COVID-19 pandemic has forced all major industries across the world to shut down and later, change the way they work. Work from home, which used to be a 'privilege' that only a few enjoyed is a common reality today. All major corporates and institutions have adopted it to arrest the spread of coronavirus infections.
Video Volunteers being a community media organisation had to change some of its processes to gather news and interact with the communities. Stalin K, managing trustee of Video Volunteers says that they had to start a new show, suited to the format of audio interviews, that took stock of on-ground situations.
Amrita Anand, program manager with Video Volunteers was an active member of local groups in Goa which arranged food, ration and essential supplies for daily wage workers left high and dry because of the lockdown.
As there was a restriction on movement and availability of work during the lockdown, people faced a lot of challenges as also reported by Video Volunteers correspondents. As many as 150 videos were made during lockdown by community correspondents highlighting issues like irregularities in ration disbursal, dismal condition of quarantine centres, non-payment of dues to ASHA workers, non-availability of masks and sanitisers for health workers etc.
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