English language acquisition through online mode of teaching during COVID-19 pandemic in India

Education and learning hitherto has undergone huge changes from the kind of teaching provided to Gen Y . One major differentiator is the rise of technology and the spread of internet. It has moved ahead  from the ‘analog’ methods to the ‘digital’ methods. The unprecedented Covid-19 crisis which swept across the globes causing loss of human lives and forced people to stay indoors accelerated the process of seeking education through online modes. Thus, learning a language in such an advanced ecosystem is one of the most crucial components in terms of education. In developing countries such as India where English (used as a second language)  is learnt not merely to communicate  but as a tool for empowerment, the methods used to acquire the  language needs to be  assessed , helping the quality of language learning especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The observations are based on various data collected using surveys etc during the lockdown imposed due to the COVID 19 pandemic in India.&nbsp

Familial relationship and its impact on the psyche of transgenders: A study of The Truth About Me by Revathi

Modern society is evolving each day, technologically, socially, and economically. Nevertheless, society marginalizes people based on their gender, caste, sex, etc., and transgenders stand on the gruesome end of this line. Even though transgenders have become part of the active phase of contemporary society, they are often segregated by the name ‘transgender.’ Gender identity is always a major issue in the thick and thin of society. They are also termed as people of the third gender. Still, people believe that transgenders are sex workers or they were born cursed. So, they disappear from the active phase of society. The public’s attitude toward transgenders is like untouchables and they taunt them without any humanity, putting them to the status of animals living in the streets. They earn a livelihood through sex work and begging. This is portrayed by Revathi in her autobiography, The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story. The paper attempts an analysis of how family plays a significant role in their acceptance in society. Almost all of them face issues emanating from the childhood traumas they experience.&nbsp

Mass Drug Administration Coverage Evaluation Survey for Lymphatic Filariasis in Bagalkot and Gulbarga Districts

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 83 countries and territories, with more than a billion people at risk of infection. In view with the global elimination, mass drug administration (MDA) with single dose of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole tablets was carried out for the eligible population in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Objective: Assess coverage of MDA against LF in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional coverage evaluation survey, one urban and three rural clusters were selected randomly in each district. The data were collected in a pretested performa, computed and analyzed using SPSS-10 to calculate frequencies and proportions. Results: A total of eight clusters in two districts resulted in a total study population of 1,228 individuals. The overall compliance rate in Bagalkot district was 78.6% and in Gulbarga district it was only 38.8%. The prime reason for noncompliance was fear of side effects and not received tablets. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for more effective drug delivery strategies to improve the compliance in both the districts