IMPRI Team
This panel discussion was related to the working experiences of various professionals especially in the wake of the second wave of COVID in Indian villages. It was organized by the Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies (CHURS) and “Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi” on 20th May 2021 by the joint efforts of “Parmarth Sevi Sanstha” (Uttar Pradesh). This discussion was another episode of the “Panel Discussion” being organized by the institute for all the states of the country, whose central point should be the rural reality of the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and the issues related to it.
This program was initiated by Ritika Gupta (Assistant Director) of “Institute of Impact and Policy Research”. Dr Simi Mehta (Chief Executive Officer and Editorial Director, Impact and Policy Research Institute) while preparing the background for this panel discussion, while welcoming all the visitors said that the goal of this is to find out by presenting a proper discussion. What is the present status of the second wave of COVID in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and what are the efforts being made at the ground level by various stakeholders in this regard?
The list of eminent panellists who mainly participated in this panel discussion is as follows- Dr Smt. F. Kazmi (Executive Director, NGO “Parvarish Child Development & Health Care Institute”), Dr Sanjay Singh (Waterman of Bundelkhand, Secretary, Parmarth Samaj Seva Sansthan), Dr Yogesh Kumar (Founder Member & Executive Director, Support – Development Assistance Centre), Shri Devi Das (Farmer MG, Support), Ms Abha Sharma (Director, Judav Foundation, Bhopal), Shri Bhupesh Tiwari (President, Fellow Social Service Organization, Chhattisgarh). Mr Rakesh Paliwal (Retd. Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) and Mrs Anjali Noronha (Fellow, Eklavya) and Dr Anshuman Karoli (Lead – Local Government, Priya, (PRIA) New Delhi) etc.
Initiating the panel discussion, Dr Sanjay Singh (Waterman, Bundelkhand, Secretary, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan) first thanked all the visitors for taking out their time for this discussion. Further, to introduce the important role of the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on the national stage, accepting Madhya Pradesh as the heart of the country, described its geographical structure and ethnicity etc.
Take the issues before Higher Administrative Officers
At the end of the discussion, Dr. Sanjay Singh (Waterman, Secretary, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan, Bundelkhand) co-organizer of this panel discussion described this forum as a comprehensive discussion and the consensus reached by all the panelists on many issues and While appreciating other recommendations, it was implemented in both the states (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh) In order to deal with this global disaster, assuring to take it before the higher administrative officers of the state, wished for a strong, prosperous and healthy society and thanked everyone and described this event as completely meaningful.
It is to be known that a large boundary of Madhya Pradesh is connected with Maharashtra state, this state is rich in biodiversity with forest density of Satpura and Narmada river valley. Apart from this, this state is primarily a tribal-dominated area, which is also the residence of the population of the poorest sections of the society. Also, there has been an old tradition of migrant workers in this area, especially the tales of “Bilaspuri” labourers of Chhattisgarh state are well known.
Further, Dr Sanjay Singh expects practical recommendations for today’s discussion on the lines of the success and recommendations of the discussion held on the same subject in the context of the state of Uttar Pradesh on the previous day itself (May 19, 2021).
At the same time, while sharing his personal work experiences of Gwalior, Chambal, etc. areas of the state, he envisaged improvement in the situation of the second wave of Covid in the next 15 days by these recommendations, saying that these would especially benefit the farming class, Because the rainy season is also near in the state.
With this hope and confidence, Dr. Singh, after his opening remarks, took a pause and again invited the other panelists and the debaters for the discussion by thanking them.
In the next sequence of discussion, “Ms Ramya Kathal and Ms. Mahima Kapoor”, a member of the team of ‘Institute of Impact and Policy Research’, shared the second wave of Covid-19 and infection rate, health facilities in the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh respectively.
Availability, challenges of vaccination and other related issues in a brief presentation on issues etc., in the context of these two states, sharing a comparative study with the help of demographic, socio-economic, etc. indicators including updated data, made them aware of the ground reality of both the states and the health progress and health of these states. Wishing prosperity, all the visitors are invited to share their views for a fruitful discussion.
