The government's move to digitise some of its flagship welfare programmes—including NREGA and linking ration to Aadhar—is at odds with the recurring, often long-lasting, communication blockades in many parts of the country. For five years in a row, India has been the internet shutdown capital of the world
The Roots of Indiaâs COVID Crisis
Much of what has rendered India a disaster zone is the direct result of Modiâs policies. Yet even before Modi, India had deemphasized the importance of investing in public health and vaccine production infrastructure. Workers refill oxygen cylinders as hospitals face oxygen shortages in Srinagar, India. (Muzamil Mattoo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The coronavirus pandemic has become a mass death event in India. Over 20 million cases have been recorded in the country since the start of the pandemic, though there is plenty of evidence suggesting this number is much higher. New infection numbers have now surpassed 300,000 a day for weeks, but the numbers reported donât even begin to account for Indiaâs many rural villages, which have received even less attention and support than the cities, or the vast numbers of people who cannot obtain a COVID-19 test in the first place. Hospitals are overflow
Nearly 75% of the full-time workers on Indian farms are women, according to the international humanitarian group OXFAM. Female farmers produce 60% to 80% of the South Asian country’s food.
So it’s little surprise women are playing a visible role in the monthslong nationwide protests against agricultural reforms passed last September by the Indian government.
Small farmers are particularly vulnerable to three new laws, which deregulated the agricultural market and weakened the government-established minimum sale price for crops in ways that, demonstrators say, could pit small farmers against big agribusiness firms.
And women, as the most marginal of India’s small farmers, may suffer the most if the laws go into effect.
Women grow as much as 80% of India s food – but its new farm laws overlook their struggles theconversation.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theconversation.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.