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Ranvir Singh

Central University of Jammu, Jammu, J&K, India, Department of Social Work, Faculty Member

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HealthGIS and Health Information Management System are my basic areas of interest, but with a holistic perspective rather than mere techno-centric approach.

With Master Degree in Social Work and PhD in Public Health, I served in development and corporate sectors and currently engaged as full time academician.
Supervisors: Prof. Sanghmitra Acharya

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Institute of Transport Economics, Oslo Norway

University of Colorado, Boulder

Sharmistha Banerjee

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Tuğba Konaklı

Hadiza Kiari Fougou

International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai

Observer Research Foundation

Maxine Molyneux

University College London

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Papers by Ranvir Singh

Health Implications of Diverse Visions of Urban Spaces: Bridging the Formal-Informal Divide

Frontiers in Public Health, 2019

Social Movements and Agents of Social Change in India: Reflections from Nineteenth Century

India witnessed many structural as well institutional changes during 19th century. These changes ... more India witnessed many structural as well institutional changes during 19th century. These changes occurred due to many social movements of that century. This paper tries to explain these changes in contemporary social structure which were carved by different leaderships. Within this context colonial history cannot be ignored and the biggest contribution (i.e. modern education system) of British colonizers has been gets its due share. Author acknowledged that the seeds of change have been sown through modern education which eventually raised the consciousness of masses for many social issues and concern of that era. While observing that religion was acting as anchor for all the social movements of that era, author devised these movements in four categories: i) redemption, ii) emancipation, iii) purification, and iv) profundity. Within these categories reformers employ the knowledge and science of equalitarian and humanitarian perspective of European culture, to reorder society where women were playing central role. Thus women became the prime target for many reformists. This paper observes significant change in expansion of modern education and participation of marginalized identities in the same. Many social reformers of 19th century were engrossed with control where some were focussed more on emancipation. With their individual capacities they made many dents on then existing social structure and certainly laid the foundation of modern India.

Health Implications of Diverse Visions of Urban Spaces: Bridging the Formal-Informal Divide

by Ranvir Singh and Sayan Das

Frontiers in Public Health, 2019

In the past 200 years, urban spaces have been imagined as neatly laid out, well-planned, sanitise... more In the past 200 years, urban spaces have been imagined as neatly laid out, well-planned, sanitised and civilised places of dense human habitation with regulated economic activity, where political power, financial capital, the frontiers of knowledge and technology thrive. This has been the urban planners dream, even while it does not reflect the full reality, whether of cities in the LMICs or the HICs. In the face of such homogenising visions arising from Euro-American models, formal urban systems fail to provide adequately for residents' needs, who then carve out their own resources and processes for meeting them, largely within the domain of urban "informality." While large part of literature presents urban informality as reflected in the slum, others have shown how it is found in relation to all classes (1). The concept of informality has largely been applied to the core dimensions of economic life of the city. Applied to people's "ways of life," intermingling of the formal and informal becomes distinctly evident in everyday practices in locations such as the peri-urban, and in activities such as health care. This paper opens up the sphere of health care for urban planning that has, in recent decades, left it largely untouched. It uses data from a rapid assessment of health seeking behaviour of three socioeconomic groups-the middle class, slum-dwellers, and homeless-in Delhi, the capital city of India. The findings, relevant beyond the specific location, reveal that people of all sections resort to myriad informal arrangements for their health care, challenging the dominant connotation of the formal-informal denoting a legitimate-illegitimate dichotomy. This provides potential directions to bridge the formal-informal divide, to re-configure urban planning towards more sustainable futures with plural visions of land use and urban greening for healthier urban conditions and for health care provisioning. The analysis posits that, besides the economic and political relations shaping the formal and informal, the politics of knowledge must be factored in if the informal has to be adequately understood for building sustainable futures.

Disrupted Megacities and Disparities in Health Care

Space and time are the basic notions which provide basis for all modes of thoughts and beliefs. S... more Space and time are the basic notions which provide basis for all modes of thoughts and beliefs. Spatial dimension of health care encompasses this relationship while addressing the questions of what, where, why, and why there? These concerns became significant especially when the scarcity of resources present a critical situation and access of these resources poses a challenge. In developmental domain, cities have always become challenge with their nature of expansion with shift in demand of different services as well as spatial difference in their demands.
This paper focuses on spatial expansion of the National Capital Territory of Delhi over recent times and evolution of health care services in the region. Paper further analyzes spatial coverage of health care institutions and their access by the different socioeconomic groups. Geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing tools and techniques have been used to analyze the phenomenon.

'LANN'ing South Asia: Need for New Optics

lann'ing soUth asia need for new optics OuTLOOK © Dinodia 35 35

India’s Disappearing Glaciers

The base camp of the Chhota Shigri glacier -one of the few glaciers monitored regularly in the In... more

Dalits and Under-nutrition Levels, Determinants, Affirmative Actions, Challenges and Way Forward

India, represents a complex social fabric with stratification and entrenched hierarchy. Discrimin... more India, represents a complex social fabric with stratification and entrenched hierarchy. Discriminatory and exclusionary forces took their toll and currently half of Indian dalit children are malnourished and one third of Indian dalit adult population is underweight. Social determinants of health are playing a significant role in this malnutrition enigma. This study was conducted to see the magnitude of under-nutrition amongst dalits and its determinants. The study also mapped the affirmative actions which aspire to achieve equity among different social groups, especially Dalits. The paper reviewed the constitutional provisions, national programmes, policies, budgetary provisions and the relevant literature from various scholars pertaining to dalit under-nutrition paradox.

How Effective is Affirmative Action?

Women in Agriculture: Recognizing them and Re-prioritizing them

According to the 2011 census, women account for 586.47 million in absolute numbers and represent ... more According to the 2011 census, women account for 586.47 million in absolute numbers and represent 48.46 per cent of the total population of the country. Women have been increasingly recognized as the future faces of Indian farmers. According to the 64 th round of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), women accounted for 38.51 per cent of the total rural workers engaged in primary sector during 2007-08 1 . They constitute a significantly large proportion (about 80-83 %) of the women workers as compared to 63-66 per cent among rural male workers. Women also play a significant role in the various allied activities; as per the time use survey covering six states in the country during 2000, women spent almost equal amount of time on crop cultivation and allied activities. Unfortunately they receive payment for only 60 per cent of the time they spend in agriculture, as a substantial part of their work is likely to be on the family farms.

Small Farmers, Institutions and 12th Five Year Plan: Making the Triad Talk

This paper is an empathetic look at the government of India"s claims on prioritizing agriculture ... more This paper is an empathetic look at the government of India"s claims on prioritizing agriculture and amongst it, the role of small farmers. The authors used the 12 th Five Year Plan as the starting point and went back to major literature till 70s (two decades pre and post reforms) and did an institutional analysis ranging from institutional credit access, research and extension, agricultural data, inputs access to government"s line ministries" proximity to the last mile farmers. The authors chose to not address the question of land, land-holding because the seriousness of that issue and the contested nature of discourse would have meant doing injustice to the same. Besides it is impossible to be empathetic to the government, any which way when the question of land arises. Empathetic optic notwithstanding the short-comings are glaring and the measures half-hearted. Te authors found the plan documents" focus on farmers" organization and collectivization as a very good beginning. But to stop it from reducing to well-begun but half-done, the authors emphasize a host of measures for truly giving the small farmer their due. This paper concludes by making an emphatic case for breaking silos, trans-disciplinary analysis amongst researchers, practitioners and government to make any credible progress in agriculture in general and for small farmers in particular.

Toor Jasdeep Singh, Ranvir Singh and Bhagwant Singh (2013), “Racial Discrimination against Women from North-East India: Need of Corrective Measures”, in Sarbjeet Singh, Pankaj Doth (Eds.,) Gender Justice and Women Empowerment: an Integrated Approach, Delhi: Regal Publication, pp 361-369.

Singh, Ranvir (2011), “Geographical Information System: Public Health Applications”, in Mukhdeep Singh & Dilraj Singh (Eds.,) Information Technology and Data Networks, Prospects and Challenges, Patiala: Gracious Books, pp 304-329.

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a mapping technology and computer aided database managemen... more Geographic Information System (GIS) is a mapping technology and computer aided database management that organises and stores large amounts of multipurpose information. GIS uses locations with reference to places and their time-space relationship, to analyze the geographical nature of the studying phenomenon, it uses different mapping layers and creates buffer zone (a defined surrounded boundary of a spatial entity) around selected features, which helps to understand a particular phenomenon in relation to its geographical distribution. Thus, GIS is a powerful set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving, transforming and displaying spatial data from the real world. It is a computerized system that provides advance capabilities for the processing and interpretation of spatial information from the real world. It is therefore a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS is most often associated with maps. A map, however, is only one way which works with geographic data in a GIS, and only one type of product generated by a GIS. This is important, because it means that a GIS can provide a great analytical approach with more problem-solving capabilities by using a mapping program. Many computer programs, such as spreadsheets, statistics packages or drafting packages can handle simple geographic or spatial data, but this does not necessarily make them a GIS. A true GIS, links spatial data with geographic information about a particular feature on the map. In short, a GIS doesn't hold maps or pictures -it holds a database. The database concept is central to a GIS and is the main difference between a GIS and drafting or computer mapping systems, which can only produce a good graphic output. A GIS has the ability to associate information with a feature on a map and to create new relationships that can analyse various phenomena in an easy way, which can save resources and time. GIS is said to have evolved as the answer to a basic, but difficult question: "How can features existing in a specific place at a specific time be analyzed and manipulated?" The real potential power of GIS, as an integrated environment for storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data, is an exploratory tool which is able to discover previously unknown relationships that are hidden in very large, space-time data sets.

Health Implications of Diverse Visions of Urban Spaces: Bridging the Formal-Informal Divide

Frontiers in Public Health, 2019

Social Movements and Agents of Social Change in India: Reflections from Nineteenth Century

India witnessed many structural as well institutional changes during 19th century. These changes ... more India witnessed many structural as well institutional changes during 19th century. These changes occurred due to many social movements of that century. This paper tries to explain these changes in contemporary social structure which were carved by different leaderships. Within this context colonial history cannot be ignored and the biggest contribution (i.e. modern education system) of British colonizers has been gets its due share. Author acknowledged that the seeds of change have been sown through modern education which eventually raised the consciousness of masses for many social issues and concern of that era. While observing that religion was acting as anchor for all the social movements of that era, author devised these movements in four categories: i) redemption, ii) emancipation, iii) purification, and iv) profundity. Within these categories reformers employ the knowledge and science of equalitarian and humanitarian perspective of European culture, to reorder society where women were playing central role. Thus women became the prime target for many reformists. This paper observes significant change in expansion of modern education and participation of marginalized identities in the same. Many social reformers of 19th century were engrossed with control where some were focussed more on emancipation. With their individual capacities they made many dents on then existing social structure and certainly laid the foundation of modern India.

Health Implications of Diverse Visions of Urban Spaces: Bridging the Formal-Informal Divide

by Ranvir Singh and Sayan Das

Frontiers in Public Health, 2019

In the past 200 years, urban spaces have been imagined as neatly laid out, well-planned, sanitise... more In the past 200 years, urban spaces have been imagined as neatly laid out, well-planned, sanitised and civilised places of dense human habitation with regulated economic activity, where political power, financial capital, the frontiers of knowledge and technology thrive. This has been the urban planners dream, even while it does not reflect the full reality, whether of cities in the LMICs or the HICs. In the face of such homogenising visions arising from Euro-American models, formal urban systems fail to provide adequately for residents' needs, who then carve out their own resources and processes for meeting them, largely within the domain of urban "informality." While large part of literature presents urban informality as reflected in the slum, others have shown how it is found in relation to all classes (1). The concept of informality has largely been applied to the core dimensions of economic life of the city. Applied to people's "ways of life," intermingling of the formal and informal becomes distinctly evident in everyday practices in locations such as the peri-urban, and in activities such as health care. This paper opens up the sphere of health care for urban planning that has, in recent decades, left it largely untouched. It uses data from a rapid assessment of health seeking behaviour of three socioeconomic groups-the middle class, slum-dwellers, and homeless-in Delhi, the capital city of India. The findings, relevant beyond the specific location, reveal that people of all sections resort to myriad informal arrangements for their health care, challenging the dominant connotation of the formal-informal denoting a legitimate-illegitimate dichotomy. This provides potential directions to bridge the formal-informal divide, to re-configure urban planning towards more sustainable futures with plural visions of land use and urban greening for healthier urban conditions and for health care provisioning. The analysis posits that, besides the economic and political relations shaping the formal and informal, the politics of knowledge must be factored in if the informal has to be adequately understood for building sustainable futures.

Disrupted Megacities and Disparities in Health Care

Space and time are the basic notions which provide basis for all modes of thoughts and beliefs. S... more Space and time are the basic notions which provide basis for all modes of thoughts and beliefs. Spatial dimension of health care encompasses this relationship while addressing the questions of what, where, why, and why there? These concerns became significant especially when the scarcity of resources present a critical situation and access of these resources poses a challenge. In developmental domain, cities have always become challenge with their nature of expansion with shift in demand of different services as well as spatial difference in their demands.
This paper focuses on spatial expansion of the National Capital Territory of Delhi over recent times and evolution of health care services in the region. Paper further analyzes spatial coverage of health care institutions and their access by the different socioeconomic groups. Geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing tools and techniques have been used to analyze the phenomenon.

'LANN'ing South Asia: Need for New Optics

lann'ing soUth asia need for new optics OuTLOOK © Dinodia 35 35

India’s Disappearing Glaciers

The base camp of the Chhota Shigri glacier -one of the few glaciers monitored regularly in the In... more

Dalits and Under-nutrition Levels, Determinants, Affirmative Actions, Challenges and Way Forward

India, represents a complex social fabric with stratification and entrenched hierarchy. Discrimin... more India, represents a complex social fabric with stratification and entrenched hierarchy. Discriminatory and exclusionary forces took their toll and currently half of Indian dalit children are malnourished and one third of Indian dalit adult population is underweight. Social determinants of health are playing a significant role in this malnutrition enigma. This study was conducted to see the magnitude of under-nutrition amongst dalits and its determinants. The study also mapped the affirmative actions which aspire to achieve equity among different social groups, especially Dalits. The paper reviewed the constitutional provisions, national programmes, policies, budgetary provisions and the relevant literature from various scholars pertaining to dalit under-nutrition paradox.

How Effective is Affirmative Action?

Women in Agriculture: Recognizing them and Re-prioritizing them

According to the 2011 census, women account for 586.47 million in absolute numbers and represent ... more According to the 2011 census, women account for 586.47 million in absolute numbers and represent 48.46 per cent of the total population of the country. Women have been increasingly recognized as the future faces of Indian farmers. According to the 64 th round of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), women accounted for 38.51 per cent of the total rural workers engaged in primary sector during 2007-08 1 . They constitute a significantly large proportion (about 80-83 %) of the women workers as compared to 63-66 per cent among rural male workers. Women also play a significant role in the various allied activities; as per the time use survey covering six states in the country during 2000, women spent almost equal amount of time on crop cultivation and allied activities. Unfortunately they receive payment for only 60 per cent of the time they spend in agriculture, as a substantial part of their work is likely to be on the family farms.

Small Farmers, Institutions and 12th Five Year Plan: Making the Triad Talk

This paper is an empathetic look at the government of India"s claims on prioritizing agriculture ... more This paper is an empathetic look at the government of India"s claims on prioritizing agriculture and amongst it, the role of small farmers. The authors used the 12 th Five Year Plan as the starting point and went back to major literature till 70s (two decades pre and post reforms) and did an institutional analysis ranging from institutional credit access, research and extension, agricultural data, inputs access to government"s line ministries" proximity to the last mile farmers. The authors chose to not address the question of land, land-holding because the seriousness of that issue and the contested nature of discourse would have meant doing injustice to the same. Besides it is impossible to be empathetic to the government, any which way when the question of land arises. Empathetic optic notwithstanding the short-comings are glaring and the measures half-hearted. Te authors found the plan documents" focus on farmers" organization and collectivization as a very good beginning. But to stop it from reducing to well-begun but half-done, the authors emphasize a host of measures for truly giving the small farmer their due. This paper concludes by making an emphatic case for breaking silos, trans-disciplinary analysis amongst researchers, practitioners and government to make any credible progress in agriculture in general and for small farmers in particular.

Toor Jasdeep Singh, Ranvir Singh and Bhagwant Singh (2013), “Racial Discrimination against Women from North-East India: Need of Corrective Measures”, in Sarbjeet Singh, Pankaj Doth (Eds.,) Gender Justice and Women Empowerment: an Integrated Approach, Delhi: Regal Publication, pp 361-369.

Singh, Ranvir (2011), “Geographical Information System: Public Health Applications”, in Mukhdeep Singh & Dilraj Singh (Eds.,) Information Technology and Data Networks, Prospects and Challenges, Patiala: Gracious Books, pp 304-329.

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a mapping technology and computer aided database managemen... more Geographic Information System (GIS) is a mapping technology and computer aided database management that organises and stores large amounts of multipurpose information. GIS uses locations with reference to places and their time-space relationship, to analyze the geographical nature of the studying phenomenon, it uses different mapping layers and creates buffer zone (a defined surrounded boundary of a spatial entity) around selected features, which helps to understand a particular phenomenon in relation to its geographical distribution. Thus, GIS is a powerful set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving, transforming and displaying spatial data from the real world. It is a computerized system that provides advance capabilities for the processing and interpretation of spatial information from the real world. It is therefore a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS is most often associated with maps. A map, however, is only one way which works with geographic data in a GIS, and only one type of product generated by a GIS. This is important, because it means that a GIS can provide a great analytical approach with more problem-solving capabilities by using a mapping program. Many computer programs, such as spreadsheets, statistics packages or drafting packages can handle simple geographic or spatial data, but this does not necessarily make them a GIS. A true GIS, links spatial data with geographic information about a particular feature on the map. In short, a GIS doesn't hold maps or pictures -it holds a database. The database concept is central to a GIS and is the main difference between a GIS and drafting or computer mapping systems, which can only produce a good graphic output. A GIS has the ability to associate information with a feature on a map and to create new relationships that can analyse various phenomena in an easy way, which can save resources and time. GIS is said to have evolved as the answer to a basic, but difficult question: "How can features existing in a specific place at a specific time be analyzed and manipulated?" The real potential power of GIS, as an integrated environment for storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data, is an exploratory tool which is able to discover previously unknown relationships that are hidden in very large, space-time data sets.