The pandemic has significantly disrupted the education sector- which is a critical determinant of a country’s economic future. In India, 320 million students have been affected by COVID-19 school closures, and though the government quickly recommended shifting to “online teaching,” this ignores India’s immense digital divide—with embedded gender and class divides.
The 2017-18 National Sample Survey reported only 23.8 percent of Indian households had internet access. In rural households (66 percent of the population), only 14.9 percent had access, and in urban households only 42 percent had access while only 12.5 percent students have access to smartphones. Therefore, the majority of counterparts in education sector have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning devices or solutions and thus creating a long term societal and economic impact on the young learners of rural households.
Osama Manzar Founder and Director of DEF spoke with Nashim Hashmi who was associated with Digital Empowerment Foundation as a centre coordinator. Now, he is a successful entrepreneur and a household name in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
Kapil is a 31-year-old truck driver from a village near Palwal Haryana, who selflessly helped the migrant workers who he came across on his way back from a delivery.
Vijay Nath and Sanjay, migrant workers who came in search of work to Badli, Haryana, shared- “We didn’t have any money on us when we left and no money for food at home as well.”
The ordeal migrant labourers are going through is possibly one of the greatest human tragedies witnessed in recent decades. The government’s efforts at improving the plight
Sandeep and Lal Bahadur, migrant labourers from Bettiah, Bihar, shared— “We couldn’t find a bus to Bihar from Kashmiri Gate.
“Betul, a remote village in Madhya Pradesh has several daily wagers as residents who don’t have money to buy even the basics.
“This pandemic is not only a threat to human health but also to the constitutional framework.The representatives are ensuring that the democratic polity…
‘The impact of COVID-19 on health sector is not as bad as it was thought to be which is not to say that the virus hasn’t had a serious negative impact on India.
People in Narkatiaganj, Rampur and Bettiah are following the norms of lockdown, but those who are in the villages, they haven’t taken it seriously. People have to mandatorily wear masks…
“There is a shortage of masks and sanitizers in West Champaran and people do not have money to afford one. “There is a shortage of masks and sanitizers…
“Rustampur has a population of 500 people and 2 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported. People are panicked and there is an atmosphere of fear in the village.
“The Planet is hitting backwards and it is a situation of a human crisis within the Planet’s existence. The situation is such that we all are isolated and quarantined…
“In Nuh, despite lockdown Samar Khan and his team have been on the go to serve people. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness and understanding when it comes…
“In Barabanki the weavers are in trouble due to the crisis. They have not been paid for the previous orders because there is no way of transporting the products.
“Villagers are contributing rice, wheat, potato and oil—and we have prepared food packets to help others who are struggling. Since this is the harvest season, every family in the village…
“The immediate effect of lockdown on the villagers is that—it has become extremely difficult for them to step out of their respective homes, even for urgent requirements.
“I am at Channenhalli village which is 60 kilometres away from Tumkur district in Karnataka and am connected with Mr. Manzar through the internet.
“India with regards to the spread of the virus is nowhere close to peaking—and currently it is only at the tip of the iceberg. The dynamics of the country—the lifestyle…
“Off late, biometric to avail ration has been stopped and instead OTP mechanism has been put in place. Since this the only option, people are unable to avail it because either they don’t have a registered…
“According to my observation, the migrant workers are the worst affected in Goa, especially in Saligao. In Goa, thousands of labourers who are daily wagers…
