Covid-19 shadow on Modi govt's anniversary for second straight year

For the second straight year, the Modi government 2.0 observes its anniversary on Sunday under the grim shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the second straight year, the Modi government 2.0 observes its anniversary on Sunday under the grim shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic which has wreaked unprecedented devastation across the country in the last couple of months. In line with the sombre public mood in general, the ruling BJP has decided to confine its activities to welfare programmes and asked its members to touch at least one lakh villages across the country, unlike last year when its leaders, including Union minister, held virtual rallies and listed out government's achievements. Facing flak from opposition parties over its handling of the pandemic, the Modi government on Saturday announced a flurry of measures, including monitory, education and health benefits for children orphaned by Covid-19, an indication of an awareness as to how its actions in dealing with the medical and economic challenges brought by the ravaging disease will shape the popular response to it.