Editor,
There is so much hue and cry about online classes these days. Some are against, some are in favour, some are raising concerns and some are confused about this method of teaching and learning. Those who are raising concerns base their arguments on the inaccessibility for students residing in areas with poor network connectivity and for poor students who do not have smart phones to download study materials and lessons. This is what we call the digital divide in modern society. This is the real problem. But there is another more dangerous problem than this which is the by product of the current lockdown and the digital divide and that is the, “Idle mind is a devil’s workshop.”I don’t think I need to elaborate on this. But as modern humans we cannot be happy and take refuge in these excuses, rather we have to address the problems and find solutions.
Many teachers conducting these types of classes during the lockdown will agree with me that there are students who take these classes seriously not because they have access to internet but because they understand the value of time. Those who are on the other side of the digital divide are of course being left out. But among those, there are some who are serious and they do reach out to teachers through the phones to express their inability to access the internet. But as teachers can we say to them, “It’s your problem, get lost”? No! We will instead accommodate their concerns and give them assurance that the loss will be compensated.
It is a known fact, that today almost everyone from a Kwai seller to a coolie owns a phone. It could be smart, unsmart, landline, landless…., so it is the duty of parents or students to reach out to teachers, school or college authorities to register their problems. Most importantly it is the duty of the schools, colleges and other institutions to find ways and means to reach out to those left out may be through newspapers or any other media to give them assurance that their concerns and problems will be addressed. If different organisations can reach out to every nook and corner of the state to distribute food and other essential items to the needy inspite of the lockdown, there is no doubt that the temples of knowledge can also find out-of-the-box solutions to this problem.
Let us remind ourselves that at present we cannot bridge the digital divide nor can we stop the lockdown but at least we can stop the Devil from opening his workshop in our young ones’ minds if we want to.
Yours etc.,
- Lyndem,
Via email
Liquor antagonistic to Covid fight
Editor,
The imposition of lockdown from midnight March 24 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to drive home the point that the health of citizens is far more important than the wealth of the country. In this battle against the coronavirus the country is bearing huge financial losses and the worst economic slump ever. The sacrifices made by each citizen cannot be overlooked either. Countless marginalized people have been suffering unprecedented hardship. Employment loss and subsequent starvation are the worse pangs faced by a huge chunk of the marginalized people, particularly daily-wage earners and migrant workers across the country. However, without any grudge, by and large, all citizens have obeyed Government orders from day one.
What is paradoxical is that the Government has decided to ease the restrictions on liquor stores across the country. This has already unfolded a very grim picture. All praises the government has earned till date are canceled out. Why this hasty and contradictory decision which could push citizens to dire straits during the pandemic? Surprisingly the government failed to “anticipate” the frenzied crowds lining up in front liquor stores and violating physical distancing norms which are the fundamental etiquette of battling Covid. The “after-effects” of lifting restrictions on liquor sale will be out and question the wisdom behind the order to lift restrictions on liquor stores. Tipplers are not known to follow precautionary measures. Indians lack civic sense and have no control over their behaviour when drunk. People are already desperate due to the extended lockdown. They can easily lose control of themselves. The primary idea of keeping physical distance then becomes a farce.
With Covid-19 cases “sharply” rising by the day and also the steep rise in the number of deaths, one feels the permission to open liquor shops is a blunder. It is time for the Government to weigh each move. The virus has the potential to put wipe out an entire civilization.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
India should grab the opportunity
Editor,
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s statement that Covid-19 pandemic outbreak should be treated as a blessing in disguise is cold comfort. The country’s economic situation might look up if foreign firms in China quit the country due to Covid-19 and also due to the strained relations with the US. These firms are reportedly coming to India to invest in a big way. The US has taken umbrage at China’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic especially when it refused to divulge the details of the coronavirus pandemic at the time of outbreak in China.
It seems that the authorities that want to capitalize from China’s loss are living in ivory towers since many of the firms are now moving to Vietnam and Thailand. However, Vietnam seems to be the consensus pick for winner of the US-China trade war as Chinese and other manufactures shift production to the cheaper Southeast Asian nation. Moreover, many South Korean companies are on an exit mode from China and India is definitely on the radar as an alternative destination. But New Delhi has to remove the hurdles on the ground. There is no comparison between India and China China has many features like world class logistical and infrastructural facilities with most favorable climate for entrepreneurs.
India must strike while the iron is hot and preparing to woo the firms exiting China is by having a competitive advantage. Providing free ideal locations with water and electricity connection up to a certain point of time in the future, and easy access to port and airport, cheap labour sans trade unions and peaceful atmosphere are all that the foreign firms want as the pre-conditions to set up their firms in India. Our country’s sole aim at first must be to woo all the firms to India followed by other incentives. Once these firms set up shop in India, thousands of youths can be employed and their income would give a fillip to the growth of the society. When international firms start working here, they will set some world standards here, which will help the rest of India to take a cue from and within a short period there will be a total transformation in every aspect, thereby bringing joy to every home in the country. Hopefully poverty will also be alleviated.
People will change for the better, their mindsets too will change and there will be an atmosphere of abundance and peace, and ultimately India will become an economic power. If the authorities are hell-bent on wooing these firms with attractive offers, surely these firms will accept the offers and come to India. This is a golden opportunity and the government must depute high level officials to consult the firms and cut deals with them. A golden opportunity knocks at India’s door- take it or leave it. If India is not able to exploit this new opportunity, surely history will point its finger at this government for missing the golden opportunity.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email