On 17 April 2021, when 2,34,692 new corona cases were reported in India and 1,341 people died, the second wave of the coronavirus was imminent. At the same time, the Kumbh mela was underway and the Prime Minister was addressing adoring crowds in his campaign rallies in Bengal. Now he has expressed anguish over the country's situation. For more on this and the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and Mucormycosis, watch The Wire's COVID bulletin.

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