The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. Many are still reeling from the second wave, while others are bracing for a third. Here is the latest COVID-19 news from India’s hinterlands.
COVID-19 IMPACT
Stranded Chakmas in Tiruppur fear bleak prospects
With knitwear industry grinding to a halt, Chakma tribes who had migrated to Tamil Nadu from northeastern states to avoid poverty, find themselves in the same challenging situation
Farmer producer company successfully implements farm-to-home model during lockdown
Connecting farmers who had surplus produce and consumers who lacked access to vegetables and fruits, a farmer producer company in Karnataka bridges the gap, benefitting both
Volunteers in Odisha ensure stranded migrants do not go hungry
Social service personnel working on migration issues network with philanthropists, administrators and volunteers to ensure stranded Odia migrants and other state migrants in Odisha are fed
Multiple post-pandemic measures will stabilize farm economy
Farm sector faces challenges of workforce shortage and disrupted supply chain. Multiple measures by government can stabilize farm economy and sustain everyone in food production
Lockdown break will undo remote tribal students’ learning
First generation learners in remote villages lack online and community resources to learn at home during lockdown, as mandated by government. They will need to relearn, to make up for lost time
Multi-pronged approach will reboot flagging rural economy
Enhancing the resilience of rural production system through multiple measures, besides soil and water conservation initiatives would help the rural populace find a firm footing
After lockdown distress, villagers are unwilling to migrate again
Having suffered during the lockdown, villagers do not wish to migrate again to cities for work. This would impact the rural as well as urban economy
Designers ensure physical and financial health of handloom weavers
Fashion designers working with handloom artisans ensure that their financial needs are met despite lack of work during lockdown, and keep their morale high by being in touch
Disrupted supply chains need to be mended to revive rural economy
Infusion of working capital at some levels of the supply chain and easing of transportation regulations would put ruptured supply chains back on track and reboot rural economy