Number of Rape Cases on the Rise

• Violence Against Women. Statistics from the Mumbai Police reveal an increase in the number of rape in 2011, with 219 reported cases, up from 192 in 2010. In 94 per cent of the cases, the attacker was known to the victim. Overall crime in the city, however, decreased by 4 per cent last year. [The Times of India]

• Born Free. Seven-year-old Shobha, the sole lioness at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, bore a litter of three cubs last September, marking the first time cubs have been born in the Borivali park in the last 20 years. Officials say that Little Shobha, Jespha and Gopa are now four months old, and will soon be old enough to be on view at the safari. [Hindustan Times]

• National Shame. Speaking at the release of a hunger and nutrition survey, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the malnourishment of 42 per cent of children under age five in India “our national shame” and implored people to take notice. “In the years to come, these children will join our workforce as scientists, farmers, teachers, data operators, artisans and service providers,” Singh said. “We cannot hope for a healthy future for our country with a large number of malnourished children.” [Economic Times]