Ayush Minister  Shripad Yesso Naik today reviewed the centrally- sponsored scheme of National Ayush Mission and operationalization of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers during a webinar of Health and Ayush Ministers of all states.

Addressing the webinar, Mr Naik requested Health and Ayush Ministers to give due focus to the early establishment and operationalization of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers to strengthen the primary Healthcare delivery system in real-terms and to extend the AYUSH health care to the needy. He emphasized the need to speed up the pace of work sanctioned under National AYUSH Mission and AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers, so that the benefit may reach to the common people.

In the webinar, 15 Health/AYUSH Ministers shared their views on Operationalization of AYUSH Health & Wellness Centers and progress and implementation of National AYUSH Mission in their respective states and Union Territories. On this occasion, Mr Naik launched a dedicated Web-Portal for National AYUSH Mission for submission of  State Annual Action Plans, Utilization Certificates, Physical and Financial Progress report, and other informations related to the Ministry. The Minister also released 4 publications including Operational Guidelines for establishment of AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers.

Phase Five of the Vande Bharat Mission is scheduled to start from the first of August. A total of 792 flights which include 692 international flights and 100 domestic flights have been scheduled under this phase to repatriate Indians from 23 countries. These include GCC countries, US, Cananda, UK, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Israel, and Kyrgyzstan.

Briefing media this evening, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, these flights would cater to 21 different airports in India and repatriate a total of one lakh thirty thousand Indians stranded abroad. A total of 8 lakh 78 thousand 921 Indian nationals have returned till yesterday so far under the Mission. Of these, one lakh 7 thousand 452 Indians have returned from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Pakistan and Bangladesh through land borders. 

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the fast tracking of Environment Clearance Process in minor minerals mining operations across the Union Territory.

The order has been issued by the Industries and Commerce Department. The order said, in view of the acute and unprecedented shortage of key material for development works and challenging Covid-19 pandemic, the Terms of Reference,ToRs, Public Consultation and Environment Clearance, till whichever stage already obtained, completed in favour of the previous allottees of the minor mineral blocks, shall be deemed to have been transferred in favour of the new allottees of e-auction process.

The order said, the new allottees shall complete the remaining elements of the EC/CTO process and shall commence mining operation only after the completion of the due procedure. The order said that it is now provided, for major minerals that, successful bidders of the mining blocks, where mining leases are expiring under the provisions of the Act, and selected through auction as per prescribed procedure shall deem to have acquired all valid rights, approvals, clearances, licenses and the like vested with the previous lessee for a period of two years.

It added that it shall be lawful for the new lessee to continue mining operations on the same land for a period of two years. The order further stated that accordingly, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change vide Notification dated 28 March this year notified that the new lessee shall deem to acquire the valid EC vested with the previous lessee and continue mining operations on the same terms and conditions of the EC on the same lease area for a period of two years or till it obtains fresh EC, whichever is earlier.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has said that the new National Education Policy is a major step forward to enhance access to quality education to all the children and youth. In a series of tweets, Me Naidu expressed happiness that the new education policy has been approved by the government. He said, the Policy’s emphasis on mother tongue and multilingualism, for diversity and respect for the local context as well as a recognition of the importance of India’s classical languages. It will give learners a holistic world view. Mr Naidu said, the focus of education policy on ethics and human and Constitutional values will go a long way in the creation of an enlightened citizenship essential for deepening our democratic roots.

The Vice President said, the vision of new education policy is truly global and essentially Indian. It exemplifies India’s timeless quest for welcoming noble thoughts from all over the world. He said, setting up a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy is a much needed, timely step to improve the quality of education at the primary level. Mr Naidu said, the policy’s sharp focus on research, multidisciplinary approaches and use of technology as well as professional upgradation of teachers’ competence has the potential to qualitatively transform the education landscape of the country.

Bihar government has extended the lockdown in urban  areas till 16 of next month, in wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. According to the guidelines issued by the State Home Ministry, there will be additional restrictions, in state headquarters, district headquarters, sub-divisional headquarters, block headquarters and all municipal areas in the state from August 1 to 16.

During this period, the government offices will work with 50 per cent strength. Commercial and private offices will also be opened with 50 per cent capacity. Rail and air services will remain functional. All educational institutions and religious places will remain closed. Shopping and Cinema hall will not open.

Meanwhile, the number of positive cases of Coronavirus infection patients have mounted to over 48 thousand with reporting of 2,082 new cases. 31 thousand  673 patients have recovered so far and 16 thousand 41 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals. Recovery  rate  is 66 percent. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhusan has instructed Bihar government to increase further testing capacity till decreasing of positive cases. 

The Health Ministry has said that the COVID-19 recoveries have crossed one-million mark in the country. Briefing the media in New Delhi yesterday, the Officer of Special Duty in the Health Ministry said, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients increased from 7.85 per cent in April to 64.44 per cent at present. 

He said, the recoveries are 1.9 times the number of active cases of COVID-19. The Health Ministry Official said, effective clinical management led to decline in COVID-19 case fatality rate from 3.33 per cent on 18th June to 2.21 percent yesterday. He said, due to enhanced testing infrastructure, on an average 4 lakh 68 thousand 263 COVID-19 tests conducted daily from 26th to 30th July.

India has achieved another landmark with more than 6 lakh tests done in 24 hours. The Health Ministry said it is continuing to implement the strategy of comprehensive testing, tracking and treatment to effectively tackle the COVID19 pandemic. It said, the objective is to raise the testing capacity to 10 lakhs tests per day in the medium term.

The Prime Minister hailed India’s special friendship bond with Mauritius and termed it as one which is based on deep rooted cultural linkages. He said, India never commits into any relationship considering the financial implications or profitability. The Prime Minister was speaking  after jointly inaugurating the new Supreme Court building of Mauritius with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth yesterday. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to the vision SAGAR which was enunciated by him in 2015. SAGAR, which stands for security and growth for all in the region, is India’s high level articulation towards its vision of participatory developmental works in the Indian Ocean.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Government and people of Mauritius for effective management of containment of the global pandemic in the island country.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth speaking after the inauguration of the newly constructed Supreme Court building said India has always been helpful in development goals of Mauritius. Mr. Jugnauth thanked India for the support towards completion of major developmental projects in the country.

The Supreme Court building has been constructed with Indian grant assistance of 30 US million dollars and has been constructed under the India-assisted infrastructure project in the capital city of Port Louis after the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Abstract

The spread of the COVID-19 has proved deadly, and this is a challenging time for every single person belonging to any field or any background whether the person is a medical professional or a daily wage worker. Journalism has a great role to play in a democracy, as it has been ideally visualised as a platform for objective information and critical-rational discourse. Thus, the health of journalism in a country can be examined in the times of a crisis. Media is playing an important role in the COVID-19 response, even as it poses challenges to the industry. For the media sector, coronavirus creates both opportunities and challenges. Today, social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, have become primary sources of information. They are also vehicles for fake news and disinformation. Mitigating the advent of rumours and misinformation during the COVID-19 epidemic is crucial, since misinformation and fake news creates panic, fear and anxiety among people, predisposing them to various mental health conditions.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic can be considered unique. With large portions of the public staying home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to help stem the spread of the virus, people have few options but to rely even more heavily on media and media technologies to keep updated and stay connected. Mass media and social media platforms played a crucial role in providing information regarding the Coronavirus. In the face of COVID-19, media is a great way for individuals and communities to stay connected even while physically separated. Since little is known about the novel Coronavirus, it is essential to provide the correct information obtained from an authentic source. It is difficult to collect the current data of the affected, recovered and casualties, for, the rapidly changing data on Coronavirus. It is reported that the elderly and immune compromised individuals are more at risk for COVID-19 infection. Social media is one of the primary source proliferating the information regarding the virus The major drawback of social media amid a problematic situation as COVID-19 pandemic is that social media has been conveniently used as an approach to convey misinformation and fake news . After the advent of social networking platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, the information transmission in disaster contexts has increased globally at various levels. These misinformation’s need attention for enhancing sentiment awareness, improving emergency responses and supporting decision making.

Influence of Media and Its loop holes in the time of Crisis

Mass media have long been regarded as critical sources of public perceptions of risk. Through the media, people are acknowledged as a chance that offers the risk warnings and interprets the risk issues regarding the pandemic. The information regarding risk is presented in a manner that influences people’s perception of risk, especially sensational media reporting of a pandemic crisis. The politicization of this outbreak has been another difficult aspect today. Fundamentally, for many journalists, political motive is an important part of their job, with the aim of the media being to hold governments and governing bodies to account. Journalism is considered to be an ethical communicative practice in a democracy, but corporate ownership subverts the autonomy of journalism and the freedom of the press. Unfortunately, this conflict of interest has become a common feature of Indian journalism. The sudden announcement of the lockdown which gave people barely four hours of advance were notice created a nationwide panic, and the migrant labourers the worst affected. In the absence of work and other support in the cities, thousands of labourers and their families desperately wanted to go back to their homes. With no transportation available, many began the arduous journey on foot, and many were subjected to police brutality along the way, and some have died on the road back home. The lockdown, thus, was worse than COVID-19 for the homeless and the poor. While a few in the media made visible their plight, a particular kind of media coverage and projection also led to the middle class blaming migrants for their “irresponsible behaviour” during the pandemic. Media’s ugliest moment however, the media outrage that followed was clearly an extension of the already prejudiced and polarised coverage, as the Tablighi Jamaat was blamed for violating lockdown rules and for “corona jihad,” “Islamic insurrection,” and “corona terrorism.” Even as details about the congregation emerged on national news, #Corona_Jihad, #Nizamuddin_Idiots, #Covid-786 (a number that carries religious meaning for Muslims), began trending.

The coverage of the public-health crisis by these organisations contained little mention of the poor planning and disastrous implementation of the lockdown, or the government’s failure to prepare for the pandemic.

Conclusion

For the current COVID-19 pandemic, the development of a real-time information sharing system is must, which analyses the data from a variety of social media platforms in several languages globally. Strengthening the capacity of risk communication is an essential component of global efforts to enhance global health security. This period should encourage us to draw lessons about the way the world works and changes, about social relations, about the importance of public services and access to information. Our media contribute to the international reflection and debate needed to build the post-pandemic future and make the most of it. The Government bodies and public health care authorities should utilize the media in teaching awareness among the people and narrowing panic.

Indian education system has always been about making the students excel in their academic path. The best way for which is making the students disciplined. The act of making them disciplined has been a part of Indian educational system since time immemorial. Quite often in such an endeavour it involves a teacher beating the student as a form of punishment known as corporal punishment which can be either physically or mentally, a practice which had been followed and was normalized and in fact was even endorsed by many schools and hostels. It wasn’t until the NCPR survey in 2009- 10 which reviewed that the use of physical punishments was rampant in Indian schools and as brutal as cane beatings were a common practice being inflicted upon young students. Even though there is prevalence of laws to prohibit such an act covered in Cr Pc, Juvenile act etc. yet its roots are so deeply engraved in the education system that the students find themselves in thraldom of physical assault just to make them “well- disciplined”. Furthermore there have been cases like sexual assault, bullying and physical violence have been on an upsurge in many universities across India indicating a steep administrative failure. Can then the “no touch” policy be implemented to overcome this hurdle and insure a safe and protected environment for the campuses in India as well as a means for the young students to set themselves free from the clutches of corporal punishment?

The ‘no touch’ policy when implemented in any organization or campus discourages any sort of physical touch including hugging and horseplay. Violators of such a policy face the threat of suspension or even expulsion on these grounds if the accusations filed against them are found to be true. However, rather than being as a relief measure and a firm stance of the administration against corporal punishment, this policy extends to all the people in that school or campus. This ‘no touch’ policy gradually has started being implemented in many schools internationally. Parents are relieved about a safe and secure environment for the children whereas teachers have a chance to prove their worth and excel in their career as through such a policy in place, it reduces the amount of false accusations and name blaming by the students of having been physically or sexually harassed. This might also lead to a drastic reduction in the number of cases of sexual and physical harassment taking place on school grounds. However, such a policy is not devoid of its disadvantages. Instead this policy might as very well prove to be a double edged sword.

   Due to such a policy any physical touch which might be necessary under any uncertain or unwarranted circumstance like a medical emergency where physical touch is necessary or during P.E activities or music lessons, might prove to be inappropriate and give a wrong impression thereby creating a negative atmosphere rather than creating a positive impact in the bodies present at school. According to child psychologist Sean Cameron, “What’s missing is recognition of how important touch is. And that withholding touch is in itself of form of psychological abuse.” In today’s atmosphere and environment it is more than necessary to impart correct sexual education; its importance can never be stressed enough. Parents and educational institutions play a primary role in articulating this knowledge. However, this might all go all down the hill if there is adherence to such type of policy as it will only cause a psychological hindrance for them. The whole difference between what is a safe touch and what is an inappropriate touch will become a blurry concept for them as the environment in which they are growing up plays a centrifugal premise in their understanding capacity.  This policy might dazzle the eyes in a first glance but in reality it is nothing but just another form of hindrance in letting the children grow in a proper environment and substantive environment, such a policy might create a negative feeling towards any sort of touch made by the opposite sex and might even lead to a disruptive response of any sort of human touch.

India’s youth suicide rate is among the world’s highest. Thereby, a no touch policy in campus might seem as an adequate step and a head- strong decision in the direction to overcome this social problem in the society as even Combating physical violence and bullying is indeed a difficult obstacle to overcome. However is physical violence, bullying etc. one of the major contributors of causing and un- cohesive environment among these students in campus to such an extent that it plays a role in student suicide rate and for which ‘no touch’ policy might seem the absolute option?

    Almost all students in the country face a tremendous amount of pressure from family members to excel in their academic life in such a coat throat competing academic structure , adopting such a policy will act as a catalyst in detailing their mental health. It needs to be understood that adolescence is a tender age, it is an age where they want to revolt against any sort of tradition or rules set by the society which might seem to hinder their personal liberty or might seem orthodox. Already as per the set guidelines of UGC the student’s activities are already being monitored through CCTV cameras, security check posts, random checking etc. a regressive policy like this might lead to an aggressive revolt, which shall be nothing but prove to be bane for the university administration as well as in student’s well-being. As stated earlier the causes for student suicide are family problems, drug addiction etc. rather than addressing these problems, a ‘no- touch’ policy is nothing but a hasty step and a vague attempt in understanding the youth’s problems reasoned by bigot understanding of the situation at hand. What needs to be noted is that    

Clearly, such a policy is just a digressive way and does not even address the problem at hand that is prevalent in today’s youth culture. For the children at school so much more can be done. The principals or the dean can send out a strong message showing zero tolerance over corporal punishment, conducting seminars and campaigns and imparting sex- education in the best way possible from an early age. With regular parents- teacher meet or conducting seminars for parents even they can get involved with their child’s performance and behaviour at school grounds and looking at rather corporal punishment, coming up with other means and effective tools to make them disciplined. Whereas in the university campuses such a regressive policy has no grounds. The cases of bullying or physical or sexual harassment can be combatted with a strict and active student as well as administrative councils, where the administration staff with a healthy discussion with the student body can come up with strong policies, to combat such hurdles.

Hence, a ‘no touch’ policy in campuses holds no substantive grounds and should be left to just theory rather than coming up with steps on how to implement it effectively.

So far is India is concerned, the concept of caste system is the creation of ancient Indian Vedic society. The Vedic society was divided into two periods- the early or Rid Vedic and the later Vedic society i.e. at the time of other 3 Vedas, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas. So during the time of Rig Veda, which composed of the early Vedic civilization, society at that time in India was not divided into various castes. At that time Society was normally divided into 4 groups or classes in order to perform the works of the society in a better manner. For example if one person is quite competent in the task of weaving, then that person will become a weaver. Now the priests were computed enough to continue with learning of the religious scriptures or say the other activities which is related to the intellectual ability of any person. He was regarded as a person who would continue the learning method and process that is he would be a learner in scholarly activities and he would become a teacher imparting education. So the intellectual faculty was under his control. He was regarded as a “Brahmin”. One person, if he had the competence to become a trader or a businessman he could follow that pursuit or profession. He was regarded as a “Vaishya”. If any person had the capability of might, ability and strength he could take the task of the defence of the country and would be regarded as a “Kshatriya” and those who could perform the task of art and labours were “Shudras”.So this was the categorisation of various professions according to the ability or choice of a particular person which prevailed in the early Vedic period. But, however as the time went by caste system became rigid and permanent and it began to be decided by birth and not by profession.

So, now the question arises is the caste system is withering away with time? Under the impact of socio-economic changes and political democracy caste system is changing in its cultural aspects such as hierarchy, pollution and purity, and doctrines of karma and dharma and structural aspects which includes established pattern of inter caste relationships such as endogamy, restrictions on interlining and other forms of social relationship and unequal distribution of power. In the traditional society ritual purity, rather than the economic criteria, determined the rank of each group. In the modern context the ritual dimension has been considerably eroded and the significance of the secular dimension, with which power and wealth are associated, has certainly increased. Today’s symbols of status are modern occupation, education, income, wealth and political power. Prof. D. N. Mazumdar says “The new trend in caste dynamics today is a concerted effort on the part of the backward and underprivileged castes to rearrange them on a horizontal plane instead of pressing their claims for accommodation in the hierarchical ladder.” The cultural and social distances among jatis are being reduced as there has been a shift away from traditional symbols to modern political and technological symbols of status. Under-privileged and socially backward groups at every level of society have now entered the political arena as they had never been able to do before. Mobility efforts have now been increasingly related to political participation in the district, state and national politics. Shifts in the traditional power structure have occurred in the local district and state levels.

Despite these changes and the constitutional abolition of all caste distinctions, the caste system exists and shows no sign of dying. There are several reasons. First, the dominance of power of one caste over another is a crucial factor in the continuance of the system. In the countryside the dominant castes, not necessarily higher castes, by virtue of their control of land such as the primary productive asset and capital enjoy real power and influence. Social disparities between them and the other half of the rural population, the lower castes mostly share-croppers and agricultural labourers remain powerless and without influence. The latter are dependent on the former for secured employment and financial borrowing in times of distress. There are millions of village households who live in debt bondage. Opportunities for them to change occupation are small in most villages. The patron-client relationship enables the dominant castes to mobilise the lower castes in their factional feuds in the villages or in their competitive struggle for political power. In many areas the lower castes vote for the dominant caste nominee either through a mixture of fear, traditional subservience or ignorance. If the lower castes appear to want to exercise their own choice of candidate, the dominant castes do not hesitate to use violent coercion (e.g. in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar political booth capturing or preventing the Dalit’s from casting their votes or manipulating the votes have been common occurrence during general and local elections).

The fact is that the creation of new political opportunities and new bases of power have enabled the dominant castes or caste community to develop at the regional level in particular, “patronage-client networks” based on traditional loyalties. In most states (except West Bengal) several castes are constantly fighting for power and people are mobilised by using the caste idiom. Thus increased politicisation of castes has given a new lease of life, as Srinivas pointed out to castes. There are castes and various sub-caste groups in virtually every state political party organisation (except the communist parties), legislative assembly and government ministry. Inter-jati conflict is a major component of politics in most states. Large agglomeration of caste groups like Jats, Yadavas, Ahirs. Rajputs and Okkaligas play a vital role in politics, and through politics, in the allocation of resources and distribution of benefits to followers. Increased politicisation of castes has largely led to the displacement from state legislative assemblies’ reformers who represented modern values by representatives of jatis and their values. In general, the modus operandi of jatis has been neither to force change nor to oppose change beyond self-interest but rather to accommodate it. Profit from it or make the best of it, endure.

The second factor contributing to increased caste consciousness and caste-based identity of the people is the reservation policy which emphasises not the individuality of an Indian citizen but his caste identity. Caste quotas are adjusted and are readjusted through intense political bargaining in a language which implicitly assumes that castes and not just individuals have claims. In the traditional Indian society the rights and obligations of an individual were to some extent defined by caste. The system of quotas has strengthened the belief that every caste or group of castes should have a share to the nation’s cake. Caste which is about collective identity is thus strengthened.

Thirdly, though modern occupations have expanded only a minority of people have employment in areas where equality of opportunity is expected to work. The various castes, particularly Scheduled Castes, are very thinly represented in the higher administrative and managerial occupations in proportion to their numbers in the total population. Any radical change in this respect depends on two things : one, greater use of the facilities of education provided to them; and two, radical change of traditional attitudes regarding purity and pollution among the upper castes who dominate higher occupations. Moreover, caste associations represent their members’ political and economic concerns and to that extent they enhance caste-consciousness. The formation, fragmentation and reformation of associations of jatis, jati-segments and jati alliances all over India tend to perpetuate caste distinctions.

Fourth, the political system is dominated by a kaleidoscopic coalition of the elites belonging to all sections and the same pattern prevails in all political parties. In each of these groups whether, for example, Brahman, Jat, Rajput, Yadav, Muslim or Scheduled Caste, there is a critical elite which is posing as spokesman of its respective constituency. In some instances they mean to do something for their constituency: but things often cannot be done. The reason is that power relations, despite the minor changes, have substantially reinforced traditional power alignments, partially against the poor and underprivileged.

Fifth, caste is more than a system, as Lannoy puts it: it is a state of mind. The psychology of the vast majority of Hindus is still fundamentally a caste psychology Indeed hierarchy and caste form part of the unconscious psychological element of the Hindu. Very few Hindus are found to carry out their social and political duties and relationships in a spirit of secularism and egalitarianism. Those who strive for social mobility do not challenge the hierarchical frame but believe rather that they are only trying to restore their proper place within it. Those who oppose them believe that the climbers are trying to alter ordained order of society. The caste system is characterised by the dominance of the religious order over the secular. To reverse this order a fundamental change of the value system which legitimates the caste system is required.

Sixth, endogamy, the formidable pillar which has sustained the caste structure, has remained almost unshaken. Inter-caste marriages are few. Even when inter-marriages do take place across castes, the barrier of untouchability is rarely crossed. Indeed, it continues to restrict intermarriage even after conversion to Christianity. The jati continues to be the principal unit of endogamy, an essential attribute of identity. a common locus for interaction.

To conclude, socio-economic changes and political democracy have profoundly affected the caste system. The caste system is changing but it persists and shows no sign of dying.