Just like the previous year, 2021 too was a tumultuous year for India. The country’s woes were far from over as it was ravaged by the second wave of the pandemic, and was marred by violence on various occasions. Amid the gloom, there were sparks of hope though as the nation began the world’s largest vaccination drive and registered record wins at the Olympics. We look back pictorially at what defined 2021.
Updated On: 2022-01-01 03:07 PM IST
1) First vaccination
A 34-year-old sanitation worker, Manish Kumar, at AIIMS Delhi was the first person in India to be vaccinated against coronavirus on January 16, marking the beginning of the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination drive. In October, India hit a historic milestone as it administered one billion doses.
Photo caption: Manish Kumar takes his first dose of Covid-19 vaccination at AIIMS in New Delhi. Pic/PTI
2) Kumbh Mela
In April 2021, more than 70 lakh devotees participated in the Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering held every 12 years, amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country. More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to monitor the area spread over 600 hectares. Amid the fear that it could be a ‘super-spreader’ event, the Kumbh Mela was called off on April 17.
Photo caption: Naga Sadhus take a holy dip in the waters of the Ganges River on the day of Shahi Snan during the Kumbh Mela, in Haridwar on April 12, 2021.Pic/AFP
3) Floating bodies
On May 8, among the first of hundreds of floating and buried bodies of suspected Covid-19 victims were seen by the banks of Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh’s Sujabad. The disturbing sight did not end there. Over the month, more than 100 bodies were recovered from the Ganges in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This was the time when Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were daily recording over 25,000 and 7,000 Covid-19 cases, respectively.
Photo caption: Municipal corporation workers move a body buried in a shallow grave on the banks of the Ganges river during the Covid-19 pandemic as they cremate other bodies buried there to prevent them from floating downstream near Phaphamau Ghat, in Allahabad on June 25, 2021.
4) Mass cremations in Delhi
On April 22, India recorded the world's highest daily tally of 3,14,835 Covid infections, as the second wave surged. In the national capital alone, the daily rise was over 26,000. Several families of the victims turned to makeshift facilities carrying out mass burials and cremations, as crematoriums in the capital ran out of space. Some were also cremated at similar facilities in parking lots.
Photo caption: A mass cremation of victims who died due to the coronavirus disease, is seen at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, April 22, 2021.Pic/AFP
5) Modi, Amit Shah election rallies in West Bengal
Amid the alarming rise in Covid-19 cases in April 2021, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah held their unmasked election rallies in West Bengal. Thousands of people were part of the rallies when India reported a record 2.34 lakh new Covid-19 cases on the same day. PM Modi even said he was “elated” to see such a huge gathering.
Photo caption: Supporters of BJP wave towards a helicopter carrying PM Modi upon his arrival at a public rally during the fourth phase of the West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections, at Kawakhali on April 10, 2021.Pic/AFP
6) Oxygen shortage in India
As the country faced a severe shortage of medical oxygen, several reports poured in from across the country of patients dying of lack of oxygen--- at least 629 in 110 hospitals between April 6 and May 19. Black marketing of oxygen cylinders too was reported at a time when India’s daily demand for oxygen cylinders was 2 million.
Photo caption: People wait in a line to refill oxygen cylinders for Covid-19 coronavirus patients at a refilling centre in New Delhi on May 5, 2021. Pic/AFP
7) Neeraj Chopra wins historic gold at Tokyo Olympics
On August 7, Neeraj Chopra created history as he became the first Indian athlete in track and field discipline---and second after shooter Abhinav Bindra---to win an individual Gold at the Olympics. He won the yellow metal in the men's javelin throw event with a throw of 87.58m in his second attempt at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Photo caption: Neeraj Chopra after his historic throw at Tokyo Olympics 2021. Pic/PTI
8) Republic Day tractor rally by farmers in New Delhi
Thousands of farmers took part in a tractor rally on Republic Day in New Delhi as they continued to demonstrate against the Central government's agricultural laws. The protest turned violent as some protesters diverted from agreed routes, leading to clashes with police, which left one dead and more than 80 police officers injured.
Photo caption: Farmers take part in a tractor rally as they continued to demonstrate against the farm laws in New Delhi on January 26, 2021.
9) Lakhimpur Kheri Violence
Four protesting farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when a group was protesting against the Centre's three farm laws on October 3. Four more were killed in the violence that erupted after the car hit the farmers. Ashish Mishra, the son of MoS (Home) Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni, who was saved to be in one of the cars was arrested with other for murder.
Photo caption: A vehicle set ablaze after the violence broke out in Lakhimpur Kheri
10) Nagaland civilian killings
On December 4, 2021, personnel from the 21 Para Special Forces army unit shot and killed six miners returning from the Tiru area to their village Oting. The defence officials said the ambush was a case of mistaken identity. The deaths led to violent clashes between local villagers and troops, killing eight more civilians and a soldier.
Photo caption: People attend a mass funeral of 14 civilians killed by Indian security forces in Mon district, Nagaland, on December 6, 2021. Pic/AFP
