The National Book Trust, India (under Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India) organised a Round-Table Meet on
"Managing Psychosocial Pressures During Pandemic". A panel of esteemed psychologists and
counselors spoke on the psychological challenges faced by various segments of the society – Parents,
Teachers, Women, Students & Youth, Professionals, Corona Warriors, Corona-Affected Persons and
their Families, Persons with Disabilities, Elderly, Writers, Publishers, Illustrators and Book-lovers, etc.
The programme started with the Keynote address by Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman NBT on
Reading as Therapy during Pandemic. While emphasizing on the importance of books and reading in our
everyday life, he said that Reading not only makes us knowledgeable but also psychologically and
emotionally stronger. And also helps us reconcile with ourselves. He said, "Books make us ask some
basic questions like all the readers and well-informed people wish to know ‘How did Corona start’? ‘Is it
man made or natural disaster’?" We hope to continue creating awareness in the field of Mental Health
Awareness through other publications and programmes.
Shri Yuvrak Malik, Director NBT while presenting the lead address on the Role of NBT in Post-Pandemic
Publishing informed the 100+ participants about National Book Trust, India under MHRD and its activities
as the national body for book publishing and book promotion. He said, "As a national institution we are
quite conscious of our role and the expectations that our authors, readers, and other stakeholders have.
During the global Corona Pandemic, we took it upon ourselves to remain engaged with the likely
changing reading needs and to come up with programmes and initiatives that show our commitment to
promote book-mindedness and the culture of reading in the country. Considering Mental Health
Awareness as a major component of the Pandemic times of uncertainty and anxiety which needs to be
addressed in a comprehensive manner, we undertook this study, and are all committed to make it a
sustainable campaign and a major area of discussion as well as publishing. In fact, as a corollary to
this study we have taken an in-principle decision with due approval of our respected Chairman
that from now on all our new titles, especially those for children and young adults, will be vetted
and evaluated by psychologists who may have some background in publishing as well, so that the
kids get quality content because the very term ‘quality’ has now undergone a change in the
Pandemic times. We are moving to a situation where it will be imperative to include Mental Health
Awareness Education in school curriculum."
Shri Yuvraj Malik further added, "During the Lockdown period we opened the vast treasure of children’s
literature produced by us over the decades and made available more than 100 titles in various Indian
languages as free downloads. This was received well by the community of readers and we have received
numerous feedback, accolades, suggestions either directly or through media for the initiative. Further, a
three-month first ever Online Publishing Course is being launched by the NBT from July to meet the
growing needs to have well-trained professionals for the publishing industry. The Online course is going
to be one of its kind because it will be able to integrate both the local publishing practices in various
Indian languages as well as bring in some international speakers to give a rounded perspective to the
participants."
He also said, "We are also going to engage with the various school networks in a more structured manner
and are already in the process of making modules for Foundation Book Publishing Workshops for kids so
that they can have exposure in creative writing, illustrating for the Books, editing skills and get an idea
about how Books are made. In this connection our major focus is on mentoring kids as future authors,
illustrators, editors to create a better ambience of reading in the society and the values that are attached
to it. There are many other programs and initiatives in the pipeline including a Stakeholders’ Meet that we
are going to organise for the New Delhi World Book Fair 2021 edition to get a feedback about organising
the same in the best possible way in the present times of physical distancing."
Moderating the programme, Shri Kumar Vikram, Editor & Project Head of NBT's 'Corona Studies Series',
underlined that NBT’s role of a national body for book publishing and promotion in these times has
become all the more important since well-organised information in the form of books have long-term
impact on the readers and the same is being provided by the Trust through these initiatives.
Concurring with the leading question posed by the moderator, the panelists agreed that the structure of
‘Family is now the amphitheater of all our activities and we have to keep our morale booster for the new
demands on family. The home is nowadays acting as office, school and college classrooms, nursing
centres for the quarantined, entertainment centres since the avenues for travel and entertainment are
restricted. Hence the family as the basic unit of support system during the Pandemic needs to work in
cohesion and the points of conflict and discord should be consciously minimised to meet the stresses of
the times.’
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, MD, DNB, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist & Incharge,
Institute of Mental Health & Life Skills Promotion, Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi underlined the fact that
Mental Health and its well-being is not equivalent to mental illness. It is important that everyone takes
care of their mental well-being and talks to people/professionals if required, because a sound mind makes
up for a sound body and its health. Speaking on the segment of Elderly in the society during these times,
he said that elderly are the harbinger of positivity and mental health in every family and their first
counsellors. They need our undivided attention, and we need to give them the responsibility of providing
us with sound advice, which will be beneficial in both ways.
Ms. Aprajita Dixit, Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Family Counselor and Academic Coordinator, told
the participants that during these difficult times although social distancing is the norm, however emotional
distancing need to be followed, we all need that emotional connect with our family and friends for pour
healthy mental well being. Talking on the segment of Children, Adolescents & Youth, and the impact of
pandemic on their mental health, Ms Dixit said that we should let the children ask questions and
encourage them to share their anxiety so that solution can be reached and they can be made to feel
loved and wanted.
Ms. Rekha Chauhan, renowned Psychologist and Counselor with extensive experience in guiding &
training adolescents, teachers, principals, parents and corporate employees, talking on the subject said
that while people are feeling mixed emotions mental health needs most attention, and therefore in these
times communication and expression are most vital for healthy well-being. Talking on the segment of
Persons with Disabilities, she said that at this time anxiety and loneliness are common during these times
so it is important that therapy and enhancing mental health, along with patience and remaining connected
is important. Especially the care-givers of children of this segment need to ensure that children eat
healthy, talk out their feelings and feel loved.
Sqdr. Ldr. (Ex) Ms. Meena Arora, highly skilled ICF Certified Behavioural Coach, informed the
participants that despite everything compassion has grown among people, and whether it is family,
society or workplace, people have started realising the importance of life, nature and every small thing
that was taken up for granted. Talking about the segment on Corona Warriors, she said that we as a
society and as family need to support our corona warriors who are themselves risking their lives for us
and are at the most risk-prone state – on mental as well as physical health-wise. She proposed yoga and
other therapies for them to keep their physical health upbeat in order for their mental well-being as well.
Ms. Sonie Sidhu, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist & Life-Skills Coach, working with Indian
Army as Counsellor & Psychotherapist said that we all need to strengthen our inter-personal relations and
be more cohesive. Talking on the segment of Women, Mothers and Parents, Ms Sidhu said that it was a
fact that the pandemic has changed the complete manner in which a family used to run, hence it is
important have empathy towards every member of teh family and change our perspective from negative
to positive.
Dr. Harsheeta, working as Scientist 'C' at Defence Institute of Psychological Research, DRDO, Ministry
of Defence, and as a Psychologist for selection of Commissioned Officers for Army, Navy and Air Force
said that family system is our building block and its importance has come back in our lives, where mental
health and well-being are part of our development. Speaking about the segment of Corona-affected, Dr
Harsheeta talked about immunity-building, exercises as well as compassion and empathy from others for
the mental well-being of affected people. She urged that society should drop the discrimination and
stigma against corona-affected people and support them.
Lt. Col. Tarun Uppal, Cyber Security Trainer, Organisational Psychologist & Neuro-Lingustic Programme
Trainer, and an expert in Stress Management, underlined that instead of just concentrating on the
negative effects it has had, we need to look at the positive side of the pandemic and reap positivity in
times of difficulty. Speaking on the segment of Working Population, Lt Col Tarun Uppal said, "We all are
not in the same boat, but in the same storm", meaning that the pandemic has had different kind of impact
on the working population in different ways. Even sectors and industries like tourism and start-ups have
been hit badly. While some are facing salary cuts, others have completely lost their jobs, and yet others
have switched to digital platforms which is the need of the hour.
The Round-Table ended with a question-answer session from the participants.
It is to be mentioned here that NBT-India launched the Corona Studies Series to document and provide
relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership needs, under the first-sub
series of a set of seven books focused on ‘Psycho-social Impact of Pandemic and How to Cope With’
prepared by a Study Group comprising of seven psychologists and counsellors constituted by NBT. The
titles launched following the Study, look at the various aspects of Psycho-social impact on seven different
segments of the society through personal interviews, case studies and community perceptions based on
the response to the on-line questionnaire floated through the website and other social media handles of
National Book Trust, India. Enlivened with some beautiful illustrations, made by some of the very
accomplished illustrators, the books also provide very valuable and practical tips to cope with the
mental stress and anxiety that may have been caused due to the Pandemic and the Lockdown.
