With the entire country in a lockdown since March, with malls, offices, schools shut, salaries being slashes, people being fired from their jobs, migrants walking back home for want of employment and food, it felt like we are all in this pandemic together.

However, a recent report by Oxfam states that India’s wealthiest escaped the worst of the pandemic and actually got richer in the lockdown!

Sample this: India’s top 100 billionaires have seen their fortunes increase by Rs 12,97,822 crores since March, enough to give every one in India's 138 million-strong population a cheque of Rs 94,045.

The pandemic has pinched more than just the pockets of many Indians. It has also revealed glaring cracks in our health care system, the access to education, the digital divide and most importantly, how the pandemic has NOT impacted us equally.

So how did billionaires continue to get richer during a pandemic? And how has income inequality aggravated the general state of inequality in India and is a reform of our tax code the answer?

References:

Oxfam India Virus Inequality Report 2021

Big Story Episodes on Covid-19 Impact on Education in India:

Part 1: Should India Reopen Schools or Provide Equitable Education First?

Part 2: Prolonged Shutdown of Schools Affecting Students' Health as Well?

Producer and Host: Himmat Shaligram

Amitabh Behar, Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam India

Editor: Shelly Walia

Music: Big Bang Fuzz

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