India’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout strategy has a digital gap; here are those struggling to plug it

“You keep on saying digital India, digital India but the situation is actually different in rural areas. How will an illiterate labourer, from Jharkhand get registered in Rajasthan? Tell us how you will address this digital divide.”

A Supreme Court of India bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, L N Rao and S Ravindrabhat Monday made their displeasure clear while taking suo moto cognisance of the issues associated with the Centre’s Covid-19 management, including the rollout of vaccination via the Cowin portal.

The Cowin portal, mandatory to register for vaccines, has become a stumbling block for many, especially with vaccine supply being affected across India.