Their leaders in the provinces, which have been under the control of Taliban commanders for several months now, speak the language of the bigot. Women are known to have been abducted and enslaved. Several young girls have simply disappeared.

'It is also being done in violation of our Forest Tribal Act because it will involve the eviction of the tribals living in these forests.'

'Earlier we had been told we were the crown of India.'

Being made a member of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs makes her an important player in BJP politics, observes Rashme Sehgal.

Experts believe that under-reporting is likely to cause an underestimation of the spread of the disease.

To believe that the key job of his senior ministers is to ensure that his image be kept intact whatever be the outcome of his policies is to expect too much even of someone as ambitious as Narendra Modi, asserts Rashme Sehgal.

Opposition leaders believe this entire plan has been put in place to ensure that Mamata Banerjee is kept out of office in West Bengal.

'...for three hours to the seven or eight of us who spoke at the meeting.' 'Talking together and allowing us to express our thoughts on these important issues is a good beginning.'

'Every family in UP has been deeply affected in this second wave.' 'It has only been denial, denial, and denial by the incumbent CM.'

'A third wave is possible, but we must try to restrict it to a low level by adopting all personal protection and public policy measures to prevent viral transmission, while speeding up vaccination.'

'Basic Covid protocols were not followed, which is why so many teachers lost their lives.'

'Eleven of our mega states such as UP, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have contributed 70 per cent of the cases and 75 per cent of the deaths.'

'We must not forget that the virus will continue to adapt itself to live with us.' 'The vaccine is the only one way we can prevent mortality.'

'There will always be hiccups given that the Namami Gange programme is spread over different sectors and involves several agencies.'

There is little doubt that the Dongria Kondhs are facing their biggest challenge. Being small in number, they need special attention and care in order to fight this deadly virus.

'At least half the population in UP has been infected.'

'There is more likelihood of dying from lightning than from vaccine induced blood clots.'

'We cannot have bodies putrefying in water.' 'This is a health hazard and it can create a very inflammatory situation.'

What is particularly worrying is that the vast majority will not have access to testing or even to proper treatment. These cases could have been avoided if the government had shown the political will to do so, observes Rashme Sehgal.

'The trajectory of the disease will keep increasing because of the population density being very high.'