A sharp decline in the prices of vegetables lowered the cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian food plates in April, shows an analysis by Crisil.

In the month, tomato prices reduced 34 percent year-on-year to Rs 21 per kg due to a high-base effect amid low yields last year (tomato cost Rs 32 a kg last April). Similarly, prices of onion also fell 6 percent YoY while potato prices declined 11 percent on a high base of last year, when the crop was damaged due to blight infestations and unseasonal rainfall in West Bengal.

On a monthly basis, both potato and onion prices decreased 2 percent and 14 percent respectively; only tomato prices rose marginally, by 1 percent.

Besides vegetables, an estimated 4 percent YoY fall in broiler chicken prices led to the decline in the non-vegetarian thali cost. The dip has been due to oversupply coupled with lower demand, amid bird flu reported in a few parts such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.

On the morning of her second-semester exam, 18-year-old S.M. Durga Sri is hard at work, punching away at the bags at GS Boxing Club in Chintadripet. When asked if she’s worried about the exam, she replies with a smile, “Not really. I can manage.”

Ms. Durga, a gold medallist at the 5^th Junior Girls National Boxing Championship in 2022 and a bronze medallist at Khelo India 2024, is one of many young athletes at GS Boxing Club, led by a former railway loadman turned boxing coach. This club is dedicated to helping children from North Chennai rise socially and economically through boxing, hard work, and perseverance.

Ms. Durga got into boxing by chance, initially seeking fitness while her younger brother was interested in the sport. She says, “At first, it was tough, but we are a middle-class family, and boxing is one way to secure a good government job. Now, I love the sport and look forward to winning more medals.” Currently pursuing a B.Com degree at a private city college, Ms. Durga has been selected by the Sports Authority of India to compete in international contests, and she trains in Haryana. 

Around 35 students train at the club, which is on the first floor of the Greater Chennai Corporation’s gym in Chintadripet, twice a day — three hours in the morning and three in the evening. One key rule is that children must attend school.

The boxing club was founded by U. Govindaraj, a boxer certified by the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports. Initially, the club began as an informal training facility for local kids in Cox Colony, Chintadripet. However, the space was later repurposed for housing, and with the help of local government representatives, the current gym location was secured.

Mr. Govindaraj, passionate about using boxing to uplift local children, recalls his own childhood. “My father was a boxer but succumbed to alcoholism and passed away at just 32. I was only five at the time. Despite my interest in boxing, my mother forbade me from learning, but I secretly trained. It was only when I won a state-level gold medal that I showed my mother a newspaper clipping and revealed I’d been training.”

Eventually, family responsibilities led him to a job as a loadman with the Railways through the sports quota. During this time, Mr. Govindaraj started the GS Boxing Club to help local kids. He also hosts a free summer camp each year to introduce more children to the sport.

One such camp in 2018 drew in Kharthickeyen K.S., a young techie who was moved by the coach’s dedication, especially as Mr. Govindaraj used his own resources to fund the club. Inspired, Mr. Kharthickeyen began mobilising funds for the club. When the pandemic hit in 2020, he, along with his partner Abinaya J.L., helped local families by providing essentials. Initially, colleagues of Abinaya from Aqfer India donated funds. This effort evolved into the Whakapapa Foundation, which now supports the GS Boxing Club through donations and corporate social responsibility funds.

Realising the toll of managing two jobs, Mr. Govindaraj eventually left his loadman position and began coaching full-time. “We support him with a monthly salary, which is the main part of our fundraising efforts through the foundation,” Mr. Kharthickeyen says.

“Once I started full-time, my students began winning medals consistently,” says Mr. Govindaraj, who credits his growth as a boxer and coach to his mentor, boxing veteran A.K. Karunakaran. The full-time commitment also allows him to network and raise the club’s profile. “In sports, visibility is key. The coach’s presence represents the kids, and his integrity is the foundation of the entire club,” Mr. Kharthickeyen adds.

Beyond boxing, the children are trained in discipline, learning to avoid the bad habits that Ms. Abinaya says, are often prevalent in their local community.“The discipline these kids have is remarkable,” she adds.

Despite its impact, the club, which is gearing up for the upcoming summer camp from May 10, operates on a tight budget. It lacks a boxing ring, and there’s insufficient financial support to send athletes to tournaments. For example, 15-year-old Lenin, who was recently selected for the Asian Games from Tamil Nadu, couldn’t attend because they couldn’t afford to pay for a passport in time. 

“Nutrition is just as important as training. We spend a lot on milk, eggs, nuts, and protein for the children, especially during tournaments,” Mr. Govindaraj says, adding that a boxing ring and additional support for nutrition would make a significant difference.

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study estimated 2,70,719 cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in India, with an age-standardised prevalence rate of 20.34 per 100,000. This marks a dramatic rise from 1,30,000 cases in 1990. At the same time, more people are being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease –though often underdiagnosed or underreported — is becoming a big concern for public health.

IBD, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. Symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss can severely impact quality of life.

According to Nandish H. K., senior consultant gastroenterologist, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, any symptoms like chronic diarrhoea, blood in stool, or abdominal pain lasting more than four weeks warrant referral to a higher centre for colonoscopy and early diagnosis and proper counselling are key to managing complications and improving outcomes.

IBD care challenges in India

According to the authors of a recent Lancetstudy titled ‘Developing IBD counsellors in low- and middle-income countries: bridging gaps in patient care,’ hospital-based studies confirm a surge in ulcerative colitis — a type of IBD that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine (colon) and rectum, cases in India.

Crohn’s disease, a type of IBD that can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus though less-frequently documented, is often misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness and limited infrastructure.

By 2025, the country is projected to have only 4,200 gastroenterologists for a population of 1.45 billion — roughly 0.29 gastroenterologists per 1,00,000 people. In comparison, the United States had 3.9 gastroenterologists per 1,00,000 people as early as 2007 — over 13 times higher than the current projected ratio.

This shortage leads to rushed consultations, delayed diagnoses, and inadequate time for patient education. Many IBD cases are mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome or infections, resulting in inappropriate treatments.

Dr. Nandish also explains that misinformation around dietary triggers and treatment options further complicates disease management and causes emotional distress for patients and families.

Do Western models fall short and why?

India’s current clinical protocols often mirror Western models that emphasise individual autonomy in decision-making. However, these approaches don’t always resonate in the Indian context, where healthcare decisions are often made collectively within families.

Arshia Bhardwaj, senior resident, department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, and co-author of the Lancet study explains, “In India, IBD care is not just about the individual. Family members — parents, siblings, even children — influence medical choices. We’ve had patients decline biologics (a form of treatment) because a family member objected.” Without acknowledging this cultural dynamic, healthcare delivery remains incomplete.

Time constraints, language barriers, and a lack of culturally nuanced communication contribute to a disconnect between doctors and patients. “Many believe IBD is caused by food or stress. Without time to debunk these myths, we lose patient trust,” says Dr. Bhardwaj.

Need for IBD care counsellors in India

To bridge these gaps, experts advocate for the introduction of IBD counsellors — healthcare professionals trained specifically in the medical, psychological, nutritional, and social dimensions of IBD in India. Unlike general counsellors or nurses, IBD counsellors would work closely with doctors and families, providing consistent, culturally appropriate support.

“These counsellors could be game changers,” says Arshdeep Singh , associate professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana and co-author. “They can explain treatment plans, address fears about medication, offer basic dietary guidance, and provide emotional support in a way busy doctors often can’t,” Dr. Singh says.

IBD counsellors can also play a vital role in dismantling stigma, correcting misinformation, and ensuring follow-up care — especially in rural and semi-urban regions where access to specialists is minimal and traditional beliefs often dominate

Focus on culturally sensitive solutions

Talking about the steps from diagnosis to treatment, Dr. Bhardwaj also emphasises the need for specialised care. She notes that while colonoscopy is a crucial diagnostic tool, it is not the only one — and without proper interpretation and follow-up by specialists trained in IBD, many patients remain confused or misinformed about their condition. And so, given the strain on India’s healthcare system, training IBD counsellors presents a scalable and cost-effective solution.

Talking about funding and calling for a stand-alone national IBD programme, the authors also notes that this change can be gradual and patient centric. “This isn’t about building more hospitals overnight,” Dr. Bhardwaj explains. “It’s about redesigning what already exists. If even one person in each clinic can take on this role, outcomes could improve dramatically.”

The idea is to create a support system that respects India’s unique cultural fabric while addressing the complexities of chronic disease care. With the number of general practitioners declining and tertiary centers overwhelmed, the IBD counsellor could become a critical link in India’s healthcare chain — in most regions across the country.