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This paper considers the way the outbreak of coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown has egregiously impeded the Hindu death ceremonies and mourning rituals in India. It makes a comparative analysis of how Hindu death rituals get renegotiated, modified and reinterpreted across two vastly different regions of India, both of which have their local customs. Whilst death rituals in India are contingent on the deceased's caste, community, class, gender and age, the impediment to the major death rituals creates a central conundrum for all mourners. It results from the substitution of 'sacred' ritual guidelines with new 'profane' ones for the 'disposal' of deceased COVID-19 patients. Departure from many significant pre-liminal rites, specific transition rites, and post-liminal rites has eschatological, ritual and cultural ramifications. The inability to grieve in unison during a Shraddh ceremony denies mourners any scope to quell distressing feelings about mortality which serves as a source of consolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has shaken the higher education sector. Indian academic institutes are well acquainted with the traditional closed book examination; however, the pandemic has forced the institutes to resort to new methods to evaluate the students. Many academic units in India did not take the examination in the light of public health, but in the case of the University of Delhi, it decided to conduct an online open book examination (OBE). Therefore, in the present paper, we aim to evaluate the strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of conducting online OBE by referring to the vast literature available. We further extended our study by assessing the students' performance in an OBE and closed book examination. The results unveiled that students tend to score higher marks in the case of an OBE set up compared to closed book examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most recent phase of services digitalisation in the global South, reflected in the widespread adoption of Internet and smart-phone technologies, has given rise to an emergent gig economy that employs tens of millions of workers across its diverse urban centres. Pre-eminent frames of analysing the global gig economy have thus far focussed significantly on issues related to platform regulation, employment relations and labour organisation. While important, these frames tend to overlook the wider informal, unwaged and self-organised foundations of gig work and labour in the global South. This article addresses the limitations of existing analytical frames by drawing upon the analysis of 55 telephonic interviews with migrant and non-migrant gig workers associated with well-known ride-hailing and home-delivery apps across two Indian cities about their experiences of the COVID-19 crisis. The article offers novel insights into the various uncertainties and challenges that gig workers in India faced during the COVID-19 national lockdown, as well as their attempts to cope with the new post-pandemic realities. Contextualising these experiences through the lens of 'digitally organised informality', the article reveals that in the absence of formal and institutionalised systems, India's gig workers rely significantly on informal socio-spatial networks of care and support that also link internal urban-rural geographies, lives and livelihoods. Conceptualising these informal networks as fundamentally contextual in understanding the development of gig labour and its social reproduction in the global South, the article however also provides a critical evaluation of their partial and contradictory nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present era of rapid technological changes and the rising rate of internet penetration has created a stride for an individual's entertainment preferences. The rise of Over-the-Top (OTT) media services has made strides by altering the media space during the pandemic caused by COVID. Smart phones and access to broad band made OTT acceptable by a large part of the population worldwide. The handheld device OTT is becoming the preferred mode of content consumption by the viewers in India as well. However, there are certain shortcomings of this emerging mode of media mostly in terms of socio-economic as well as technological issues. In addition to finding the growing demands of OTT, present study emphasized on the challenges posed for the adoption of this rapidly preferred media platform. On the analysis of the data collected from the respondents in the twin city of Odisha (Cuttack and Bhubaneswar), the findings revealed three prime factors such as 'user behaviour', 'technological flexibility' and 'customer-centric content' to be the significant influencers of OTT content. The insights of this study can help the regulatory authorities as well as OTT media players in promotion and strategy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have been catastrophic internationally, with alarming rates of cases and deaths, as well as travel bans and countrywide lockdowns. While many industries are experiencing the deleterious effects of Covid-19, international surrogacy is facing enormous ethical challenges resulting from the pandemic. Drawing on the first author's reflections on research with Indian surrogate mothers, coupled with contemporary literature, this paper highlights the impacts of Covid-19 on surrogacy in India, particularly regarding the strict lockdown laws intended to protect civil society. This paper discusses the serious issues facing key actors involved in surrogacy, including surrogate mothers and commissioning parents. Focus is given to the psychological impacts on newborn babies caught in a liminal space as a result of lockdown laws. The authors conclude with reflections on the role of social work in protecting women and children in international surrogacy, particularly during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines socioeconomic, demographic, and geographical factors determining individuals' participation in India's biggest flagship social security program, that is, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), across three southern states. Logistic regression estimates suggest that MGNREGS has benefited the marginalized rural households belonging to the most backward castes. The adverse effects of climate and the ongoing Covid pandemic would have been more critical without the existence of MGNREGS. We recommend wide-scale implementation of the MGNREGS, particularly for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and those living in an uncertain climate with less access to land and irrigational facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this review was to identify and synthesize the findings of the existing literature that highlighted the psychosocial and mental health issues of the migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. Materials and Methods: An exploration of the PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google search, and some other manual searches was undertaken so that no relevant study was missed. A search on Indian scientific literature and cross-references retrieved was also conducted to get further information. The period of the search has been one year from March 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. The database was searched with the terms "migrants," "migrant workers," "COVID-19 pandemic," "lockdown," "migrant population," "mental health issues," "psychosocial issues" to retrieve the published literature. Results: Initially, 48 research articles were retrieved and 10 of them were excluded as they had no sufficient information about mental and psychosocial challenges faced by the migrants. In the remaining 38 articles, 9 articles were original research work (n = 9) published from India related to the impact of COVID-19 on migrants. The second category consisted of editorials or commentary or letters to the editor or policy paper on psychosocial and mental health aspects of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 17). The third category was 11 articles on perspectives or opinions or viewpoints (n = 11) related to various psychosocial and mental health issues among migrants in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predominantly psychosocial issues found among migrants were living conditions, basic needs, family concerns, and joblessness. The mental health issues found among migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic included psychological distress, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders. Conclusion: Existing literature from India has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the psychosocial and mental health status of the migrants in India. This review suggests the need for more research work from the affected states of India and the development of psychosocial and mental health intervention strategies to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, India has established itself as the world's 'pharmacy hub', and this claim was proven once again when it delivered COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens, neighbouring nations and across the globe. Following the philosophy of humanitarianism through the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', India has decided to provide the COVID-19 health assistance to its immediate neighbouring countries. India's immediate neighbourhood refers to the countries that are geographically adjacent to it. In addition, India's vaccine diplomacy has exposed geopolitical fault lines in South Asia as China's vaccine diplomacy aims to outpace India in the region. Against this background, the main objective of this paper is to explain and examine India's vaccine diplomacy as an instrument of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that India's health-focused approach has proved effective and aligned with its national interests. This review demonstrates that India's health diplomacy has had an impact on medical and humanitarian assistance reciprocation at the regional and international levels. As a result of this strategy, during the second wave of the pandemic, India received medical devices and vaccines from other countries in dealing with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had left heart-wrenching impacts on all facets of life in general and the availability, accessibility, and affordability of medicines and vaccines in particular. Rather, the world has been divided into two groups regarding access to medicine and vaccines as haves and have-nots. The rich countries had pre-ordered the vaccines of COVID-19 along with the holding of the same. The pandemic situation was further worsened, given the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in practice and restrictions on sharing technology of vaccines, medicines, and life-saving equipment. In this context, India and South Africa have proposed the joint proposal and garnered support for waiving off TRIPS to ensure equity, accessibility, and affordability of vaccines and the same as public goods. In this review, we emphasize that global justice is one of the important elements of normative international theories, which focus on all the moral obligations from the world's rich to the world's poor. The paper also questions and argues that if the rich countries fail to go by the principles of global justice, can the Indian and South African (SA) patent diplomacy play a catalyst role in global justice? The review concludes with an emphasis on global solidarity, and the acceptance of joint India–South Africa's "patent diplomacy" for TRIPS waiver would result in mass production and fair distribution, making the COVID-19 medicines and technologies available to everyone regardless of their poor–rich status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide public health crisis. During huge surge in COVID-19 cases, most of the patient arrived at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai were severe due to late presentation and also available evidence demonstrating that the delay in treatment is directly associated with increased mortality or poor patient outcome. As an innovative concept of Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward were set up to provide the required critical care for all severe COVID-19 cases. The experience of setting up of such Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward and profile of admitted COVID-19 patients were described in this paper. Methods: A total of 4515 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted at Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward was analyzed retrospectively from 7th July to 31st December 2020. Results: At the time of admission the frequency of dyspnea were 85.6% among them 99.1% recovered from dyspnea after the oxygen therapy and other management at Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward. Of the 4515 COVID-19 individuals, about 1829 (40.5%) had comorbidity, 227 (5%) had died. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, COVID-19 death was more likely to be associated with comorbidity (OR: 18.687; 95% CI: 11.229-31.1) than other variables. Conclusions: Comorbidity is an independent high risk factor for mortality of COVID-19 patients. From our observation, it is strongly recommended that effective zero delay covid-19 ward model will help for the prevention of mortality in current/expected waves of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper describes the strategy to mitigate and control epidemic contingencies in the backdrop of Kerala's Covid-19 containment plan. I have purposefully selected Kerala, the southernmost state of India, because of its globally acclaimed experience in efficiently managing the cases of coronavirus that were reported. Even tackling the Nipah and Zika virus cases in the pasts, makes it an exemplary unit of study. Moreover, the past experience of the state points to the fact that the containment strategy adopted is the result of an evolved practical approach. I came across certain innovative strategies implicating community mobilization like community kitchens, social surveillance, large scale production of face masks etc. by utilizing the hidden productive capacity of communities that extended from women self-help groups, youth clubs and even prison inmates. Moreover, the state's controlling and containing measures were mentioned by international media and agencies like the BBC and the World Health Organization (WHO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 has a profound impact on people with existing mental disorders, augmenting the prevailing inequalities in mental health. Methods: In order to understand the status of telepsychiatry in India and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health and its potential applications, a scoping review was done between March 2020 and May 2020. The literature review revealed 253 papers, which were used to derive the primary framework for analysis. The information was then reviewed for ideas and concepts, which were integrated with evidence from gray literature and categorized under broader themes based on the insights derived. Finally, a thematic framework was developed for discussion to tailor scientific information for decision-makers' needs. Results: Review findings are summarized under the following headings: changing patterns of health-seeking behavior, origin and evolution of telepsychiatry, possible applications of telepsychiatry and AI, technological features, and AI models in mental health. Conclusions: Though there are several potential opportunities, the time is not yet ripe for telepsychiatry and AI to be adopted fully in the field of mental health care. But it is time that we develop indigenous proprietary technology and test and validate it. With many solutions offered by telepsychiatry and AI, psychiatrists must choose an appropriate tool based on their requirements, availability of resources, and feasibility of deployment. Harmony between conventional care and technology-based care must be reached gradually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inter-governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in India not only revealed centralized tendencies but also exposed weaknesses in the administrative and planning processes needed for a cohesive but flexible national response. This paper highlights some of the subnational states' early responses to increasing COVID-19 cases and argues that, while India resorted to centralized measures to deal with the pandemic, a decentralized response may have proved more beneficial. Policy recommendations following this line of thinking conclude the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the process of planning, adapting, and implementing a brief, instrumental, school-based mentoring curriculum originally developed in the United States, in three cities in India. India has the world's largest population of young adults aged 10-24 years, a developmental period associated with heightened psychosocial stressors and the onset of mental health issues, as well as a dire shortage of mental health professionals. Moving services that are typically provided by highly skilled professionals to individuals with fewer credentials or less formal training (e.g., from psychologists to mentors) can increase access to adolescent mental health services. Yet, transferring programs internationally is accompanied by unique barriers including cultural differences, and should be guided by an established framework. In this paper, we discuss the formation of a research-practice partnership designed to generate applied knowledge through emic cultural perspectives. We describe each stage of the program adaptation process within the Cultural Adaptation Framework (Fendt-Newlin et al., 2020), including our decisions to strategically adjust, remove, or retain content from the original mentoring intervention. Although program delivery was prematurely discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we provide a brief synopsis of lessons learned through the international partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the perception of experience of depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among young adults (18–22 years of age) from different locales in India during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 1,020 participants (603 males and 417 females) with 470 identified talented students (ITS) and 550 nonidentified students (NiS) from Indian villages, towns, and cities. multivariate analysis of variance and ordinal logistic regression analysis were carried out to understand the differences between the various subcategories and the probability of having high negative emotional states among those groups. Results point toward varying levels of DAS depending on whether they were ITS or NiS, whether male or female, and whether they came from Indian villages, towns, or cities. Both similarities and dissimilarities with other studies were observed, and the results provide insights into the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of young adults in India. The importance of developing psychological support systems for all students is implicated in the findings of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borders and mobilities have played key roles in the transformations of capitalism that have accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. We attempt to distinguish novel developments in the control of movements of bodies, labour, and capital from processes of renationalisation, financialisation, and platformisation that were in train before the outbreak. Focusing on logistical techniques and technologies that govern the global circulation of people and things, this article explores the spatial shifts and ruptures that have marked the capitalist crisis occasioned by the pandemic. We give empirical attention to movements and struggles of migration in China, India, the Americas, and the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology has influenced every aspect of our living, and education is not an exception. During the current pandemic period of COVID-19, the latent motive of maintaining social distancing is leading to be one of the prime reasons for the students to get enrolled in online courses. Although the benefits of e-learning have been discussed in various previous studies, it is important to understand the quality of e-learning and the satisfaction level of learners during this forceful shift toward e-learning amid the pandemic of COVID-19. This research proposes a conceptual model for understanding the variables influencing e-learning quality (ELQ) and learner satisfaction under the moderating effect of maintaining social distancing. The model is empirically validated by means of the partial least square approach through structural equation modeling based on 435 responses of university students in India. The results suggest that assurance, reliability, responsiveness, and website content are the factors that influence the ELQ of the online courses during the pandemic. ELQ also strongly influences the learner's satisfaction. Interestingly, perceived benefits of maintaining social distancing have a significant negative moderating effect only between empathy and ELQ, which leads to the satisfaction of the learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we symmetrically explore the political underpinnings and connections of pharmaceutical drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We illustrate some different and shifting dynamics of expert-lay interplay, competing knowledge claims in politically charged environments, as well as actions and actors that can bring drugs to prominence. Focusing on three drugs, ivermectin, remdesivir, and Coronil, we offer three axes on which they can be apprehended within political logics: (a) ivermectin as a "populist drug" in the United States, (b) remdesivir as an "establishment drug" in the United States, and (c) Coronil as a "nationalist drug" in India. These three pharmaceuticals were politicized, and perhaps more surprising, politics became pharmaceuticalized. Trust in these treatments was intimately related to articulations of the threats posed by the pandemic and the best ways of addressing them, both manipulated politically by relatively powerful actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study compares trade performance between India and China during COVID period (January–December 2020). The merchandise trade and commercial service exports and imports from both countries were obtained from the official World Trade Organization website to compare the output (deviation of actual from projected during COVID-19) of India and China's foreign trade with the rest of the world. The present study employs models of autoregressive integrated moving average using a three-step model creation process. As per the results obtained, we can conclude that India is behind China in achieving the amount of merchandise exports and imports in relation to the output of its previous years, while China's variance between expected and real is relatively lower. When comparing service exports and imports, it can be found that the gap between service exports is not much, but in the case of service imports, China's deviation from India is much greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has been proven to have psychological impacts among individuals in both sport and non-sport populations. However, there is little available research comparing athlete and non-athlete populations in this context, especially among a non-western sample. This study employs a novel, longitudinal mixed method sequential explanatory research design to compare the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic between athlete and non-athlete populations and the role of physical activity. Phase A was a quantitative study measuring the psychological impact using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised among both groups (n = 32). Phase B was a qualitative study, with a sample (n = 7) participating in experiential interviews, exploring the lived experiences of participants over a 7-month period since Phase A was completed. Results indicated that athletes had lower psychological impact of the pandemic compared to non-athletes. Reflexive thematic analysis indicated that over the 7-month longitudinal period, athletes and non-athletes had different experiences across the themes of 'Appraisal and Coping', 'Cognitions', and 'Impact of the Pandemic'. Findings show A) a clear longitudinal impact of COVID-19 over a 7-month period; B) there is a clear contrast between sport and non-sport populations, with participants indicating sport and physical activity to be a protective factor limiting negative psychological impact. Findings are discussed with recommendations for physical activity and sport for reducing psychological impact among both athletes and non-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel COVID-19 pandemic has left the global economy in shambles and is negatively affecting India's economy across industries. In order to tide over the crisis, companies need to take swift and effective decisions. The present case study focuses upon Bengaluru-based online meat and seafood company Licious that is functioning contrary to the dire state of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and e-commerce companies which have shrunk during the nationwide lockdown. To battle the crisis that ails the meat industry, Vivek Gupta, Founder of Licious, took swift decisions and communicated effectively that helped him to build and renew trust with his stakeholders. This case specially focuses upon the various crisis communication strategies adopted by Gupta to create an effective engagement and experience with his stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the country's health systems and diminished its capability to provide safe and effective healthcare. This article attempts to review patient safety issues during COVID-19 pandemic in India, and derive lessons from national and international experiences to inform policy actions for building a 'resilient health system'. Methods: Systematic review of existing published articles, government and media reports was undertaken. Online databases were searched using key terms related to patient safety during COVID-19 and health systems resilience. Seventy-three papers were included dependent on their relevance to research objectives. Findings: Patient safety was impacted during COVID-19, owing to sub-optimal infection prevention and control measures coupled with reduced access to essential health services. This was largely due to inadequate infrastructure, human and material resources resulting from chronic underinvestment in public health systems, paucity of reliable data for evidence-based actions and limited leadership and regulatory capacity. Conclusions: India's health systems were found ill prepared to tackle large-scale pandemic, which has major implications for patient safety. The shortcomings observed in the COVID-19 response must be rectified and comprehensive health sector reforms should be initiated for building agile and resilient health systems that can withstand future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 crisis has drawn broader public interest in how companies treat their workers, so going forward, people management would be of an increasing concern. As we make a transition from a service-based economy to experience economy, where time well saved takes a back seat to time well spent, the notion of employee experience (EX) is set to become a fundamental workplace design principle. EX is about the work, not the office. EX aims for a complete redesign of the workplace practices and environment to fit the employees and not the other way around. This article examines and verifies EX scale as one-dimensional as well as multidimensional constructs with six dimensions, namely cohesiveness, vigour, well-being, achievement, inclusiveness and physical environment. Six dimensions were explored with focus group and open-ended survey and validated with closed-ended survey of 299 employees working in multinational corporations across India. Structural equation modelling is used to validate the proposed latest construct. Establishing the EX scale would help researchers as well practitioners in empirically measuring EX and its relationship with various individuals as well organizational constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic generated economic contraction across the world. In India, the stringent lockdown led to extreme distress. The unprecedented situation adversely affected the women's efforts to balance professional life with family life because of a disproportionate increase in their domestic work burden and a shift in their workstation to home. Since every job cannot be performed remotely, women employed in healthcare services, banks and media witnessed additional risks of commuting and physical interaction at the workplace. Based on personal interviews of women in the Delhi-NCR region, the study aims to explore the commonalities and variances in the challenges experienced by the women engaged in diverse occupations. Using the qualitative methodology of flexible coding, the study finds that a relatively larger section of women travelling to their office during the pandemic, rather than those working from home, had an effective familial support system that helped them navigate this tough time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telepsychiatry is a cost-effective alternative to in-person psychiatric consultations. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a sharp spike in the utilization of telepsychiatry due to ongoing restrictions on gatherings and traveling. In recognition of the importance of telemedicine in general, and telepsychiatry specifically, telemedicine practice guidelines and telepsychiatry operational guidelines have been released. Due to the rising trend in telemedicine, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDIA) incorporated teleconsultation health insurance coverage at a level on par with regular in-person consultations. In contrast, in the United States of America, private insurance coverage for telepsychiatry has been in vogue for some time. In this paper we draw comparisons between India and the United States on telepsychiatry and health insurance. We compare the evolving regulatory policies of these two countries in relation to existing insurances plans that are available, the challenges in implementation of new regulations and the possible ways to overcome the challenges to make telepsychiatry affordable to all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic came as a major shock to the economies around the world. To buy some time in order to plan, execute and implement measures to prevent and face the pandemic, around 50 nations across the globe implemented lockdown. India announced the spring lockdown in March 2020. Given the agile healthcare system, huge population and underdevelopment, the nation had to extend the lockdown. One of the worst-hit sectors because of the lockdown was the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The sector looked forward for economic incentives and packages from the government. In June 2020, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (self-sufficient India campaign) was launched. This article, using the Annual Survey of Industries data, examines in detail how the package was not sufficient to meet the needs and expectations of the MSME sector. It establishes that the MSME sector is the face of industrialisation process in India. We argue that the package failed to address the actual problems in the sector and instead came up with the policies that may well deteriorate the sector further and harm the overall industrialisation process. The major policy recommendation established by the research is strong and honest leadership relying on quadruple-loop learning model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India announced nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020, to control the COVID crisis. Due to lockdown, the health care system, that is, delivery and utilization of the health facilities were adversely affected. Clinical Setting: Presentation and management of nasal foreign body cases over 3 months post COVID lockdown has been discussed. Factors for delayed diagnosis and management are assessed and compared with pre-COVID era. Result/Outcome: Due to lockdown and COVID phobia, more complicated cases of nasal foreign body are presented in post lockdown period. Conclusion: We need to formulate and standardize the management strategies to avoid such unfortunate circumstances so that even non-COVID cases are managed more appropriately and in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has widened the gap between victims and non-victims in society. Understanding how individuals support and assist COVID-19 sufferers in a pandemic crisis is critical. Thus, this study aims to qualitatively evaluate the prosocial intention and types of prosocial behavior toward COVID-19 victims by low socioeconomic individuals from India and Indonesia's collectivistic societies. We conducted semi-structured and in-depth interviews during the lockdown from March to May 2020, via phone and in-person, using a purposive selection of respondents (total n = 50). The data were analyzed using the qualitative synthesis method. Five themes were discovered: 1) too scared to help, 2) love to help but scared: moral dilemma, 3) informing authority who knows how to handle, 4) caring, sharing, and supporting, but with a distance, and 5) helping at one's personal health risk. This study highlights that prosocial intentions range from minor acts of kindness to self-harm and out-of-bounds acts of kindness for COVID-19 victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted postgraduate (PG) medical education in India. This study aimed to assess PG teaching, learning, evaluation (TLE), and innovative TLE methods used during the pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using Google Forms to seek anonymous responses from psychiatry teachers across India. Information about PG TLE, postings in COVID-19 care units, methods of teaching adopted in different settings, difficulties faced, and methods of evaluation used were sought in responses. Descriptive statistics methods were used for analysis. Results: The pandemic led to compromised TLE opportunities for the students. Posting of students and teachers in COVID-19 wards for an average of 15 months, students and teachers getting COVID-19, conversion of psychiatry wards to COVID-19 wards, and reduced number of outpatients and inpatients impaired the teaching-learning opportunities. For examination, the evaluation was done with limited standards, like using dummy patients or case vignettes. A few innovative TLE methods were also used during the pandemic. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic had led to sub-optimal PG TLE. Teachers suggested many alternative and flexible TLE methods and platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a qualitative approach, this study aimed to examine the changing nature of death, dying and mourning among Muslims of Kashmir due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telephonic Interviews were conducted with 17 participants, whose loved ones died after the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Kashmir. The findings of the study revealed that the deceased mostly died in isolation with no one around. Mourning the loss was also highly challenging with participants receiving less in-person support thus leading to mourning in isolation. The inability to perform last rites added yet another layer of grief which resulted in prolonged grief among the bereaved and impacted their overall wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, countries around the world began enacting lockdown measures and enforcing social distancing rules. Almost at the same time, the use of drones also began to see a spike, especially in the hands of civilian users. This article examines the phenomenon of the drone video as a genre of the pandemic. While drone imagery is not endemic to the COVID-19 crisis, in the face of mass deaths and lockdowns, drone users globally began to turn to the drone as a mobile archive machine. Drawing on recent scholarship on drones, I examine how the drone's vertical vision afforded a form of pandemic witnessed by proxy. Despite the increasing use of drones for policing, surveillance and warfare, in the case of India, drone imagery also played an important role in countering government narratives about the pandemic and its body counts. Examining the drone images captured by the late photographer Danish Siddiqui, I demonstrate how the drone's 'vertical play' facilitated the emergence of a counter-archive of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is known for the multiple mutations and forms that have rapidly spread across the world. With the imminent challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in curbing the public health fallbacks due to limited resources, mucormycosis emerged as a fungal infection associated with high mortality. In this rapid review, we explored MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science, WHO Global Database, and the search engine—Google Scholar for articles listed until July 2021 and presented a narrative synthesis of findings from 39 articles. The epidemiology, causative factors, incidence parameters, pharmacological treatment, and recommendations for low- and middle-income countries are enlisted. This study concludes that a majority of the globally reported COVID-19 associated mucormycosis cases stemmed from India. Individuals receiving systemic corticosteroids or who have a history of diabetes mellitus are more prone to contracting the disease. Public health authorities in LMIC are recommended to strengthen antifungal therapies for COVID-19 associated mucormycosis and to strategize reduction in diabetes mellitus prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated providing populations with simple and relevant, actionable informational messages for them to be informed on individual and community level measures to combat the pandemic. Distilling guidance from various sources into simple actionable message themes in a short time frame should be the hallmark of any rapid health promotion campaign. We developed and disseminated actionable Information, Education and Communication (IEC) messages on prevention and control during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by selecting five key message themes of prevention. A modified Delphi technique was used for the development process which was peer reviewed after consensus was generated. An online training model using specifically developed YouTube videos and Zoom Meetings was utilized to train Master Trainers and the further hierarchy reaching out to 6989 Community Resource Persons at the peripheral echelons. Conservatively the population reached out has been estimated to be more than 6 million (across 1.2 million households), over a two week period in April 2020. The implementing agency has created 300 videos in around 22 languages based on the 5 Key Messages, which are available online for universal access. A rapid IEC campaign that can be developed, designed and rolled out in a short span is required for emergency situations such as the ongoing pandemic. NGOs play an important role in reaching out relevant messages to the community, filling in the gaps by virtue of their relative systemic agility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to find the demographic factors associated with the spread of COVID-19 and to suggest a measure for identifying the effectiveness of government policies in controlling COVID-19. The study hypothesizes that the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 patients depends on the urban population, rural population, number of persons older than 50, population density, and poverty rate. A log-linear model is used to test the stated hypothesis, with the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 patients up to period t as a dependent variable and demographic factors as an independent variable. The policy effectiveness indicator is calculated by taking the difference of the COVID rank of the i th state based on the predicted model and the actual COVID rank of the i th state. Our study finds that the urban population significantly impacts the spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, demographic factors such as rural population, density, and age structure do not impact the spread of COVID-19 significantly. Thus, people residing in urban areas face a significant threat of COVID-19 as compared to people in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to analyze the role of social support in the lives of women survivors of domestic violence who filed a complaint with the Mahila Salah and Suraksha Kendra (MSSK) Alwar, India, while residing with the abusive husband and his family during the lockdown period of COVID-19. The study explores the role of MSSK with extended vulnerability of women during the lockdown period at large. This study adopts an exploratory qualitative method. A total of 36 married women who had filed a complaint with MSSK before and during the lockdown were included. Interviews with the women were held through telephonic conversations on vulnerability, coping mechanism and extent and forms of social support. Thematic content analysis was done in a stepwise manner. Results show that degeneration of social support model is time -bound and the accuracy of applying this model wane under extended condition of vulnerability caused due to COVID-19. MSSK can expand support by creating and integrating virtual community networks to detect and deter violence during the lockdown. The study suggests that the government can ensure and empower bystanders with skills of modern communication. The existing physical institutional delivery mechanism need to evolve strategies that are resilient to emerging threats from the vulnerable ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in several psychosocial manifestations across all socioeconomic strata. This study attempted to explore the details of a psychosocial support system implemented in Kerala, India, to address psychosocial issues during this pandemic. It employed a descriptive approach using qualitative and quantitative methods. The results can be summarized into 4 overarching themes: (1) process of implementation, (2) issues addressed, (3) experiences, and (4) success stories. This intervention targeted the whole population, with a specific focus on quarantined/isolated individuals and selected vulnerable groups. COVID pandemic has sowed several negative emotions, such as anxiety; and stigma and fearful thoughts, including suicidal ideations; trepidation regarding family members; and misinfodemics in general. Social and religious corollaries of the pandemic have intensified the psychological agony. The study provides an overview of the psychosocial intervention adopted by the state during the pandemic, which has helped both the beneficiaries and the providers. It has also helped to promote positive thinking and change the attitude toward the disease among the beneficiaries. It is highly commendable that timely intervention could obviate quite a few psychiatric emergencies, including suicides and aggressive behaviors. Considering its efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, this model can be replicated in any setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's coronavirus lockdown forced low-wage migrant workers to return from the city to the home towns and villages from which they came. Pre-pandemic living and working conditions were already stressful and difficult for these migrants. The lockdown became an additional burden, since it shut down sources of income with no assurance about when, or if, work and earning to support families could be resumed. This article draws on the lens of the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) to understand how workers engaged with and navigated these difficult times. A total of 54 migrant workers locked-down at home across the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal were interviewed for this qualitative study. Financial worries were found to be endemic, with rising debt a major source of stress, and educational qualifications becoming an obstacle to earning. Returning migrants were suspected of bringing the virus from the city, and so stigmatized in their home towns and villages. However, the pandemic lockdown also showed some unexpected healthful consequences. It provided these marginalized, and always busy workers the time and space to stop working for a while, to stay home, eat home food, and take walks in the comparatively green and clean spaces of their home environments. In this, the pandemic lockdown may be seen to have enabled a measure of agency and health in the lives of these workers, an oasis albeit temporary, and ultimately subject to the demands of the globalized cities of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the nationwide lockdown as part of the state response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the predicament of interstate migrant laborers in India, caught in crowded cities without means of livelihood and basic resources needed to sustain life, gained national and international attention. This article explores the context of the current migrant crisis through the historical trajectories and political roots of internal migration in India and its relationship with the urban informal labor market and the structural determinants of precarious employment. We argue that the both the response to the pandemic and the disproportionate impact on migrant laborers are reflections and consequences of an established pattern of neglect and poor accountability of the state toward the employment and living conditions of migrant workers who toil precariously in the informal labor market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdown has disrupted food supplies across large parts of India, where even prior to the pandemic, food insecurity and malnutrition were widely prevalent. Tribal populations in southern Rajasthan, India, live in extreme scarcity, rely mainly on outward migration for sustenance, and have been significantly affected by the pandemic. In this study, we assess the availability of foodstuffs at the household level and community experiences about satiety and hunger during lockdown.Methodology: We conducted a rapid assessment of food security in rural southern Rajasthan, India, using a structured questionnaire. Trained interviewers conducted telephonic interviews using KoBoToolbox, an open-source tool. A total of 211 respondents including community volunteers, family members of tuberculosis patients and malnourished children, pregnant women, and influential members in the villages participated in the study.Results: A cereal was reported to be present by 97% of the respondents, two-thirds had pulses, and nearly half had milk. The amount of cereals available was adequate for about 5 months and that of pulses, oil/ ghee, and sugar for about 1 to 2 weeks. Two-thirds of the respondents reported that food in their households was sometimes not sufficient for the amount they wanted to eat, and 97% of these mentioned not having money to buy food as the reason for not having sufficient food.Conclusion: This study highlights widespread food insecurity among tribal communities in southern Rajasthan, and the scenario is likely to be similar in other tribal migration dependent areas of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India, being the third worst affected country from COVID-19 pandemic at the time of study, faced complete lockdown to minimize community transmission that confined people to social isolation for extended durations. Design and Methods: Therefore, we conducted an online questionnaire-based survey for the Indian population after 37 days of complete lockdown to assess the integrative effects of such home restriction and social isolation on mid-sleep time, social jetlag, and their associated psychosocial behavior. From the reports of sleep onset and waking-up times before and during lockdown as obtained from a total of 1511 respondents of =18 years, midsleep time (MST) and social jetlag (SJL) were calculated. Participants also rated their psychosocial behavior related variables on a Likert scale. Results: Significantly delayed MST was noted during the lockdown. The majority showed reduced social jetlag; however, younger people and female subjects exhibited more SJL with delay in MST. Also, delayed MST and elevated SJL problems were more clearly demonstrated in people exhibiting more disturbances in sleep quality and daily routine, lower general mood status, irregular feeding habits (snacking frequency), worsened personal relationship, quality of life, and increased daydreaming events. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of maintaining a regular daily routine with respect to sleep-wake patterns and eating habits to minimize the impact of such a crisis situation on sleep behavior, social jetlag, and associated psychosocial wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology is bringing about a revolution in every field and mental health care is no exception. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided us with both a need and an opportunity to use technology as means to improve access to mental health care. Hence, it is imperative to expand and harness the tremendous potential of telepsychiatry by expanding the scope of its applications and the future possibilities. In this article, we explore the different avenues in digital innovation that is revolutionizing the practice in psychiatry like mental health applications, artificial intelligence, e-portals, and technology leveraging for building capacity. Also, we have also visualized what the future has in store for our practice of psychiatry, considering how rapid technological advances can occur and how these advances will impact us. There will be challenges on the road ahead, especially for a country like India for instance; the digital divide, lack of knowledge to utilize the available technology and the need for a quality control and regulation. However, it is safe to presume that telepsychiatry will evolve and progress beyond these roadblocks and will fulfill its role in transforming health care. Telepsychiatry will improve the health care capacity to interact with patients and family. The blurring of national and international borders will also open international opportunities to psychiatrist in India, heralding a new wave of virtual health tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]