Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 25: The Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper, New Indian Express released a statement on Sunday stating that it is suspending its coverage of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2021 amid the grim coronavirus situation in India. A letter from the editor in this regard was also published on the front page of the daily's Sunday edition on April 25.
The letter read, “India is going through its worst phase of the Covid pandemic. Hundreds of thousands of people are struggling, many in vain, to exercise their right to live, as a ramshackle universal healthcare system proves that it has no answers to the challenges posed by a creepy bug. The health ministry's daily bulletin of fresh positive cases and fatalities has hit the stratosphere, so have SOS messages from individuals and hospitals seeking oxygen refill and lifesaving medicines. Hospitals refuse fresh admissions for want of Covid beds. The rush at crematoriums is heart-breaking. Most of us already have friends or relatives who have succumbed to Covid-19 or are battling for life."
"In such a tragic time, we find it incongruous that the festival of cricket is on in India, with layers of bio bubbles creating protection. This is commercialism gone crass. The problem is not with the game but its timing. Cricket, too, must accept that we are passing through an unprecedented crisis. In the circumstances, The New Indian Express has decided to suspend IPL coverage in the newspaper with immediate effect till a semblance of normalcy is restored. This is a small gesture towards keeping the nation's attention focused on life and death issues. We are sure that our readers will see the point. These are times when we must stand as one nation with one resolve,” the letter added.
While some of the netizens expressed appreciation and support to the newspaper's move, some others pointed out that in these tough times, IPL brought diversion and cheer among the sufferers.
A similar concern for holding cricket during these times was raised by former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist on Twitter. "Best wishes to all in India. Frightening Covid numbers. #IPL continues. Inappropriate? Or important distraction each night? Whatever your thoughts, prayers are with you," he had tweeted.
India on Sunday recorded 26,82,751 active cases comprising 15.82% of the total infections. Meanwhile, the national Covid recovery rate further dropped to 83.05%. The number of people who have recovered from the infection rose to 1,40,85,110, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.13%, the data stated.