Manipur, July 6 -- When online classes took off to facilitate continuation of education during this COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, things changed for the better for those few privileged students who have access to internet facility and devices needed for it but for a few more, it was a heavy burden for their parents who are daily wage earners.

I called up parents of the students and informed them about the online classes. However, many of their wards could not attend the online classes, mainly because they have no smartphones. Listening to the stories of the poor families were heartbreaking moments. Not to mention the students, some parents or families do not own a single mobile phones.

It may be hard to believe that there are still people...