Technology and zero balance accounts were supposed to make banking simpler for the poor. For Bangalamedu’s Irulas, it has made it far more complicated, mystifying and frustrating
Irula women of Bangalamedu hamlet in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur are very dependent on the MGNREGA. But fewer days of work, delayed payments and an alienating digitisation process cause them huge problems
"It's as if the poor have no right to healthcare."
Poor public infrastructure, unaffordable private medical care, and limited access to the state health insurance scheme are pushing Covid patients and their families into long-term debt in Marathwada. 🧵
The thought of the hospital bill, nearly double the family's annual income, was overwhelming to Ramling Sanap (40). In the wee hours, he walked out of the Covid ward and hanged himself in the hospital corridor.
Ravi Morale says he took his uncle Ramling Sanap to a private hospital in Beed because there were no beds in the Civil Hospital. The second wave of #covid19 has highlighted the poor public healthcare infrastructure in rural India-Beed has only 2 govt hospitals for 26 lac people
#WorldOceansDay | A small boat loaded with seaweed reaches the shore, as a harvester guides the anchor in the fishing hamlet of Bharathinagar in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram.
Manoeuvring the boat into the sea to dive for seaweed: without the favour of the winds, all sea-related work is challenging. With changes in larger climatic conditions, too many days are unpredictable. #WorldOceansDay
Seaweed harvesting is a traditional occupation passed on from mother to daughter through the generations in this region. For some single and destitute women, it is the only source of income. #WorldOceansDay
A shortage of vaccines and their unequal distribution is hindering many from getting inoculated in Maharashtra's Beed district before the imminent third wave of #Covid19. Latest dispatch from @parthpunter points to an urgent need for quick vaccinations 🧵
Vaccination of the 18-44 age group had stopped due to a shortage of vaccines at the centre. “Police were stationed there,” says Mahendra. “We showed them the message confirming our appointment. But they responded rudely.” He ended up with an FIR against his name.
While Covishield and Covaxin vaccines are both being administered in Maharashtra, the majority of doses are of Covishield. Beed’s vaccination centers, which are government-run, receive the vaccines from the state’s quota and give them free to beneficiaries.
1| Women from the Khadakwadi hamlet in Maharashtra sift through memories to sing ovi about rain for the Grindmill Songs Project. A new multimedia thread 🧵 ruralindiaonline.org/en/articles/si…
2| Women from the village go on a wari (pilgrimage) every year during the months of the Hindu calendar Ashadh(June/July) and Kartik(October/November). The songs, or ovi, are about the waris, rain and the lives of farmers. Watch the women sing the ovi here:
3| These ovis have been passed on for generations by word of mouth. As they sit in the hall of the Ram temple in the village, they try to remember the sounds and lyrics of the ovis.
With the number of women agricultural labourers rising, keeping their wages low benefits landowners. It keeps their wage bills down. Contractors and landowners argue that women perform easier tasks and are therefore paid less. A short 🧵
2 | Like transplantation which is a complex, skilled job.
Seedlings not planted deep enough or placed at the wrong distance could fail. If the ground is not smoothened properly, the plant cannot grow.
3 | Transplantation also requires bending over most of the time in shin-deep to knee-deep water. Yet, it is seen as an unskilled job and paid lower wages. Simply because it’s women who do it.
Would landlords hire so many women if they were less efficient?