The confidence that proved disastrous

The government has been inept in all that was required of it

Three things were required from the Indian government in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic: First, to take the threat seriously, to emphasise responsible behaviour and to ensure that no large gatherings were permitted; second, to use the initial time to prepare and strengthen the health care system in anticipation of the coming waves; and third, to vaccinate as many Indians as quickly as possible, the only real defence against a virus with no cure.

Let us examine the record on each in turn. On the first, the government appeared to think that the pandemic was a one-time event which had