SUPW

Done By:
HASWANTH
Class: 12 D

PROJECT
WORK
2021-2022
EDUCATIO
N
CONSUMER EDUCATION IS THE PREPARATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL
TO BE CAPABLE OF MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN IT
COMES TO PURCHASING PRODUCTS IN A CONSUMER CULTURE. IT
GENERALLY COVERS VARIOUS CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES,
PRICES, WHAT THE CONSUMER CAN EXPECT, STANDARD TRADE
PRACTICES, ETC. WHILE CONSUMER EDUCATION CAN HELP
CONSUMERS TO MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS, SOME
RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND THAT ITS EFFECTS CAN DROP OFF
OVER TIME, SUGGESTING THE NEED FOR CONTINUAL
EDUCATION. NEW DIMENSIONS OF CONSUMER EDUCATION ARE
ALSO BEGINNING TO EMERGE AS PEOPLE BECOME MORE AWARE
OF THE NEED FOR ETHICAL CONSUMERISM AND SUSTAINABLE
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR IN OUR INCREASINGLY GLOBALIZED
SOCIETY.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CONSUMER
EDUCATION AND PROTECTION
LOOK AROUND AND YOU WILL FIND THAT THE NUMBER OF
PRODUCTS BEING MANUFACTURED AND SOLD IS STEADILY
INCREASING IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL MARKETS. WE ARE ALL
AWARE THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLYING
GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM,
CONSUMERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REDRESSAL. MANUFACTURERS
CAN NO LONGER TAKE CONSUMERS/CUSTOMERS FOR GRANTED.
WITH INCREASING NUMBER OF CONSUMERS AND VOLUME OF
CONSUMPTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES,
MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS/SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE BEGUN TO
REALISE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESPECT AND SATISFY THE
‘CONSUMER’, SINCE THE REPUTATION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS
PROFITS ARE DETERMINED BY CONSUMER OPINION. INDIA HAS
BEEN TRANSFORMING FROM AN UNDERDEVELOPED TO A
DEVELOPING ECONOMY. MUCH OF THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO
THESE ECONOMIC CHANGES HAVE IMPROVED THE
STANDARD OF LIVING ALONG WITH INCREASED BUYING
POWER. WE ARE LIVING IN A ‘GLOBAL VILLAGE’ AND
FACING THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL MARKETS. THE
MARCH TOWARDS ‘GLOBAL ECONOMY’ NECESSITATES A
GLOBAL OUTLOOK ON THE PART OF CONSUMERS WHO
CANNOT SIT BACK AND WATCH. THEY HAVE TO EMERGE AS
A PROGRESSIVE FORCE TO ENSURE THEIR WELFARE. THEY
HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM AND INTER
RELATIONSHIPS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH EACH OTHER, WITH
BUSINESS AND WITH GOVERNMENT. IT IS NECESSARY FOR
TODAY’S CONSUMER TO BE CAREFUL, ALERT AND BE WELL
INFORMED. CONSUMER EDUCATION AND PROTECTION
HAVE THUS BECOME IMPORTANT.
FURTHER, THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME
LIBERAL AND OPENED THE DOORS TO FOREIGN COMPANIES.
THUS WE CAN SEE A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, MADE BY
MULTINATIONALS THAT HAVE ESTABLISHED THEIR
MANUFACTURING/ASSEMBLY UNITS IN INDIA OR IMPORTED
ITEMS, ON THE SHELVES OF MANY STORES.
EXPECTATION OF
CONSUMERS
We can define Consumers as the final buyers of goods
and services, for the satisfaction of their personal needs
and wants, ranging from products of nature to products
and/or services from the market. Consumers are the
primary component of a socio-economic system since
every human being who is a consumer to a smaller to
larger extent would like to have a good standard of
living. Hence as purchasing power increases, people
tend to purchase products that will give comfort,
satisfaction and as a symbol of prestige, contributing to
increasing number of ‘consumer footfalls’. The more
people buy, more money comes into the market/system
and thus contributes to the development and growth of
the country’s economy.
CONSUMER PRODUCT: THE TERM MEANS ANY ARTICLE, PRODUCED OR
DISTRIBUTED FOR SALE TO A CONSUMER FOR PERSONAL OR FAMILY USE IN
ONE’S HOME OR IN AN INSTITUTION E.G., SCHOOL, HOSPITAL, COLLEGE,
OFFICE, ETC., OR FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES.

CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR: IT IS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH THE BUYER

MAKES DECISIONS ABOUT PURCHASING.

CONSUMER FORUM: A PLACE/ORGANISATION WHERE CONSUMERS CAN

DISCUSS CONSUMER PRODUCTS/SERVICES AND THEIR ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES. SOME FORUMS WORK AS ADVOCACY GROUPS THAT SEEK TO
PROTECT CONSUMERS AND HELP THEM ADDRESS PROBLEMS FACED VIS-A-VIS
CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

CONSUMER FOOTFALLS: THIS MEANS THE NUMBER OF

CUSTOMERS/CONSUMERS WHO VISIT ANY GIVEN SPACE SUCH AS A STORE OR
A MALL. THUS WITH INCREASING CONSUMPTION IN A COUNTRY, CONSUMER
FOOTFALLS ARE HIGHER SUMMARISES WHAT A CUSTOMER EXPECTS WHEN
S/HE BUYS EITHER A PRODUCT OR SERVICE
 MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY
CONSUMER
• SUBSTANDARD/POOR QUALITY GOODS: VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS CAN MAKE THE SAME
PRODUCT SUCH AS LARGE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS, LOCAL INDIAN
MANUFACTURERS AND SOME MAY BE IMPORTED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. HOWEVER, THE
MATERIAL USED MAY BE DIFFERENT AND THE PRODUCT QUALITY MAY ALSO VARY,
MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR A CONSUMER TO IDENTIFY A POOR QUALITY PRODUCT. MANY
CONSUMERS ARE IGNORANT ABOUT QUALITY STANDARDS.
• ADULTERATION: ADULTERATION MAY BE INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL. A SUBSTANCE
IS SAID TO BE ADULTERATED WHEN SOME SUBSTANCES ARE EITHER ADDED TO OR
REMOVED FROM A PRODUCT. CONSEQUENTLY THE COMPOSITION, NATURE OR QUALITY IS
ALTERED. ADULTERATION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS EXPLOITATIVE
BUT BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE HARM TO HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER.
• HIGH PRICES: EVERY CONSUMER EXPECTS THAT S/HE WILL BE CHARGED A FAIR PRICE
FOR A PRODUCT. HOWEVER, WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT PRICES ARE INFLUENCED
BY GOVERNMENT POLICY, AVAILABILITY, QUALITY, DELIVERY SYSTEM, MARKET
LOCATION, METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION, COSTS OF PROMOTION, METHOD OF PURCHASE
AND CONSUMER’S DESIRE FOR CONVENIENCE. DESPITE THIS, SOME CONSUMERS TEND
TO RELATE PRICE TO QUALITY OF AN ITEM, THOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARY. PRICES OF
SAME QUALITY GOODS MAY VARY BECAUSE OF HIGH/LOW COST OF PRODUCTION,
OVERHEAD EXPENSES, ADVERTISING ETC. SOME SUPPLIERS MAY OVERCHARGE WHEN
THEY FIND THAT THE CUSTOMER IS NOT WELL INFORMED AND LACKS KNOWLEDGE.
• LACK OF CONSUMER INFORMATION: MOST CONSUMERS ARE UNAWARE OF THEIR
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND DO NOT KNOW THE VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE
PROVISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROTECT THEM.
• CONSUMER PROBLEMS WITH REGARDS TO SERVICES: CONSUMERS FACE PROBLEMS
NOT ONLY WITH REGARDS TO CONSUMPTION OF PRODUCTS OF DAILY USE BUT THEY
ALSO FACE GRIEVANCES WHEN THEY USE A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES.
• INADEQUATE OR ERRONEOUS INFORMATION GIVEN BY MANUFACTURER:
1) LABELS OF MOST PRODUCTS ARE NOT FACTUALLY CORRECT, SOME ARE DECEPTIVE AND
MISLEADING. MOST LABELS FAIL TO GIVE COMPLETE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION AND
OFTEN USE TERMINOLOGIES WHICH A COMMON CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND.
2) 2) ADVERTISEMENTS ARE NOT INFORMATIVE AND ARE LIMITED IN THEIR ABILITY TO
ANSWER MANY ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS ABOUT QUALITIES OR USES OF THE PRODUCT.
SELDOM ADVERTISEMENTS DO FOCUS ON FEATURES, CARE AND MAINTENANCE, AFTER
SALES SERVICE.
3) 3) THERE IS A LACK OF BUYING GUIDES ON CONSUMER DURABLES AND NONDURABLES
TO AID THE CONSUMER IN DECISION-MAKING.
4) 4) PACKAGING IS BEING USED AS A POTENT MARKETING TOOL. ATTRACTIVE PACKAGES
PERSUADE CONSUMERS TO MAKE IMPULSIVE PURCHASES. AT TIMES THE CONTAINER
USED FOR PACKING PRODUCTS IS LARGER THAN THE CONTENTS. MANY A TIMES SEVERAL
LAYERS OF EXPENSIVE PACKING MATERIAL IS USED. MANUFACTURERS REPACKAGE
EXISTING PRODUCTS INTO ATTRACTIVE LOOKING AND NOVEL SHAPES OF PACKS AND
ADVERTISE THE PRODUCT TO BE “IN A NEW PACK”, ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCT QUALITY IS
THE SAME. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER IS ENTICED BY THE NEW PACKING
• INCORRECT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: THE CONSUMER SOMETIMES ENDS UP GETTING LESS
QUANTITY THAN WHAT HE PAYS FOR DUE TO INCORRECT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. THIS IS BECAUSE
EITHER THE WEIGHTS AND SCALES ARE ALTERED BY THE RETAILERS OR CORRECT MEASURES ARE
INCORRECTLY USED. MEASURES ARE OFTEN DECEPTIVE AND EXPLOIT CONSUMERS OF THEIR
MONEY. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES WITHOUT SEAL OR VERIFICATION STAMP ARE NOT GENUINE.
• SPURIOUS /DUPLICATE/ IMITATION PRODUCTS: CONSUMERS ARE CONFUSED AND CHEATED BY
SPURIOUS AND SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS, DUPLICATES OF WELL KNOWN BRANDS, SOME HAVING
SIMILAR PACKAGING, COLOUR SCHEME AND SIMILAR SOUNDING BRAND NAMES. OFTEN SUCH
IMITATIONS ARE OF POOR QUALITY AND MAY BE INJURIOUS AND UNSAFE TO USE.
• SALES PROMOTION SCHEMES TO ENTICE THE CONSUMER: INDIAN MARKET IS FLOODED WITH A
PLETHORA OF PRODUCTS. COMPANIES, NATIONAL AS WELL AS MULTINATIONAL, ARE COMPETING
WITH ONE ANOTHER TO CAPTURE LARGER MARKET SHARE. TO DO SO, THEY COME OUT WITH
SEVERAL SALES PROMOTION SCHEMES LIKE EXCHANGE OFFERS, BONUS, LUCKY DRAWS ETC. SUCH
MEANS OF SALES PROMOTION ARE NOT ALWAYS GENUINE AND DECEIVE THE CONSUMER.
CONSUMERS TEND TO GET SWAYED BY THESE ENTICING SALES PROMOTION GIMMICKS AND FALL
PREY TO THEM.
 CONSUMER
RIGHTS
• CONSUMER RIGHTS ARE THOSE RIGHTS, WHICH ARE OR SHOULD BE PROVIDED
LEGALLY TO PROTECT CONSUMER INTERESTS. IN OTHER WORDS, THESE ARE
RIGHTS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL CONSUMERS OBTAIN GOODS AND
SERVICES OF REASONABLE QUALITY, AT FAIR PRICES. LET US BRIEFLY EXAMINE
WHAT THE SIX RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT COVER:
1) RIGHT TO SAFETY: THIS REFERS TO THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST
HAZARDOUS EFFECT THAT MAY BE CAUSED TO THE HEALTH/LIFE OF A
CONSUMER. THIS RIGHT SPECIFIES THAT THE CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO BE
PROTECTED AGAINST PRODUCTS, PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND SERVICES
WHICH ARE HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH OR LIFE.
2) RIGHT TO BE INFORMED: THIS MEANS THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE
QUALITY, QUANTITY, POTENCY, PURITY, STANDARD AND PRICE OF GOODS AND
SERVICES, SO AS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS AGAINST UNFAIR TRADE
PRACTICES.
3) RIGHT TO CHOOSE: THIS IMPLIES THAT EVERY BUYER HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE
ACCESS TO PRODUCTS OF VARYING QUALITY AND QUANTITIES, PRICES, SIZE AND
DESIGN, AT COMPETITIVE PRICES, AND TO CHOOSE ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS AND
WANTS.
4) RIGHT TO BE HEARD: THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD MEANS THAT CONSUMERS’
INTERESTS WILL RECEIVE DUE CONSIDERATION AT APPROPRIATE FORUMS. IT ALSO
INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED IN VARIOUS FORUMS THAT ARE
WORKING TO ENSURE CONSUMER WELFARE. TO ENABLE CONSUMERS TO
EXERCISE THIS RIGHT, BOTH THE STATE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE
EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SUCH FORUMS.
5) RIGHT TO SEEK REDRESSAL: EVERY CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO SEEK
REDRESSAL AGAINST UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES OR UNSCRUPULOUS
EXPLOITATION. IT ALSO INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO FAIR SETTLEMENT OF
GENUINE GRIEVANCES. IT INVOLVES THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION
FOR FAULTY GOODS AND SERVICES.
6)RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION: THIS REFERS TO EVERY PERSON’S
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL TO BE AN INFORMED
CONSUMER, SO THAT S/HE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE WISE DECISIONS WHILE
PURCHASING GOODS AND HIRING SERVICES. THIS RIGHT IMPLIES THAT THE
CONSUMER SHOULD BE EDUCATED ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM HIMSELF.
 CONSUMER
RESPONSIBILITIES
1) CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS REGULARLY
UPDATING THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS LAWS AND LEGISLATIVE
PROVISIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
2) CONSUMERS SHOULD BE HONEST IN ALL THEIR DEALINGS AND MUST PAY
FOR ALL THEIR PURCHASES.
3)BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE, CONSUMERS SHOULD DO A MARKET
SURVEY TO FIND OUT THE DIFFERENT BRANDS, FEATURES ETC. OF ITEMS
AVAILABLE IN DIFFERENT SHOPS AND DIFFERENT MARKETS AND SHOULD
COMPARE THE PRICES. THIS WILL HELP THEM MAKE A WISE CHOICE.
4) CONSUMERS SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CHOOSE FROM THE VARIETY AVAILABLE AS PER
THEIR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
5) WHILE MAKING A PURCHASE, S/HE SHOULD READ ALL THE INFORMATION GIVEN ON THE
LABEL/ BROCHURE.
6) TO BE ASSURED OF QUALITY HE SHOULD BUY PRODUCTS WITH STANDARDISATION
MARKS.
7) CONSUMER SHOULD KEEP RECEIPTS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS OF PURCHASE.
THESE MAY BE NEEDED AS PROOF OF PURCHASE FOR FILING COMPLAINTS IN CASE OF
PROBLEMS/DEFECTIVE/MALFUNCTIONING PRODUCTS.
8) IN CASE OF PURCHASE OF SERVICES LIKE INSURANCE, CREDIT CARDS, BANK DEPOSITS
ETC., S/HE SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, LIABILITIES,
SERVICE CHARGES ETC. AND MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET THE REPRESENTATIVE TO CLARIFY
POINTS THAT ARE NOT CLEARLY WRITTEN.
9) MUST HAVE INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT VARIOUS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS IN TERMS OF THEIR ACTIVITIES, WORK AND UNDERSTAND THE
BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF SUCH ORGANISATIONS.
BALANCED
DIET
 WHAT IS BALANCED
DIET
A BALANCED DIET IS A DIET THAT CONTAINS DIFFERING KINDS
OF FOODS IN CERTAIN QUANTITIES AND PROPORTIONS SO THAT
THE REQUIREMENT FOR CALORIES, PROTEINS, MINERALS,
VITAMINS AND ALTERNATIVE NUTRIENTS IS ADEQUATE AND A
SMALL PROVISION IS RESERVED FOR ADDITIONAL NUTRIENTS
TO ENDURE THE SHORT LENGTH OF LEANNESS. IN ADDITION, A
BALANCED DIET OUGHT TO OFFER BIOACTIVE
PHYTOCHEMICALS LIKE DIETARY FIBER, ANTIOXIDANTS AND
NUTRACEUTICALS THAT HAVE POSITIVE HEALTH ADVANTAGES.
A BALANCED DIET SHOULD OFFER AROUND 60-70% OF TOTAL
CALORIES FROM CARBOHYDRATES, 10-12% FROM PROTEINS
AND 20-25% OF TOTAL CALORIES FROM FAT.
VARIETY OF FOOD ESSENTIAL
FOR BALANCED DIET
• NUTRITION IS A BASIC PREREQUISITE TO SUSTAIN LIFE.
• VARIETY IN FOOD IS NOT ONLY THE SPICE OF LIFE BUT ALSO THE ESSENCE OF NUTRITION AND
HEALTH.
• A DIET CONSISTING OF SEVERAL FOOD GROUPS PROVIDES ALL THE REQUIRED NUTRIENTS IN PROPER
AMOUNTS.
• CEREALS, MILLETS AND PULSES ARE MAJOR SOURCES OF MOST NUTRIENTS.
• MILK WHICH PROVIDES GOOD QUALITY PROTEINS AND CALCIUM MUST BE AN ESSENTIAL ITEM OF
THE DIET, PARTICULARLY FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN AND WOMEN.
• OILS AND NUTS ARE CALORIE-RICH FOODS, AND ARE USEFUL FOR INCREASING THE ENERGY DENSITY.
• INCLUSION OF EGGS, FLESH FOODS AND FISH ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF DIET. HOWEVER,
VEGETARIANS CAN DERIVE ALMOST ALL THE NUTRIENTS ON CEREAL/PULSE/MILK-BASED DIETS.
• VEGETABLES AND FRUITS PROVIDE PROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES SUCH AS VITAMINS / MINERALS /
PHYTONUTRIENTS.
• CHOOSE A VARIETY OF FOODS IN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATE FOR AGE, GENDER, PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS AND
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
• USE A COMBINATION OF WHOLE GRAINS, GRAMS AND GREENS. INCLUDE JAGGERY OR SUGAR AND COOKING
OILS TO BRIDGE THE CALORIE OR ENERGY GAP.
• PREFER FRESH, LOCALLY AVAILABLE VEGETABLES AND FRUITS IN PLENTY.
• INCLUDE IN THE DIETS, FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN SUCH AS MILK, EGGS AND MEAT, PARTICULARLY FOR
PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
• ADULTS SHOULD CHOOSE LOW-FAT, PROTEIN-RICH FOODS SUCH AS LEAN MEAT, FISH, PULSES AND LOW-FAT
MILK.
• DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS AND EXERCISE REGULARLY AND MOVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO AVOID
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE
 WHY DO WE NEED
NUTRITIONALLY ADEQUATE
FOOD
NUTRIENTS THAT WE OBTAIN THROUGH FOOD HAVE VITAL EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE OF NORMAL BODY FUNCTION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH.
NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS, THUS NEEDED TO SUSTAIN LIFE AND ACTIVITY. OUR DIET MUST PROVIDE
ALL ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS IN THE REQUIRED AMOUNTS. REQUIREMENTS OF ESSENTIAL
NUTRIENTS VARY WITH AGE, GENDER, PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. DIETARY
INTAKES LOWER OR HIGHER THAN THE BODY REQUIREMENTS CAN LEAD TO UNDER NUTRITION
(DEFICIENCY DISEASES) OR OVER NUTRITION (DISEASES OF AFFLUENCE) RESPECTIVELY. EATING
TOO LITTLE FOOD DURING CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF LIFE SUCH AS INFANCY,
CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENCE, PREGNANCY AND LACTATION AND EATING TOO MUCH AT ANY AGE
CAN LEAD TO HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES. AN ADEQUATE DIET, PROVIDING ALL NUTRIENTS, IS
NEEDED THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES. THE NUTRIENTS MUST BE OBTAINED THROUGH A JUDICIOUS
CHOICE AND COMBINATION OF A VARIETY OF FOODSTUFFS FROM DIFFERENT FOOD GROUPS.
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are macronutrients, which are needed in large amounts. Vitamins
and minerals constitute the micronutrients and are required in small amounts. These nutrients are
necessary for physiological and biochemical processes by which the human body acquires,
assimilates and utilizes food to maintain health and activity.
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOHYDRATES ARE EITHER SIMPLE OR COMPLEX, AND ARE MAJOR SOURCES OF
ENERGY IN ALL HUMAN DIETS. THEY PROVIDE ENERGY OF 4 KCAL/G. THE SIMPLE
CARBOHYDRATES, GLUCOSE AND FRUCTOSE, ARE FOUND IN FRUITS, VEGETABLES
AND HONEY, SUCROSE IN SUGAR AND LACTOSE IN MILK, WHILE THE COMPLEX
POLYSACCHARIDES ARE STARCHES IN CEREALS, MILLETS, PULSES AND ROOT
VEGETABLES AND GLYCOGEN IN ANIMAL FOODS. THE OTHER COMPLEX
CARBOHYDRATES WHICH ARE RESISTANT TO DIGESTION IN THE HUMAN DIGESTIVE
TRACT ARE CELLULOSE IN VEGETABLES AND WHOLE GRAINS, AND GUMS AND
PECTINS IN VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND CEREALS, WHICH CONSTITUTE THE DIETARY
FIBRE COMPONENT. IN INDIA, 70-80% OF TOTAL DIETARY CALORIES ARE DERIVED
FROM CARBOHYDRATES PRESENT IN PLANT FOODS SUCH AS CEREALS, MILLETS
AND PULSES.
• DIETARY FIBRE DELAYS AND RETARDS ABSORPTION OF CARBOHYDRATES AND FATS
AND INCREASES THE SATIETY VALUE. DIETS RICH IN FIBRE REDUCE GLUCOSE AND
LIPIDS IN BLOOD AND INCREASE THE BULK OF THE STOOLS. DIETS RICH IN COMPLEX
CARBOHYDRATES ARE HEALTHIER THAN LOW-FIBRE DIETS BASED ON REFINED AND
PROCESSED FOODS.
 FAT
S
OILS AND FATS SUCH AS BUTTER, GHEE AND VANASPATHI CONSTITUTE DIETARY VISIBLE FATS. FATS
ARE A CONCENTRATED SOURCE OF ENERGY PROVIDING 9 KCAL/G, AND ARE MADE UP OF FATTY
ACIDS IN DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS. DIETARY FATS ARE DERIVED FROM TWO SOURCES VIZ. THE
INVISIBLE FAT PRESENT IN PLANT AND ANIMAL FOODS; AND THE VISIBLE OR ADDED FATS AND OILS
(COOKING OIL). FATS SERVE AS A VEHICLE FOR FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS LIKE VITAMINS A, D, E AND K
AND CAROTENES AND PROMOTE THEIR ABSORPTION. THEY ARE ALSO SOURCES OF ESSENTIAL
POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS. IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE ADEQUATE AND GOOD QUALITY FAT IN
THE DIET WITH SUFFICIENT POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN PROPER PROPORTIONS FOR MEETING
THE REQUIREMENTS OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (REFER CHAPTER 7). THE TYPE AND QUANTITY OF
FAT IN THE DAILY DIET INFLUENCE THE LEVEL OF CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES IN THE BLOOD.
DIETS SHOULD INCLUDE ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF FAT PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF INFANTS AND
CHILDREN, TO PROVIDE CONCENTRATED ENERGY SINCE THEIR ENERGY NEEDS PER KG BODY WEIGHT
ARE NEARLY TWICE THOSE OF ADULTS. ADULTS NEED TO BE CAUTIONED TO RESTRICT INTAKE OF
SATURATED FAT (BUTTER, GHEE AND HYDROGENATED FATS) AND CHOLESTEROL (RED MEAT, EGGS,
ORGAN MEAT). EXCESS OF THESE SUBSTANCES COULD LEAD TO OBESITY, DIABETES,
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND CANCER.
 PROTEINS
PROTEINS ARE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF EVERY
LIVING CELL. ALMOST HALF THE PROTEIN IN OUR BODY IS IN THE FORM OF
MUSCLE AND THE REST OF IT IS IN BONE, CARTILAGE AND SKIN. PROTEINS ARE
COMPLEX MOLECULES COMPOSED OF DIFFERENT AMINO ACIDS. CERTAIN AMINO
ACIDS WHICH ARE TERMED “ESSENTIAL”, HAVE TO BE OBTAINED FROM PROTEINS
IN THE DIET SINCE THEY ARE NOT SYNTHESIZED IN THE HUMAN BODY. OTHER
NONESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS CAN BE SYNTHESIZED IN THE BODY TO BUILD
PROTEINS. PROTEINS PERFORM A WIDE RANGE OF FUNCTIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE
ENERGY (4 KCAL/G). PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS VARY WITH AGE, PHYSIOLOGICAL
STATUS AND STRESS. MORE PROTEINS ARE REQUIRED BY GROWING INFANTS AND
CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN AND INDIVIDUALS DURING INFECTIONS AND
ILLNESS OR STRESS. ANIMAL FOODS LIKE MILK, MEAT, FISH AND EGGS AND PLANT
ANIMAL PROTEINS ARE OF HIGH QUALITY AS THEY PROVIDE ALL THE ESSENTIAL
AMINO ACIDS IN RIGHT PROPORTIONS, WHILE PLANT OR VEGETABLE PROTEINS ARE
NOT OF THE SAME QUALITY BECAUSE OF THEIR LOW CONTENT OF SOME OF THE
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. HOWEVER, A COMBINATION OF CEREALS, MILLETS AND
PULSES PROVIDES MOST OF THE AMINO ACIDS, WHICH COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER TO
PROVIDE BETTER QUALITY PROTEINS
 VITAMINS &
MINERALS
VITAMINS ARE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS REQUIRED BY THE BODY IN SMALL AMOUNTS. THEY MUST
BE PRESENT IN THE DIET AS THEY CANNOT BE SYNTHESIZED IN THE BODY. VITAMINS ARE ESSENTIAL
FOR NUMEROUS BODY PROCESSES AND FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE STRUCTURE OF SKIN, BONE,
NERVES, EYE, BRAIN, BLOOD AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE. THEY ARE EITHER WATER SOLUBLE OR FAT-
SOLUBLE. VITAMINS A, D, E AND K ARE FAT-SOLUBLE, WHILE VITAMIN C, AND THE B-COMPLEX
VITAMINS SUCH AS THIAMIN (B ), 1 RIBOFLAVIN (B ), NIACIN, PYRIDOXINE (B ), FOLIC 2 6 ACID AND
CYANOCOBALAMIN (B ) ARE WATER- 12 SOLUBLE. PRO-VITAMIN LIKE BETA-CAROTENE IS
CONVERTED TO VITAMIN A IN THE BODY. FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS CAN BE STORED IN THE BODY
WHILE WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS ARE NOT AND GET EASILY EXCRETED IN URINE. VITAMINS B-
COMPLEX AND C ARE HEAT LABILE VITAMINS AND ARE EASILY DESTROYED BY HEAT, AIR OR DURING
DRYING, COOKING AND FOOD PROCESSING.
MINERALS ARE INORGANIC ELEMENTS FOUND IN BODY FLUIDS AND TISSUES. THE
IMPORTANT MACRO MINERALS ARE SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS,
MAGNESIUM AND SULPHUR, WHILE ZINC, COPPER, SELENIUM, MOLYBDENUM,
FLUORINE, COBALT, CHROMIUM AND IODINE ARE MICRO MINERALS. THEY ARE
REQUIRED FOR MAINTENANCE AND INTEGRITY OF SKIN, HAIR, NAILS, BLOOD AND
SOFT TISSUES. THEY ALSO GOVERN NERVE CELL TRANSMISSION, ACID/BASE AND
FLUID BALANCE, ENZYME AND HORMONE ACTIVITY AS WELL AS THE BLOOD-
CLOTTING PROCESSES.
 FOOD
GROUPS
 IMPORTANCE OF DIET
DURING DIFFERENT STAGES
OF LIFE
• SENIOR CITIZENS: FOR BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND HEALTHY
REQUIRE NUTRIENT DENSE LOW FAT FOODS.
• PREGNANCY: FOR MAINTAINING HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND
PREVENTION OF DIET-RELATED DISEASES AND TO SUPPORT
PREGNANCY/LACTATION REQUIRE NUTRITIONALLY ADEQUATE DIET
WITH EXTRA FOOD FOR CHILD BEARING/REARING.
• ADOLESCENT: FOR GROWTH SPURT, MATURATION AND BONE
DEVELOPMENT REQUIRE BODY BUILDING AND PROTECTIVE FOODS.
• CHILD AGE: FOR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND TO FIGHT INFECTIONS
REQUIRE ENERGY, BODY BUILDING AND PROTECTIVE FOOD.
• INFANT: FOR GROWTH AND APPROPRIATE MILESTONES REQUIRE
BREAST MILK, ENERGY RICH FOODS.
BALANCED DIET FOR ADULT
 NOVEL
CORONA
VIRUS
2019
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) IS A CONTAGIOUS CAUSED BY SEVERE ACUTE
RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-COV-2). THE FIRST KNOWN CASE WAS
IDENTIFIED IN WUHAN, CHINA, IN DECEMBER 2019. THE DISEASE HAS SINCE SPREAD
WORLDWIDE, LEADING TO AN ONGOING PANDEMIC.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 ARE VARIABLE, BUT OFTEN INCLUDE FEVER, COUGH,
HEADACHE, FATIGUE, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES, AND LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE. SYMPTOMS
MAY BEGIN ONE TO FOURTEEN DAYS AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE VIRUS. AT LEAST A THIRD OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED DO NOT DEVELOP NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS. OF THOSE PEOPLE
WHO DEVELOP SYMPTOMS NOTICEABLE ENOUGH TO BE CLASSED AS PATIENTS, MOST (81%)
DEVELOP MILD TO MODERATE SYMPTOMS (UP TO MILD PNEUMONIA), WHILE 14% DEVELOP
SEVERE SYMPTOMS (DYSPNEA, HYPOXIA, OR MORE THAN 50% LUNG INVOLVEMENT ON
IMAGING), AND 5% SUFFER CRITICAL SYMPTOMS (RESPIRATORY FAILURE, SHOCK,
OR MULTIORGAN DYSFUNCTION). OLDER PEOPLE ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF DEVELOPING
SEVERE SYMPTOMS. SOME PEOPLE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE A RANGE OF EFFECTS (LONG
COVID) FOR MONTHS AFTER RECOVERY, AND DAMAGE TO ORGANS HAS BEEN
OBSERVED. MULTI-YEAR STUDIES ARE UNDERWAY TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE LONG-TERM
COVID-19 TRANSMITS WHEN PEOPLE BREATHE IN AIR CONTAMINATED BY DROPLETS AND
SMALL AIRBORNE PARTICLES CONTAINING THE VIRUS. THE RISK OF BREATHING THESE IN IS HIGHEST WHEN
PEOPLE ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, BUT THEY CAN BE INHALED OVER LONGER DISTANCES, PARTICULARLY
INDOORS. TRANSMISSION CAN ALSO OCCUR IF SPLASHED OR SPRAYED WITH CONTAMINATED FLUIDS IN THE
EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH, AND, RARELY, VIA CONTAMINATED SURFACES. PEOPLE REMAIN CONTAGIOUS FOR UP
TO 20 DAYS, AND CAN SPREAD THE VIRUS EVEN IF THEY DO NOT DEVELOP SYMPTOMS.
SEVERAL TESTING METHODS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO DIAGNOSE THE DISEASE. THE STANDARD
DIAGNOSTIC METHOD IS BY DETECTION OF THE VIRUS' NUCLEIC ACID BY REAL-TIME REVERSE
TRANSCRIPTION POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (RRT-PCR), TRANSCRIPTION-MEDIATED
AMPLIFICATION (TMA), OR BY REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION LOOP-MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION (RT-
LAMP) FROM A NASOPHARYNGEAL SWAB.
SEVERAL COVID-19 VACCINES HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND DISTRIBUTED IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES, WHICH
HAVE INITIATED MASS VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS. OTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES INCLUDE PHYSICAL OR
SOCIAL DISTANCING, QUARANTINING, VENTILATION OF INDOOR SPACES, COVERING COUGHS AND
SNEEZES, HAND WASHING, AND KEEPING UNWASHED HANDS AWAY FROM THE FACE. THE USE OF FACE MASKS
OR COVERINGS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED IN PUBLIC SETTINGS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF TRANSMISSIONS.
WHILE WORK IS UNDERWAY TO DEVELOP DRUGS THAT INHIBIT THE VIRUS, THE PRIMARY TREATMENT IS
SYMPTOMATIC. MANAGEMENT INVOLVES THE TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMS, SUPPORTIVE CARE, ISOLATION,
AND EXPERIMENTAL MEASURES.
 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF
COVID 19
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 ARE VARIABLE, RANGING FROM MILD SYMPTOMS TO SEVERE ILLNESS. COMMON SYMPTOMS
INCLUDE HEADACHE, LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE, NASAL CONGESTION AND  RUNNY NOSE, COUGH, MUSCLE
PAIN, SORE THROAT, FEVER, DIARRHEA, AND BREATHING DIFFICULTIES.PEOPLE WITH THE SAME INFECTION MAY HAVE
DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS, AND THEIR SYMPTOMS MAY CHANGE OVER TIME. THREE COMMON CLUSTERS OF SYMPTOMS
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED: ONE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOM CLUSTER WITH COUGH, SPUTUM, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND
FEVER; A MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOM CLUSTER WITH MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN, HEADACHE, AND FATIGUE; A
CLUSTER OF DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS WITH ABDOMINAL PAIN, VOMITING, AND DIARRHEA. IN PEOPLE WITHOUT PRIOR
EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DISORDERS, LOSS OF TASTE COMBINED WITH LOSS OF SMELL IS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19.
OF PEOPLE WHO SHOW SYMPTOMS, 81% DEVELOP ONLY MILD TO MODERATE SYMPTOMS (UP TO MILD PNEUMONIA),
WHILE 14% DEVELOP SEVERE SYMPTOMS (DYSPNEA, HYPOXIA, OR MORE THAN 50% LUNG INVOLVEMENT ON
IMAGING) AND 5% OF PATIENTS SUFFER CRITICAL SYMPTOMS (RESPIRATORY FAILURE, SHOCK, OR MULTIORGAN
DYSFUNCTION). AT LEAST A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS DO NOT DEVELOP
NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS AT ANY POINT IN TIME.THESE ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS TEND NOT TO GET TESTED AND CAN
SPREAD THE DISEASE.OTHER INFECTED PEOPLE WILL DEVELOP SYMPTOMS LATER, CALLED "PRE-SYMPTOMATIC", OR
HAVE VERY MILD SYMPTOMS AND CAN ALSO SPREAD THE VIRUS.
AS IS COMMON WITH INFECTIONS, THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN
THE MOMENT A PERSON FIRST BECOMES INFECTED AND THE
APPEARANCE OF THE FIRST SYMPTOMS. THE MEDIAN DELAY
FOR COVID-19 IS FOUR TO FIVE DAYS. MOST SYMPTOMATIC
PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS WITHIN TWO TO SEVEN DAYS
AFTER EXPOSURE, AND ALMOST ALL WILL EXPERIENCE AT
LEAST ONE SYMPTOM WITHIN 12 DAYS.
MOST PEOPLE RECOVER FROM THE ACUTE PHASE OF THE
DISEASE. HOWEVER, SOME PEOPLE – OVER HALF OF
A COHORT OF HOME-ISOLATED YOUNG PATIENTS] – CONTINUE
TO EXPERIENCE A RANGE OF EFFECTS, SUCH AS FATIGU, FOR
MONTHS AFTER RECOVERY, A CONDITION CALLED LONG
COVID; LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO ORGANS HAS BEEN
OBSERVED. MULTI-YEAR STUDIES ARE UNDERWAY TO FURTHER
INVESTIGATE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE DISEASE.
 TRANSMISSION
THE DISEASE IS MAINLY TRANSMITTED VIA THE RESPIRATORY ROUTE WHEN PEOPLE INHALE DROPLETS AND
SMALL AIRBORNE PARTICLES (THAT FORM AN AEROSOL) THAT INFECTED PEOPLE BREATH OUT AS THEY BREATHE,
TALK, COUGH, SNEEZE, OR SING. INFECTED PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRANSMIT COVID-19 WHEN THEY ARE
PHYSICALLY CLOSE. HOWEVER, INFECTION CAN OCCUR OVER LONGER DISTANCES, PARTICULARLY INDOORS. 2).
INFECTIVITY CAN OCCUR 1-3 DAYS BEFORE THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS. INFECTED PERSONS CAN SPREAD THE
DISEASE EVEN IF THEY ARE PRE-SYMPTOMATIC OR ASYMPTOMATIC. MOST COMMONLY, THE PEAK VIRAL LOAD
IN UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT SAMPLES OCCURS CLOSE TO THE TIME OF SYMPTOM ONSET AND DECLINES AFTER
THE FIRST WEEK AFTER SYMPTOMS BEGIN.CURRENT EVIDENCE SUGGESTS A DURATION OF VIRAL SHEDDING AND
THE PERIOD OF INFECTIOUSNESS OF UP TO 10 DAYS FOLLOWING SYMPTOM ONSET FOR PERSONS WITH MILD TO
MODERATE COVID-19, AND A UP TO 20 DAYS FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE COVID-19, INCLUDING
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PERSONS.[
INFECTIOUS PARTICLES RANGE IN SIZE FROM AEROSOLS THAT REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE AIR
FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME TO LARGER DROPLETS THAT REMAIN AIRBORNE OR FALL TO THE
GROUND. ADDITIONALLY, COVID-19 RESEARCH HAS REDEFINED THE TRADITIONAL
UNDERSTANDING OF HOW RESPIRATORY VIRUSES ARE TRANSMITTED. THE LARGEST DROPLETS
OF RESPIRATORY FLUID DO NOT TRAVEL FAR, AND CAN BE INHALED OR LAND ON MUCOUS
MEMBRANES ON THE EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH TO INFECT. 
AEROSOLS ARE HIGHEST IN CONCENTRATION WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, WHICH
LEADS TO EASIER VIRAL TRANSMISSION WHEN PEOPLE ARE PHYSICALLY CLOSE, ] BUT AIRBORNE
TRANSMISSION CAN OCCUR AT LONGER DISTANCES, MAINLY IN LOCATIONS THAT ARE POORLY
VENTILATED; IN THOSE CONDITIONS SMALL PARTICLES CAN REMAIN SUSPENDED IN THE AIR FOR
MINUTES TO HOURS.THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GENERALLY INFECTED BY ONE INFECTED PERSON
VARIES;AS ONLY 10 TO 20% OF PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISEASE'S SPREAD. IT OFTEN
SPREADS IN CLUSTERS, WHERE INFECTIONS CAN BE TRACED BACK TO AN INDEX CASE OR
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION.OFTEN IN THESE INSTANCES, SUPERSPREADING EVENTS OCCUR,
WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE INFECTED BY ONE PERSON.
 PREVENTION
PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF INFECTION INCLUDE GETTING VACCINATED,
STAYING AT HOME, WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC, AVOIDING CROWDED PLACES, KEEPING DISTANCE
FROM OTHERS, VENTILATING INDOOR SPACES, MANAGING POTENTIAL EXPOSURE DURATIONS, WASHING
HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER OFTEN AND FOR AT LEAST TWENTY SECONDS, PRACTISING GOOD
RESPIRATORY HYGIENE, AND AVOIDING TOUCHING THE EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH WITH UNWASHED
HANDS.
THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19 OR WHO BELIEVE THEY MAY BE INFECTED ARE ADVISED BY THE CDC
TO STAY HOME EXCEPT TO GET MEDICAL CARE, CALL AHEAD BEFORE VISITING A HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER, WEAR A FACE MASK BEFORE ENTERING THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER'S OFFICE AND WHEN IN
ANY ROOM OR VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER PERSON, COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES WITH A TISSUE,
REGULARLY WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER AND AVOID SHARING PERSONAL HOUSEHOLD
ITEMS.THE FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE WAS GRANTED REGULATORY APPROVAL ON 2 DECEMBER BY THE
UK MEDICINES REGULATOR MHRA. IT WAS EVALUATED FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA)
STATUS BY THE US FDA, AND IN SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES. INITIALLY, THE US NATIONAL INSTITUTES
OF HEALTH GUIDELINES DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY MEDICATION FOR PREVENTION OF COVID-19, BEFORE
OR AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE SARS-COV-2 VIRUS, OUTSIDE THE SETTING OF A CLINICAL TRIAL.
 VACCINE
A COVID‑19 VACCINE IS A VACCINE INTENDED TO PROVIDE ACQUIRED
IMMUNITY AGAINST SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS
2 (SARS‑COV‑2), THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID ‑19). PRIOR TO
THE COVID‑19 PANDEMIC, AN ESTABLISHED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE EXISTED ABOUT THE
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF CORONAVIRUSES CAUSING DISEASES LIKE SEVERE ACUTE
RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) AND MIDDLE EAST RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (MERS). THIS
KNOWLEDGE ACCELERATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS VACCINE
PLATFORMS DURING EARLY 2020. THE INITIAL FOCUS OF SARS-COV-2 VACCINES WAS ON
PREVENTING SYMPTOMATIC, OFTEN SEVERE ILLNESS. ON 10 JANUARY 2020, THE SARS-COV-
2 GENETIC SEQUENCE DATA WAS SHARED THROUGH GISAID, AND BY 19 MARCH, THE
GLOBAL PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY ANNOUNCED A MAJOR COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS
COVID-19.  THE COVID‑19 VACCINES ARE WIDELY CREDITED FOR THEIR ROLE IN REDUCING
THE SPREAD, SEVERITY, AND DEATH CAUSED BY COVID-19.
MANY COUNTRIES HAVE IMPLEMENTED PHASED DISTRIBUTION PLANS THAT PRIORITIZE
THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK OF COMPLICATIONS, SUCH AS THE ELDERLY, AND THOSE AT HIGH
RISK OF EXPOSURE AND TRANSMISSION, SUCH AS HEALTHCARE WORKERS. SINGLE DOSE
INTERIM USE IS UNDER CONSIDERATION TO EXTEND VACCINATION TO AS MANY PEOPLE
AS POSSIBLE UNTIL VACCINE AVAILABILITY IMPROVES.
AS OF 6 NOVEMBER 2021, 7.23 BILLION DOSES OF COVID‑19 VACCINES HAVE BEEN
ADMINISTERED WORLDWIDE BASED ON OFFICIAL REPORTS FROM NATIONAL PUBLIC
HEALTH AGENCIES. ASTRAZENECA ANTICIPATES PRODUCING 3 BILLION DOSES IN
2021, PFIZER–BIONTECH 2.5 BILLION DOSES, AND SPUTNIK V, SINOPHARM, SINOVAC,
AND JANSSEN 1 BILLION DOSES EACH. MODERNA TARGETS PRODUCING 600 MILLION
DOSES AND CONVIDECIA 500 MILLION DOSES IN 2021.
BY DECEMBER 2020, MORE THAN 10 BILLION VACCINE DOSES HAD BEEN PREORDERED BY
COUNTRIES, WITH ABOUT HALF OF THE DOSES PURCHASED BY HIGH-INCOME
COUNTRIES COMPRISING 14% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION.
 LOCKDOWN
ON THE EVENING OF 24 MARCH 2020, THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA UNDER PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA
MODI ORDERED A NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN FOR 21 DAYS, LIMITING MOVEMENT OF THE ENTIRE 1.38 BILLION
(138 CRORE) POPULATION OF INDIA AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDIA.  IT
WAS ORDERED AFTER A 14-HOUR VOLUNTARY PUBLIC CURFEW ON 22 MARCH, FOLLOWED BY ENFORCEMENT OF
A SERIES OF REGULATIONS IN THE COUNTRIES' COVID-19 AFFECTED REGIONS. THE LOCKDOWN WAS PLACED
WHEN THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED POSITIVE CORONAVIRUS CASES IN INDIA WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.  UPON
ITS ANNOUNCEMENT, A MASS MOVEMENT PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WAS DESCRIBED AS THE LARGEST
SINCE THE PARTITION OF INDIA IN 1947.  OBSERVERS STATED THAT THE LOCKDOWN HAD SLOWED THE GROWTH
RATE OF THE PANDEMIC BY 6 APRIL TO A RATE OF DOUBLING EVERY SIX DAYS,  AND BY 18 APRIL, TO A RATE OF
DOUBLING EVERY EIGHT DAYS.  AS THE END OF THE FIRST LOCKDOWN PERIOD APPROACHED, STATE
GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES RECOMMENDED EXTENDING THE LOCKDOWN. THE
GOVERNMENTS OF ODISHA AND PUNJAB EXTENDED THE STATE LOCKDOWNS TO 1 MAY. MAHARASHTRA,
KARNATAKA, WEST BENGAL AND TELANGANA FOLLOWED SUIT. ON 14 APRIL, PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
EXTENDED THE NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN UNTIL 3 MAY, ON WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION OF GOVERNORS AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS OF ALL THE STATES, WITH A CONDITIONAL RELAXATIONS AFTER 20 APRIL FOR THE
REGIONS WHERE THE SPREAD HAD BEEN CONTAINED OR WAS MINIMAL.
ON 1 MAY, THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA EXTENDED THE NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN FURTHER BY TWO
WEEKS UNTIL 17 MAY. THE GOVERNMENT DIVIDED ALL THE DISTRICTS INTO THREE ZONES BASED ON
THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS—GREEN, RED, AND ORANGE—WITH RELAXATIONS APPLIED
ACCORDINGLY. ON 17 MAY, THE LOCKDOWN WAS FURTHER EXTENDED TILL 31 MAY BY THE NATIONAL
DISASTER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.ON 30 MAY, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT LOCKDOWN
RESTRICTIONS WERE TO BE LIFTED FROM THEN ONWARDS, WHILE THE ONGOING LOCKDOWN WOULD
BE FURTHER EXTENDED TILL 30 JUNE FOR ONLY THE CONTAINMENT ZONES. SERVICES WOULD BE
RESUMED IN A PHASED MANNER STARTING FROM 8 JUNE. IT WAS TERMED AS "UNLOCK 1.0".  MODI
LATER CLARIFIED THAT THE LOCKDOWN PHASE IN THE COUNTRY WAS OVER AND THAT 'UNLOCK' HAD
ALREADY BEGUN.THE SECOND PHASE OF UNLOCK, UNLOCK 2.0, WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE PERIOD OF
1 TO 31 JULY, WITH MORE EASE IN RESTRICTIONS. UNLOCK 3.0 WAS ANNOUNCED FOR
AUGUST. SIMILARLY, UNLOCK 4.0 WAS ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER AND UNLOCK 5.0 FOR THE
MONTH OF OCTOBER. IN THE SAME WAY, UNLOCK 6.0 WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE MONTH OF
NOVEMBER, UNLOCK 7.0 WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER.IN 2021, DUE TO THE
LARGEST WAVE OF INFECTION IN THE COUNTRY, SEVERAL STATE GOVERNMENTS LIKE UTTAR
PRADESH, DELHI ETC. HAVE ANNOUNCED COMPLETE LOCKDOWNS IN APRIL 2021.
IMPACTS DURING COVID -19
• ECONOMIC IMPACT:
INDIA HAD ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROLONGED
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN. THE GDP GROWTH RATE HAD FALLEN
FROM 8.2% IN JANUARY–MARCH 2018 TO 3.1% IN JANUARY–
MARCH 2020.IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR
2020-2021, THIS NUMBER WENT INTO NEGATIVE. THE GDP
GROWTH RATE FOR APRIL–JUNE 2020 WAS -23.9%, WHICH
HAPPENED TO BE THE WORST EVER IN HISTORY. CRUCIAL
PARAMETERS LIKE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION, TRADE,
HOTEL INDUSTRY SAW A DECLINE AND SLID INTO NEGATIVE.
MANUFACTURING GROWTH AT -39.3%, MINING GROWTH AT
-23.3%, CONSTRUCTION GROWTH AT -50%, TRADE & HOTEL
INDUSTRY GROWTH AT -47%.
• FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN:
THE ORDER ISSUED BY THE HOME MINISTRY ON 24 MARCH
ALLOWED THE FUNCTIONING OF SHOPS DEALING WITH
FOOD ITEMS AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURING UNITS AND
TRANSPORTATION OF "ESSENTIAL GOODS". HOWEVER, THE
LACK OF CLARITY ON "ESSENTIAL GOODS" MEANT THAT
THE POLICEMEN ON THE STREETS STOPPED WORKERS
GOING TO FACTORIES AND THE TRUCKS CARRYING FOOD
ITEMS. FOOD INDUSTRIES ALSO FACED SHORTAGES OF
LABOUR BECAUSE THE WORKERS WERE UNABLE TO REACH
WORKPLACES AND THE FACTORY MANAGERS FACED THE
FEAR OF LEGAL ACTION. ALL THESE FACTORS COMBINED
TO RESULT IN SHORTAGES AND A RISE IN THE PRICES OF
FOOD ITEMS. BY THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL, ESSENTIAL
INDUSTRIES SUCH AS GROWING, HARVESTING, AND FOOD
DELIVERIES WERE ALLOWED TO OPERATE.