PM Chokes As He Pays Tribute: "This Virus Took Away Many Loved Ones"

The Prime Minister's emotional tribute to those who died of Covid in the fierce second wave of infections comes as his government battles criticism about its handling of the pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visibly emotional today as he spoke about those who had lost their lives to Covid. "This virus has ... snatched many of loved ones from us. I pay my humble respects to them and I express my condolences to the families who lost people," the Prime Minister said, appearing to choke up as he spoke with long pauses. "In the second wave of corona, we are having to fight on multiple fronts at the same time. The rate of infection is also much more and patients are in hospital for a longer time."