In photos | 12 moments from 2020 India won't forget

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JANUARY: Towards the end of the month, India recorded its first case of covid-19 in a woman from Kerala, who was studying in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak. It led to an exodus back home of Keralites from Wuhan, most of them medical students, and an increased monitoring of cases in the southern state.

2/12

FEBRUARY: Alongside covid-19, another virus was spreading its wings all over India: that of communal hatred. February saw the termination of the Shaheen Bagh protests against unequal citizenship laws and an eruption of violence in Delhi, one of the worst riots to shake up the city in recent memory.

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MARCH: By the third month of the year, covid-19 was a painful reality in our daily lives. The Central government put the entire country under one of the strictest lockdowns in the world on a short notice. People were urged to stay home and beat vessels to express their appreciation for the essential workers.

4/12

APRIL: The English poet TS Eliot called April the cruellest month. And sure did it bring scenes of horrific suffering from across the country, as millions of migrant labourers began to walk back home from the cities they worked in, which were now locked down. With little money and having to traverse vast distances under excruciating weather conditions, hundred perished or were severely injured.

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MAY: Summer brought in another devastation in the form of Cyclone Amphan, which caused widespread damage along the eastern coast, especially in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

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JUNE: As the year hit its halfway mark, more bad news poured in. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death by suicide led to an outpouring of public sympathy, people came out on the streets to protest against the tragic circumstances of the star's passing. It was followed by intense media coverage of those allegedly suspected by the police, including Singh's bereaved live-in partner Rhea Chakraborty and actor Deepika Padukone.

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JULY: As the number of people infected by covid-19 touched 1 million in India, efforts to test and screen increased around the country.

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AUGUST: Even as the number of covid cases continued to surge, it was business as usual for some. The foundation stone of the projected Ram temple was laid under the aegis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya, accompanied by an elaborate 'bhoomi puja', at the formerly disputed site of Babri Masjid.

9/12

SEPTEMBER: On 14 September, a Dalit woman was gang-raped by four upper-caste men in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. After fighting for her life for two weeks, she died in Delhi, and was cremated by the police without seeking the consent of her family. The police denied this allegation, but public protests broke out all over India.

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OCTOBER: The number of infections wasn't falling but the economy was ailing worse than ever. So, October saw a gradual unlocking of the country, as people ventured out embracing the 'new normal' of masks and hand sanitisers.

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NOVEMBER: As the country began to open up, so did cinemas in some states by following stringent safety protocols, such has having workers in full PPE sanitising every nook and cranny before a show.

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DECEMBER: In spite of the air being thick with death and disease, Santa still did come this year, wearing mask and gloves, bearing the gift of hand sanitiser. 'Bye, bye, 2020.

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People shop on the eve of holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid in Delhi on Monday,  (Photo by Raj K Raj, Hindustan Times)

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A view of rows of watermelons in Navi Mumbai's Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC) fruit market, readied to be sold during the holy month of Ramadan, starting from Tuesday,  (Bachchan Kumar, HT PHOTO)

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Pineapples at the  APMC fruit market on Monday, ahead of beginning of Holy month of Ramadan starting from Tuesday in Navi Mumbai, India, on Monday, March 11, 2024. (Bachchan Kumar, HT PHOTO)

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In Srinagar, a shop keeper sells varieties of dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan on 11 March. (Photo by Waseem Andrabi, Hindustan Times)

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In Srinagar, a road side vendor sells dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan on 11 March.Photo By Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)-- (Photo by Waseem Andrabi, Hindustan Times)

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This 2008-2009 photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows an adult emperor penguin and chicks on the sea ice at Halley Bay. The British Antarctic Survey said recently that the four newly found colonies likely existed for many years, but scientists hadn’t previously spotted them. ((Richard Burt/British Antarctic Survey via AP))

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FILE PHOTO: Emperor penguins are seen in Dumont d'Urville, Antarctica April 10, 2012. (REUTERS/Martin Passingham/File Photo)

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This undated photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows adult emperor penguins with a chick near Halley Research Station in Antarctica. (AP)

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This combination of satellite images provided by the E.U.'s Copernicus program via the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows four new emperor penguin colony sites in Antarctica. (Copernicus/British Antarctic Survey via AP)

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Emperor penguins need stable sea ice for successful breeding. (File/Wikimedia Commons)

1/8

Exaggerated-Shoulder Pinstriped-Twill Jacket: If there’s one trendthat defines this season, it’s the exaggerated shoulder. Here, Saint Laurent’s exaggerated take on 1980s suiting. Available onMatchesfashion.com; around ₹2.15 lakh

2/8

Balmain’s Women’s Spring-Summer 2024: Red and coral shades and 3D florals showed up again and again, such as in this polka-dot playsuit from the luxury house’s Spring-Summer collection at Paris. For more,Balmain.com

3/8

Air Jordan ‘Tartan Swoosh’ Sneakers: It was time for tartan. Re-create the trend with the Air Jordan 1 Mid high-top sneaker featuring a “Tartan Swoosh”. Available on Farfetch.com; around ₹20,000

4/8

Moon Phase Varsity Bomber: Street style continues to rule. Bring it home with this bomber from Off-White studio in Italy, established by the late Virgil Abloh. Available on Revolve.com; around ₹29,000

5/8

Carson cropped high-rise flared jeans: Buttermilk yellow is the new white. Here, Veronica Beard's 'Carson' jeans cut in a flared shape in a vintage '70s styles made from pastel-yellow denim. 

6/8

Opera Stilettos: Gladiator sandals made a strong show, such as Gianvito Rossi’s nappa leather pair with a 105mm stiletto heel. Available onLuxe.Ajio.com; ₹99,000

7/8

Nazar Mini Annacapri Coral Earrings: Red was everywhere. Channel its energy with Turkish designer Begüm Khan’s ‘evil eye’ earrings made with real coral. Available on Matchesfashion.com; around ₹1.25 lakh

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Valentie Tie: Ties are back in formal fashion. Here, Valentino’s slim wool and silk tie with a metal ‘V’ appliqué. Available on Valentino.com;around ₹40,000

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That Red Shirt: Fine Khadi shirt edged with hand-embroidered details on the panels and pockets in fire-engine red. Available on Khanijo.com; ₹16,900

2/6

Periwinkle Bandhani Printed Co-ord Set: Batwing sleeve shirt pairedwith a smocked, slit skirt from Saaksha & Kinni. Available on Ensembleindia.com; ₹25,000

3/6

Forest-Themed Floral Set: Floral jewellery, all the rage at celebrity weddings, made using a combination of fresh and artificial flowers andleaves. Available on Floralart.co.in; ₹12,000

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Serendib Cake Stand: Hand-painted fine bone china cake stand accented with 24-carat gold for those special celebrations. Available onGoodearth.in; ₹6,500

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In The Clouds Jug: Designer Jonathan Hansen’s lead-free crystal jug with an exquisite hand-engraved cloud motif. Available on Modaoperandi.com; $650 (around ₹54,000)

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Taylor Twins Moccasins: Quirky and stylish low-heeled, colour-blocked moccasins with a square toe from Camper.Available on 24s.com; ₹13,707

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Brown Dragon Zara Necklace: Statement neck piece from Mayabazaar by Rosalind Pereira made using zari yarn, brass chain and a dragonfly brass pendant. Available on Ogaan.com; ₹2,060

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Chand Mati by Anjul Bhandari: A new festive collection from thedesigner celebrating chikankari blended with earthy neutrals, taking inspiration from lunar luminescence. Enquiries on Anjulbhandari.in; price on request

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Hoop Set: Gold-tone metal hoops from Australian designer Charles Lichaa’s 8 Other Reasons. Available on Revolve.com; ₹5,160

4/6

Half-Zip Merino Long-Sleeve Top: Made from merino wool, DistrictVision’s longsleeved tee is breathable, antimicrobial and thermoregulating, with a half-zip construction and shell patch pocket.Available on Matchesfashion.com; $275 (around ₹23,000)

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Dream Pumps: From New York-based brand Mansur Gavriel, lambskin pumps with a block heel and golden finish for chic comfort. Available on Shopbop.com; $495

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Block-Printed Soft Silk Shirt: Short, boxy shirt in 100% silk with an all-over pattern made using natural indigo dye through block printing.Available on 11-11.in; ₹16,900

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Red Sole Ribbon Ankle-Wrap Stiletto Sandals: Hot pink Christian Louboutin sandals in napa leather and crepe satin ribbon for that decadent feel. Available on Neimanmarcus.com; ₹88,756

2/6

Floral-Printed Plisse Leather Midi Skirt: Showcasing Balenciaga’s “Lily” print from this season, this midi skirt is made from flexible leather into an A-line silhouette. Available on Modaoperandi.com (on pre-order); $6,890 (around ₹5.64 lakh)

3/6

Lehenga From Imperial Minimalism By Sarah & Sandeep: The designer duo’s fresh, functional take on wedding wear marries Indian and Western silhouettes. Available on Sarahsandeep.com; price on request

4/6

Amethyst Ribbon Ring: A playful and delicate ring crafted in 18-carat gold, set with natural amethyst baguettes along the band, from Akansha Sethi. Available on Akanshasethi.com; around ₹1.3 lakh

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Micro Bon Bon: Jimmy Choo’s iconic Bon Bon bag is re-imagined in miniature using napa leather. Available on Row.jimmychoo.com; €595(around ₹53,550)

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Emerald Set Salt & Pepper: With a glam Art Deco aesthetic, this porcelain salt and pepper set from Vista Alegre will dress up any dining table. Available on Luxe.ajio.com; ₹9,800