T K RAJALAKSHMI-Frontline

More stories by this author

Wilful denial of the increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths

The daily number of COVID-19 cases and deaths hit new highs in July but the government continues to remain in self-congratulatory mode, blind to the p

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, flanked by senior Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala (left), Avinash Pandey (second from left) and Ajay Maken, addressing mediapersons in Jaipur on July 24.

Rajasthan roller coaster

As Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot takes the battle to the Governor’s turf, the State’s politics is poised for a crucial turn that could have far-reaching

T.K. Rajalakshmi

At a COVID-19 testing camp in a containment zone in Gurugram on July 18.

Haryana: Unchecked spread

Haryana’s strict lockdown measures do not seem to have succeeded in containing the spread of the coronavirus.

T.K. Rajalakshmi

At a containment zone in Bikaner in Rajasthan on July 20. Bikaner is one of many districts where a fresh spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases was reported in July.

Rajasthan: New hotbeds & old political games

A fresh spurt in cases in 13 districts in July points to a wider geographic spread of the pandemic in the State, and the ongoing political turmoil cou

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot speaking to the media in Jaipur on July 15.

Congress suspends two MLAs with Pilot faction, crisis in Rajasthan unit intensifies

On July 17, the All India Congress Committee suspended two rebel legislators, both confidantes of ousted Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot,

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers conducting a door-to-door survey on the COVID situation, in New Delhi on July 2.

Health warriors’ woes

The COVID crisis has increased the work pressure on National Health Mission staff, but there is no effort to make their remuneration commensurate with

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (right) with Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, in Jaipur on September 19, 2019.

Congress deplanes rebellious Pilot

On July 14, the Congress leadership removed Sachin Pilot as president of its Rajasthan unit and Deputy Chief Minister for staging an open revolt and a

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Rajesh Bhushan, Officer on Special Duty with the Health Ministry, addressing a media briefing on the COVID-19 situation in New Delhi on July 9.

The geographic spread of COVID-19 in India

Despite the government’s unfounded optimism, the southward movement of the virus and the growing absolute numbers imply that India has quite a distanc

T.K. Rajalakshmi

A shop in Gurugram being spruced up on June 30. The government allowed shopping malls in Gurgaon and Faridabad to reopen from July 1.

Haryana: Hotspot for neighbours

Even as the State grapples with an exponential growth in the number of cases in recent weeks, the government is desperate to restart industrial activi

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Temperature scanning before Rajasthan Board 10th standard exams, in Bikaner on June 30.

Rajasthan: Relative ease

Rajasthan fares much better in comparison with its neighbouring States in containing the spread of COVID and in keeping the mortality rate low.

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the auction process of coal blocks through videoconference in New Delhi on June 18.

Auction of coal mines: Against all reason

The Central government appears determined to auction off the country’s coal resources despite the widespread opposition to it and the fact that the hu

T.K. Rajalakshmi

Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR.

Why is the ICMR in a hurry to launch a COVID-19 vaccine?

A letter sent by Dr Balram Bhargava, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on July 2 to 12 institutes with a “strict

T.K. Rajalakshmi