IMPRI Team
The panel discussion on rural realities in Uttar Pradesh during the Covid-19 second wave highlighted the working experiences of various professionals and civic organisations, especially in the wake of the second wave of COVID in Indian villages. It was organized by Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS) and of “Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi” on 19th May, 2021 by the joint efforts of “Parmarth Sevi Sanstha” (Uttar Pradesh).
The focal point of the discussion was the need to focus on the rural reality of the state of Uttar Pradesh and its related issues.
This program was initiated by Ritika Gupta (Assistant Director) of IMPRI Institute of Impact and Policy Research. Also, by Dr Simi Mehta, who while welcoming the panelists, said that the goal of this is a comprehensive discussion on the situation of second wave of COVID in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the efforts being made at the ground level by the stakeholders.
Prof. Amita Singh (Chairman, NAPSIPAG Center for Disaster Research, Delhi, Retd., Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)) took over the conduct of this forum, acting as a moderator. Other eminent panelists included Khalid Choudhary ( Regional Manager, (Uttar Pradesh), Action Aid India, Neelam Verma (State Coordinator (Uttar Pradesh), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS)), Vivek Awasthi (Executive Director, U.P. Volunteer Health Association).
Dr. Sanjay Singh (Secretary, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, Jhansi), Lenin Raghuvanshi (Founder and CEO, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), Varanasi), Saurabh Lal (CEO, Model Village), Saurabh Singh (Chief) Functionary, Inner Voice Foundation Community Arsenic Mitigation and Research Organization (CAMRO),Sandeep Abasaheb Chavan (Project Lead, Tata Trusts, Gorakhpur, Homoeopathic Doctor, Public Health Professional), Dr. Hira Lal (Indian Administrative Servant and Consultant, Model Village) were some of the other speakers during the discussion.
Role of Civic Organizations
Mr. Saurabh Lal (CEO, Model Village) gave details of the institutional efforts, mentioning the fact that his team is working voluntarily round the clock, despite the low potential of his organization.
Expressing concern about the second wave of Covid in the rural areas of the state, people had a lot of misconceptions about this epidemic earlier, so there was a lack of credibility among them about testing, prevention and vaccination etc.
In this context, the role of various civic organizations along with Corona Warriors and front line workers becomes important, especially by sensitizing and educating the rural masses (rural stiffness due to stereotypes is also a deterrent aspect) as the only way to avoid this epidemic. To ensure the imperative of effective measures i.e. “vaccination”.
At the same time, he identified the reasons for the unacceptability of all medical efforts related to Covid by the rural people. He acknowledged that there was a complete lack of basic infrastructure at the village level in the state, as well as administrative implementation and weaknesses, combined with their access and distribution
These problems are widespread in the remote areas of the state, so there is a need in this direction by making available adequate resources. Building a collaborative bridge and providing better health facilities while making social commitment to get the situation under control is of utmost priority.
