Over 1,42,000 rescued in flood-ravaged Kashmir
New Delhi: Over 1,42,000 people have been rescued so far from various parts of flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir by the armed forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a statement said on Saturday. Eighty six transport aircraft and helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation Corps have been pressed into rescue and relief operations, the defence ministry statement said. The army has deployed around 30,000 troops for the operations, in which 21,000 troops are deployed in Srinagar region and 9,000 troops in Jammu region. Armed forces personnel have been distributing water bottles and food packets. “So far over 4,00,000 litres of water, 1,31,500 food packets and over 800 tonnes of cooked food have been air dropped and distributed in the flood-affected areas,” the statement said. Thirteen tonnes of water purifying tablets have also been sent. Water suction and sewage pumps, generator sets and communication equipment have also reached the flood-affected areas. At least 8,200 blankets and 1,119 tents were provided to the flood victims. To provide speedy medical aid to the affected people, 80 medical teams of the Armed Forces Medical Services have been operating in full swing. Four field hospitals have also been established. (IANS)
Laddoos for Modi when he meets mother
Ahmedabad: Gujarati sweets – Churma ke laddoo, lapsi and kansar – will be offered to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he seeks blessings of his mother Sep 17, a day that is his birthday. Modi’s mother Hiraba, 95, is counting the days and hours to embrace her son on his 64th birthday. On most of his birthdays’ in the past, Modi has sought the blessings of his mother. Hiraba, a quiet lady who is proud of her son, is staying with her another son Pankaj Modi who is an employee of the state information department in Gandhinagar. Modi family sources told IANS that preparations of sweets, cleaning and decorating of lawns are going on in right earnest at Pankaj Modi’s Sector 22 house where the prime minister is scheduled to visit Sep 17 morning to seek the blessings of his mother. A source said: “Churma ke laddoo, lapsi and kansar would be offered to the prime minister by mother Hiraba when he arrives for her blessings.” The source added that Narendra Modi touches the feet of his mother on most happy moments of his life. Hiraba has four sons – Somabhai, Narendra, Prahlad, Pankaj – and daughter Vasantiben. Tight security arrangements have been made at Pankaj Modi’s residence and the Special Protection Group have already checked the surroundings. (IANS)
WB Govt to celebrate World Tourism Day
Kolkata: In a bid to popularise home stay tourism in North Bengal, the tourism department will observe World Tourism Day with the theme ‘Community and Tourism’ on September 27. The event is likely to be organised at Gazaldoba near Siliguri. The state government has laid emphasis on home stay tourism involving local people and creating a scope for them to earn livelihood. The idea is to provide tourists an opportunity to stay with local people and experience local customs and traditions and relish local cuisine. Since a mega tourism hub at Gazaldoba is coming up, there are some villages around that place that have been selected as the venue for the World Tourism Day programme. In the Hills, the tourism sites include Sibkhola, Gulma, Chimney, Pokhritar, Chitrey, Bagora, Lavdah and Takdah. In the Dooars the areas are Panijhora, Mouchuki, Gonsaihat, Nimti, Jyanati and Magurmari. ‘Discussions are underway with local people and we are hopeful that the home stay facilities would be started soon. Tourists will stay in extra rooms in local people’s houses,’ an official of state tourism department here said. (UNI)
Over 100 Gujarati delicacies for Xi’s plate
Ahmedabad: Chinese President won’t be served any non-vegetarian food during his visit here, but he won’t be left disappointed as more than 100 Gujarati dishes, including Dhokla, Bajre ki roti, Puran Poli and Lapsi will tickle his taste buds. Xi will be able to partake mouth-watering Gujarati dishes like Handvo, Kadhi-Khichdi, Kheer, Churma’s laddu, Methi’s Thepla, Baingan Ka Bharta, rice papad, ganthiya, kesar mango juice, Sev tomato vegetable, Dal dhokli, anjir halwa, shira, 10 flavours of local ice-creams and many more dishes. The dishes will be served Sep 17 evening at Ahmedabad’s river front. A source at the hotel that has been given the catering contracts told that no non-vegetarian or Chinese food would be served to the guests. The source said: “Gujarati and Kathiyawadi food will be served. Our chefs are now busy preparing more than 100 items, which start from soups to desserts.” The officials of food and drug and forensic science departments are on their toes to check each food item. The identity of the chefs too are being cross-checked by the police, sources said. (IANS)