CORPORATE CITIZEN CLAPS FOR KALYAN MANKOTI, THE TEACHER FROM UTTARAKHAND’S BAGESHWAR DISTRICT, WHO PLEDGED TO DELIVER EDUCATION TO THE DOORSTEP OF 75 STUDENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Before the pandemic too, Kalyan travelled daily covering 35 kilometres from his hometown, Almora, to teach the junior school in Chanoli village. But, when the pandemic struck, he decided to relocate to Chanoli with his daughter, leaving behind all the comforts of his hometown. Subsequently, he rallied on a collective agenda to educate the children holistically in the face of the pandemic outbreak. Kalyan catered to children from both government and non-government schools. It was not easy as his relocation was completely restricted due to Covid protocols and came under police probe. However, his sincerity convinced the authorities to cooperate with him including the District Magistrate, the health, and the education department. Local kids who had forgotten their native language, Kumaoni, were re-trained to converse in their own mother tongue. Kalyan involved the villagers to help create an environment for the students to learn, study, and comprehend knowledge in a field near the jungle. His unique curriculum offered the children a scope to learn beyond their usual lesson plans, encouraging them to engage in an extensive conversation with the villagers for knowledge on additional and varied topics. They learnt to sing old forgotten folk songs, local recipes and gained knowledge on the local and neighbourhood vegetation and medicinal plants. This model helped build a community contributing to a holistic and life-long education system. Despite obstacles like changing weather, Kalyan remained determined. He has been supported by his daughter and senior college-going students from Chanoli village who took turns to live with Kalyan. They assisted their juniors in academics, music while also conducting singing, paper, and mud art classes. They aided their juniors in understanding plants and vegetation through practical scientific experiments and fun games. “It is fulfilling to see how students now carry their textbooks and favourite storybooks while they go out to graze their cattle. I am content they did not grow apart from education during these critical times, in fact, they became more attuned to it,” said Kalyan.

CORPORATE CITIZEN SLAPS THE LACK OF AWARENESS AMONGST INDIANS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH AND RELATED MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS THAT REMAIN UNDIAGNOSED LEADING TO CRITICAL CONDITIONS AND FATALITY

While the pandemic stirred people to speak aloud on their mental and general well-being, women’s health and its specific concerns remained unspoken. Especially with the October month celebrated annually as ‘Pink October’ to raise awareness on breast cancer, has projected more numbers of women being stricken with this disease condition. This has been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) recognising that about 2.3 million women, globally were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 alone. A report by the National Cancer Registry Programme (under the Indian Council of Medical Research) has estimated that breast cancer cases are likely to increase by nearly 20%. Estimates calculated by Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals have also indicated a 50% rise in middle-aged women (aged 35-50 years) reporting cases of breast cancer in India. The lack of awareness for regular check-ups or onset of symptoms leads most women in India getting diagnosed only at an advanced stage, adding to further complications. In comparison to early detection, late-stage detections push women to undergo treatment regimens that are both physically and mentally challenging. A survey by an international dating app – happn, attempted to understand how Indians discuss health issues like breast cancer with their partners with the aim of understanding if health issues impact life and relationships. The survey indicated that 41% of users did not encourage the women in their lives-mothers, sisters or friends to go for health-related check-ups. While 16% of the respondents admitted that they did not remind the women in their lives to undergo health examinations, 49% of users said, that “Breast Cancer is not an impediment when in love.” While 40% users believed that a couple’s daily life can be hampered due to health problems, 55% did not mind talking about physical and mental health. It is time that society exposes medical taboos against women and restores her ‘pink’ in health.