Health minister's Covid reality check ahead of festive season

With Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja around the corner even as the Covid pandemic is still on rampage, health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Sunday gave people a reality check. The health minister urged people to avoid large gatherings on the festivals and to celebrate at homes with their families. The minister reminded the people that "no religion tells you to celebrate by putting others' lives at risk" and that "no Gods need big pandals or congregations". "If you know there is fire outside and you still go out in the fire in the name of religion -- what's the point of such festivals," the minister said in a strong message.