In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kamalakar Arjun Lashkare, National Professional Officer for Lymphatic Filariasis at the World Health Organization Country Office for India.

We explore the global fight against lymphatic filariasis—commonly known as filaria—and unpack the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate it as a public health problem.

Dr. Lashkare explains why WHO views filariasis not merely as a disease, but as a broader public health challenge with deep social and economic consequences. We discuss the organization’s technical framework, its overall global elimination roadmap, and the central role of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in interrupting transmission.

The conversation also dives into India’s efforts, one of the countries bearing a high burden of the disease, and how national strategies are shaped, implemented, and monitored. Finally, we examine what happens after elimination: the critical steps needed to prevent resurgence and ensure that filariasis does not return as a public health threat.

Credits

Guest: Dr. Kamalakar Arjun Lashkare

Host: Shreya M

Research: Alisha

Concept: Piramal Foundation

Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org⁠

#DefeatFilaria #WHO #PublicHealth #CommunityLedChange

Filaria, commonly known as elephantiasis, continues to affect the health and livelihoods of hardworking rural communities. Yet, with the right awareness, timely medication, and strong community participation, this preventable disease can be eliminated.

In this episode, we are joined by Manmohan Singh, CEO, Aspirational Bharat Collaborative, Piramal Foundation, who shares insights on how Piramal Foundation approaches filaria elimination, how this effort aligns with its larger vision, and what meaningful change looks like when communities lead the way.

The conversation explores why eliminating filaria is not just a public health priority but also essential for social and economic development; how community-driven program design transforms outcomes on the ground; what impact looks like beyond numbers and coverage; and how leadership support strengthens long-term public health initiatives.

Credits

Guest: Manmohan Singh, CEO, Aspirational Bharat Collaborative

Host: Sanjay

Research: Alisha

Concept: Piramal Foundation

Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org

#DefeatFilaria #FilariaFreeIndia #PublicHealth #CommunityLedChange

This episode focuses on the fight against lymphatic filariasis (filaria) — commonly known as “elephantiasis” — a preventable yet deeply debilitating disease that continues to affect rural communities across India.

Our guest is Shri Shashi Prakash Jha, Managing Director of the National Health Mission, Jharkhand. In this conversation, we explore how Jharkhand is planning and implementing large-scale efforts to eliminate filaria and protect vulnerable rural populations whose livelihoods depend on daily physical work.

The discussion explains why eliminating filaria requires far more than distributing medicines. Shri Jha shares how the health system plans, coordinates, and executes prevention efforts — from strategy and logistics to last-mile delivery in villages.

A major focus of the episode is Mass Drug Administration (MDA), a nationwide public health effort that ensures preventive medicines reach every eligible person. While the concept sounds simple, implementing it across geographically diverse and remote areas comes with significant operational challenges. Shri Jha discusses the realities on the ground and how teams work to overcome them.

The episode also highlights the critical role of frontline health workers — ASHA workers, ANMs, and field teams — who form the backbone of filaria elimination efforts. Through training, support systems, and constant community engagement, the health mission works to ensure these workers remain motivated, protected, and effective in reaching households across the state.

Another important theme is addressing fear, myths, and misinformation around taking preventive medicines.

We conclude with insights into how public health teams measure progress — the indicators, field data, and community feedback that help determine whether elimination efforts are truly making an impact on the ground.

Credits
Guest: Shri Shashi Prakash Jha, MD, National Health Mission, Jharkhand
Host: Sanjay P
Research: Alisha C
Concept: Piramal Foundation
Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠⁠contact@thegoodsight.org⁠⁠

#Filaria #LymphaticFilariasis #PublicHealth #Jharkhand #CommunityHealth #MDA #PiramalFoundation #TheGoodSight

This episode focuses on the fight against lymphatic filariasis (filaria) — commonly known as “elephantiasis” — a preventable yet deeply debilitating disease that continues to affect rural communities across India.

Our guest is Shrawon Kumar, Hon’ble Rural Development Minister of Bihar. In this conversation, we explore how filaria disproportionately impacts working populations in villages — farmers, daily wage earners, and workers engaged in rural employment schemes — and how the disease affects not just individual health, but household incomes and the broader rural economy.

The discussion highlights why eliminating filaria is not solely the responsibility of the health department. Minister Kumar explains how the Rural Development Department is working in convergence with the health system to strengthen awareness, outreach, and mass drug administration efforts at the grassroots level.

A key focus of this episode is the powerful role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and rural women. With SHGs deeply embedded across Bihar’s villages, they serve as trusted community platforms for spreading awareness, mobilizing families, and ensuring medicine uptake. The episode underscores why community participation — especially women-led engagement — is central to defeating filaria.

We conclude with practical guidance on simple yet critical steps that families, SHG members, and local communities can take to prevent filaria and build healthier villages.

CreditsGuest: Shrawon Kumar, Rural Development Minsiter, BiharHost: Sanjay P
Research: Alisha CConcept: Piramal Foundation
Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠contact@thegoodsight.org⁠

#Filaria #LymphaticFilariasis #PublicHealth #RuralDevelopment #CommunityHealth #SHGs #PiramalFoundation #TheGoodSight

In this episode, we are joined by Ramesh Chandra, Director – Academics at the Language Learning Foundation (LLF). LLF is a leading non-profit organization working closely with government primary schools to strengthen FLN outcomes for children across India.

Over the course of this 15-minute discussion, we explore the key barriers and practical solutions in implementing FLN at scale. The conversation delves into on-ground challenges, differences in learning levels between rural and urban settings, effective remedial strategies for slow learners, and real-life examples where focused FLN interventions have delivered measurable improvements.

Credits

Guest: Ramesh Chandra

Host: Shreya M

Research: Alisha C

Produced by: The Good Sight

Concept: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at ⁠contact@thegoodsight.org

#FoundationalLiteracy #FoundationalNumeracy #FLN
#EducationInIndia

This special episode podcast series, presented by Piramal Foundation in collaboration with The Good Sight, focuses on the fight against lymphatic filariasis (filaria), a neglected yet debilitating public health challenge.

Our guest is Dr. Bhupendra Tripathi, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, who has been working extensively to support the elimination of filaria and other infectious diseases in India. His work spans strengthening vaccine delivery systems, expanding equitable immunization coverage, and ensuring that no community is left behind in public health efforts.

In this episode, Dr. Tripathi explains what filaria is, how it affects the human body, and who is most at risk—using simple, accessible language. We discuss the early warning signs that should never be ignored, even when symptoms appear mild. The conversation also goes beyond medical aspects to explore how filaria impacts a person’s livelihood, daily life, and social dignity, and the broader economic burden such diseases place on communities and countries, as highlighted by the World Health Organization.

The episode concludes with an on-ground perspective on how India and the global community are working together to eliminate filaria, highlighting coordinated efforts by governments, institutions, and development partners to turn awareness into action and solutions.

This episode reinforces a powerful message: with the right knowledge, strong systems, and collective commitment, filaria can be prevented and eliminated.

Credits
Guest: Dr. Bhupendra Tripathi

Host: Sanjay Prasad

Research: Alisha C

Concept: Piramal Foundation

Produced by: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org

#Filaria #LymphaticFilariasis #PublicHealth #DiseaseElimination #Immunization #HealthEquity #PiramalFoundation #TheGoodSight

In this episode of Akshar Se Avsar Tak, we focus on the future of FLN and NEP 2020 Implementation. Our guest, Simmi Sikka, Director – Literacy at Room to Read India, brings deep insights from her work in early grade literacy and girls’ education across India.

The conversation reflects on the most significant shifts in the FLN landscape since the rollout of NEP 2020, and what these changes mean on the ground. We discuss what it will take to turn the ambitious goals of FLN Mission 2026–27 into reality, identifying areas that need sharper focus and faster action.

The episode also explores the role of technology and digital tools in strengthening FLN in early classrooms, and how innovation can support teachers and learners alike. Looking ahead, Simmi shares thoughtful recommendations for government, schools, and society, outlining how collective effort is essential to build strong foundations for every child.

At its heart, this episode is about envisioning a future where policy, practice, and purpose come together to make foundational learning meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable.

Credits
Guest: Simmi Sikka
Host: Shreya M
Produced by: The Good Sight
Concept: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org

#FLN #AksharSeAvsarTak #FoundationalLiteracy #NEP2020 #EarlyGradeLiteracy #GirlsEducation #RoomToReadIndia

Welcome to Akshar Se Avsar Tak, a podcast by The Good Sight, where we explore critical questions around Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN).

In this episode, we focus on “Assessing Learning Right and Respecting Children’s Pace.” Our guest, Sanjay Tiwari, State Manager (Uttar Pradesh) at Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), shares insights from his work with government primary schools to strengthen FLN at the foundational level.

The conversation challenges our reliance on exam results to judge children’s learning and examines whether current assessment practices truly capture how children learn. We also discuss the vision of NEP 2020, especially its emphasis on allowing children to learn at their own pace, and how much space today’s school systems give to this approach.

Drawing from on-ground experience, the episode highlights how strong foundational learning shapes children’s thinking, curiosity, and independence, while also reflecting on the strengths and challenges of NEP 2020 in the context of FLN.

At its core, this episode reinforces a simple idea: meaningful learning begins when we assess children thoughtfully and respect their pace.

Credits
Guest: Sanjay Tiwari
Host: Shreya M
Research: Alisha C
Produced by: The Good Sight
Concept: The Good Sight

For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org

#FLN #AksharSeAvsarTak #FoundationalLearning #NEP2020 #EarlyLearning #LanguageLearningFoundation