IMPRI Team
To discuss the pertinent topic of the time, measures to tackle the spread of the second wave in rural areas, the Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), New Delhi and Department of Social Work, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli organized a Panel Discussion with eminent panelists on “Rural Realities | Tamil Nadu Practitioners’ Experiences in Tackling the Second Wave” on May 22, 2021.
Mr. Elango Rajarathinam, Director, Elders for Elders Foundation, opined on the lack of awareness of the people in the rural areas, to the extent that even PHCs lack awareness in some places. They are ignorant of the effect of clustering and even lack understanding of where to seek help and how to approach it.
The elderly and the destitute are pushed too much suffering in the rural areas. He emphasized the need to empower panchayats. Panchayats should have been trained and equipped from the experience of the first wave. They should have allocated funds to train and equip them.
Mr. Elango Rajarathinam stressed on the importance of the empowerment of the panchayat.
