FEATURING  AMANDEEP SANDHU – India has surpassed the United States for the world’s highest number of daily COVID-19 infections. For at least five days in a row, the world’s largest democracy documented at least 350,000 new cases of infection, up from about 10,000 new cases just a few months ago. Hospitals are struggling with shortages of oxygen as thousands are dying each day. The government, which is likely undercounting deaths, has faced strong criticism and has now asked Twitter to remove all tweets critical of the government. The social media company has acquiesced, removing dozens of tweets from prominent critics. Meanwhile U.S. President Joe Biden is facing pressure from India and others to waive global patents for vaccines at the World Trade Organization in order to tackle the crisis in the southern hemisphere. Mr. Biden has responded by promising to send vaccine supplies. 

Amandeep Sandhu, novelist and essayist based in Bangalore, India. He has written for Caravan, Scroll, The Hindu, The Hindu Businessline and other publications.