All clear! Covishield maker Adar Poonawalla to return to India

Amid reports and speculations that Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla, whose company is the biggest manufacturer of coronavirus vaccines in India, has left India permanently, he has said that he will return to the country in a few days. He is staying in London. The speculations about him emigrating from India permanently arose after he told a UK-based media house that he had been receiving threats in India. He also claimed that several Chief Ministers wanted him to supply Covishield vaccines to their States on a priority basis. 

After hours of speculations in India, Poonawalla wrote, “Had an excellent meeting with all our partners & stakeholders in the U.K. Meanwhile, pleased to state that COVISHIELD’s production is in full swing in Pune. I look forward to reviewing operations upon my return in a few days.”

Meanwhile, journalist Rahul Kanwal on Sunday said on India Today that he has seen videos of Shiv Sena goons physically intimidating Poonawalla. Shiv Sena is leading the MVA government in Maharashtra, where SII’s factory is located. 

A lot of Netizens are lamenting that the Centre couldn’t assure Poonawalla in time, leading to him giving a negative interview to a foreign publication. He was recently provided with Y category security.