IMPRI Team
To discuss the pertinent topic of the time, measures to tackle the spread of the second wave in rural areas and the medical condition of the poor following the Pandemic, 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 Reni K Jacob, Legal consultant, International Justice Mission (IJM), Chennai commented on the plight of the children who have been orphaned and those whose families suffer income loss. Child labour, human trafficking, and bonded labour have increased. Since it takes a long time to come to perfect health after COVID-19, the vulnerable families need to be supported financially so that they may not be compelled to unwillingly or willingly exploit their children.
In a desperate tone he further said, “when people die because of lack of medical facility, it is not death rather it is murder because of the dysfunctional system and lack of strategic planning by decision-makers”. The right to life is guaranteed by the constitution, but people are pushed to death in these times. Further, he questioned the reliability of the statistics and how without proper statistics, it affects strategy, development and action plans.
According to Mr. Reni K Jacob, the way forward is that the power of the youth must be channelized properly by encouraging volunteerism.
