"Free - Adjective, Adverb": Rahul Gandhi's Dictionary Dig Over Vaccines

Rahul Gandhi this morning referred to the English dictionary as he stepped up his attack on the Centre demanding that anti-Covid vaccinations be allowed for free even as the country recorded another daily high of virus-related deaths and new infections. "Let's hope they get it this time," the Congress leader tweeted as he shared the adjective form of the word "free" with examples.

free /friː/
adjective, adverb

costing nothing, or not needing to be paid for. e.g.-
• India must get free COVID vaccine.
• All citizens must receive the inoculation free of charge.

Let's hope they get it this time. #vaccine

- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 29, 2021

Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress leader had hit out at the government for continuing with the work on the ambitious Central Vista project at a time when the country is grappling with the deadly second wave of Covid which has killed thousands and crippled the healthcare system.

"Central Vista- not essential. Central Govt with a vision- essential," the top Congress leader tweeted.

Mr Gandhi, who on April 20 said he had tested positive for COVID-19, has repeatedly criticised the government's handling of the pandemic.

On Sunday, the Wayanad MP asked the ruling BJP not to turn India "into a victim of its system" in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre on April 19 announced a "liberalised" policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1.

Over 1.3 crore people have applied for vaccination on CoWIN, the government's registration website so far.

India began vaccinating people in January, starting with healthcare and frontline workers. The second phase included those aged above 45 and those with other illnesses. Earlier this month, inoculations were opened to all adults as the number of Covid cases exploded, leaving health services and medical resources severely strained.

India has been recording over three lakh cases every day for over a week now. This morning, its daily Covid figures hit a new high with 3,79,257 fresh infections and 3,645 deaths. The caseload surged to 1.83 crore cases with over 2.04 lakh people having died so far. 

An acute shortage of hospital beds, medical oxygen, and crucial anti-viral drugs has only added to crisis.