At the beginning of March, the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi claimed the country was in Covid-19’s “endgame”.
India is now in a living hell!
Guardian Edit
theguardian.com/world/commenti…
India is now in a living hell!
Guardian Edit
theguardian.com/world/commenti…
Nations have either banned flights from India, suggested avoiding travelling there or insisted visitors quarantine on their return.
Yet little more than six weeks ago, Mr Modi, with not even 1% of the population vaccinated, declared that the country was the “world’s pharmacy”
Yet little more than six weeks ago, Mr Modi, with not even 1% of the population vaccinated, declared that the country was the “world’s pharmacy”
Superspreading took place when thousands filled cricket stadiums and millions of Hindus took a dip in the Ganges during the Kumbh Mela festival.
Like Donald Trump, Mr Modi would not give up campaigning while the pandemic raged.
Like Donald Trump, Mr Modi would not give up campaigning while the pandemic raged.
India went ahead with five state elections in April, and an unmasked Mr Modi held huge rallies.
Mr Modi’s brand of Indian exceptionalism bred complacency.
A presumption of national greatness has led to a lack of preparedness, most notably in vaccine production.
Mr Modi’s brand of Indian exceptionalism bred complacency.
A presumption of national greatness has led to a lack of preparedness, most notably in vaccine production.
The west had encouraged India to become a linchpin in global drug-making, but this week Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, suggested this might have been a mistake.
China and the US are now manufacturing more Covid-19 vaccines than India.
China and the US are now manufacturing more Covid-19 vaccines than India.
The Indian prime minister suffers from overconfidence in his own instincts and pooh-poohs expert advice.
His ministers turned on a former Congress prime minister for daring to offer them counsel just before he was admitted to hospital with Covid this week.
His ministers turned on a former Congress prime minister for daring to offer them counsel just before he was admitted to hospital with Covid this week.
Last year, Mr Modi sprang a draconian sudden lockdown on India’s billion people.
A shutdown without warning went against the advice of the country’s top epidemiologists, but suited his taste for dramatic gestures.
A shutdown without warning went against the advice of the country’s top epidemiologists, but suited his taste for dramatic gestures.
As with many of the countries hit hardest, India’s death toll was largely avoidable and a result of arrogant and incompetent government.
India is a big, complex and diverse country that is difficult to govern at the best of times, let alone during a national emergency.
India is a big, complex and diverse country that is difficult to govern at the best of times, let alone during a national emergency.
Mr Modi has put the onus on state governments to clear up his mess. The buck stops with him.
He should acknowledge and make amends for mistakes that have caused enormous suffering.
He needs to engage with experts on how to uphold restrictions;
He should acknowledge and make amends for mistakes that have caused enormous suffering.
He needs to engage with experts on how to uphold restrictions;
Modi should ensure government delivery matches promises; and drop the sectarian ideology that divides when unity is required.
Future historians will judge Mr Modi harshly if he continues with the exceptionalist views that have led to a disastrous public health outcome.
Future historians will judge Mr Modi harshly if he continues with the exceptionalist views that have led to a disastrous public health outcome.
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