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Hello,
The second wave of Covid in India has been nothing short of a catastrophe. As Covid patients and their families run from pillar to post for care, there is a shortage of everything that stands between life and death. The ground reportage of our grantees through their heart-wrenching stories, tell it like it is. Yet, some of them are trolled on social media for ‘insensitivity’ and ‘negativity’ with a view to block or discredit straightforward, honest journalism. Far from being disheartened by such snide comments, our grantees only take it as a challenge and carry on with their reporting.
Whether it is The Caravan report from a cremation ground in Delhi, or Mojo Story from Hindon in UP’s Ghaziabad or the many other ground reports of Independent media that seek to capture the desperate state of Covid victims, their families, healthcare and civic workers, the coverage has helped set the agenda for some of the mainstream media, hesitant in mirroring the true picture. The stories of our grantees bring home the plight of ordinary citizens - failed by the state and the woeful inadequacies of the long-neglected healthcare infrastructure in India.
Faced with shortages and staggering numbers seeking immediate attention, hospitals, doctors, and staff at the frontlines of the fightback against Covid are clearly fighting the odds. The Bastion speaks to Padma Shri awardee, Dr Arvinder Singh Soin, Chairman of the Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine in Gurgaon, to understand how hospitals are coping with the biggest healthcare challenge of our times.
Until recently, India was dubbed the ‘vaccine supplier to the world’. Now, we are struggling to vaccinate our own citizens. ThePrint argues that the “volleyball” between the Centre and the states on critical issues is adding to the tally of lives lost to the pandemic. While health may be a state subject, there are critical aspects that have to be managed by the Centre. But the lines of accountability are rapidly blurring. It would be tragic if India were to lose the Covid battle because politics stood in the way of overcoming the capacity challenges in our healthcare system.
And, amidst the crippling oxygen shortage, Down To Earth explains why the element is so life-giving and vital for Covid patients; and Alt News finds that some of the images of mass cremations of Covid victims posted on social media are from past events.
For a selection of the stories from our grantees on the debilitating second wave of the pandemic, and other stories, please read on.
Warmly,
Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF
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