It has been six months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit India with full force in March. Over this period, many decisions have been taken by the Union and State governments to curb the spread of the contagion, and secure the welfare of citizens.
‘India’s Pandemic Response’ is a one of a kind virtual attempt to unpack these responses, and the ensuing challenges, successes and best practices.
What’s planned:
From 31st July to 19th August, we will deliver major insights on India’s Pandemic Response, without you having to step out of your homes.
On Citizen Participation: We have already held a lively discussion with grassroots Civil Society Organisation leaders on their contribution to the pandemic response and collaboration with the government. From this recording, you will get a good sense of what they discussed, and the innovative ways in which they are responding to people’s needs.
On Funding and Finances: On 12th August, we will be hosting a special Responsive Governance Virtual Session on India’s public finances, the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and long-term implications. The session ‘Atmanirbharta in India’s States: Stressed Government Finances and Long-term Implications’ will be moderated by Avani Kapur, our Director and a Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research. The experts gracing the occasion are:-
- Dr. Arvind Mayaram, Vice Chairman, Rajasthan Economic Transformation Advisory Council and Economic Adviser to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and Former Finance Secretary, Government of India
- Dr. Himani Baxi, Assistant Professor, Ahmedabad University
- Dr. D Vijay Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Planning, Finance, Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs, etc.
An Invite-Only Digital Roundtable will also be held for experts who have extensively worked on public school education. A fallout of the pandemic has been the temporary closure of schools, and a shift to e-learning platforms, which the government schooling system was ill-prepared for. Moreover, the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 released in July reiterates that India’s public investment in education has been far below (4.4% of GDP in 2017-18) the recommended threshold of 6% of GDP.
There is an imminent need to reprioritise both learning and education delivery in the States, but are they financially prepared for this transformation?
Administrative Response and Social Security of the Poorest: Besides the virtual events, we will be releasing interactive knowledge offerings every day for 7 days at 7 PM. We hope that these will ignite discussions in your circles and reshape ideas on issues that matter.
Keep informed by following us on the social platform of your choice: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter. You can also engage with us by #IndiaPandemicResponse.
