Mittens, the cat, becomes accidental frequent flyer after getting mistakenly left on plane
Wellington, Jan 22: A Maine coon cat named Mittens became an accidental jetsetter this month when her cage was overlooked in a plane cargo hold and she made three trips in 24 hours between New Zealand and Australia.
Mittens, 8, was booked for one-way travel with her family from Christchurch, New Zealand to their new home in Melbourne, Australia on January 13. But owner Margo Neas said Wednesday that as she waited for Mittens to be unloaded from the plane’s freight area, three hours passed with no sign of the cat.
It was then that ground staff told Neas the plane had returned to New Zealand – with Mittens still on board. The return trip involves about 7.5 hours in the air.
“I said, how can this happen? How can this happen? Oh my God,” Neas said.
The Air New Zealand pilot was told of the extra passenger during the flight and turned on the heating in the cargo hold to keep Mittens comfortable, she added. Neas was told that a stowed wheelchair had obscured a baggage handler’s view of Mittens’ cage.
“It was not a great start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn’t have the family, we weren’t complete,” she said.
But the saga had a happy ending. The pet moving company that Neas used to arrange Mittens’ travel met the cat on her return to Christchurch and ensured she was back on the plane for another trip to Melbourne – this time just one way.
Mittens had lost weight but was otherwise unharmed.
“She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time,” Neas said. “It was just such a relief.”
Air New Zealand would reimburse all costs associated with Mittens’ travel and has apologised for the distress caused, the airline said in a statement.
“We’ll work closely with our ground handler in Melbourne to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” said spokesperson Alisha Armstrong.
Meanwhile Mittens, not usually an affectionate pet, is “the cuddliest she’s ever been,” said Neas.
“The cat gets as much attention as she wants right now because we’re just so absolutely and utterly relieved to have her back.” (AP)
‘Boss Sahab’, says Fijian PM in praise of Modi
New Delhi, Jan 22: Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka effusively praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and called him the real “Boss” of the world.
In a meeting with Rajya Sabha member and Indian Minorities Federation (IMF) Convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu and IMF Co-Founder Himani Sood in Fiji, Rebuka said PM Modi is a top global leader.
Heaping praise on PM Modi for his mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, the Prime Minister of Fiji said, “I believe Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is a great governance model which PM Modi is practising which ensures inclusive development for all. I think the world should adopt it to make it a better place to live.”
Fiji PM further added, “My friend (PM Modi) was re-elected (as PM) after we met (in 2023), so congratulations again and I would like to make sure that he gets the message that Fiji is still here. We are still committed to our journey of peace, on which, PM Modi has been for long. Oneness’ in our development, oneness in our progress and all these are great ideals for all world leaders.”
Fijian PM further said that PM Modi has become an icon for peace and Hindus all over the world. “Having the confidence of those in India is a big number. So, I congratulate him on that. The oneness in that journey of Hindus in the world will eventually translate into oneness in the peoples of the world,” he said.
Notably, a 21-member delegation comprising representatives from 10 different countries is currently visiting Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.
Earlier in 2023, PM Modi had met Rabuka in Port Moresby, during his visit to Fiji. On behalf of Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, Prime Minister Rabuka bestowed Prime Minister Modi with the highest honour of the Republic of Fiji – the Companion of the Order of Fiji (CF).
Notably, this is not the first time that any world leader has praised the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
Earlier Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese had called him (Modi) Boss. The President of America had described PM Modi as fantastic and globally powerful leader and expressed the desire to take his autograph. Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni had described PM Modi as the most-loved of all around the world. Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen had said that PM Modi is an inspiration for the world and President of Guyana said that they owe him a debt of gratitude. (IANS)