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Covid-19: Is India staring at a vaccine shortage? Rahul Gandhi asks why debate need vs want

Some states are running out of Covid vaccines as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday sent an SOS alert to the Centre over Covid-19 scarcity.

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India began inoculating lakhs of its citizens above the age of 45 from April 1 to contain the surge in coronavirus infections that are touching daily records since early October 2020’s cases. The Covid-19 vaccination drive in India started on January 16 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the world’s biggest rollout.

The government called it the beginning of the end of the coronavirus that has claimed over 1 lakh lives, affected businesses, drained the economy, led to the biggest migrant crisis and unprecedented suffering since early last year.

Where does India stand in vaccinations?

As per the Health Ministry, India stands at the second position in administering the Covid-19 vaccine after the US but given the size of its population and surge in Covid-19 infections, India is behind the desired target. India puts out over 26.5 lakh shots a day of Covid-19 vaccines compared to the US’s figure of over 30.5 lakh.

But since India crossed a 1 lakh mark in daily Covid-19 cases on April 4, more than 45.25 lakh people were inoculated on April 15, recording the highest single-day Covid-19 vaccination figure, the CoWin database said.

How many people have been vaccinated?

India has administered over 8.48 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines since the Centre launched the vaccination drive. During this period, 1.02 crore people got both doses of the Covid-19 vaccines, which is not even one percent of the estimated 137 crore population of India. The share of Covid-19 vaccination would go up to around three percent if one-dose beneficiaries are taken into account.

Is India running out of vaccines?

Some states are running out of Covid vaccines as Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday sent an SOS alert to the Centre over Covid-19 scarcity.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state has 14 lakh vaccine doses which won’t last beyond three days. After that, vaccination may come to a standstill. He said that Maharashtra needs a stock of 40 lakh vaccine doses per week.

Similarly, a top health official in Andhra Pradesh has said that currently, the state has only 3.7 lakh doses available while its consumption per day is 1.3 lakh doses.

With rumours of a vaccine shortage looming, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan clarified that there is no shortage of Covid-19 vaccines in India in the early evening of Wednesday.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had on Tuesday said vaccinations will not be available to a wider group anytime soon amid an alarming spike in coronavirus infections across the country. He has said that the government is prioritizing some groups over others as in this phase of vaccination, vaccines will be in limited supply.

Reacting to the Health Secretary’s limited vaccination statement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that every Indian deserves the chance to a safe life and that it’s ridiculous to debate needs and wants. The Congress and other opposition parties have been critical of the decision to send medicines abroad before vaccinating the people of India.

Why is India running out of vaccine stock?

While India’s own states are suffering from the scarcity of Covid-19 vaccines, the country on March 27 delivered 2,00,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force (UNPKF) worldwide.

The cargo of AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune was sent to UNPKF despite the government’s decision to reduce exports in view of the need for vaccines domestically as the country is witnessing a huge surge in coronavirus infections.

The vaccine was sent to honor a commitment made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at a UN Security Council meeting in February. 

Read Also: Night curfew imposed in Punjab till April 30, political gathering banned amid Covid-19 spike

Data put out by the Ministry of External Affairs website boasts that India has supplied 645.02 lakh doses of made-in-India Covid vaccines to 84 countries as of Wednesday. Countries like UK, Canada, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Srilanka, Morocco, Brazil, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and many more have received made-in-India Covid vaccines as of now.

With 103 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine, India’s neighbour Bangladesh got the highest number of vaccines.

India News

Congress slams PM Modi, Amit Shah after ED files chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi

The ED’s chargesheet has accused the Congress leaders of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

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The Congress on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case.

Labelling it a blatant act of vendetta politics, the grand old party also condemned the seizure of the newspaper’s assets as a “state-sponsored crime disguised as justice,” vowing to fight back against what it calls an attempt to silence its leadership.

In a fiery statement on X, Congress general secretary in charge of communication Jairam Ramesh accused PM Modi and Shah of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation. “Filing chargesheets against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others is nothing but the politics of vendetta gone wild,” Ramesh posted. “Seizing National Herald’s assets is a mockery of the rule of law.”

Hitting out at Shah, the Congress leader accused him of going “completely berserk.” He asserted that the Indian National Congress and its leadership refuse to be silenced, stating: “Satyameva Jayate.”

The ED’s chargesheet has accused the Congress leaders of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Alongside Sonia and Rahul, it names Congress figures Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda. Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the document for cognisance, scheduling further proceedings for April 25, with the filing handled by ED’s special public prosecutor, N.K. Matta.

Ramesh asserted that the Congress remains undeterred, promising, “We will not be silenced, and the truth will triumph.” The chargesheet reignites a long-standing legal battle tied to the National Herald, a newspaper associated with the Congress since India’s independence era.

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court has scheduled a hearing for arguments on the ongoing National Herald case for April 25, 2025.

During a recent session, the presiding judge stated, “The present prosecution complaint shall next be taken up for consideration on the aspect of cognisance before this court on April 25, 2025, when the special counsel for the ED and the investigating officer will ensure the production of case diaries for the court’s examination.”

The prosecution complaint, lodged under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, pertains to allegations of money laundering, as outlined in Section 3, in conjunction with Section 70, and is punishable under Section 4 of the same act, as per the report.

This case has garnered significant attention, following a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul, their associated companies, and other individuals involved.

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Cricket news

Virat Kohli breaks silence over deleting all ads from Instagram account, says needed a reset

The interviewer, Nags, playfully asked if Kohli would share their ad-free clip on his account, only to be met with a swift, “Nope!” sparking laughter.

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Cricket icon Virat Kohli addressed the buzz around his decision to wipe all advertisements from his Instagram account, calling it a necessary “reset”, during a candid chat with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The move, which left fans puzzled earlier this month, reflects the star’s desire to step back from heavy social media engagement while keeping the door open for future changes.

In a lighthearted RCB video posted Tuesday, Kohli was quizzed about his soaring endorsement value after the Champions Trophy win. With a grin, he quipped, “Yes, it’s gone up!” When probed about his stripped-down Instagram profile, he explained, “I’m in a unique space with social media right now. I’m not feeling like diving in too much at the moment, but who knows what’s next? It just needed a fresh start.”

The interviewer, Nags, playfully asked if Kohli would share their ad-free clip on his account, only to be met with a swift, “Nope!” sparking laughter.

On April 9, Kohli stunned his 70 million followers by clearing his Instagram ‘posts’ section of all promotional content, paid partnerships, and ads, relegating them to the reels tab. His timeline now showcases personal moments—family snapshots, gym workouts, and glimpses of his IPL 2025 journey with RCB—offering a more intimate look at the 36-year-old’s life.

Speculation swirled that Kohli might be redirecting focus to personal ventures, but he clarified that the overhaul was about reclaiming his digital space. “It’s about finding balance,” he hinted, dispelling rumours of a strategic shift.

On the field, Kohli is in top form, dazzling in IPL 2025 with 248 runs across six innings, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 143.35. His latest gem—an unbeaten 65 off 33 balls against Rajasthan Royals—marked his 100th T20 fifty, making him the first Asian batter to hit this milestone. Tied with David Warner for the most IPL fifties (66), Kohli trails only Warner’s 108 in overall T20s.

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Cricket news

Uber announces free shuttle rides for IPL matches in Delhi NCR

With these guidelines in mind, fans can enjoy an exciting matchday experience while benefiting from Uber’s free shuttle service to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

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In an exciting new initiative, Uber India has announced that fans can enjoy free shuttle rides to the Arun Jaitley Stadium on match days for the Delhi Capitals. With a lineup of home games on the horizon, this service aims to enhance the fan experience and provide convenient transportation to the stadium.

The Delhi Capitals will face off against the Rajasthan Royals on April 16, followed by matches against RCB on April 27 and KKR on April 29. Fans attending these exhilarating contests can take advantage of this complimentary shuttle service, provided they present a valid match ticket. This initiative reflects Uber’s commitment to supporting sports fans and ensuring they have an enjoyable and hassle-free experience.

How to Book Your Free Shuttle Ride on Uber

The Uber Shuttle buses will operate from key locations across Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon. To streamline access to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, five dedicated routes have been established, helping fans avoid crowded metro stations and make their journey smoother. Here’s how to book your shuttle ride for free:

  1. Open the Uber app.
  2. Set Arun Jaitley Stadium as your pick-up or drop-off location.
  3. Tap the Shuttle icon.
  4. Choose your preferred time and confirm your shuttle.
  5. Reserve your seat in advance to ensure your spot.
  6. Don’t forget to bring your valid match ticket to board the shuttle.

Important Rules for Attending a Match at Arun Jaitley Stadium

Fans are reminded that entry gates will open approximately three hours before the match is set to begin, providing ample time to settle in for the game. It’s important to adhere to the following regulations:

  • Once a fan enters the stadium, re-entry is prohibited.
  • Refunds will only be issued if the match is canceled or abandoned without any balls being bowled.
  • Certain items are strictly forbidden inside the stadium, including bottles, lighters, tins or cans, musical instruments, flammable or toxic substances, metal containers, firecrackers, weapons, and motorcycle helmets.

With these guidelines in mind, fans can enjoy an exciting matchday experience while benefiting from Uber’s free shuttle service to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

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