-IndiaToday.in In the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, most people do not have Smartphones or proper access to the internet. The mandatory online registration for Covid-19 vaccination has made inoculation inaccessible for this belt. India’s vaccination policy mandates that all in the age group of 18 to 44 register themselves in advance using the CoWIN website, Aarogya Setu app or Umang app in order to get vaccinated against Covid-19. No walk-in vaccinations...

-The Indian Express Although there has been a lot of public discussion on digital modes of education for school children, online and video classes catered largely to urban or educated elite populations whose children went to private schools. In India, school closures post the spread of the pandemic started as early as March 2020. As months went by, concerns increased: Would learning levels drop, existing inequalities deepen? The Annual Status of Education...

-The Hindu The Wistron incident is an example of how exploitative labour practices could accompany businesses moving to India Apple’s decision to place its Taiwanese supplier, Wistron Corp., on probation by not giving new orders — after an audit of the serious lapses in labour practices that led to violence in its facility in Narasapura in Karnataka — is a step forward in corporate accountability and ethical business operations. Pressured by Apple’s...

-Mid-Day.com A report analysing impact of the lockdown on education in Maharashtra reveals why poor students, who do not have access to Smartphones or data, have been worst hit A report published this week by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), analysing the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the state of education in Maharashtra, indicated that digital classrooms and compulsory examinations for final year college students, were doing more harm...

-The Indian Express Several students of Government School Dhanas dropped out as they could not afford Smartphones, as now one's access to education depends majorly on it Chandigarh: Bhawna, a student of standard XII at Government School, Dhanas, has been living with her grandfather (80) since her parents passed away, when she was five-years-old. Her grandfather, now 80, makes a living by selling vegetables on a rehri. Barely able to make ends...