research synthesis essay

Research Synthesis Essay Draft 02/23/2016

In 2008, a program was launched in selected districts in India with the aim of improving the quality of maternal and neonatal care. This program came to be known as Yashoda, named after a well-known foster-mother in Indian mythology. To establish the effectiveness of this program a study was carried out; a group of women were put under the care of Yashodas while another group which formed the control experiment was left without them. Results of their progress were collected and compared. Mothers who were under the care of Yashodas received enough counseling on family planning, breastfeeding, nutrition, immunization and danger signs. Those who are in control districts less of the same services. As a result, this program became popular and was embraced by most mothers and health workers. This program is recommended in health facilities where there are high volumes of deliveries. It is an effective intervention in ensuring that mothers get quality maternal services to benefit them and the newborns. Through this program even the cases of death of newborns and mothers before and immediately after delivery reduced. Some of these cases happen because quality services are not provided especially in cases where the volumes of the women who require them are high.

Modern India has been quite silent on the role it plays in international law and this situation remains unexplained. The history of India and international relations dates back many years ago. Various scholars have debated the role of Buddhism in international law. However, it has been established through the works of scholars that Buddhism has contributed a lot to international law. In addition, according to new research there is a possibility that environmental, natural resource and humanitarian law will be developed from Buddhism. There is a lot that the international law can borrow from Buddhism and Indian mythology and therefore, the future of international law has a lot of contribution from India and even other states in Africa which have felt left behind. For example, principles of Panchsheel of ancient Indian are likely to be used in European Court of Justice (ECJ) (section VII). Moreover, there are several sets from Hinduism that are currently contained in the completed sets of international law and relations.

Indian mythology is a main theme in both articles (Indian religion and mythology cannot be easily separated). In the first article about Yashoda program, it is mentioned that the program was named after a woman known as Yashoda, a legendary foster mother in Indian mythology. Yashoda was the foster-mother to a god known as Krishna and the wife of Nanda in Hinduism. The second is article about international law and religion. Religions such as Christianity and Islam have formed the basis of international law although other religions such as Buddhism are featured too. The article sheds light on the contribution of Indian mythology in ancient and modern international laws. Both articles have their discussions rooted from Indian mythology, although they do not share the main point of discussion. Comment by Dipanjan Maitra: The effectiveness of the myth of Yashoda in increasing quality of maternal care in India remains unclear. Would you say that the myth or the story of Krishna’s mother helped mothers realize their problem, or was effective in drawing their attention? If that is the case, then that would have to be argued further. You could focus on the role played by myths in increasing social awareness etc. Also, cite your articles clearly at the end.