News
Delhi coronavirus fears mount as hospital beds run out
Ashwani Jain succumbed to the coronavirus in an ambulance as his family pleaded with several hospitals to take him in, the latest victim of the pandemic sweeping through the Indian capital and exposing a deadly shortage of hospital beds.
“They don’t care whether we live or die,” said his 20-year-old daughter Kashish, whose uncle, Abhishek, sat with Ashwani in the back of the vehicle on its desperate journey across Delhi.
“It won’t matter to them but I have lost my father, he was the world to me,” she said, tears welling up as she showed a photo of him.
All of the hospitals the 45-year-old businessman’s family tried refused to admit Ashwani, even though an app set up by the city government indicated Covid-19 beds were free, Abhishek told AFP.
With surging infections highlighting the precarious state of the Indian healthcare system, the death of Jain and others like him have heightened anxiety in Delhi over the growing threat.

More than 1,200 have died from the virus in the Indian capital and more than 1,000 new cases are being reported each day.
Mortuaries are overflowing with bodies and cemeteries and crematorium staff say they cannot keep up with the backlog of victims. Some local Delhi councils say the real death toll is twice the number given by the regional government.
Indian media has been full of tragic stories of people dying after being turned away by hospitals.
One pregnant woman died as she was being shuttled between hospitals. A 78-year-old man petitioned the Delhi High Court for a ventilator bed but died before the matter could be taken up.
India has now recorded more than 300,000 coronavirus cases with nearly 9,000 fatalities.
High price for rare beds
Several families have used social media to recount their harrowing experiences after being refused hospital beds.
Jain’s family had joined a noisy, nationwide tribute to health workers, banging pots and pans from rooftops and balconies after a nationwide lockdown started in March. Now they feel abandoned.
“The government is doing nothing. They are just playing with our feelings,” Kashish said.

Jain’s devastated relatives are now waiting to get tested themselves but the Delhi government allows that for only high-risk and symptomatic family members.
The city government has estimated that it could need 80,000 beds by the end of July, and warned hotels and wedding venues that they are likely to be turned into hospitals.
Currently government hospitals have 8,505 designated pandemic beds while private hospitals have 1,441.
But families say they are being forced to spend a small fortune for the few beds that are available.
Suman Gulati, whose father is a coronavirus patient, said she was asked for one million rupees ($13,200) by a private hospital for a bed.
“Once I paid the money getting a bed was not a problem. But arranging such a huge amount of money at such a critical time was,” she told AFP.
“What if I fall sick next, what will I do? Should I sell my property, my jewellery?”
A sting operation by the Mirror Now TV channel showed five Delhi hospitals asking coronavirus patients to pay up to $5,250 in order to be admitted.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused private hospitals of lying about available beds and promised tough action if they were found extorting money.
On Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah said 500 of some 20,000 train coaches reserved as coronavirus wards would be “immediately” allocated to the state by the national government, adding some 8,000 beds.
Experts are questioning the city’s handling of the pandemic however.
Virologist Shahid Jameel said Delhi, like other major cities, has not tested enough people. So far, it has covered just one percent of its population.
“At the moment Delhi government is doing everything to make people panic,” he told AFP.
“It should be testing aggressively. I don’t understand the logic of testing only people who are symptomatic. How will you find how much the infection has spread in the community if you don’t test them?”
Shah said after a meeting with the Delhi government Sunday that testing for the virus would be stepped up.
Reporting and photos: AFP
Featured
ELE|NA marks World Asthma Day with guided wellness experiences
ELE|NA marked World Asthma Day with a series of wellness activities across its properties, focusing on the role of breath in overall wellbeing.
The programme was designed to highlight the connection between breathing, movement and daily health practices. According to the company, the initiative aimed to position respiratory health as an integral part of routine wellness rather than a purely clinical concern.
Activities began with guided breath awareness sessions combined with stretching exercises. These sessions focused on controlled movement and breathing techniques intended to improve mobility and support more regulated breathing patterns. The approach was structured to help participants reduce tension and restore a steady physical rhythm.
The programme also included Floating Sound Healing sessions, where participants were positioned on water while exposed to therapeutic sound frequencies. The sessions were designed to support relaxation and mental focus through controlled sensory input.
The overall programme combined breathwork, movement and sound-based therapy as part of a structured wellness approach. ELE|NA indicated that these practices were intended to support awareness, relaxation and physical balance.
The company operates across 12 properties, including OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, VARU by Atmosphere, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO and RAAYA by Atmosphere, as well as properties in India.
Through the initiative, ELE|NA presented its wellness framework as extending beyond spa treatments, incorporating routine practices centred on breathing, movement and relaxation.
Cooking
Patina Maldives announces opening of KANDU in June 2026
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, renowned for its progressive approach to dining that seamlessly weaves together art, culture, and gastronomy, has announced the opening of KANDU at Patina Maldives in June 2026, an experiential dining destination dedicated to a modern expression of Maldivian cuisine.
Named after the Dhivehi word for the ocean channels that connect the Maldives’ atolls, KANDU is conceived as a fluid passage between sea and table, where natural currents, cultural memory, and culinary craft converge. Rooted in the elemental relationship between land and water, the concept reflects a dynamic and evolving interpretation of the Maldives’ rich gastronomic heritage.
As the only venue within the Fari Islands devoted entirely to contemporary Maldivian cuisine, KANDU introduces a “Dhivehi Modern Ocean-to-Table” philosophy, bridging island traditions with refined, modern techniques. Drawing from generations of island cooking, from the quiet wisdom of grandmother recipes to the distinct flavours of each atoll, the experience unfolds as a culinary journey across the archipelago.
KANDU offers a multicourse tasting menu designed as a narrative map of the Maldives, with each course reflecting the character and ingredients of a specific atoll. Traditional staples such as coconut, tuna, breadfruit, and native herbs are reimagined with precision and creativity, offering a refined expression of Maldivian flavour shaped by regional memory and contemporary technique.
Guided by the Indian Ocean as a living larder, KANDU emphasises a deep connection to place through ethical sourcing and sustainability. The restaurant partners directly with local fishermen for daily catches, supporting local communities while minimising environmental impact.
The beverage program highlights fresh, tropical, and largely non-alcoholic creations, presenting modern interpretations of traditional drinks such as Raa, Sai, and Kashikeyo-inspired cocktails, alongside inventive serves like a Bilimagu Whisky Sour. A curated selection of wines further enhances the dining experience.
Designed to reflect the natural textures and tones of the Maldives, KANDU features warm, earthy materials, open-air seating, and artwork spotlighting collaborations with local artists. The ambiance is complemented by a relaxed yet cosmopolitan soundtrack of downtempo and ambient music infused with subtle Maldivian influences.
“Maldivian cuisine has always been deeply personal to me. With KANDU, we wanted to honour the flavours many of us grew up with and reframe them through a more contemporary lens. This is a menu shaped by memory, by the ocean, and by the incredible produce of our islands. It is a celebration of where we come from, and where Maldivian cuisine can go next,” says Abdulla Rifzan, Chef de Cuisine at KANDU, known to many as Rippe.
Bold yet thoughtful, KANDU offers a new perspective on destination dining, honoring the past while sharing the evolving story of Maldivian cuisine with the world.
News
Sun Siyam celebrates Mother’s Day across its Maldives resort collection
This Mother’s Day, it is time to flip the script. No planning, no organising, no running around. Just a well deserved escape where everything is taken care of and every moment is designed with her in mind. Across its Luxury, Lifestyle and Privé Collections in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam has curated a series of experiences that go beyond the usual gifts, giving families the chance to truly spoil mum with something she will actually remember.
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, part of the Luxury Collection, it is all about the ultimate mother and daughter escape, blending vibrant island energy with moments of real relaxation. Newly renovated water villas set the tone with a fresh, contemporary design, ideal for a chic island stay. The Spa by Thalgo is a highlight, offering over 165 treatments, including Signature Spa Journeys inspired by Polynesia and the Far East. These multi sensory experiences use elements such as sacred lotus and white Bora Bora sand to create something that feels immersive without being overwhelming. Guests can share a private hydrotherapy session or choose tailored treatments, from the Ultimate De-stress for daughters to advanced skincare rituals for mothers, all designed to help properly switch off. For something a little different, there is also the option to try a first dive together. The resort’s multi lingual diving centre, led by a female team, focuses on making the experience both safe and empowering, offering a great way to step out of the comfort zone and create a shared memory.
At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection, everything is designed to help her slow down and feel looked after from the moment she arrives. Think curated wellness rituals that ease you straight into holiday mode, paired with simple, thoughtful touches that make the stay feel effortless. From a private dinner set just for the family, to a relaxed spa treatment just for her, the experience flows naturally under the stars from one moment to the next. The private Cinema by Moonlight adds a special touch to the evening, while guided snorkelling on the house reef and a glass-bottom kayak ride offer just enough adventure to keep things fun without ever feeling rushed.
Also within the Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Iru Veli is all about creating those standout moments that feel truly special. For Mother’s Day, it is the perfect place to go all out and spoil her, starting with a private sandbank experience where dinner is set in complete seclusion, surrounded by nothing but ocean views. For something equally memorable, the resort’s signature Haveeru Harmony, the Iru Veli Ritual offers a beautifully immersive couple’s experience inspired by island twilight, designed to bring a sense of calm, connection and complete switch off. Whether it is a sunset dinner, a shared spa ritual or simply uninterrupted time together, everything here is designed to feel personal, effortless and just a little bit extra.
In Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of the Privé Collection, adds a cultural twist to the celebration. Join the resort’s chef on a local market visit before creating and enjoying a personalised Sri Lankan lunch together, or keep it simple with a beachside bonfire dinner, perfect for relaxed evenings by the ocean with family.
At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, part of the Lifestyle Collection, the focus shifts to creating those feel good moments that make her genuinely switch off and enjoy. It starts with thoughtful surprises arranged by the family, then moves into a mix of relaxation and light hearted experiences she can enjoy at her own pace. A visit to the overwater Ocean Spa offers a calm break with ocean views beneath your feet, while activities like the art studio and Maldivian cooking classes bring everyone together in a more relaxed and playful way. For something a little more energetic, the jet car experience adds a fun twist, perfect for sharing a few laughs and doing something completely different.
Over at Siyam World, also part of the Lifestyle Collection, the experience takes a more playful and unexpected turn, perfect for surprising her with something she would never see coming. One of the standout moments is a sunrise or sunset horse ride along the beach at the Maldives’ only horse ranch, a unique experience that feels both peaceful and unforgettable. For the evening, switch things up with a more indulgent setting in the underground wine cellar, where intimate dinners are surrounded by rare vintages and guided by the resort’s sommelier. It is the kind of experience that feels exclusive without trying too hard, and a great way to turn a simple dinner into something she will talk about long after the trip.
Across every destination, the idea is simple. Give mum the time, space and experiences she actually wants, without taking her away from the people she loves.
For those looking to extend the experience, Sun Siyam’s summer offers add an extra layer of ease, with exclusive savings and added benefits across the collection. Available for bookings until 31 August 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027, they offer the perfect opportunity to turn a simple celebration into something far more lasting.
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