With online classes becoming the norm in many parts of the country, the Tamil Nadu government is reportedly planning to introduce the mode even in government schools. In this scenario, poor tribal students from several villages are said to be expressing concerns over the lack of digital connectivity and infrastructure in their lives. They are looking for funds so they can buy mobile phones, without which they would be unable to participate in online classes.

The NewsMinute has reported that many poor students, especially girls, are literally left in the lurch for want of electricity, mobile network or mobile phones. With no institutional support, a DMK MP has promised to raise funds to sponsor their education.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Dr. Senthilkumar S, the DMK MP, said, "If you could kindly share the number of tribal persons that require mobile smartphones so as not to miss their online classes, we can with the help of Twitter friends arrange to buy them."

Lakhs of students in the country are facing hard times this pandemic. They don't have access to smartphones or laptops.