The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has excruciated millions of people. Many people have lost their loved ones while many children lost their parents, stranded alone, facing the pernicious virus. The virus is recurring again and again, but with more intensity, that is causing huge destruction not only to the lives but to various institutions as well.
The pandemic has resulted in nearly 11 crore people being unemployed globally. While millions of people lost their jobs, thousands of businesses had to shut down. Some businesses are coerced to shut permanently since their working model is not compatible with the working scenario of today’s world. Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, almost everything has modified into an online mode.
Many organizations and several big tech companies like Twitter have permanently shifted their working mode to work from home. The world has changed totally. The unprecedented arrival of the pandemic has overhauled several lives. Many children are now orphaned, distressed alone, and are left dreaded.
Their future is fragile, and they need not only financial support but emotional and mental support as well. Both the state and central government are working togetherly to assist them. Delhi CM Kejriwal has announced free education and aid of Rs. 2500 to every month to the children who lost their parent/s to this pernicious virus.
Prime minister Modi announces relief package for children orphaned by COVID
In this straining time, PM Modi has announced a relief package for the children who have lost their parents to COVID. Yesterday, on the eve of his governance’s second anniversary, PM Modi announced several welfare measures to assist the orphaned. It includes a corpus package of Rs. 10 lakh to the children, when they reach the age of 18, for their education. All these financial measures for assisting them will be covered under the “PM-CARES for children” package, he mentioned in his chair meeting.
The Prime minister’s statement also mentioned that separate fixed deposit accounts will be created by the name of these children, and through a specially designed scheme, the PM-CARES fund will mandate them with Rs. 10 lakhs in their accounts. This corpus will ensure that these children receive monthly financial support or stipend from the age of 18 for the following 5 years to manage their requirements or higher education expenses.
PM Modi, while announcing this package also mentioned the importance of them in developing the nation. He mentioned, “the children represent our country’s future, and we will ensure that they get support from us in every way possible. They must be molded into a strong citizen and contribute for the bright future of the nation.” “The premier said that in such a difficult time it is our duty, as a society, to take care of our children and to give hope for a better future. “said the statement. Highlighting the steps of their education, the PMO said children under the age of 10 would be admitted to the nearby Kendriya Vidyalaya or private school.
Those children who are between the age of 11-18 will be given admissions to Navodaya Vidyalay or Sainik Schools. These schools are residential and mandated by the central government. If the child is under the care of a guardian or family member, he/she will be given admission to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or private school. The fees, uniform, stationery, notebook fees will be paid by the PM’s care fund under the Right to Education Act norms if the child is admitted to any private school.
For pursuing higher education, the children will be provided with education law under the existing Indian norms and the interests will be also paid by the PM-CARES fund. Scholarships similar to tuition fees or any undergraduate degree fees will also be provided by the central or state governmental bodies. All children falling under this category, whether be eligible for a scholarship or not, will be provided with a scholarship.
All children will also be registered as beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), with health insurance of Rs 5 lakh. Fees for these children up to 18 years will be paid by PM-CARES, it said. Modi said the announced measures were only possible because of the significant contributions to the PM-CARES fund that would support India’s war against COVID-19.
