IMPRI Team
In continuation with the ongoing discussions on the Rural Realities around the country, the Centre for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi and International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), Kerala organized a Panel Discussion on “Rural Realities |Kerala | Practitioners’ Experiences in Tackling the Second Wave in Indian Villages” on May 20, 2021, as the second wave of coronavirus pandemic is engulfing the length and breadth of our country, India, and hitting the heartland of our country which is the rural areas.
The IMPRI team informed the discussion by locating for the event participants the situation of COVID 19 in India and Kerala. The team also provided an insight into the geography and Socio economic conditions of the state. The rationale was to provide the participants with an overview of the state of Kerala.
Good Governance
Mr. Reni K Jacob, Legal consultant, International Justice Mission (IJM)Talked about the governing initiatives and actions during pandemic. Mr. Jacob stated that people of Kerala somehow appreciated the COVID response of the Kerala government. The Kerala government’s health system is better compared to health systems of the country with committed staff, good governance, and vigilant people along with good convergence between police, health and panchayat. Elucidating on the good governance perspective of Kerala he told that in rural areas ASHA workers in Kerala played an important role in communicating cases to the concerned authority for taking immediate actions.
He also threw light on the work done by NGOs in current pandemic scenario by giving various livelihood opportunities to people and reaching out to them in adverse conditions. He appreciated the efforts of panchayats and their coordination with Kudumbashree Kerala yojana and various NGOs providing community kitchen food and free ration shops. He also talked about NGOs working with tribal people in the state providing livelihood opportunities and prompt services in coordination with government.
“In the present scenario with families losing their livelihood opportunities and number of families where children are becoming orphan, it may lead to child labor and human trafficking.”
Mr. Reni K Jacob
“We are happy the way Kerala government has worked during the pandemic with all of its capabilities”. Says Mr. Reni K Jacob.
