High food prices worsen citizens’ worries amidst a raging COVID19 pandemic
At a time when the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic has been a constant source of anxiety in India, to make things worse, the citizens have been struck by the high prices of food commodities as well.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
Testing times for rural India as delay in RT-PCR test results may hasten the COVID spread
Rural India is in a catch-22 situation. RT-PCR testing for COVID19 is sluggish. Those showing symptoms of the virus are being refused admission unless they produce an RT-PCR test report. Many who manage an RT-PCR test have to wait for days, even weeks, to receive the test report.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
With no tests and no treatment, people in rural India are dying of COVID-like symptoms
The heart-wrenching reports of people dying of COVID19 usually narrate the tragedies of the urban populations. But, rural India is not unaffected in the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Villagers are dying of suspected COVID-19. They are neither getting tested, nor able to access healthcare. More details here.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
Six private hospitals in Bhadohi, UP declared as COVID19 centres — five of which have no oxygen
On April 22, Bhadohi district administration released a list of six private hospitals that have been converted into COVID care centres. But Gaon Connection found that five of these hospitals do not have medical-grade oxygen. Hospitals claim they were not consulted before taking the decision.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
Reporter’s Diary: My oxygen level is 52, My oxygen level is 31… a timeline of Vinay Srivastava’s death of Covid-19
As a hopelessly oblivious administrative system slept on during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow, a senior journalist live tweeted his deteriorating oxygen levels. He died before help could reach him. Here’s his story and those of many others.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
Despite having LPG cylinders, rural women are back cooking on woodfired stoves
The gas cylinder that cost Rs 636 in June last year, is today priced at Rs 847. Several rural beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana find it unaffordable and have been forced to revert to woodfire cooking, a health hazard.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
Govt support boosts Varanasi’s wooden toy industry but workers’ woes remain
Varanasi, best known for its weavers is also home to wooden toy makers, whose share in the market is languishing as China continues to dominate the toy industry in India. Govt’s recent support has been a ray of hope but workers’ woes remain. Read on to know why.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
A year after the COVID-19 lockdown, the ominous silence of Varanasi’s looms
Pandemic-related restrictions, the Uttar Pradesh government’s flip flop on electricity prices, rising input costs — weavers in Varanasi, known for their zari-rich saris, struggle to keep business afloat.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
90.14 million children in India living amidst severe water crisis: UNICEF
Every fifth child in the world is affected by water scarcity. Due to lack of availability of clean water, 700 children die from diarrhoea every day across the world.
Mithilesh Dhar Dubey
‘232 Indians killed in water conflicts between 2017 and 2019’
The NCRB report showcases that competition for water in the country is getting violent and points towards the occurrence of a much larger water crisis.