Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Helpline Numbers for J&K Flood rescue and relief


Nature is playing havoc once again in form of floods. This time in the northernmost Indian state of J&K. Sudden floods caused by incessant heavy downpour took everyone by surprise taking lives and causing massive damage to property and infrastructure. Till now the toll figure has reached 200.

Floods have devastated important bridges as well as almost all communication channels leaving the tourists and locals in the region stuck and helpless.

Many tourists are stuck in hotels in Srinagar or enroute Vaishno Devi, while many others managed to return half way as Vaishno Devi yatra was halted because of the bad weather and landslides.

People are trying through various means to get a clue about the status of their loved ones in the region.  

1500 trucks carrying essential supplies have been stranded enroute because many important roads and bridges have been washed away.

J&K is witnessing its worst flood in last 60 years. 2500 villages have been affected. The natural calamity has been declared as a National disaster by the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi and Defence Forces of the country have been deployed heavily to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Intense rescue and relief operations are on in the region to evacuate those affected. Army and IAF are working hand in hand to evacuate people, provide essential supplies and medical aid and restore communication in the region. NDRF teams have also been sent to facilitate the rescue and relief.

Control rooms have been set up in New Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar to co-ordinate the relief operations and Government has issued helpline numbers for victims to contact on for assistance.

MHA Control Room Helpline Numbers - 011-23093054, 23092763, 23092923, 23092885, 23093566, 23093563

NDRF Control Room Helpline Numbers - 011-26107953, 9711077372
Send an e-mail to NDRF at - ndrfhq@nic.in

Helpline Numbers of Flood Control Room in J&K House at New Delhi - 011-24611210, 24611108, 0194-2452138 (Srinagar), 0191-2560401 (Jammu).


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Travel Trends

The thought of travel, itself, takes one to places beyond imagination! It takes one to a heavenly world of immense natural beauty which calms one’s nerves, soothes one’s heart and rejuvenates one’s soul!

Man has always been a wanderer who loves to explore to quench his thirst of curiosity. In olden times, the explorers set out on their own and ended up discovering continents! Soon with faster means of travelling and communication, the world became a smaller place.

The holy crossed borders and travelled long distances to pay their tributes at specific pilgrimages.

And since times immemorial just as the man and means of transport have evolved, so have the travel trends!
And while family vacations and honeymoons have always been popular, the idea of travelling to exotic locations for business was appealing to and was welcomed by all.

Then to facilitate those looking for opportunities in a particular adventure sports, evolved the adventure tourism.

Soon followed women-all trips, where women travellers sought safe trips to travel all by themselves or with friends of the same gender. Infact such trips are now being recommended by therapists and are said to do wonders for both the women on the trip and their spouses at home as it gives them adequate space, a break from catering to eachother’s constant needs and demands and helps them rejuvenate.

Then, not so long ago came in the homestays. Homestay gives the tourists a close peek into the regional culture and a taste of the authentic local cuisine. It gives the tourists a lifetime opportunity to stay in the houses of the locals, mingle with the owners and learn about their lifestyles, culture, traditions and mythological stories.

And while the trend of homestays was still establishing a stronghold, came in the Homesitting! Homesitting is the latest trend in the travel industry and is becoming a rage amongst frequent travellers! House owners who travel frequently and go away for long time are seeking travellers who could stay in their house in their absentia and take care of their pets and plants etc.

Homesitting fits the traveller’s needs too as the expense of stay is nullified and is in terms of taking care of the owner’s belongings, pets etc. only.

With evolving travel trends, travel has not just become much easier these days, but has also become much more fun as one can go for exactly what one seeks from his perfect holiday… a holiday tailored just for him just as he/she wants it!

Happy travelling!