Reportage
Widows in Varanasi miss the COVID19 vaccine bus for want of proof of identity
The ancient city of Varanasi, Prime Minister Modi’s constituency, is home to thousands of widows, most of whom are ineligible for the COVID19 vaccine as they do not have an Aadhaar card. This, despite a month-old directive from UIDAI saying no one should be denied vaccines citing this reason.
Anand Kumar
Implement ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme till July 31: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has directed the central government to allocate food grains to states and UTs for free distribution among migrant workers till the COVID pandemic continues. It has also directed that dry ration be provided to them and community kitchens continued.
Gaon Connection
Explained: How likely is it to get COVID19 by touching contaminated surfaces?
A new study has confirmed there are low chances of contracting COVID19 by touching surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Read on to know more.
Gaon Connection
‘Offer vaccination to all prisoners in a safe and non-coercive manner’
The health professionals and citizens across the country have appealed to take into account the age, health status and associated vulnerabilities of prison in-mates to safeguard health rights during the COVID pandemic.
Gaon Connection
Active tribal community participation facilitates the vaccination process in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar
In a welcome move, the tribal communities in Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka along with the district administration, non profits, researchers and citizen volunteers take the COVID19 vaccination drive forward. Of the 15,648 eligible-for-vaccine tribal inhabitants, 3,158 have been inoculated.
Pankaja Srinivasan
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces 1,100 billion loan guarantee for COVID-19 affected sectors
Of this, Rs 500 billion is for the health sector to scale up medical infrastructure and Rs 232.2 billion is for public health.
Gaon Connection
‘Trust deficit in health facilities a major hurdle in tackling COVID19 in rural, tribal areas’
In an interview with Gaon Connection, Yogesh Kalkonde, a public health researcher working in the rural-tribal areas of Maharashtra, shares his experience and insight on the challenges in tackling COVID19 in India’s remote corners.
Gaon Connection
Water conservation is a way of service to the nation: PM Modi
In his Mann ki Baat programme, PM Modi urged citizens to focus on rainwater harvesting during the monsoons. He also gave examples of people who believed water conservation was their duty.
Gaon Connection
The Centre’s free ration scheme explained; extended till November this year
The Central government will grant each eligible person five additional kilogrammes of free ration till November this year. This is expected to provide big relief to those whose incomes have been hit hard by the COVID19 pandemic.
Arvind Shukla
ASHAs in Madhya Pradesh on an indefinite strike; 29 arrested, released, but refuse to call off their protest
For nearly a month, frontline health workers in the state are on an indefinite strike demanding a monthly pay hike, status of permanent workers and compensation for dead colleagues. More details here.