Parents and Schools Should Not Ignore
"If you can go to a nurse and say, "I have a headache," you should be able to go to a counsellor and say, "I am not feeling okay today.""
Supplements Aren’t for Everyone: Dr Amitav Banerjee on Deficiency, Dosage and Overuse
" Supplements can provide specific nutrients, but they cannot reproduce everything food provides — including protein, fibre, essential fats and a range of naturally occurring compounds."