A SOLAR industry pioneer and a father of two from Sydney has died of Covid-19 in India on Sunday (16). Govind Kant, who lived in Australia, had traveled to Delhi in April for his mother's funeral. He was 48.
Kant is believed to be the second Australian to have died in India amid a temporary travel ban imposed after a devastating second wave hit India. Australian officials are yet to comment on the matter.
Although the three-week ban on Indian arrivals ended on Saturday (15), more than 9,000 Australians are still stuck in the country.
Kant’s sister told a local news outlet that her brother was trying to get back home to Australia in mid-April. He finally booked a flight back home but could not board it since he contracted the virus before his plane was due to leave and was admitted to hospital. She told the outlet that he kept saying "get me out of here" during their video calls.
Kant was the Australian assistant director for energy company Trina Solar.
"Our deepest condolences go to his wife, two daughters, and other family members," the company posted on social media. "This is a significant loss to Trina Solar and mere words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we all feel upon Govind's passing and we will provide necessary assistance to his family in this mourn period and we pray his soul may rest in peace."
Expressing his grief, Prime minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday (18) that he mourns with Kant's family.
"I feel terribly sorry for the family and I mourn with them, just as I do for any Australian family who has lost loved ones overseas during this pandemic," Morrison said. "We will provide support to the family through our consular offices to return their loved one to Australia if that is what they wish."
Australia had barred its citizens and permanent residents who were in India from coming back home between April 28 and May 15, making it a criminal act with the threat of fines and jail sentences.
While the government argued it was a necessary public health measure to contain the high rates of Covid infection among arrivals from India, the move was accused widely of racism with allegations on the government of abandoning its citizens.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)