G’bal/July,24 : The department of Political Science and the department of Sociology, Government Degree College Ganderbal organised an international webinar on the theme ‘Covid19 and social exclusion of marginalised communities’. The webinar was attended by more than 200 participants across the globe and included experts from USA, Italy and across India like Prof. Emeritus Eduardo Elio from the University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy, Prof. Cynthia Buckley from the University of Illinois, Chungse Jung, Research Associate, Centre for Korean Studies, Binghamton University, New York and Kavita Krishnan, Secretary All India Progressive Women’s Association.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Assistant Professor, Political Science highlighted the problem of existing forms of social exclusion of marginalised communities and its exacerbation by Covid19 like unprecedented situation. He emphasised that this webinar is an effort to understand the plight of the marginalized groups and communities during this global pandemic and it should become an occasion to reflect their abysmal condition in normal times.
During the webinar, Professor Eduardo Elio brought the historical perspective of it before the participants and presented a comparative analysis of the effects of Covid-19 in Italy and India. He spoke vividly on the state, education and inequality in Covid19 times.
Giving an insight into the democratic response to Covid19, Kavita Krishnan highlighted the plight of socially marginalized groups during the ongoing pandemic. She persuasively argued about the governmental response to the Covid19 and questioned the role of government in saving lives of migrant workers and people who have other ailments during this crisis.
Professor Cynthia Buckley threw light on the Covid19 situation in Central Asia and the marginalization of migrant labourers. During her presentation, she highlighted how the onset of the global pandemic has disproportionately affected Central Asian migrant labourers, drying up opportunities for income generation and in many cases prompting a return to their country of origin where they might face discrimination and hostility as potential disease carriers.
Mr Chungse Jung discussed about the struggle against exploitation and struggle against exclusion. He also highlighted how exploitation and exclusion are two inclusive themes in all types of social movements. He brought the attention of the participants towards the struggles against exclusion in global south including India and China as well as in Pakistan. He also showcased the effects of Covid-19 on social movements.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Bashir Ahmad Parray, Principal Government Degree College, Ganderbal threw light on the present crisis and its impact on socio economic and educational life of people around the world. He also highlighted the use of alternative courses of action like continuation of teaching and learning through other media like online conduct of webinars and imparting of education in present situations. He hailed the role of higher education department of J&K in general and Commissioner Secretary, Mr. Talat Parvez and Director Colleges, Dr Yaseen Ahmad Shah in particular who have kept the mental of academia ignited even during this unprecedented situation of Covid-19.
The webinar was moderated by Mudasir Roshan, Head, Department of Botany, GDC Ganderbal and the webinar was organised Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Prof. Shafia Mohidin and Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din Bhat
The vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Assistant Professor, Political Science.
