Community Radio in times of Covid -19

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the country and people from all socio-economic backgrounds are feeling the effects of it. Community Radios provide the vulnerable sections of society credible information on how to deal with the virus. They help to combat the spread of fake information received on whatsapp forwards etc.  They help in the spread of facts on the coronavirus disease, and aids in fighting mis-information in this fake news filled era we live in. Community reporters and producers are on the frontline, bring out the most precise information.

 

Our very own  Amity University's Community Radio station is running a programme called "Panchtantra ka corona mantra" where different stories from Panchtantra tales are being used to convey messages related to coronavirus.
The stories from Panchtantra have been converted into messages on how to fight the coronavirus. Different programs have been produced for specific community groups including farmers, on social distancing, on avoiding rumours from getting spread and measures which can be taken at home to prevent the spread of the virus. People get confused over the right information therefore it is imperative for community radio stations to prevent the spread of misinformation especially among the marginalized communities. Informative interactive programs on the pandemic is the way forward for community radio stations. Community radio has an extraordinary role to play because you are one with the community. Many are going beyond broadcasting to even providing food to migrant workers because you are from that community and that makes a difference to the people who tune in for authentic information for themselves.

 COVID-19

Article for COVID – Stop the Stigma!’

-Ayushmaan Datta

EID : A2000419008

 

Corona virus stigma must stop now! We are all in this together!

The degree of social stigma associated with COVID 19 is high because it is new. Till 3 months ago, no one had even heard of COVID 19. The outbreak of corona virus has provoked social stigma and discriminatory behavior towards anyone who is perceived to have been in contact with the virus.

The WHO introduced guidelines to stop this practice and thereby reduce the stigma and negative impacts such as fear or anger directed towards those regions or people. The guidelines underscored the fact that all humans are at risk of the virus – when an outbreak happens everyone is at risk regardless of who they are or where they are from.

Stigma creates barriers. There are widespread instances of stigma and discrimination against medical personnel – doctors and health care workers. Those working in aviation, especially on flights that were sent to bring Indians back from COVID-19 affected foreign land also faced the same fate. This stigma is unfolding; not amongst strangers, but among people they know, within housing societies and communities. The stigma associated with COVID-19 is real and here to stay. Instead of sympathizing with the patients and their family, we have created an environment of fear and panic which is not justified.

Stigma has a direct impact on seeking tests and care early. It also impacts attitudes towards helping others especially those in our immediate environment. As stigma grows, those affected become fearful to seek out testing, or care, and fear from revealing their symptoms. They are terrified of others within their communities finding out about even the possibility of disease. This leads to increased suffering and transmission. The stigma is causing many patients who have Covid 19 or flu-like symptoms to not come to the healthcare facilities. The patients don’t come forward which leads to higher mortality due to delay in treatment. People who test positive become scared of seeking help or even in discussing their symptoms thus putting themselves at risk and also increasing the rate of disease transmission. We need to arm ourselves with facts about the disease and how should we care for it medically, physically and emotionally.

India now has to wage a war against COVID-19 related stigma. Understanding the roots of disease-related stigma is critical here. Throughout history the fear of the unknown and unfamiliar has been used to justify the exclusion of those with medical conditions which has no cure. Disease-related stigma appears when an uncontrollable or uncertain condition exists – such as an infectious, unexplained and potentially incurable disease. Coronavirus checks out all the boxes. People stigmatize because they feel that stigmatizing and excluding someone will somehow reduce risk. It perpetuates an attitude which somehow creates a false sense of distance or empowerment in the face of uncertainty. We need to move away from the language of fear and paranoia to one of empathy. We need to highlight stories of resilience and of recovery. It is unethical on the part of the media to demonize certain communities and ethnicities. In the long term, stigma also has a dramatic effect on the issue of such as employment, housing and medical care.

There is an urgent need to discourage stigmatizing language used during a pandemic as it can be debilitating. We need to debunk myths & break down stereotypes. The success stories need to be highlighted to lessen the paranoia and feeling of impending doom. If we do not manage it in time, the stigma, not the virus alone, could be our greatest foe. It is imperative to make the public realise that many people will recover from this virus and seeking care at the soonest is critical. It is high time we address our prejudices!

More Artists or More Dentists: Are the arts a viable career choice in India?

Shekhar Kapur, famous director of Oscar winning ‘Elizabeth’ did not set out to pursue a career in the film industry. His pediatrician father urged him to pursue a professional qualification – and thus he flew to England to study Chartered Accountancy. Soon, he grew bored of his accounting job and the film bug bit him. He moved back to India to pursue a career as a model, actor and was soon behind the camera directing movies. All through, he was discouraged to get into films by his father. He went on to achieve recognition and fame worldwide as an acclaimed film director, which included directing the Oscar winning film ‘Elizabeth’.

Even today, many youngsters, do not have the freedom to choose their own careers – especially in the field of arts. High school students almost robotically choose popular professions such as engineering, medicine, management, law or journalism. These are the areas which are still believed to be ‘secure and successful’ in the minds of parents. However, slowly, change has already crept into our society. With the advent of the internet – virtually the world has opened up before us. Youngsters have become increasingly aware of what is happening in various corners of the world. A musical recital or a dance performance at any international forum or the performance of their favourite music band or a literary festival or a virtual tour of some of the world’s most famous art galleries are easily available at the click of a button. This has helped in opening up their minds, promoting and encouraging creative thinking, and encouraging them to take up ‘off-beat’ professions.

It is not as if India has not produced famous musicians, artists, painters, or dancers. Amjad Ali Khan along with his sons Amaan and Ayaan performed at the recent Nobel peace prize ceremony at Oslo recently. MF Hussain, Tyeb Mehta, S.H. Raza, Anish Kapoor are famous names’ known the world over. A.R Rahman, Vikram Seth, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Sonal Mansingh et al, have brought laurels to our country. Most of these famous artists / performers broke off from the traditional paths, pursued their passions and achieved fame and recognition at an international stage.

In India, a career as a professional artist is still, broadly speaking, considered to be risky and unstable – but over the years, change has slowly but surely crept into our society.  How else do you explain the numerous music festivals that are held all over the country – (NH7 Weekender, Sunburn, Fireflies Music Festival etc), the several music/rock bands that youngsters have found (Indian Ocean, Parikrama, Agni etc), the mushrooming art galleries not only in the metros, but also in tier II and tier III cities, the many literary festivals being organized – most popular among them being the Jaipur Literature Festival, the popularity of contemporary dance schools – Shiamak Davar Institute of Performing Arts, The Danceworx by Ashley Lobo), the growing popularity of stand-up comics (Papa CJ, Vir Das, Kapil Sharma, Gursimran Khamba) – the list is growing every day.

We find that performing arts are gaining acceptance and providing a platform to countless talented youth in India through the TV reality shows such as  ‘India’s Got Talent’, ‘Indian Idol’, ‘Dance India Dance’, ‘Boogie Woogie’, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ etc. These shows have encouraged not only young people to participate and showcase their talent but have also helped the parents to change their mindset about performing arts as a career option.

Even though new and contemporary art forms are gaining popularity, the traditional, Indian art is struggling to stay afloat. There are very few takers for classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Odisi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, etc. Very few among the young want to learn to play the table, sarod, flute, Shehnai, sitar and veena or sing traditional classical music ragas. It is important that be handed the baton our culturally rich past – we do not want to see it fade away. Many old and new government intuitions help in preserving our heritage – National Bal Bhavan, The National School of Drama, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Lalit Kala Academy, SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Music and Culture among youth), INTACH etc. 

For every successful artist / performer that we see or read about, there are thousands more who did not make it. Sure, parents should, and to a large extent, are encouraging their children to pursue their passions or talents for every parent wants his or her child to be successful and happy in their careers. They should be permitted to explore their passions, make their own mistakes and not be forced into a profession just because their fathers or grandfathers were in a particular field. Their career choices should definitely not be limited to what the family members pursued before them. The change has to be brought about at the school level.  From the very beginning, children should exposed to a wide variety of art forms be it ballets, plays, concerts or exhibitions so that they can discover their passion and interest and then build on it as they grow up. Schools should innovate and include a necessary arts component in the curriculum.  Schools can play a formative role in the development of the artistic ability in children. If they provide the right environment and resources, budding artists can be nurtured.  If from a young age itself, a child is supported by his peers, teachers and parents, he will feel encouraged and will continue to pursue it later in his life instead of abandoning it.

 In order to pursue a career in the arts, it is essential to have a supportive network, financially and emotionally. The road to success is paved with obstacles but at least some roads have been built!

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”. Earlier the arts were considered to be the bastion of those who were ‘meek’ in their studies however, now no profession is looked down upon – there is a definite change in the perspective of the parents and society at large, and students have themselves been the driving force of this change.

As Confucius says – “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life “

The Business of Benevolence - An All You Can Give ‘Buffet’

The recent visit of the ‘Oracle of Omaha’-legendary investor and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway-Warren Buffet- to India has sparked a long delayed but highly needed interest in global philanthropy. It is definitely an apt theme to bring up. India is reeling under a series of scams and scandals-some including even the stalwarts of corporate India. In such a situation philanthropy would definitely do a world of good to everyone.

Buffet has appealed to the leaders of corporate India to loosen their purse strings and make a conscious effort to give back to charity. In his own words “It is an act of humanity and you are very humane and rich people...I think when people join the Giving Pledge their act has some influence on others.” Indian billionaires are not a patch on their foreign counterparts in giving their wealth away. Slowly but steadily, however, things are changing and definitely for the better.

Wealth created in post-reform India has given philanthropy a whole new dimension. Last year Wipro chairman, Azim Premji, announced that $2 billion would be transferred to a trust which works for the improvement of the education sector in the country. Another notable example would be the $340 million grant that G.M Rao, chairman of infrastructure conglomerate, GMR had pledged for humanitarian activites. And who can forget- the Tatas charitable trusts which were one of the earliest in the world. No doubt, efforts being made in this direction are commendable; however the numbers still remain abysmally low. A report by Bain&Co. pegs India’s philanthropic contributions at just 0.6% of the total GDP.

There are various reasons why Indians give so little. Firstly, most of the Indian billionaires have amassed their wealth only recently therefore loath to part with their moolah. The inherent sense to look at every initiative in monetary terms and the shrewd motive to maximize the profit through every deal comes in the way of donating generously. Secondly, charity or philanthropy doesn’t really put Indian businessmen on a pedestal (read increased social status). However this does look all set to change with big names of India Inc embracing philanthropy.  But what remains the most crucial factor that impedes charity in our country is the lack of institutional framework and policy support for the most beneficial use of funds. Take the case of the ‘Sage’ (Buffet, for the uninitiated). His philanthropy has not flowed from any nondescript charity but from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Many rich benefactors wonder whether their funds actually reach the intended beneficiaries or get entangled in the loop of middlemen as is so common in India.

Philanthropy and profit, too are not mutually exclusive to each other. These new age ‘philanthropreneurs’ invest in social outfits that come up with ingenious solutions to problems that affect the community. This new breed of philanthropists ensures that their invested capital generates reforms in the social environment while maintaining a sustainable approach since profitability ensures sustainability.

Whatever form philanthropy  might take, there’s no denying the fact that it has assumed paramount importance in today’s day and age. With problems like poverty, malnutrition, unemployment and illiteracy being a part of routine life in countries like India, it is incumbent upon the rich to do their share and to reduce the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. India and the world are hoping they do just that.

Enjoy The Journey...

As a famous saying goes "It's the journey which matters and not the destination". This saying doesn't hold more truth than it does today. So caught up are we in our lives moving at such a frenetic pace that we hardly ever pause, reflect on the journey that we are undertaking and take stock of the learning which occurs during the whole process. 

A prime example of this would be the Indian freedom struggle. Though a clear goal-that of India's independence- was clearly established in the beginning, it is the journey that we all reminisce about today and seek to take inspiration from. Under the able guidance of Mahatma Gandhi the country came together as a whole and by peaceful and non-violent means protested and ultimately overthrew the British Rule. It was through these revolutions that the nation understood the meaning of national unity and collective strength.

Now-a-days however things are drastically different. With heavy coursework, impossible targets and far too near deadlines the process has taken a backseat and the result is what everybody wants.

Recently my school hosted a leadership summit (http://www.modernschool.net/international-programme-cdls.asp) where students of more than 20 countries from all over the world assembled in our school for various events. I was selected to be part of the Core Team and started working for the summit two months in advance. The learning which I imbibed during those two months to organise a summit of such a large scale would definitely hold me in good stead in years to come. The actual summit, was, no doubt, a great experience but the process of doing mattered more than the outcome.

Mother Teresa is another such figure who worked tirelessly for the poor and underprivileged not for any award or prize but because she empathized with them. The whole process of interacting with those who were less fortunate than us brought her greater satisfaction than a Nobel Prize or Bharat Ratna ever would.

Thus is today's competitive and goal oriented world where everyone strives to be ahead, we should all pause and reflect on the process. We would enjoy the fruits of our efforts even more.

Cane and (Dis)able

The recent suicide of Rouvanjit Rawla, a class VIII student of La Martiniere School for Boys, Kolkata after being caned in school has once again brought the issue of corporal punishment in the spotlight, a practice which is still rampant in many schools. That a child should be driven to take this extreme step because of an archaic institution like caning is a matter of great concern. Reports of corporal punishment appear in the media with shocking frequency. This is surprising, considering the fact that the Supreme Court has outlawed corporal punishment years ago.

A recent survey by Outlook magazine throws up some interesting results. 73% parents say physical punishment has had no effect on children. Many believe that corporal punishment is just a case of a teacher not knowing what to do when the child doesn’t listen and so he falls back on beating the child. It does not in any way, make them more disciplined. The most common forms of punishment were being slapped or kicked, followed by beating with a stick, being pushed or shaken etc. Such punishments leave visible marks, as in injury, swelling or breeding. However, little gets known of the mental anguish that a child faces until it manifests into suicide or death.

However, there are always two sides to a coin. How should a teacher handle someone who breaks every rule? A teenager who just does not conform? This is a dilemma that confronts both teachers and parents. A misbehaving, naughty child may not comprehend the repercussions of his actions. So it is important to be in constant conversation with the child. The objective is to let him know the consequence of his actions. Creative methods of punishment like being barred from watching a favourite program on television or going out to play could be deployed if a mistake is repeated. But what should be emphasized is that at no stage can a child be beaten.

So what is the solution? How does one compensate for the loss of life, dignity of a child? The reason why schools have so much power is because there are such few of them and so many of us. Things will get better only when some balance is restored in the equation. New and better schools have to be opened to give the children the learning they are entitled to. New laws are certainly needed to make our teachers more accountable. We need to move away from the Victorian dictum “Spare the rod, spoil the child” and rephrase it as “Spare the rod, save the child”. Let’s give our children the education they deserve. Lets move towards a kinder garten.

An Eye Opening Visit

Recently a visit to CanKids (a unit of the Indian Cancer Society) at AIIMS was organized by the Interact Club of our school. Though we were somewhat mentally prepared to meet and interact with ailing, cancer-stricken children when we reached AIIMS and actually saw the gaunt and emaciated children we were rather taken aback. We were shocked to see them-- a few of them seemed to be in an advanced stage of the disease; they looked so sickly and pallid. However, we gathered our wits about us and went upto them with our goodie bags. On receiving the chips, chocolates, biscuits and toys their faces lit up with happiness and joy. I was appalled to see them relegated to a corner on the road; they had not even been provided with a basic room. Yet their spirits had not been dampened. On conversing with them we got to know that they were quite bright and intelligent. They rattled off poems, the alphabet, dialogues from films with incredible ease. A five year old girl, Nidhi Kumari, was particularly confident; she struck up a conversation with almost all of us and high-fived as were leaving. We were taken to the OPD as well. It was not a pretty sight. A hall overfull with patients waiting for their turn at the doctor did not paint a pretty picture. Some of them had been waiting for their turn for days. Nevertheless they were hopeful and optimistic. It was heartening to know that the support staff of CanKids were trying their level best to provide the children a holistic and cheerful environment to grow up in despite the limited resources. This visit was truly an eye opener. Cocooned in our world of comfort and luxury, we do not realize how fortunate and privileged we are that we do not have to face the grim realities of life. This visit was truly a wonderful one and I look forward to being a part of more such visits in the future.