Tag: complete lockdown

HOW MUCH THE CORONA OUTBREAK HAD AFFECTED OUR ECONOMY

COVID-19 cases in India have crossed 200000 mark and death toll crossed 8,000. First Corona case was reported in Wuhan in China on 31st December of 2019. Then it started spreading all over the world. Very swiftly it became a pandemic from an epidemic. Currently more than 200 countries and territories have been reported with novel corona virus pandemic. The corona outbreak has badly affected the world in many ways. The education system, social structure and specially the world economy have got severely affected by this pandemic. Even the first world countries are also suffering. Our country is a third world country which is also badly affected by this virus.

Corona Virus is a new kind of virus which has not been found in human body ever before. It is a large family of viruses that causes illness in human body and the symptoms are very ordinary such as fever, sneezing, respiratory problems etc. Many people are being diagnosed with this virus, who are not even showing any kind of symptoms. The doctors and the scientists are really working extremely hard to provide the vaccine as soon as possible. If the vaccine or medicine can not come any soon, many countries’ economy will be fully destroyed.

The impact of the pandemic has been felt across the industries and the outbreak got declared as a national emergency. Indian economy has got severely affected by this pandemic. The Indian government had issued the first lockdown on 25th March. The lockdown was necessary so that we can stop community spread of the virus in India. But due to the lockdown many business companies are suffering a lot. The poor people who do not have a stable job have lost their livelihoods since they do not have anything to earn anymore. So many poor people and migrant workers took their lives out of depression since they lost their jobs and have nothing to do anymore.

The well to do or the big companies are also suffering and struggling a lot to save their economy in this lockdown. The employers are not getting their salary to provide salary to their employees. So that some of the companies are eliminating some of their employees from the companies to reduce the load of clearing their payment. Some of the companies are even working in this pandemic because they have no options left for them, if they do not work the entire company can collapse. Many jobs are at high risk in this corona outbreak.

Though the government employees are getting their salary inspite of not working on site, there is no certainty how long they will be provided with this facility. Some of the government jobs are also at really high risk. After the government announced the economic package, some of the business sectors got some relief but there are still companies which are still suffering. If not very soon any relief fund is initiated or if they do not get the permission to work on sites then these companies will completely collapse, which will badly affect our economic system.

India under Lockdown: Unlocking Domestic Violence

Home is the safest place for anyone to be with own family in this pandemic situation. Unfortunately it is the worst place for lot of women in the world. Domestic violence has witnessed a tremendous surge during the lockdown period. The modes vary from the physical, sexual, mental to financial abuse or assaults. The victims, most of whom are women, fall prey to chronic diseases, acute depression, trauma and so forth. The attacks are repeated on a regular basis, daily. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the risk of intimate partner violence will increase all around the world as people are encouraged to be in their homes during the lockdown. There are various domestic violence helplines from different organisations in different parts of the world to save the victims.

According to the reports of National Commission for Women (NCW) in India, issues an urgent alert on the increasing number of reported cases. The lockdown stress is intensifying mental frustration if the perpetrators of violence, who vent their anger on women and children. The anxiety of losing jobs, associated insecurities and financial problems are making the abusers more violent. To cope with this trend various hotlines are operating to enable victims to report their cases. The number of cases surprise all because no one realised before that the lockdown would lead to such unleashing of domestic violence.

Coronavirus has affected the Indian economy very badly. Alongside the economic uncertainty these cases are rising steadily. The NCW reports that this year it has received more than 250 cases of domestic violence from 23 March to 16 April which is almost 100% increase from 27 February to 22 March. The NCW apprehends that the reported cases are only a small percentage of the cases occurring. There must be more unreported cases where the victims are in constant vulnerability. The number of domestic violence cases rose from 3,287 to 3,993 during the lockdown.

West Bengal government helpline has received over seventy cases during the lockdown. A woman living in a high profile highrise in Kolkata had to file a FIR in the nearby police station alleging torture and abuse by the husband.  In another incident, the Association of Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) reported that a twenty-six year old woman, Sona Mondol from Malda district, was strangled by her husband. In another case, a wife was killed by her husband for protesting against his extra-marital affair.

616 domestic violence cases have been reported across Tamil Nadu from 25 March to 14 May through helplines. The number is alarming considering the brief period. Telangana women are also facing the brunt of the hike in domestic violence cases. According to Sakhi One Stop Centres, around 89% cases registered in April are of domestic violence. A report from the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) mentions a total of 144 registered cases in Uttarakhand. According to the Punjab State Commission for Women (PSCW), the helpline number is receiving minimum of thirty complaints regarding domestic violence each day since 22 March. There are some interstate cases as well. Thus, the Kerala State Women Commission received a call from Chennai. The caller reported that his sister and her daughter were hiding in the wild forest in Idukki district, Kerala, after being thrown out from home.

Police in Delhi states that over 2,500 women called their emergency helpline numbers. They have received 600 cases of abuse against women, 23 cases of rape assaults and 1612 cases of other kinds of domestic violence within second week of April. There is one case from Uttam Nagar, of a twenty-eight year old young mother, who had undergone mental and physical abuse in front of two toddlers by her spouse and his family. He beat her up severely and told her to leave the house immediately.

Coordinators of various private helpline numbers from across India report that their phones are constantly ringing with distress calls, some of which call for immediate help. Domestic violence is not going to vanish instantly. But what is important is to report these cases to the nearest police station and to make use of both the government and private helplines.

E-LEARNING-CHANGING THE WAY OF EDUCATION.

ABOUT

In this era of Technological boom, e-learning has placed knowledge right at our finger tips, no matter where we are and at what time of the day we wish to study. Literature, Science, Math, Geography, History – you name it; we have it on the display screen of our tablets or phones at the swipe of our fingers.

Just one smart device and some nominal charge for internet connection would take us from the primary level of learning to even college education!e-learning doesn’t In this era of Technological boom, e-learning has placed knowledge right at our finger tips, no matter where we are and at what time of the day we wish to study.

E-learning doesn’t differentiate between a slow learner or a studious one because it helps set up an individualized pattern according to the pace of every student. It doesn’t even matter what our life situation is or how old we are, and is an affordable option for people who can’t meet expenses to purchase lots of books or enroll for tuition or coaching classes website.

WHAT E-LEARNING PROVIDES?

Online learning provides us with an audio-visual treat and 3-dimensional perception that help us comprehend concepts in a much better way. We are open to taking tutorials not only from Indian teachers, but also from people belonging to different parts of the world.

We also get to divide study timings as per our convenience. Literally, no more carrying around books and bags – just sit, stand and walk while learning!

Yet, online learning tempts one to browse through various subjects on a superficial level, rather than going into deep study. This practice, in turn, leads to insufficient understanding of certain basic concepts which might affect our advanced learning.

This is because most online courses do not follow a structured pattern or work assessment. So some students might fail to meet the expected standard of education.

Also, using technology has its own issues like slow internet connection, power shortage crises and cyber security concerns.

If learners use e-learning software, they require devices that are only compatible with that software which is quite a costly investment, at least initially.

One ought to admit though , communication via human connections is a different pleasure altogether, that cannot be substituted by electronic devices in which computer proficiency is essential.

E-LEARNING OVER CLASSROOM LEARNING :

In traditional classroom settings, getting to share ideas with friends, playing with them during break-time, spending some time with nature and listening to encouraging talks from elderly teachers do develop kids’ social skills and empathetic approach.

We cultivate mutual respect and take responsibility for our actions and become better individuals through human connections.

Speaking of health issues, prolonged screen time and sedentary habits eventually lead to dry eyes and obesity. Unhealthy sitting postures cause backache and stiff neck too.

When bored with studies, students play online games and watch inappropriate stuff that could lead them to bad ways or unhealthy lifestyle. Online addiction has been lately categorized as a mental disorder.

In short, e-learning can either shape us into brilliant personalities or can degrade us to lazy and indifferent individuals, depending on our responsible usage & proper supervision of students by adults

 between a slow learner or a studious one because it helps set up an individualized pattern according to the pace of every student.

It doesn’t even matter what our life situation is or how old we are, and is an affordable option for people who can’t meet expenses to purchase lots of books or enroll for tuition or coaching classes.

Online learning provides us with an audio-visual treat and 3-dimensional perception that help us comprehend concepts in a much better way. We are open to taking tutorials not only from Indian teachers, but also from people belonging to different parts of the world.

We also get to divide study timings as per our convenience. Literally, no more carrying around books and bags – just sit, stand and walk while learning!

Yet, online learning tempts one to browse through various subjects on a superficial level, rather than going into deep study. This practice, in turn, leads to insufficient understanding of certain basic concepts which might affect our advanced learning.

This is because most online courses do not follow a structured pattern or work assessment. So some students might fail to meet the expected standard of education.

Also, using technology has its own issues like slow internet connection, power shortage crises and cyber security concerns.

If learners use e-learning software, they require devices that are only compatible with that software which is quite a costly investment, at least initially.

One ought to admit though , communication via human connections is a different pleasure altogether, that cannot be substituted by electronic devices in which computer proficiency is essential.

In traditional classroom settings, getting to share ideas with friends, playing with them during break-time, spending some time with nature and listening to encouraging talks from elderly teachers do develop kids social skills and empathetic approach.

We cultivate mutual respect and take responsibility for our actions and become better individuals through human connections.

Speaking of health issues, prolonged screen time and sedentary habits eventually lead to dry eyes and obesity. Unhealthy sitting postures cause backache and stiff neck too.

When bored with studies, students play online games and watch inappropriate stuff that could lead them to bad ways or unhealthy lifestyle. Online addiction has been lately categorized as a mental disorder. In short, e-learning can either shape us into brilliant personalities or can degrade us to lazy and indifferent individuals, depending on our responsible usage & proper supervision of students by adults.

PM calls for complete lockdown of entire nation for 21 days

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called for a complete lockdown of the entire nation for the next 21 days beginning at midnight tonight in an effort to contain the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In a special televised address to the Nation the Prime Minister said that even those nations with the best of the medical facilities could not contain the virus and that the social distancing is the only option to mitigate it.

“All of you are also witnessing how the most advanced countries of the world have been rendered absolutely helpless by this pandemic. It is not that these countries are not putting in adequate efforts or they lack resources. The Coronavirus is spreading at such a rapid pace that despite all the preparations and efforts, these countries are finding it hard to manage the crisis.

The analysis of happenings in all these countries since the last two months, and the opinion of experts has proved that there is only one way to effectively deal with Coronavirus – Social Distancing” he said.

Cautioning of those who are careless, the Prime Minister said, “carelessness of a few, ill-conceived notions of a few can put you, your children, your parents, your family, your friends, the entire country in grave jeopardy. It will be impossible to estimate the price India will have to pay if this carelessness continues.”

He also urged the people to take the lockdown imposed by the State Governments in several parts of the country, in the last few days with utmost sincerity.

The Prime Minister announced that from midnight tonight onwards, the entire country shall go under complete lockdown, a total ban is being imposed on people, from stepping out of their homes for a period of 21 days.

He said this decision was taken from the experiences of health sector experts and experiences of other countries and that 21 days is essential to break the chain of infection.

He added that this will be a few levels more than Janata-Curfew, and also stricter. He said this decision is vital in order to protect the country, and each of its citizens against Corona Pandemic.

Discussing the economic impact owing to the Pandemic, the Prime Minister said, “The nation will have to certainly pay an economic cost because of this lockdown. However, to save the life of each and every Indian is our top most priority. Hence, It is my plea to you to continue staying wherever you are right now in the country.”

The Prime Minister explained that if the situation is not brought under control in the next 3 weeks, the country could go back 21 years and that several families would be devastated forever. Hence, he urged the people to do just one thing in the next 21 days – to stay inside their homes.

The Prime Minister said the experiences of those countries that have been able to contain Corona offer some ray of hope.

He said that those countries that observed lockdown and where people adhered to the rules are able to surmount the pandemic.

The Prime Minister said,  “India is at a stage where our current actions will determine how much we are able to minimize the impact of this disaster. It’s time to consistently keep strengthening our resolve. It’s time to exercise caution at every step. You have to remember that Jaan hai toh Jahaan hai. This is the time for patience and discipline. Until the lockdown situation remains, we must keep our resolve, we must keep our promise.”

The Prime Minister said the Central and State Governments countrywide are working swiftly to ensure that citizens do not face much inconvenience in their daily life. He said that provisions have been made to ensure supplies of all essential items continue smoothly. He added that along with the Central and State Governments, individuals from civil societies and institutions are constantly striving to reduce the problems of the poor during this period of crisis.

Shri Modi announced that the Government has provided Rupees Fifteen Thousand Crore (Rs 15,000,00,00,000) for strengthening the medical infrastructure and treatment of the Corona infected patients.

He appealed to the people to beware of any kind of rumors or superstitions circulating during such times. He requested the people not to take any medication without consulting doctors if you are showing any symptoms of this infection. He expressed confidence of every Indian abiding by the instructions of the Government and local authorities during this crucial hour.

The Prime Minister praised every Indian who came together in the hour of crisis and contributed with full responsibility and sensitivity to ensure the success of Janata Curfew. He added “Through one day of Janata-Curfew, India proved that at the time of crisis befalling our nation, at the time of crisis befalling humanity, how each and every Indian comes together to put forth united efforts to deal with it.”

The Prime Minister concluded though 21 days of lockdown is a long time, but it is equally essential for your safety and that of your family. He expressed confidence that every Indian will not only successfully fight this difficult situation but also emerge victorious.

***