When the country is facing the devastating effect of the second wave of Covid-19, the predictions and warnings for a third wave have been voiced by the chief scientific advisor of the Government. But will it have any effect? These questions are rising because, irrespective of having warnings about the second wave, India is facing the deadliest effect of Covid-19. A serious shortage of oxygen is risking thousands of lives every, killing hundreds. Lack of proper healthcare infrastructure and improper vaccine management is making the fight difficult every hour. So what led to having a second wave?

The unlocking process begins in June. 

India’s borders were reopened, and the economy was resurrected. 

“Coronavirus is in its endgame,” announced the Union Health Minister on March 7, 2021. 

In front of the world’s leaders, even the Prime Minister boasted that India had won the game. 

Despite the fact that regular cases were increasing, the Covid task force did not meet in February or March,  according to reports.

The Government claimed “India’s Covid Chapter is now over”. Five States entered into polling, parties and the government got busy with campaigns.

By the end of March 2021, however, it was clear that “India had been struck by the Second Wave of Coronavirus, which proved to be the deadliest Tsunami in history.” 

Hospitals were overflowing, and people were fighting for every ounce of oxygen they could get. 

Thousands of people are dying, and neither the flames in crematoria nor the hands digging in cemeteries are slowing down the process.

If states are to blame, the Central government is also to blame.  The States were attempting to deal with the situation on their own with the limited resources available, while the Union Government was preoccupied with elections and building branding.Oxygen and other medical equipment are exported in order to protect the brand, leaving Indians without proper infrastructure for days. Election rallies and religious events were held rashly, resulting in brust in Covid casses.The central government started it very late and when it started addressing the situation was already out of control.  The Covid task force met on April 15, nearly 45 days after the second wave hit the nation. Even today, the government is caught in a strange quandary: should the lockdown be declared or not?

Last year’s lockdown demonstrated the lack of preparation. 

It once again highlighted the state of our healthcare system this year. 

The government was given roughly six months to prepare for the impending threat.

From September to March, they hold elections, rallies, and events with less emphasis on improving healthcare infrastructure. The government failed to instil a sense of responsibility among the state governments, resulting in loopholes. 

There is no denying that there is a lack of cooperation between states. 

When enforcing the Epidemic Diseases Act, which is over 120 years old, there are technical issues. 

The issue is that, in order to maintain its reputation, the government hastily declared the pandemic to be over.

There was no proper planning on how to accommodate lakhs of patients if cases suddenly erupted, and the oxygen supply was inadequate, resulting in the deaths of hundreds.There was poor planning and lack of coordination and seeing temporary achievement, the government compromised its long-time goals. 

In a matter of hours, well- planned activities can be mastered, but the Indians’ failure to pass the Second Wave test was due to overconfidence.