Collapse of the 19th century pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchu River in Gujarat kills 141, toll could rise

The pedestrian suspension bridge in Morbi reopened just a week ago after repairs. Officials say the bridge collapsed probably due to overcrowding as people celebrated the Diwali festival. The British built the 754ft bridge on the Machchu River in the 19th Century. At least 141 people died in the accident and the dead included women, children or elderly. The death toll could rise further. Police, military and disaster response teams have rescued 177 people and the rescue effort is continuing. An eyewitness revealed to a section of the media - "Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists. All of them fell one on top of another. The bridge collapsed due to overloading." India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing. Videos on social media showed people struggling for survival by clinging onto the wreckage or clambering up the bridge's broken netting. Some managed to swim to the riverbanks.

According to reports, several hundred people were on the bridge when it collapsed at around 18:40 India time (13:10 GMT) on Sunday. A video shot before the collapse showed it packed with people and swaying and many gripping the netting on its sides. The tragedy happened in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was "deeply saddened by the tragedy." He also announced compensation for the families of victims. The authorities have promised a full investigation into the accident of a popular tourist attraction known locally as Julto Pul (swinging bridge).

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Tour operators are happy vis-à-vis trend of booking in hotels, resorts, homestays and the toy train across the hills

The Bengal tourism industry says nearly 90 per cent of the accommodation in homestays are booked until Diwali. These have mushroomed in different villages across the hills, both in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Tour operators are happy at the trend of booking in hotels, resorts and homestays across the hills. Moreover, reservation for rides in the toy train of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) have also boosted their enthusiasm. In their opinion, these are indications about the revival of tourism in the hills, especially during the Diwali and Chhath Puja holidays. It is evident that after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic people are back in the travel mood. When compared to hotel bookings, homestays are doing better. As a veteran in the tourism industry explains - “Even in 2019, homestays were not so popular. But after the pandemic, people prefer to stay in isolated places instead of crowded ones. That is why bookings are so high in these accommodations.” Hill tourism on a festive peak.

The bookings reveal that during Diwali, tourists plan to go to prominent spots like Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong apart from locations like Sonada, Chatakpur, Mirik, Sitong, Lava and Loleygaon. Even lesser known homestays in Mirik like tea estates and orange groves are booked. Moreover, an official of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway DHR reveals there is a huge response from tourists for rides this season. The DHR conducts 12 daily joy rides from Darjeeling station. The return trip from Ghoom covers the Batasia loop and is the most popular ride in the DHR. The tourism industry suffered huge losses because of the pandemic and it hopes return of tourists can boost the industry.

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Good news for Indians – Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City starting 2023

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that Diwali would be a public school holiday starting 2023. He said the significance of the city’s inclusiveness and the “long overdue” step would encourage children to learn about the festival of lights. New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks joined him. The Mayor went on to add that in his conversations during the campaign trail, he “learned so much” about Diwali and what the festival of lights means. The intention to declare Diwali a holiday in New York City public schools was to send a loud and clear message to the countless number of people who acknowledge this period of celebration. Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal thanked the Mayor for making Diwali a school holiday. Diwali to be a public school holiday in New York City starting 2023.

Jenifer Rajkumar, the first South Asian-American woman ever to be elected to a state office in New York, said she is proud to say that “our time has come.” She said the time has come to recognize over the thousands of New Yorkers of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths who celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. For a long time, there had been growing calls by the Hindu community to declare Diwali a school holiday. Hundreds of thousands of Indians live in the area. Once the legislation goes through, Diwali will be a school holiday in the City of New York starting next year.

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A cyclonic circulation developing over the Andaman Sea threatens Kolkata with rains during Diwali

Kolkata might have to face rains during Diwali to be celebrated on October 24. This could be because of a fresh weather system developing over the Andaman Sea. The Met forecast says the cyclonic circulation could get stronger. The director-general of India Meteorological Department provided details. He explained - “A cyclonic circulation has formed over the central and adjoining north Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood. It is expected to move west-northwestwards. Around October 20-21, it is expected to be over the central Bay of Bengal as a low-pressure area. By October 22, it will become a depression.” He cautioned the people against jumping into a premature conclusion that the system would turn into a cyclone. He admitted that - “What happens after the system turns into a depression is still not clear. The IMD is constantly monitoring the system.” Bay of Bengal system threatens rain in Kolkata on Diwali. He concluded that it might be a rainy Diwali in Kolkata.

The deputy director-general of IMD, Kolkata informed that the Met office would soon issue a detailed forecast for Diwali. It would cover the expected spread and intensity of the rain. According to a Met official, the months of May and October-November are the pre-and post-monsoon months. These are favorable for cyclonic storms because the sea surface temperature is on the higher side. Incidentally, a weather system draws on the heat and moisture to gain strength on the sea. The IMD radar system atop the New Secretariat building on Strand Road is under repairs. IMD and ISRO are involved in the work and it would be complete by year-end, or the beginning of next year. It was imported from Germany in 2002 and two more radar will arrive in Kolkata in a couple of years.

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Moody and the half pant brigade (satire)

Moody was staring at a black and white snapshot of himself as a young man selling chai - he wore shorts in those days and felt comfortable in them. Such attires allowed a lot of freedom in movement and, when the air got hot and stifling, especially in the summer months, these half pants were indispensable.
And, all of a sudden, the decision came from above that half pants will make way for full pants.

Suddenly his hot line rang – it was Bee Rack O’Vama.
‘Hi man,’ he began, ‘how are your boundaries? Have you started to mend the fences?’
‘Mending fences is a continuous process,’ Moody replied.
‘I know,’ Bee Rack sighed. ‘I have Vladdy Putty in my hair. He is unpredictable – just like your Naa Buzz. And – I just cannot wish him away. Anyway – let us talk on something more interesting.’
‘Like Diwali?’
‘Yes. I celebrated it in my office. It shows how close we are, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then why don’t you revolt?’
‘Why should I?’
‘Because your bosses are insisting that you wear full pants when I know that you love half pants.’
Moody gave a dry laugh.
‘It is not easy,’ he said. ‘Half pants were OK so long as we remained in the background. But – with the global recognition that we are getting, we have to change tracks.’
‘Hey,’ O’Vama laughed. ‘Half pants look so cute. Bermuda shorts are a craze even in your country. City folks in cars go about in bermudas and capris. Then why did you switch over to long ones?’
‘It is a decision that I cannot question or overrule,’ Moody mumbled.
‘I believe it has got something to do with promoting khadi,’ Bee Rack said. ‘Anyway – hope your better half will return soon from her pilgrimage. My wife wanted to meet her.’
‘That will have to wait,’ Moody said. ‘She lives in her world, I live in mine.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Shiva learns about dhanteras from Durga (satire)

Lord Shiva wore a worried look in his abode in the wilderness of Mount Kailash. Durga had returned with her children and was settling down to the dull dreary routine life but the bombardment of ads on the TV was a major distraction for Shiva.
He was unable to concentrate of how to lay hands on fresh tiger skins. Yes, he had got used to the duplicate stuff but, the feel of the original was missing.
Durga guessed that Lord Shiva had something on his mind because he was twirling his trident between his fingers.
‘A paisa for your thoughts,’ she said as she sidled up to him and occupied a seat beside him on a hillock.
‘What is this dhanteras?’ he asked.
‘You know what is dhan?’
‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘It means wealth.’
‘Well – dhanteras is a word coined to mean accumulation of wealth.’
‘I see,’ Shiva mumbled. ‘That is why jewelry shops are offering discounts on making charges of ornaments to attract customers, right?’

‘Partially. In fact, dhanteras has become a huge business opportunity for even the online fraternity. They are selling items from jewelry to sweets and clothes and footwear apart from TV sets and smart phones.’
‘You forgot to add – buying two and four wheelers on instalment. In short, dhanteras is yet another festival to milk the people.’
‘Yes, it is another festival to spread a feeling of goodness and well-being.’
‘Then why are they banning firecrackers during Diwali?’
‘That is to prevent air pollution and keep the children safe.’
‘But they burst crackers on the roads when they win elections.’
‘Those are exceptions. Remember, exception proves the rule.’
‘Then what about those who do business in firecrackers? Do you want them to switch over to making jewelry or making rasogollas or pickles?’
Durga sighed.
‘They can go in for alternate jobs like making clay lamps for Diwali. Clay lamps, wicks, bottled oils. These are in great demand because there is a ban on imported toony bulbs and Diwali means lights to drive away the darkness and evil.’
‘I doubt if Evil will ever be frightened by lights and run away,’ Shiva said. ‘They need to be bombed out.’ (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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Moody not happy with the outcome of the meeting (satire)

Moody was in a serious closed door meeting with his lieutenants. Present were Sue Sharma, Jet Lee, Pyari Kar, Baba Someday, Banka Nadoo, Rajanna King and others.
His agenda was bricks, tons of them including brickbats and he was not happy with the outcome of the meeting.
‘What did I do wrong?’ Moody asked.
‘You just cannot do anything wrong,’ Sue Sharma assured him.
‘Then why did Vlady Putty not scold Na Buzz?’
‘But, he did agree that our neighbors are not following procedures,’ Jet Lee said.

‘I wanted Putty to do much more,’ Moody sighed. ‘I had boosted him sky high when I said that one old friend is an asset and much more than ten new friends.’
‘He did appreciate that,’ Sue Sharma said. ‘I was watching him and I saw him smile.’
‘I know, I also saw that,’ Moody went on. ‘Just to keep him happy, I made him and the others wear my trademark jacket – and they gladly did that.’
‘That was a master stroke,’ Pyari Kar added. ‘It was a memorable photo ops.’
‘I even signed the contract with Putty to buy so many choppers from him,’ Moody said. ‘I wanted him to chide Na Buzz for all the tricks he is playing. His cattle roam into my house, his pigeons fly into my territory. But – Putty found nothing wrong.’
‘Neither did Jean Ping,’ Banka Nadoo complained. ‘He also sidestepped the issue. And we were hoping that he would take our side.’
‘He is probably not pleased with our policy of banning his items this Diwali,’ Baba Someday had his say. ‘He must realize that our products must get a market. I have asked my Pat & Jolie setup to make clay lamps. I will sell them along with a bottle of oil – it will come free. I want my people to light these lamps. Diwali is a festival of lamps, not of flickering bulbs.’
When the world leaders had gathered at the beachside venue to discuss serious matters, Moody was happy. When they agreed to wear jackets like him, he was still more happy. And, when Moody mentioned that an old friend was always an asset compared to ten new friends, and Vlady Putty smiled, Moody’s joys knew no bounds.
But it did not end the way he wanted it to – it left a bad taste in his mouth. (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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