From the desk of Editor-in-Chief
Time to reset for a different tomorrow
The entire world has come to a standstill combating COVID-19 and the health scare has gripped the entire mankind around. In this global crisis, the medical fraternity has emerged to be the ultimate savior. While countries across the globe are battling hard to combat the dreaded virus, balancing lives and livelihood seems to be the most challenging equation.
The continuous lockdown in India has successfully curbed the highly contagious virus to get into community, eventually resulting in relatively low death toll. Maintaining balance between the economic activity and food security to millions of stranded population comprising of labourers, security guards, construction site workers, commercial sex workers, vulnerable children across the country has been a tough call.
Though the lockdown has jolted public life, especially of hundreds of thousands of migrants and daily wagers, the government still deserves appreciation for not letting millions die. In its endeavour, the government has engaged with NGOs to expand the horizon of civil supplies or facilities for the poor.
The fight against the pandemic can only be built on a vision of a society that is inclusive, equitable and non-discriminatory.
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As the health scare and financial insecurity has gripped everyone, the entire country is waiting to come out of their homes once the lockdown ends. In such difficult times that most of us have probably seen for the first time it becomes imperative for all of us to gain absolute control and start resetting ourselves for a different tomorrow. Meanwhile, the only mantra to sail through the present tough tide is Stay home, Stay safe.
Happy reading!
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Coronavirus: India fights back
By Vishwajeet Ghoshal and Soma Chakraborty
In India it started with the first case of COVID-19 on January 30, 2020 leading to the present number of positive cases to 46, 433.Claiming 1,568 deaths as on 5th May, the crisis has posed unprecedented challenges before the Government of India.
The third phase of lockdown has brought the entire economy to a screeching halt and has posed uncertainty before 1.3 billion people of India. The corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak came to light on December 31, 2019 from Wuhan City in Hubei province of CHINA and on January 9, 2020, the WHO issued a statement saying Chinese researchers have made ‘preliminary determination of the virus as novel coronavirus’ declared pandemic as on March 11, 2020 by Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General at a media briefing by emphasising “So every Sector and every individual must be involved in the fight.”
India’s efforts to fight against the coronavirus pandemic under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an example for the world and drawn praises from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as various other world leaders. The Bridge takes a look at the efforts taken by the Central as well as some state governments to combat the deadly viral infection.
The strategy
World’s second most populous country with 1.3 billion population is fighting the war against COVID-19 with a ‘cluster containment strategy’ to contain the disease within a defined geographic area by early detection of cases, breaking the chain of transmission and thus preventing its spread.
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Hon’ble Prime Minister in his address to the Nation on 24th March 2020 highlighted that “The Central Government has provisioned 15 thousand crore rupees for treating Coronavirus patients and strengthening the medical infrastructure of the country. This will allow for rapidly ramping up the number of Corona testing facilities, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Isolation Beds, ICU beds, ventilators and other essential equipment. The funds sanctioned will be utilized for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response (amount of Rs.7774 crores) and rest for medium-term support (1-4 years) to be provided under mission mode approach.
Relief packages
The Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package coined as ‘Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana’ targeting 80 crore people by providing additional 5 kg wheat or rice for free, in addition to the 5 kg per month already given to the entitled household at subsidised rates including one kg pulses. However the large number of poor migrant workers, with wailing children on the shoulders, trudging 500-700 km’s from cities have been left out in absence of Aadhar-Card based regime. Secondly, the Finance Minister announcement of providing Rs 2000/- as first instalment of PM-KISAN to 8.69 crore farmers as immediate relief since the lockdown has severely hit them at a time while they are on the verge of harvesting of crop. It however has missed out the remaining 6 crore marginal farmers who were supposed to be covered by the Prime Minister during the announcement in 2018. The Cash Transfer, based on Direct Benefit Transfer, will be given to farmers, MGNREGA Workers, poor widows, pensioners, poor disabled people, women with Jan Dhan Accounts, women beneficiaries under ‘Ujjwala Scheme’ women self-help groups, unorganized sectors workers, construction workers, district mineral fund.
The Centre announcement of providing medical insurance of Rs 50 lakh immediately to any person succumbed to COVID-19 while discharging their responsibilities as COVID-19 warriors was heartening step. The scheme would provide support to nearly 22 lakh health workers in government hospitals including ASHA Workers (Accredited Social Health Workers), paramedics, nurses, doctors and sanitation workers in the Hospital. Nearly, 3 crore poor pensioners above 60 years, widows and disabled people would be given ₹1000 in two instalments over the next three months. The 20 crore women holding Jan Dhan Yojana accounts would get ₹500 a month over the next three months as well. The 8.3 crore poor households that received cooking gas connections under the Ujjwala Scheme, would now get free gas cylinders for the same period. The Welfare fund of Rs 31,000 crore lying with the ‘Building and Construction Workers Welfare Boards’ to be use for the Welfare of approximately 3.5 crore registered construction workers. Collateral free loans can be availed by women self help groups under the ‘National Rural Livelihood Mission’ have been doubled to Rs 20 lakh, going to accrue benefit to close to seven crore households. For organised sector workers, Centre will pay EPF contribution of both employer and employee (total of 24%) for next three months. This is for establishments up to 100 employees, of which 90% earn less than ₹15,000 per month.
Epicenters turned into role models
Kerala has became the model in the management of COVID-19, from being the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak to rapidly ‘flattening the curve’, through its unique participatory governance has had historical precedence. The coordination and communication between the various levels of Kerala Government set testimony of bringing all the energies together by treating it as a humanitarian crisis by developing a framework of care and compassion, both in its policy and implementation.
The Bhilwara COVID-19 containment ‘model’ was the most affected places in India during the first phase of the COVID-19 as the Brijesh Bangar Memorial Hospital in the city had become the epicentre of the COVID-19 cases. The ruthless containment model barring essential services, extensive screening close to 23 lakh people by around 2000 team. The success of Bhilwara in containing the transmission of coronavirus has now prompted the central government to adopt the ‘Bhilwara model of containment’ on a nationwide scale, particularly with the most-affected 62 districts in different states of India.
The biggest challenge before the Government is of the revival of its economy as economic activities abruptly came to a standstill in the event of continued lockdown and has severally affected the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which employ114 million people comprising 30 percent of the labour force making substantial contribution of more than 30 percent of the country gross domestic product(GDP).
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Corona Warriors: Heroes of Humanity
Vijayanta Gopal Arya (DCP, North-West, Delhi)
Dr Suresh Kumar (Nodal Officer, Lok Nayak Hospital)
Aisha, (Community Worker)
Doctors, cops or community workers, these ‘soldiers’ are showing exemplary valour in the battle against COVID-19. Karan Bhardwaj speaks to these incredible individuals about their motivation and crisis management
It is impossible to imagine Marvel’s team of ‘Avengers’ in reality. But as they say, superheroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary. While the world is combating one of its worst ever existential crisis in the form Coronavirus, our Corona Warriors have emerged to be our Superman, Batman or say, Ironman. These warriors comprise doctors, nurses, sanitation workers, police, home guards, delivery boys, media and community workers. Words fall short of their heroism. They have risked their life and risen above individual interests while crossing over their line of duty to help humanity survive. We spoke to a few corona warriors who are leading with example:
Vijayanta Gopal Arya, DCP, North-West, Delhi
For Vijayanta, a mother of two, aged five and seven years, there is no compromise when it comes to code, duty and honour. “Once you wear the khaki, or rather the khaki chooses you, it becomes a part of you. You cannot turn your face away when your service needs you. It’s my uniform that drives me. It’s always ‘Nation First’,” she says with conviction. There are multiple hotspots in her district, and it requires her team to be more vigil than before.
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Arya says her team was required to walk an extra mile in the discharge of their duty as they had to adopt more humane approach than just a vigil officer. People are expecting medical, financial and psychological assurances. “There are senior citizens, students, and other individuals, who have to be assured that somebody is out there to take care of them. Migrant labourers who were badly hit by the lockdown needed much support. We have been helping them to relocate to shelter homes, and then checking on them on a daily basis. We also act as a link between migrants and civic agencies which deal with their grievances,” she informs.
At her office and police stations, Arya has framed corona-specific guidelines. Masks, sanitizers are now mandatory accessories. Thermal scanners have been installed at police stations and the cops have been advised to maintain social distancing on and off duty. Complaint boxes have been lodged at the entrances in order to avoid physical contact with people.
Personally, Arya had a close brush with COVID-19 when her husband, Devender Arya, who is also a DCP rank cop in Delhi (South West), had to be quarantined for 14 days after one of his officers tested positive for coronavirus. “So it was like a double whammy. Kids had already been complaining that their friends are spending time with parents while we were hardly available. Now that their father was home quarantined, they couldn’t hug him,” she softly speaks while adding that her department has been supportive all throughout.
Dr Suresh Kumar, Nodal Officer, Lok Nayak Hospital
It was quite challenging to get through to Dr Suresh Kumar and understandably so. However, we managed to catch him at 8 pm as he was returning from his duty at Lok Nayak Hospoital, Delhi, where he has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for Coronavirus. “Don’t know how the entire day goes by… so many things to attend. Right now, I am rushing to buy groceries as shops are about to get shut,” says Dr Suresh while agreeing to speak over the phone for 10 minutes. He has been away from home for several days. “I go to my house if there is something important. Sometimes, I am required to stay in the hospital for two consecutive weeks,” he says. Dr Kumar is a proud son of a soldier and it reflects in his sentiments. “My father told me it’s a war and ‘you are a soldier’. Whether I survive or not comes secondary. I have to serve the country. I have that spirit. If we have dedicated approach and a good team, we will win,” he affirms.
People all over the world are lauding doctors. But how does one prepare oneself in a medical emergency like this? “Initially, there was fear and anxiety among health workers,” admits Dr Kumar, adding that intense training were carried out to dispel concerns. “We have given 200 hours of training to doctors, nurses, sanitization staff, security guards, ambulance staff at the hospital. We continue to organize one-hour long training on a daily basis at our auditorium which has capacity of 250 people,” he informs. Result is also impressive. LNJP, despite being one of the busiest Corona-designated facilities in Delhi, has managed to contain the spread of virus within the hospital staff while also registering a significant number of recoveries in patients. “This was possible as we utilized time in March to prepare for the outbreak. We learnt from the experience of China, implemented guidelines issued by WHO, ICMR and other prestigious papers like England Journal of Medicines. We had pertinent questions like how to prepare to treat suspected or confirmed infected patients, how to test or screen them, how to run OPDs and other indoor services. So, we tapped resources in advance to prepare ourselves,” he says.
Dr Kumar is optimistic. “We are moving in the right direction. Our administration is working hard. We are together in this fight. With this size of population, the number of deaths is less. So far, we have contained it,” he says before signing off, “Can I go and buy milk now?”
Aisha, Community Worker
Few pockets at Jaitpur Khadda Colony in Delhi have been declared containment zones after some of the locals were tested positive but that didn’t deter the spirit of Aisha. She would reach the barricaded lanes twice everyday with large containers to distribute food among poor people. With the help of National NGO, she has also distributed gloves, masks and packaged food in others areas of Vishkarma Colony, Alia Farms and other nearby areas. “These people comprise weavers, artisans, daily wage workers, tailors, street food vendors and migrants who are left with no work. They are struggling to make both ends meet,” she rues.
Some people in these areas were already out of work due to recent protests against the government policies. With this epidemic, they were left with absolutely nothing. “Without food, you cannot survive anything, leave alone this disease,” she says, stating that even though her priority has been her responsibility towards the society, her personal life has also shaken up. Her two kids are not used to staying away from the mother. “For common people like us, it is difficult to manage homes and social work. My husband has been the pillar of strength. Since I am living separately in my house, he takes care of the household and our kids. But it is also true that both of us are worried about our kids’ safety,” she says. A few locals are also helping her in her efforts. People donated money to buy gloves and masks for her safety. But she has only one message for everyone: “You can save yourself and your loved ones by simply staying at home.”
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COVID-19: Corporate India Comes to Rescue
A prolonged lockdown, weak health infrastructure and lack of funds have posed a major challenge before India in its battle against Coronavirus, a deadly disease which has paralysed life across the globe. To help the nation combat this deadly virus effectively, Indian corporate giants have come forth in full force. Some of them are making monetary contributions at the national and domestic levels while others are taking lead at the grassroots level by manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPEs), disinfectants, sanitizers, masks, and even distributing food and other essentials to communities. Besides, they have also introduced structural reforms to keep the virus within organizations at bay. We track down a few corporates doing their CSR job quite effectively.
Jindal Stainless Foundation
Jindal Stainless through its Foundation chalked out relief plans early March. It invested in communities impacted by COVID – 19 in a deliberate phased manner. The Foundation is directly helping migrants and daily wage workers, farmers, slums besides making significant investments in production of medical equipment and research work. “After the announcement of the ‘Lockdown’, we immediately put our machinery into motion and carried out a random survey through our partners. We arrived at a plan to provide packets of dry rations to a migrant basti near Bhikaji Cama Place (Delhi).
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As a noble gesture, the Foundation has also initiated steps to mitigate problems of farmers during the lockdown. Some of the problems being faced by farmers include looming threat of cutting the crop, which is ready to be harvested with limited or no labor available, logistic support, marketing support , lack of pesticides, fungicides, seeds for planting during the present season, with limited time period available for such planting, etc. “We have engaged with both the Government of Odisha and Haryana, besides others to support the farmers. Our partner, Gram Unnati Foundation, has been given the license to procure directly from farmers and mitigate their distress sale problems,” Williams informs.
Nhpc Limited
NHPC, India’s premier hydropower company, has set an example of harmony amid lockdown by arranging food, medical check-up facilities and medicines for hundreds of Nepalese citizens stranded in Dharchula, District-Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) due to sealing of Indo-Nepal international border. NHPC’s Dhauliganga Power Station located near Dharchula has arranged all three daily meals for the stranded Nepalese nationals at Dharchula Stadium and relief camps set up at Nigalpani April 3 onward. During this, NHPC doctors have also conducted health check-up and provided free medicines.
To help people in the vicinity of NHPC Power Stations/Projects located at Jammu and Kashmir to fight COVID-19, the Mini Ratna PSU has developed 40 bedded quarantine centre with attached bathroom managed with government authorities at Reasi, 17 bedded quarantine centre at Dulhasti Power Station, and 10 bedded quarantine centre at Uri-I Power station. All efforts are being made to develop at least some Quarantine rooms and beds at each location. NHPC hospitals/dispensaries have been instructed to provide 24 hrs OPD services to all. Distribution of rice, flour, biscuit, soap, sanitizer, liquid hand wash, gloves, mask etc. has already started under CSR-SD from some of NHPC locations.
NHPC, along with its subsidiary NHDC, has pledged contribution of Rs 50 Crore from CSR fund of FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21 to the PM CARES Fund.
DCM Shriram
DCM Shriram has set up Rs 15 crore COVID-19 Contingency Fund, from which Rs 10 crore contribution has been made to the PM CARES fund while the rest of the amount is committed for initiatives to help communities in kind and for contribution to relief funds of state governments. The company has repurposed its manufacturing facilities in Kota (Rajasthan) and Bharuch (Gujarat) to produce Sodium hypochlorite (10 per cent solution) which is a disinfectant. Approximately 8 lakh liters have been donated collectively to Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to be used for sanitization purposes. Also, they have commenced production of hand sanitizers in two distilleries in Uttar Pradesh under the brand name CleanseUp and are giving it free of cost to community health centers and government offices.
“We have engaged our network of stakeholders, including NGO partners, ASHA workers, ANM and village level workers along with the administration to create awareness against coronavirus. ‘COVID-19 Control Rooms’ have been set up to ensure that migrants are sensitized through Gram Pradhans, local ANMs and NGO partners. These Control Rooms have already connected with over 1,700 migrants across four locations,” says Ajay S Shriram, Chairman & Sr MD, DCM Shriram.
In coordination with district administration, the company has provided a thousand each of N95 masks, surgical gloves and masks to five Community Health Centers (CHCs) along with in-house produced hand sanitizer cans.
The company has also provided 15,000 masks to the district administration of Hardoi. These masks have been stitched by the wives of the employees stationed in DCM Shriram sugar colonies at all the four units.
Fusion Microfinance
Fusion started its intervention early in the remote and backward villages of India. Taking a holistic approach, it has benefitted more than three lakh people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
In Bihar, a month-long awareness programme was organised covering 150 villages. Awareness campaigns in vernacular language were done using loudspeakers, people were made aware of protective measures (as per ICMR) through pamphlets and hygiene kits consists of sanitizer, soap and masks were distributed at the doorstep ensuring social distancing simultaneously.
“We have also taken steps to extend our support to low-income women to help them earn during this difficult time. They are provided with raw material to produce 15,000 masks which will be distributed across 15 districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. These women were provided training in tailoring earlier under the ‘Jivika – Skilling Program’, one of the CSR initiatives of Fusion,” says Devesh Sachdev, MD & CEO, Fusion Microfinance.
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NGOs emerge as key weapon in India’s armoury against Covid-19
By Sandeep Datta
Just as the Government of India clamped a national lockdown in March-end to prevent on spreading of contagious virus from China, it caused a massive crisis in various sectors apart from health.
Strict restrictions not allowing even stepping out of the house or travel for 21 days meant the world’s second most populated nation coming to a halt. Except for essential services or special permission to step out, meant staying locked up for days.
The Home Ministry in an advisory to states recently asked them to utilise the services of NGOs and religious organisations to provide food and shelter for the migrant workers, who have lost livelihood and stranded in distant places.
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The appeal sought assistance for government in locating not just hotspots but deputing volunteers and care givers to distributing services to the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, trans genders, and other vulnerable groups. It was also meant to create public awareness about prevention, social distancing, among others and to provide shelter to homeless, daily wage workers, and urban poor families and set up community kitchens for migrants.
NGOs Working Shoulder to Shoulder with Governments
With the shutdown continuing till date since March 25 due to worsening situation, the state and central governments continue to tackle Coronavirus with the vital help of NGOs active in different sectors.
A look at some prominent NGOs’ performance offers a bird’s view of their vital role.
SOS India
In this global pandemic situation, SOS Children’s Villages of India’s is continuing with its mission to help abandoned children who have learnt the cruelty of life too early, and vulnerable families confronting hunger and extreme poverty.
SOS Children’s Villages of India is presently reaching out to 27,000 children including their caregivers across 10,000 families in 22 States of India with the ultimate aim to help them stand strong during this global healthcare crisis posed due to Coronavirus. They are providing all necessary help and services to this vulnerable section of the society.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the country in terms of scale, speed of spread and impact, SOS Children’s Villages of India has developed different strategies. These aim to cater to the emerging health and humanitarian crisis among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, families and communities.
“Our co-workers at the frontline are prepared to help keep our children and local communities safe amidst the ongoing pandemic.”
To ensure the health and wellbeing of these vulnerable children, Sudarshan Suchi, Secretary General says “We have been taking informed decisions based on updated guidance shared by WHO and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. We have issued relevant guidance and our emergency teams are alert in each location. We also take precautionary measures.”
Child Survival India
The NGO observed that Personal Protective Kits are vital for doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to safeguard their health by minimising their exposure to a biological agent. These kits comprise goggles, face-shield, mask, gloves, coverall/gowns (with or without aprons), head cover and shoe cover.
In view of the grave need, the Child Survival India (CSI) donated kits and sanitisers and thermal scanners for health personnel of Delhi Health Department’s North District. These kits are needed by medical staff at hospitals as well as at the quarantine facility.
As an estimated 600,000 truck drivers are stuck on the highways and parking sites across the country, stranded without basic supplies for themselves. Realising their hardship, Child Survival India has provided in Vizag, Hyderabad, Kasna, Mysuru and Sriperumbedur dry rations, masks and soaps to truckers to enable them cook their food and maintain hygiene to stay safe from Coronavirus.
CSI has also distributed ration kits to needy families and migrant laborers at places like Vizag, Sriperumbedur, Rohtak, Patancheru, and Mysuru in close collaboration with District Collectors at Sangareddy (Telangana); Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu); Mysuru (Karnataka), and Rohtak (Haryana) informed Deepa Bajaj, CEO
CSI also created public awareness on hand washing and social distancing among 16,000 community members and 7,300 truckers through Tele -calling by the field team.
Light of Life Trust
Another noteworthy NGO, Light of Life Trust is dedicated to the cause of constantly reaching out to the economically challenged class.
Established in 2002 by Founder and Managing Trustee Villy Doctor with a vision to transform lives of the underprivileged rural communities in India, ‘Light of Life Trust’ has tried to help people during the national lockdown in many ways.
“With the help of our donors and team, we have managed to tie-up with Tehsil Kirana stores, who send hygienic grocery products to village grocery store. Our social workers/ parent representatives pick up the supply from the store and then distribute dry ration to our beneficiaries’ family.” Ramesh Dasawani, CEO adds.
Providing food and hygiene products to 62,40 beneficiary families, “we are also building their immune system in order to fight this deadly virus”.
Beneficiary Counselling Programme and Public Awareness has been educating people on COVID-19. “To help out the panicked villagers since lockdown, we have started the Beneficiary Counselling Programme. Our two doctors – Dr Geetanjalee Rao Hajare (Karjat Centre) and Dr Hemant Ghude (Murbadcentre) are counseling villagers by relentlessly answering their queries about Covid-19.”
Sangati Foundation
Another notable NGO is Sangati Foundation, which is contributing to the war against Corona in a host of ways such as employment generation for Persons-with-Disability through mask-stitching and distributing them to the needy on the road. It also provides ration packets to the needy families and podcasts from subject matter experts on ways of coping with corona.
The NGO is also offering Sangati assist Android mobile app for volunteer assistance management and responds to persons with disability who may be making individual calls for help across country.
Asked in these challenging times, especially for senior citizens and persons with disability, how do they get essentials — medicines, milk, bread, vegetables, someone to talk, take them to hospital etc. Alka Selot Asthana, Founder Trustee adds “In these times of lockdown and social distancing, we rely on volunteers to take care of those with disability, senior citizens and those lacking health or resources. “
Sangati Foundation offers use of its mobile app called Sangati Assist to manage volunteers in localities. Both Volunteers and Seekers of Voluntary help are required to download the android mobile app. They have to create a profile. As a Volunteer, one can specify the location or time or type of help one is willing to offer. As a seeker, one can specify the help one needs and the app would connect the person with the nearest available and willing volunteer.
Conclusively, the way India has so far been able to keep things under control despite Covid-19 challenge, the role and significance of having such a big pool of NGOs cannot go unrecognised. Tomorrow when the world will remember the frontliners who saved the country from Covid-19, NGOs would certainly find a respectful mention in history.
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NGOs respond to COVID-19 crisis
