The year 2021—the second year of pandemic offered an unexpectedly different perspective in terms of challenges to State. Jharkhand which was hit by pandemic and slowly recovering from lockdown was once again put on restrictions as corona cases started rising in April. By March/April, as the corona cases in Jharkhand started increasing, the State Government on April 22 announced a week-long lockdown. Once again all business establishments, schools, colleges, offices, religious places were shut with people left to confine in their houses.
Though the State Government with rising cases promptly imposed a lockdown, the second wave of pandemic was more dangerous in terms of death toll and economic slowdown. As per Government record, out of 5143 deaths due to corona, the majority of people around seventy per cent lost their lives in the second wave of pandemic. The situation was so pathetic that people had to wait at the cremation ground for performing the final rites of Covid victims. The bodies of some Covid-19 victims were seen piled up at Muktidham (cremation ground) in Ranchi’s Harmu area, which led to Jharkhand High Court to intervene over the issue. The pandemic was on peak till July-August, thereafter in September cases started coming down.
Despite challenges during the pandemic, the state government work continued. In April the Madhupur bypoll was held in which JMM candidate and state tourism minister Hafizul Hassan won the Madhupur by-election by defeating BJP candidate Ganga Narayan by over 5,000 votes. The Madhupur bypoll was short in arm for the State Government as it was the third consecutive bypoll victory for the grand alliance after the JMM/Congress government headed by Hemant Soren came to power.
Earlier, the JMM had won Dumka bypoll, while Congress had retained Bermo the election for which was held in November last
year.
The year 2021 can also be known for State Assembly passing important bills such as Sarna religious code and anti-lynching bill. The Sarna religious bill aims to protect the religious and cultural identity of tribals, while anti lynching bill is law having stringent provisions against those behind mob violence.
Though the year 2021 was full of challenges and restrictions for Jharkhand, there were some proud moments too for the state. Ranchi girl and archer Deepika Kumari became the world number one as World Archery unveiled its latest rankings in June last year. India's ace archer Kumari defeated the Russian, Elena Osipova by 6-0 in a thumping manner.
Though Deepika became world number 1, months later her performance in Tokyo Olympics was dismal as she failed to win any medals. However, the Indian women's hockey team performed exceptionally well in the Olympics. The Indian women hockey team which comprises state players Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete attracted the attention of hockey lovers across the world. The Indian women hockey team though failed to win any medal but stood fourth.