Left, Right & Centre

As the spread of mutated variants of the COVID-19 virus sparks concerns in India, NDTV speaks to Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of Global Public Health at the Edinburg University Medical School, who discusses how effective vaccines are against the strains.

As India battles a second coronavirus wave, the International Monetary Fund has come out with its new world economic outlook. What does it say about the Indian economy?

The Serum Institute - makers of the Covishield vaccine - needs around Rs 3,000 crore to scale up production, CEO Adar Poonawalla told NDTV. "We are supplying the vaccine in the Indian market at approximately Rs 150-160. The average price of the vaccine is approximately $20 (Rs 1,500)... because of the Modi government's request, we are providing vaccines at subsidised rates... It is not that we are not making profits... but we are not making a super profit, which is key to re-investing," Mr Poonawalla told NDTV.

French journalist and Mediapart reporter, Yann Philippin, who reported the story about alleged money transfers by Dassault to an Indian arms dealer, speaks to NDTV. He says the transactions were suspicious for multiple reasons. Listen in.

A French media report saying that 1 million euros were paid to make 50 models of Rafale jets, and that this money was transferred to a well-known Indian arms dealer who has been investigated by the CBI in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, reignites the Rafale debate. The Congress demands a probe; BJP accuses the Congress of fishing for a controversy.

India's daily cases cross the 1 lakh mark for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Chief Ministers of Delhi and Maharashtra urge the centre to lower the eligible age for vaccinations. Until India administers enough vaccines, will lockdowns in worst-hit areas help?

Maharashtra, which is the worst hit state in the country due to coronavirus, has reported 49,447 new coronavirus cases and 277 deaths in the last 24 hours. Mumbai reported more than 9,000 daily coronavirus cases, which is the state capital's highest ever single-day spike since the pandemic began. 27 new deaths were reported in Mumbai in the last 24 hours. Pune, meanwhile, breaking all previous records today reported 10,873 new cases and 52 deaths.

The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive for all above 45 began on Thursday. BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia was among the politicians who took their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. "The vaccination process is an extremely well-articulated one. I must congratulate PM Modi and our government for ramping up the vaccination process from nascent stages," Mr Scindia said.

As India widens its vaccine net to those who are 45 and older, a number of politicians and celebrities took their first dose of the vaccine on April 1. Author Chetan Bhagat took his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at Bhabha Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai. "The vaccine is the only way out. Lockdowns work up to a point. We have seen a lot of second waves and third waves coming but the vaccine works, the data also shows that," Mr Bhagat said.

With surging COVID-19 cases and a spiralling number of deaths, India is now in trouble as far as COVID-19 is concerned. But today, there is fresh hope, the vaccination drive has been opened up for citizens who are 45 years and older. Also on the show tonight, a surprising and an unexpected move by the Finance Ministry last night, a decision to drastically cut the interest rate for key savings schemes. The move would have been disastrous for millions who depend on these schemes as a source of income. But by the morning a U-turn, the government withdrew its decision to cut rates.