Madhurima Dasgupta, Author at Adamas University

Digital Adda: A Paradigm Shift Among The Bengali Middle Class

The term ‘adda’ (as defined by Dipesh Chakraborty) signifies ‘the practice of get together of friends for long, informal and un-rigorous conversations’. Adda whch was historically a practice among the middle class Bengali men (Bhadrolok) has also become a practice of middle class Bengali women as well.

Historically, adda as a practice originated since colonial rule with the onset of Coffee Houses in Kolkata by academic elitists followed by baithakkhana(visiting parlour) followed by tea stalls, bus stops, office cafeterias, and mostly in the rawk (the external verandah), the glimpses of which still continue to exist in the traditional lanes of North Kolkata! Neverthless, adda soon became quintessential of Bengali middle class from twentieth century when it transformed from a private to a public venue. The fact that adda was a known practice among Bengali middle class was mainly because it originated among the Bengali middle class men.

Due to the present pandemic situation which has brought forth new norms and practices, another major paradigm shift has mainly been with regard to the change from the physical interaction (adda) to social interaction virtually. However, before the pandemic hit the world, adda over the virtual space used to take place but it became more normalized with the lockdown phase.

Social media which on one hand helps to stay in touch with any closed kin, peer or acquaintance globally, also on the other hand presents notable challenges involved in its access. The present digital adda is mostly prevalent among the upper and middle class since digitization imposes the challenge of digital divide in a Third World country like India! Social media has opened up avenues for the affluent classes of society due to which both en and women irrespective of their age are being able to spend valuable tie with their friends (even if it involves friends from locality- para).

Though the present Unlock 4 of the post-pandemic situation has allowed people to venture out mostly at times of need, yet adda over the virtual space continue to predominate characterized by tinge of laughter and ecstasy related to family affairs and gossip about friends and intimate relations. However, a massive paradigm shift can be noticed from the physical to virtual interaction where physical distancing along with social solidarity can be properly maintained (keeping in mind the pros and cons of social media usage!). After all, Bengali middle class is mostly best in adopting and accommodating to any new norm and practices (with due reverence to other classes). While on one hand, it has been envisioned that adda as a practice in physical space is becoming obsolete, it is also been replaced by social media like WhatsApp, Facebook, Hangout, Telegram. The only hope that Digital Adda continues to exist since adda is one of the defining key characteristic of most Bengali middle class culture without which Bengalis may seem to lose their identity!

Reference:
Saha, Wriddhibrata, Performing Gender in Adda Spaces, Sessional Paper, Pgs 4,9, Retrieved 13-09-2020

Sociological Relevance Of ‘New Normal’: Exploring New Social Norms And Practices

The pandemic crisis has brought forth a phase of ‘new normal’ which has presented before us a plethora of social norms and social practices. This ‘new normal’ imperative has brought about major transformation in different aspects of society in terms of physical distancing, social solidarity, understanding, coping and accommodating with the new social practice, impact on social isolation and marginalization of community, paradigm shift in social research, emphasis on ‘social health’ instead of ‘mental health’.

1. Physical Distancing and maintaining Social Solidarity: As Aristotle has proclaimed, ‘Man is a social animal’ and are unable to survive without social interaction, adjusting to this new norm of physical distancing has been difficult for humans (irrespective of gender). This new normal brought forth by the post-pandemic situation has initiated the issue of maintaining 2-metre distance with one another in order to avoid close contact which increases risk of diffusion of COVID 19. As Emile Durkhiem, one of the forefathers of sociology, rightly pointed out the importance of social solidarity in society, accommodating with such norm followed by physical distancing has also been challenging due to limited face-to-face interaction.

2. Understanding the new social norms and practices: “Social norms prescribe actions that produce socially beneficial outcomes, even when those actions have costs for individuals”. Shared beliefs about appropriate actions get reflected in social norms with the expectation that others will follow them. For example: Greeting each other has undergone a major change due to physical distancing caused by the spread of COVID 19. Nowadays, alternative greetings (non-verbal interaction) have come into existence which has taken the form of Namaste hand prayer (folding the hands together in prayer), elbow bump. Homeschooling or online classes has brought forth new practice of digital learning or digital education with the hindrance caused by Digital Divide!

3. Coping and Accommodating with new normal: This pandemic situation which has locked all of us in a Home ironically termed as ‘SAFE’ has been subjected to controversies due to the increasing Domestic Violence of women and men and elderly people. While on one hand, spending quality time with family has helped in maintaining the functionalist perspective, on the other hand, domestic abuse (irrespective of gender and age) has increased rampantly. Social stress coupled with financial insecurity has resulted in the significant rise in violence against men and women. There seems to be no other respite than coping and adjusting with the ‘abuse’ caused by new normal phase. The problem has been manifold for disabled children as well —— “a longing for adhering to a routine, rigidity in behavior which reduces the likelihood of an unanticipated event, and avoidance of situations where an outcome is indeterminate”. Most disabled children are suffering from anxiety related disorders due to the pandemic
crisis which continues to exist even during the post-pandemic phase.

4. Impact of social isolation (of patients) and marginalization of community: With the shortage of accommodation in hospitals and nursing homes, patients have also been advised to stay in home isolation which has increased the risk caused by marginalization from community. As reported in news channels, some neighbourhood community had ostracized patients residing in their community due to the phobia of being infected by the
disease. Such kind of social ignorance affects the psyche of the concerned patient and brings forth the issue of ‘Untouchability’ (caused by clinical casteism) and ‘social stigma’.

5. Paradigm shift in social research: The major challenge posed by the pandemic crisis and new normal happens to be in conducting social research. Sociologists and social researchers are being challenged by new norms of physical distancing since sociology deals mostly with primary data where social interaction plays a pivotal role. Due to the norm of physical distancing followed by covering of mask, free and viable interaction has become limited which has affected social research. Qualitative research, especially ethnography has become the major victim of the new norm which has resulted in a paradigm shift from face-to-face and free social interaction to a limited interaction with the suggested measures of distancing.

6. Social Health as the cynosure of new normal: The lockdown caused by the pandemic situation has also affected human psyche with problems like depression, anxiety related disorders, hypertension. Though these terms are mostly psychological, yet sociologists perceive them through their perspective of social health. Any kind of mental disorder is always caused by the hegemonic social norms or social situation in which the concerned
person is situated. Such emphasis on social health has been due to social factors like marginalization from family and community, social stigma which has resulted in depression and other mental health related disorders.

With such steeping rise in new social norms and practices with the onset of ‘new normal’, society is also undergoing social transformation with its positive and negative implications in one’s everyday life. The challenge ahead for sociologists is to recognize the ways to limit ‘social interaction’ and also how to ‘de-familiarize the familiar’ as social beings!!

REFERENCES:
Gupta, Achala & Chadd, Katie, Experiencing the ‘new Normal’: Sociology of COVID 19 (Pandemic) from a Disability perspective, April 2020,
https://discoversociety.org/2020/04/06/experiencing-the-new-normal-sociology-of-covid-19-pandemic-from-a-disability-perspective/

Mishagina, Natalia, The importance of new social norms in a COVID 19 outbreak, March 2020, https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2020/the-importance-of-new-social-norms-in-acovid-
19-outbreak/

MUSIC THERAPY: A HEALER FOR DEPRESSION AND A MEANS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL HEALTH DURING LOCKDOWN

With the increasing phobia of Covid-19 and its impact on society, music has become the only respite and the most effective means to maintain a better mental and social health. Before this pandemic crisis, most of us had been addicted to listening music in order to relive ourselves from the work stress and be engrossed into a world of fantasy, serenity and ‘other worldly’ aspects. Music actually helps to relive most of us from stress and depression by taking us to an imaginatory world (hyper reality) where we are able to fulfil our unfulfilled expectations and desires of practical life. In terms of survival too, managing one’s emotions and social relationship is the major challenge that human race is facing. An icing on the cake is the lockdown which is producing negative impact on the social health of youngsters. The most vulnerable group of such depression happens to be the youngsters who are facing different forms of mental distress to an unprecedented extent.

Though society is gradually stepping into ‘new normal’ with changes steeping in ones everyday life, yet depression continues to haunt most of us, especially youngsters. This pandemic crisis and lockdown has tormented such a socio-psychological disorder among youngsters. With the significant rise in deaths caused by suicide, depression has been reported to be the major cause (as reported by World Health Organization). Furthermore, India is also reported to be the most depressed country in the world. One of the most effective ways to reduce such depression can be Music therapy.

Music therapy involves, “the professional use of music and its elements as an intervention in medical, educational, and everyday environment with individuals, groups, families, or communities, who seek to optimise their quality of life and improve their physical, social, communicative, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health and well-being”(Aalbars & Spreen, 2017). Music therapy which has a strong affinity with our emotions and mood also helps to improve one’s social health. As sociologist, social health is the appropriate term to understand this socio-psychological disorder of depression. The concept of ‘social health’ help to understand not only the social aspects of mental health, but also helps to remind that both emotional and mental health of individuals depend upon the social support received from their closed kins (family members and close friends), on the communities that are more or less favourable and congenial, and also on the hegemonic social norms and situations that are socially defined/ constructed and contextualized (Weare, 2002). One can say that there has been a paradigm shift from mental and emotional health to social health of individuals.

Forms of music to listen during lockdown:

Since music serves as the healing ointment during any stressful situation during this pandemic crisis, choosing the right music or track is also important for all of us:
a. Individuals can listen to soft melodious music (which is devoid of any melancholy!)
b. Youngsters can listen to jazz or rock band for a stipulated time, exceeding which can either hamper their physical or mental health.
c. Any kind of sad songs should be ostracized from the list since such songs ameliorate the grievance or depression the listener is suffering from. However, listening to ghazals or classical music for a stipulated time period can be a good choice!
d. Soft music can be a good choice while watching any virtual tour (since physical tour has almost turned into an utopia!) which helps to relax and relieve any form of stress or anxiety caused by the present situation.
e. Rabindra Sangeet can also be a good respite from the mundane daily household chores of individual spouses.
f. Last but not the least, the listener may try his/her best to not allow any kind of negative thoughts to haunt his/her mind which can be detrimental for physical and mental well-being.

How music therapy helps?

Music therapy is a holistic therapy which produces positive impact on both mind and the body due to which it is also known as Mind-Body therapy. There are certain benefits of music therapy which are noteworthy, especially for youngsters suffering from depression:

1. Music therapy provides capacity for evocation and relaxation. It is a means of recreation and leisure for most youngsters, especially adolescents.
2. It helps to relieve an individual from any form of depression and reduces anxiety and pain perception by healing through muscle relaxation.
3. Through counselling by music therapist, it helps to build self-esteem and boost confidence.
4. It is also one of the effective means along with Yoga, to contain and control aggression or violence or anger.
5. It is also a form of psycho-social development which reduces seclusion and helps to heal an individual from within.
6. Finally, it is also one of the most effective means of communication and socialization/ re-socialization of individuals (Torres, 2014).
Though depression is a major socio-psychological illness which many a times requires medical intervention and social support from the family members, close kins, friends and the communities that the victim can rely upon, yet music therapy can also turn out to be one of the best means to battle such illness with finesse! The victim who is under continuous depression due to his/her problems in intimate relationship or career can also recover through the means of Music Healing.
Most of the times, victimhood is associated with stigma, helplessness, docility, and silence which can give rise to suicidal tendencies among youngsters. Such victimhood due to depression can be recovered through the means of Music Healing. Though it might not as fruitful as Yoga or Meditation, yet it helps to build the victim’s self-esteem by invoking creativity which ‘is an act of defiance in the face of helplessness, stigma and destruction.’ By creativity it meant that the survivor has been able to open up about his/her problems either to music therapist or a counsellor and even to his/her family and close peers. Those who are able to battle through the depression through such therapy are the real warriors of society for being able to maintain their social health. This means that these survivors are being able to finally arrive at new understandings of the events happening around creatively with a positive mindset (Sutton, 2002).
Moreover, as it can be concluded that music heals the wounds caused by internal injuries and helps to improve social health since maintaining a proper health also depends on social factors and social norms and situations which encompass the individuals in society.

References:
Sonja, Aalbers & Spreen, Marinus, Music therapy for depression, Research gate, 2017, Pg 6

Sutton, Julie, Music, Music Therapy and Trauma: International Perspectives, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2002, Pg 76

Torres,A. Segundo, Music Therapy in the Prevention and Treatment of Depression in Older Adults in lima-Peru, Oncothermia Journal, June 2014

Weare, Katherine, Promoting Mental, Emotional and Social Health: A Whole School Approach, Routledge Publishers, 2002, Pg 12

JOB PROSPECTS OF STUDYING GENDER STUDIES

The term ‘gender’ is socially constructed which involves socio-cultural attributes of masculinity and femininity. It is different from the concept of ‘sex’ which mainly involves biological difference between male and female. Gender Studies encompasses studies about masculinity, femininity and also Third Gender (LGBTQI) community.

Employability after studying Gender Studies (Seminar on Gender):
In the Department of Sociology, Adamas University, a common paper entitled ‘Seminar on Gender’ is being offered at under graduate level for all students of School of Liberal Arts and Culture Studies along with students from Media and even Psychology. This paper provides an in-depth understanding about the social construction of gender along with the problems faced by binary and non-binary categories of gender followed by the impact of feminist movement.

After studying this paper on Gender, students are exposed to myriad opportunities both at the public and private sectors like:

1. HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Candidates can get employment in Organizations like UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women which is an UN Agency dedicated to establish gender equality or to prevent any kind of gender discrimination in society. Men’s Alliance works for socializing boys to prevent atrocities against women.

2. CAREER IN MEDIA INDUSTRY: Social media plays a decisive role in the everyday life of adolescents/youngsters. The paper of Gender opens various avenues for the candidate in the media industry like being public relation officer where one can publish blogs and articles on feminist activism. The candidate can also become a social media manager who is an individual in an organization who can contribute/monitor or measure the social media presence of a brand or product. It’s related to advertising sector. By being consistently associated with media industry, the candidate can become a feminist activist by promoting gender equality through strong channels and social networking.

3. CAREER IN GENDER AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: Social Psychology studies the nature, functions and phenomena of human behaviour and mental experience of individuals in social sphere. The major socio psychological phenomena include prejudice and inter-group conflict, impression management, sexual behaviour and socialization (Coleman, 1996).Any candidate specializing in gender or after studying the paper on Gender can combine it with medical field (social psychology) which will open up avenues or job prospects in mental health care, family care (therapist) and old age homes.

4. RESEARCH CONSULTANT/RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Specializing in Gender Studies which is an upcoming and an important arena helps the individual to work as research consultant/research assistant by being associated with various projects on gender and development. There are educational institutions which employs research assistants to work on certain projects at the national and international level.

5. EDUCATIONAL SECTOR: If the candidate wishes to pursue a career in Academics, he/she can appear for School Service Commission, NET/SLET examinations, qualifying which he/she can become teacher in schools and lecturer/Professors in government and private colleges/universities.

6. SOCIAL ACTIVISTS IN NGOs: As a social activist, the candidate can pursue career in NGOs working on gender and development and problems faced by working women and even violence against women in public and private spheres. There are NGOs like AKANSHA in Mumbai, Hope Foundation in Kolkata, Bangla Natok.com in Kolkata which works on myriad gender issues involving the victims of crime against women
and Third Gender both in the domestic and the public place. These non-governmental organizations help the candidates to shape their career with global reach.

7. CAREER IN GENDER AND LAW: Sociology of Gender has a strong affinity with legal studies and Law. If the candidate is interested in studying the legal cases involving gender discrimination or crime against women, men or Third Gender, he/she can work with various agencies, law firms; international development programmes in order to fight for gender equality and to meet out justice to the victims of gender based crime.

8. SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE EDUCATOR: Sex education helps to make the
youngsters aware about the knowledge, skills and values to make responsible choices about their sexual and social relationship affected by infectious diseases. Sexual violence involves violence in the household against men and women along with problems in reproductive health of women. It also involves violence regarding racism, homophobia which needs to be understood fro sociological perspective. An educator of sexualized violence or a counsellor can act as a therapist who can re-socialize the victims who has been subjected to such form of violence.

9. SOCILA POLICY ANALYSTS: One who specializes in gender studies can also become social policy analysts which involves finding solutions to problems like poverty, hunger and crime against women.

10. CONTENT WRITER: A candidate can become a content writer on different projects on gender based violence and gender and religion. These projects require content writers who can contribute on gender issues like depiction of women in different religions, gender construction of rituals and even depiction of sexuality in different religions of India and the world.

References:

1. Colman. Andrew, Social Psychology, January 1996,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280098253_Social_psychology Retrived
30-05-2020
2. Gender/Women Studies, https://www.mindler.com/careerlibrary/Social-Sciences-
Humanities/career-in-gender-studies-in-india Retrieved 30-05-2020

UNDERSTANDING GENDER ISSUES IN ADVERTISEMENTS AND INDIAN MOVIES

Media plays a decisive role in the everyday life of youngsters not only because it conveys important facts and information but also because it is one the most important agencies of socialization and Gender Socialization. Media through its means of entertainment industry helps in the cultural upbringing of both men and women.

1.Depiction of men and women in Advertisements:

“Advertising is one of the major media that affect our daily life consciously and unconsciously and are responsible to play a significant role in shaping the society in a much broader perspective” (Mishra, 2015: 126).
Advertisements have mostly portrayed the binary categories of gender in traditional gender roles based on gender division of labour. It has helped to uphold and reinforce the patriarchal ideology inherent in Indian society. In one of the advertisement of Horlicks, the female protagonist is shown to uphold and practice the patriarchal ideal of domestic servitude. In order to maintain the socially constructed stereotypical role, she consumes the health drink which would help her to sustain the patriarchal ideology prevalent in Indian families.

2. Commodification of women in Indian movies:
Commodification is the process whereby an object/ human body loses its intrinsic value and becomes a market value to be used, bought and sold in the market for profit. Historically, men and women have been depicted in media in stereotypical gender roles which has facilitated and promoted gender division of labour in society. The way women and their
bodies were and are still projected obnoxiously through media mainly leads to the commodification where women’s bodies are treated as objects of sexual pleasure to titillate male desire and to promote ‘male gaze’.

Source: https://bollywoodjournalist.com/2013/08/23/dear-bollywood-stop-making-thosecrappy-item-numbers-first/, Google, 28-04-2020

Indian cinema is one of the major means of portrayal of Indian culture even in contemporary society. The changing scenario of modern India has been framed, shaped and expressed through Indian cinema. Due to the profound impact of Western neo-colonialism, even the racist ideals of women and femininity of western culture were expressed through Indian movies.

3.Valourization of socially constructed representation of men and women:

However, Indian media has also depicted domestic abuse for gender sensitization of the audience and have equally portrayed how women are treated as slaves to serve the male patriarch of their family. This conveys that women are projected in roles of domestic servitude which has reinforced the prevalence of patriarchal ideology and gender based
violence in movies (Movie Courtesy: Lajja).

Source: YouTube, Lajja Movie, 28-04-2020

Though the depiction of women in contemporary Indian movies has been progressive due to the improved status of women and feminist movement, yet issues of Toxic Femininity is being portrayed in movies like Gully Boy. Toxic Femininity motivates acceptance of aggression and domination silently which is highly valourized in society in the name of feminism.

While on one hand, media’s depiction of women and their obnoxious representation of their bodies has been rampant, issues of men and masculinity are also being projected through Indian media where socially constructed images of masculinity has been valourized in Indian
movies like Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha. In one of the movie scenes, the male protagonist Ajay Devgan had to face humiliation and embarrassment from his family members due to the cutting of his moustache by the barber—- moustache being a socially constructed sign of „asli mard‟ or „macho man‟ has been valorized in Indian cinema.

Source: YouTube, Gully Boy, 28-04-2020

Moreover, media has mostly portrayed and continues to portray both men and women in socially constructed roles of masculinity and femininity which is socially acceptable by the audience. However, with the impact of feminist movement and empowerment of women, there has been rapid transformation in the projection of binary categories of gender with more
emphasis on Gender Inclusion (including Third Gender). Nevertheless, the objectification of women in media still continues to prevail and will prevail as long as patriarchy is not uprooted from where it has originated!

SOCIOLOGICAL CHALLENGES OF DIGITAL DIVIDE: IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN

Impact of lockdown on Digital Divide:

We humans are presently surviving in Network Society (the term coined by renowned sociologist, Manual Castells) which is driven by global networking, information, knowledge, technology, competence, and surveillance. Since the inception of Information Technology revolution and computing technology, the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been profound intervening in every sphere of network society.

The concept of ‘Digital Divide’, however was conceived much later, when it was widely observed that digital technology was not uniformly accessed by all, and the divide in access to digital technology has created wide disparities in the society on several counts. The issue became increasingly noticed as the divide increased with every development of digital technology, from broadband connections, to WIFI, smart phones, and 4G connections. However, besides producing a positive impact on society in terms of effective networking and communication facilities for all people, ICT has also produced negative impact on society one of them being Digital Divide!!

Digital Divide involves the lag between those individuals, groups, businesses and geographical areas at different socio-economic levels with regards to their opportunities to access ICTs and Internet for various purposes in everyday life (Brousseau E. & Curien.N, 2007). It actually refers to the division of society into two groups between those who are economically able to benefit from the economy (haves) and those who are excluded from the beneficiary (have nots). This shows that digital divide perpetuates the class based exploitation of society (as referred by Karl Marx) and is a major product of socio-economic inequalities in society.

Sociological implications of Digital Divide during Lockdown:

The concept of digital divide is mainly based on two more concepts: democracy and market economy. It varies locally, regionally, nationally and internationally among various countries and their inhabitants. The concept of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ plays an important role here. At this present juncture of social change our society is very much dependent on digital platform and thus, is making the society into two categories again- the information rich and information poor (Dragulanescu 2002). Internet connection is playing an important role here. People who have proper internet connection can be a part of this digital society and people who do not have the access properly are lacking behind in this race of post-modern era. A very important variable should be noticed here. People who does not have proper internet connection does not always necessarily imply that they do not have proper economic resources to buy it.

Despite having economic resources people may not have proper internet access. It depends on the region where they live. That means who do not have the economic resources were already there in the category of information poor and now the second category of people joined them who have the economic resources but cannot have the access of proper internet because of the regional internet problems. Now, we all can have a rough idea of the ratio of information rich and information poor in this present situation. It has been seen that women and aged group of our society are vulnerable in this context of getting information poor. Thus, a new concept of ‘poverty’ encroaches our society that is not strictly bounded by Marxian concept of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.

This digital divide also divides the countries in terms of information rich and information poor, the distinction including developed and developing countries. The sphere of social interaction is going through a massive change with this new emerging ‘must do’ of social distancing. The concept takes a critical shape when we think about human being as a social animal and being human with social distancing! It is thus reflecting on the mental and physiological health of not only of a particular human being but society at large.

The digital divide is very quickly engulfing the sectors like education, health and religion and thus making a democratic country difficult to maintain its democracy where these are the basic rights of a human being. Situation becomes worse when we go to villages from mega cities. Thus, our society is in a constant threat of becoming imbalanced in its digital platform that is now dominating and moulding our entire society for a new change. We are not only making ‘history’, we are experiencing ‘history’ at the same time. So, it is our responsibility to try to reduce this digital divide to maintain the democracy in its every possible way.

Impact of Lockdown on various sectors of India:

Over the last few weeks, government responses to arrest the spread of the coronavirus pandemic have brought massive disruptions to Indians’ economic lives. The people feeling those disruptions most viscerally include the millions of workers left jobless by shuttered restaurants, hotels, and retail stores, plummeting air and rail travel, and emptied museums, casinos, and sports stadiums. Among them the daily wage earners and migrant workers are most affected. Due to lockdown, they are all stranded in different cities, far from family feeling helpless.

The plight of these individuals and their families motivated the administration to enact significant increases to unemployment benefits, assistance to small businesses, and direct payments to individuals working in private concerns. Now, however, leaders most prominently at the local level must provide affected workers with information and connections to not only federal assistance, but also local emergency “bridge” programs that can help them while they await support. The vulnerable sectors that are being affected by Lockdown include daily wage earners, migrant labourers, retail, and even railways.

Until now one knows what is digital divide and how it differentiates between the haves and have nots. One has to keep in mind that major migrant and daily wage earners reside in metropolitan cities in India. This digital divide has made them more secluded and ostracized from mainstream society as they are not economically well-off to use the digital medium. The advantages digitalization is providing to the learned or economically strong people are incomparable with the miseries which these workers and labourers are encountering due to the pandemic crisis.

We have to keep in mind that major migrant and daily wage earners are found in metro cities of India

MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS CONTAIN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS IN IMMEDIATE-RISK INDUSTRIES

Transportation, retail, hotels, and restaurants/bars are ubiquitous industries in and around Indian cities. As a result, large numbers of residents in major metro areas rely on immediate-risk industries for employment.

VULNERABLE WORKERS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY YOUNG, FEMALE, AND POSSESS LESS FORMAL EDUCATION

Sectors such as retail, food service, and arts/entertainment have traditionally provided gateway jobs for younger people getting started in their careers, people working part time or seasonally, and people with lower levels of educational attainment. These industries face immediate risks from the pandemic, resulting in a set of vulnerable workers with a distinct demographic profile.

VULNERABLE WORKERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE ECONOMIC INSECURITY THAN OTHER WORKERS

The nature of immediate-risk industries, and the demographic profiles of their workforce, combine to result in vulnerable workers experiencing below-average earnings and greater overall economic insecurity.

Lockdown and Digital Divide in Education sector:

Certain social implications are involved in the concept of digital divide which is mainly caused by socio-economic inequality to access the information and communication technologies for the purpose of studies, banking facilities and even leisure. This lockdown phase has brought forth various problems due to digital divide for various sectors of the society one of the sectors which have been affected by this socio-economic technological inequality is the education sector.

With the entire world coming to stagnation due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic crisis of COVID-19, most of the educational institutions (schools, colleges, and universities) have tried their best to keep the classes alive through the virtual teaching-learning pedagogy.

While there are educational institutions which are trying their best to conduct online classes through various technological medium, some students from remote areas studying in government schools/colleges/ universities have become victims of the socio-economic technological inequality due to their poor socio-economic background. For these economically backward students, attending classes over the digital medium is like a dream which can never be fulfilled in reality! An icing on the cake is the poor quality of cyber-infrastructure of the educational institutions of the public sector. Such situation mostly does not prevail in rural areas where a handful of the students can access the internet since they neither possess proper internet connection, nor are they economically able to own a desktop or laptop. Such lack of proper facilities of cyber infrastructure of the schools, colleges and universities of rural areas has posed the problem of Digital Divide faced by students. Thereby, proper initiative needs to be taken in the direction of Digital Inclusion of education so that the students of the educational institutions of both public and private sectors can access proper education, devoid of being stratified and divided by the digital economy.

Contributors:

1. Dr. Somdatta Mukherjee
2. Ms Nabamita De
3. Ms Kahini Palit

Spending Quality Time during Lockdown

With regard to the present pandemic crisis that is engulfing the global world, I have also been a victim of the unforeseen situation. Though the entire country is fighting against the lifethreatening disease (COVID-19) and is under lockdown for near about a month, I being a teacher have devoted this time in conducting online classes for students so that students remain updated with their class preparation and syllabus along with doing different courses through Coursera.

Being a researcher, I am also utilizing the time during weekends to devote to one’s Ph.D research. Being a sociologist, this sudden lockdown has debunked certain social issues which is often not properly exposed —– there has been increasing domestic and verbal abuse of married women and children. Furthermore, elderly abuse has also increased. However, such issues can also be resolved if one keeps following these guidelines in mind—-

Being more enduring and patient: During this isolation phase which at times seem to be depressing, one needs to be patient and enduring since managing both household chores followed by work tasks is tedious. Such tedious work can take a toll and test one’s patience. One needs to calm himself/herself and develop the tendency of listening to elders more.

Assistance and understanding which can ensure reduction of domestic quarrels among family members: This is of significant importance since both husband and wife during this phase need to understand the importance of managing office work through virtual platform and housework as well. Both the spouses should help each other so that any form of domestic quarrel reduces when there is an upsurge of domestic violence in this lockdown phase.

Engaging oneself in one’s favourite hobby: This is possibly the best time to explore one’s hobby through writing, reading, listening good music, cooking, quilling, and even housework. Exploring and venturing one’s hobby detoxifies all negative energy which might develop due to the isolation! It also makes the person positive from within.

Yoga followed by Meditation every morning: A major pre-requisite during the lockdown phase which helps to maintain the physical and mental well-being of everyone. Practicing Yoga and Meditation ‘heals’ the body and mind and also ensures spiritual attainment —- a must in the to-do list for everyone, especially adolescents and elderly people!

Spending quality time through Art and Painting: One of the most effective ways to spend this isolation period, according to me, is through Art and Drawing.

1. Art is one of the most therapeutic means to indulge in one’s own world of imagination. Such gloomy period which brings forth stress, anxiety and depression can be vented out through the means of Art.
2. Not everyone needs to be an artist to engage in Art but if everyone; especially youngsters devote some part of their day in Art or Painting, they are sure to develop optimism which will also help to boost their self-confidence and provide emotional ecstasy.

As a small token of remembrance for everyone, I have shared two of my recent Sketch and Digital Painting in order to ameliorate my physical and mental well-being during this period of isolation:

Spending good time with kids (children) in the family: It is said and believed that Children are the gifts of God!! Spending good time with children (if anyone has) is possibly the best time spend to reduce any form of stress or anxiety (even with the naughtier ones!). Their innocence and enthusiasm can take away all forms of tension from life. However, one needs to interact with them patiently (with full vigour!).

To be more tolerant towards elderly people and helping them with essential commodities and housework: The toughest responsibility of any individual in family, yet the affinity which can bind family members together. This pandemic crisis has indeed instilled fear in the minds of bread earners of the family in terms of looking after their aged parents or grandparents since this life-threatening disease has high risk factor for them. One needs to be more tolerant towards the elderly and need to develop the tendency of listening more to their interaction since they are possibly the best guardians in giving advice. Further, helping them with the essential
commodities is also needed.

Exploring and venturing older photographs: Last but not the least, scribbling over the older photographs of childhood and even adolescence (for adults) also gives nostalgic vibe and takes one down the memory lane. It also helps to relive the unforgettable memoirs spend with family or friends, with a Hope to relive the moments soon.

Since this is a challenging time throughout the world, it is essentially important to stay indoors and spend precious time with family members (along with office work virtually) and properly utilize it in the best possible manner because life is indeed a precious gift of God!!