Category Center for Human Dignity and Development

India's policy paradigm of governance has been proactive in meeting the needs of the poor and marginalized, in line with the values enshrined in the country's constitution. Because of the structural denial of social and economic rights, efforts must be made to ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in society. In light of this acknowledgement, the Government of India is working toward disability inclusion. Disabled people's rights are established by the Constitution, providing a framework for Government action.

Migrants walking during the lockdown was the defining image of the first wave of COVID-19.

Millions of migrants abandoned their temporary residences and belongings, along with their hopes and promises of a better future in an alien place, and started walking for their homes as a lockdown was announced with four hours’ notice. Some walked hundreds of miles, some even thousands of miles.

It is estimated that there are more than one crore (10 million) delivery agents in the country today. They are not workers or employees; they are labelled as ‘delivery partners’ and ‘executives’. (Soon, they will be called GMs and MDs!). No labour laws cover them; they are treated as ’self-employed’. They have no stipulated working conditions. And, they still do not make minimum wages prescribed by law. These ‘aspirational’ youth of India earn less than Delhi’s minimum wages of 18-19,00 rupees per month for semi-skilled category. And, they have to own their own two-wheeler to earn this!