Society | Citizen Matters

When life returns to normal, will our domestic workers finally get their due?

May 7, 2020 Bhargavi S Rao

This pandemic has taught us the value of a work force that cities have largely taken for granted. As the lockdown is lifted in a few zones, it is time to introspect and ensure just and humane employment for domestic workers.

Will hunger pangs among migrant labour lead to anger on the streets?

May 4, 2020 T R Gopalakrishnan

Most people we spoke with are cautious about how the situation will develop post May 4th, but all pointed to the shortcomings in the present system for providing relief to the poor.

Life in times of COVID: Caution is essential, but surely paranoia isn’t?

April 30, 2020 Deepti Mehrotra

Even after the lockdown is lifted, how many people will go out and eat in restaurants? How many will send their children to the park with other kids? A worried resident writes.

Games, social service and family bonding: How lockdown has changed life for parents and kids in Theni

April 29, 2020 Anupriya Murugesan

Citizens have paused their frenetic daily lives owing to the nationwide lockdown. This has created a new reality for parents and kids, as this town shows.

Op-ed: Will COVID-19 teach us to respect and value labour more?

April 28, 2020 Vandana Swami

A strong economy cannot be built on weak foundations, especially where human resources are concerned. If and when we return to normal life, how will we treat the ones who toil away at the bottom of the pyramid in India?

In Delhi’s CR Park, COVID-19 strengthens the circle of love and compassion

April 25, 2020 Sharmila Sinha

A resident of the predominantly Bengali neighbourhood in Delhi shares how her community has adapted to challenges of the times, and come together as one big family to beat the COVID blues.

Growing vegetables, storing rice: Lessons from Srinagar that has seen and survived many lockdowns

April 21, 2020 Abid Bashir Wani

The people of Kashmir have learnt some important survival lessons from coping with decades of conflict and resulting restrictions. So much so that Kashmiris living elsewhere are now calling home for advice on how to cope with life under lockdown.

Op-ed: Why cities must strive for equality to fight COVID-19 effectively

April 20, 2020 Robin King, Jillian Du and Radha Chanchani

Social distancing, washing hands — all these are critically important responses to the pandemic, but such directives assume that residents have adequate space, services and social safety nets to carry out these orders. This is simply not the reality across cities in India and in many countries of the world.

Getting to the roots of domestic violence and how to seek help during the lockdown

April 20, 2020 Deepa Vaishnavi V M

The coronavirus lockdown has led to a sharp rise in instances of domestic abuse across India. What is the reason for such a spike in cases and how can the sufferer seek help in these difficult times? We spoke to Dr Lata Hemchand to understand the problem through a psychologist’s lens.

How the people of Chandigarh are rallying behind Kashmiri migrants stuck in their city

April 17, 2020 Raj Machhan

A group of 21 Kashmiri traders who came to Chandigarh in winter, as they have been doing for decades, are now stuck there because of the lockdown, and have found unconditional support from the local population.

How youth from a Mumbai slum ensured food for all in the community during the COVID crisis

April 17, 2020 Kaustubh Jagtap

It was not a mean feat — battling poverty, the lockdown and even antagonism from some higher powers. But in an amazing display of method, generosity and resilience, youth from Bhagat Singh Nagar slum gathered under the banner of ‘Bhakar Foundation’ to ensure noone in the slum went hungry.

Living in the present: How citizens of Ahmedabad are adapting to the COVID lockdown

April 16, 2020 Binita Parikh

The enterprising Ahmedabadi spirit is showing itself even under the present circumstances. “Covid sales” with huge discounts are floating online for products like night gowns, comfortable lounge wear, organic wellness products and Ayurvedic concoctions, with payment now and delivery after lockdown.

Shimla: Hunger looms large as jobs fall prey to COVID-19

April 15, 2020 Ashwani Sharma

Sirmauris, as natives from Shillai are known, have been living for years in Shimla working as porters, tourist guides, taxi drivers, private security and waiters. So have the roughly 8000 porters from Kashmir. But none of them have faced such a financial crisis ever before, unable to meet even their basic food needs.

In Pune, citizens and corporate groups help reach aid to the ones worst hit by lockdown

March 29, 2020 Ekta Joshi

In Pune, as in other cities, daily wage earners, migrant labourers and senior citizens are among those who are worst hit by the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. A look at how social and corporate organisations are helping them survive these difficult times.

Little relief for these migrant labourers as they stare at a long, hard struggle ahead

March 28, 2020 Vijaya Pushkarna

Caught between the devil and the deep sea, migrant workers in the Kausambi area of NCR, which falls in UP, face a stark choice: stay put and starve or get home somehow, which for most is 700 km away.