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
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, part of Centara Hotels and Resorts, has marked its first anniversary, highlighting a year of operations as a luxury island resort within The Atollia development.
During its first year, the resort has received international recognition, including being named among Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 and listed among the Top Ten Best Maldives Resorts in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
Since opening, the resort has offered a collection of beachfront and overwater villas, along with two- and three-bedroom residences designed to provide privacy and space. Accommodation options include private pools or Jacuzzis, with design elements incorporating contemporary architecture, natural materials and Thai-inspired influences.
The resort’s concept draws on Thai heritage, reflected across its wellness, dining and guest experiences. At SPA Cenvaree Retreat, treatments are inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices. Dining options across the resort include live cooking experiences at The Gallery, Mediterranean-inspired seafood at Bluefin, and beverage offerings at venues such as Sunset Social, The Club and Coco Drift.
Guests can also take part in a range of leisure and recreational activities, including water sports and marine experiences. The resort caters to a variety of travellers, offering facilities for families, including a kids’ club and an entertainment zone for teenagers, as well as spaces for private events, group stays and corporate gatherings.
Commenting on the milestone, Jorge Fernandez said the resort combines elements of Thai heritage with the Maldivian environment to create a distinct guest experience. He noted that recognition received during the first year reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, sustainability and service, while also acknowledging the role of guests and staff in its development.
As it marks its first anniversary, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives continues to focus on delivering curated guest experiences, with an emphasis on hospitality, design and sustainable operations within the destination.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has introduced a new Beach Reads programme, designed to encourage guests to engage in reading as part of a broader focus on mindful travel and leisure.
The initiative aligns with emerging travel trends highlighting a growing interest in literary-inspired experiences, where travellers seek meaningful activities that combine storytelling with natural surroundings. The programme aims to provide guests with opportunities to disconnect from daily routines and engage in quieter, reflective moments during their stay.
At the centre of the initiative is a rotating Book of the Month, selected to reflect themes such as wellness, nature and exploration. Guests are informed of the selected title prior to arrival and may request a complimentary physical copy, which is delivered by the resort’s Island Curator. The programme is intended to create shared points of engagement among guests, encouraging discussion and interaction through a common reading experience.
From 1 May, selected areas of the resort will be designated as Book Nooks, offering spaces for reading and relaxation. These include shaded cabanas, a netted lounge area within the adults-only The Retreat, and an overwater jetty swing overlooking Maamunagau Lagoon.
The Beach Reads programme also incorporates a personalised approach. Guests are invited to share their reading preferences, including preferred genres and publications, through a pre-arrival form. These preferences are used to curate tailored reading selections, which are made available during their stay.
As part of the initiative, guests are offered plantable bookmarks as a keepsake. The biodegradable bookmarks are designed to be planted after departure, reflecting the resort’s approach to sustainability and providing a reminder of the reading experience during their stay.
Through the Beach Reads programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort positions reading as an integrated part of the guest experience, combining leisure, personal reflection and environmental awareness within the island setting.
Avani+ Fares Maldives has launched the 2026 edition of its football camp with former England striker Michael Owen, marking the return of the programme following its introduction last year. The camp, which began on 30 March, will run until 3 April as part of the resort’s Easter programme.
The programme opened with a family cocktail and mocktail evening, bringing together participating families and setting the tone for the multi-day event. More than 30 children and teenagers are taking part in the camp, which features daily training sessions led by Owen alongside a team of assistant coaches.
The camp is designed for children aged 5 to 13 and focuses on structured coaching sessions aimed at developing core football skills, including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork. Sessions are tailored to different age groups and ability levels, with an emphasis on participation and engagement.
The programme also incorporates a range of complementary activities beyond the pitch, aligning with the resort’s broader family-focused Easter offering. These include recreational activities for children and teenagers, as well as shared experiences for families, positioning the camp as part of a wider holiday programme rather than a standalone training initiative.
At the conclusion of the camp, participants are scheduled to receive certificates and medals, with additional opportunities for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photo sessions with Owen.
“Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp,” Owen said. “It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”
Avani+ Fares Maldives first introduced the football camp in 2025 as part of its efforts to expand its experiential programming for families. The return of the camp for a second year reflects continued demand for sports-led guest experiences within resort settings in the Maldives, particularly during peak holiday periods such as Easter.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Avani+ Fares Maldives has positioned its Easter programme around a mix of sport, wellness and family-oriented activities, with the football camp serving as a central feature of this year’s lineup.
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