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Pahalgam terror attack: Maharashtra arranges special flights for 183 tourists
In the wake of recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Maharashtra government has stepped in to ensure the safe return of its citizens. Acting swiftly on the directives of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, two special flights have been arranged to bring back a total of 183 tourists stranded in the region. According to government officials, an Air India aircraft carrying 100 tourists from Maharashtra is scheduled to land in Mumbai this evening. Alongside this, an Indigo flight is expected to bring home an additional 83 individuals, marking a coordinated effort by the authorities to prioritise citizen safety. The list of passengers aboard the Air India flight has been attached for reference. काश्मिरातील महाराष्ट्राच्या नागरिकांना परत आणण्यासाठी आणखी एका विशेष विमानाची व्यवस्था झाली आहे. एअर इंडियाचे हे विमान महाराष्ट्रातील 100 पर्यटकांना घेऊन आज मुंबईला येईल. या विमानातील प्रवाशांची यादी सोबत जोडली आहे.मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी निर्देश दिल्यानंतर आज 2 विशेष… pic.twitter.com/WqRdPkWs2L — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) April 24, 2025 Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol has been actively involved in overseeing the operation and extending logistical support. His office has been working closely with both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and state officials to facilitate the swift movement of travellers. The Maharashtra state government has decided to bear the entire cost of these special flights. India on Wednesday announced a series of steps to give a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance and the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a special press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and said Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa Exemption scheme. The CCS meeting, which lasted over two hours, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), which met on Wednesday, was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. The families of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack mourned the loss of their loved ones as they urged the government to take strong action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
24 April,2025 10:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Special squad will ensure charitable trust hospitals don’t turn away the needy
A Special inspection squad will be formed to prevent healthcare services from being denied to needy patients, especially those who are sometimes turned away by public charitable trust-run hospitals as they are unable to pay deposits. In a meeting held in Mumbai on Wednesday to review the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed government officials to form a special squad in coordination with the charity commissioner, health department officials and a CMRF member to ensure that no hospital registered under public charitable trust refuses treatment to poor and needy. “The cell will monitor beds’ availability and occupancy of the beds in the respective hospitals,” a statement issued by the chief minister’s office mentioned. According to the Charity Trust Rules, it is mandatory for hospitals to reserve 10 per cent of beds in hospitals for the poor and an equal percentage for weaker sections of society. It was in this meeting that Fadnavis emphasised strict compliance with the rules that mandate the reservation of beds for the poor and weaker sections of the people. “A district-level committee should be formed to monitor the implementation of the rules. It will be compulsory for the hospitals to update details of beds, funds and treatment online,” Fadnavis stated. On March 31, a seven-month pregnant woman died after the Pune-based Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital refused to admit her, allegedly because she could not pay a Rs 10 lakh deposit amount that the hospital administration demanded. In the wake of the tragedy, the recent directives from the Maharashtra chief minister assume significance. Now, CMRF health services on WhatsApp The chief minister has instructed officials to make all services under the CMRF available on WhatsApp, so that applicants can have access to all government health services and schemes on the go. As per official records, since December 2024, over R67 crore has been disbursed to more than 7600 patients under the CMRF.
24 April,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Sanjeev Shivadekar
Pahalgam terror attack: ‘Modi Saheb, don’t spare a single one’—grief grips Pune
Two residents of Pune, Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, were tragically killed in the terrorist firing incident at Pahalgam, Kashmir, on Tuesday. Kaustubh Ganbote was from Kondhwa, while Santosh Jagdale hailed from Karve Nagar. Kaustubh was the owner of the popular Pune-based snack brand ‘Ganbote Farsan’. The brand has about 15 to 20 franchises across Pune in various localities. The family resided in Shantinagar Society, Lane Number 15, Sai Nagar, Kondhwa Budruk. Their farsan factory, named 'Ganbote Farsan House', is located right next to their home. Madhav Ganbote, a relative, said, “Kaustubh Ganbote had travelled to Kashmir with his wife. They have only one son, Kunal, who left for Srinagar just yesterday.” He added that Kunal’s wife and their young child were at home with relatives when the tragedy struck. The family lost communication with Kaustubh and his wife after the attack. Just days ago, they had left Pune, hoping for a peaceful vacation. “They had left on Saturday,” said Jyoti Ganbote, Kaustubh’s aunt, who lives in Rasta Peth. Speaking through sobs, she said, “Kaustubh was warm-hearted and compassionate. He always stood by everyone. He never treated me just like an aunt—he loved me like a mother. When I had an eye operation, he took great care of me. He was the strength of our family.” Jyoti added, “I only learned of his death this morning. Last night, my daughter-in-law said he was only injured. This morning, we were told he had passed away. Yesterday, we only heard about the gunfire. Today, we lost our pillar of support. He was the eldest in the family.” The family now awaits Kaustubh's mortal remains, which are expected to arrive in Pune by Tuesday evening. Demanding justice, his aunt pleaded, “Modi Saheb, don’t spare a single one.” Vishal Dhanawde, a former corporator and close friend, said, “Kaustubh was my friend for the last 15 years. He built his business from scratch—riding bicycles and a Luna scooter to sell farsan. He worked hard and built a 5000 sq. ft. factory in Kondhwa. Just when life was finally becoming easy, he lost his life. It’s heartbreaking.” Meanwhile, Dnyandeep Colony in Karve Nagar is also reeling from the death of Santosh Jagdale. The 50-year-old worked at a public sector insurance company and is survived by his wife Pragati, 45, and daughter Asawari, 24. Speaking over the phone, Asawari said, “My father and uncle were shot by terrorists. They asked if tourists were Hindu or Muslim and targeted the men. It happened on our first day in Kashmir, in Mini Switzerland, Betaab Valley.” “As soon as the firing began, we all ran with other tourists. The Indian Army arrived later and rescued us. My father was shot in the head and chest,” she said. Jamuna Jagdale, Santosh’s sister-in-law, added, “The family had left just three days ago. My sister-in-law is in deep shock. My niece Asawari, who just completed her MBA, is trying to manage everything.” Residents of Dnyandeep Colony learned about the tragedy through news channels, which plunged the entire neighbourhood into sorrow.
24 April,2025 09:18 AM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Pahalgam terror attack: Over 2000 Pune tourists still stranded in J&K
An internal list released by the Pune district collector's office confirms that over 2000 tourists from the city are currently in Jammu & Kashmir, with many stranded after the recent incident. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 356 tourists had contacted the local District Information Office (DIO) for help with evacuation and safe return, according to district collector Jitendra Dudi. Ashvarya Gosavi from Bhosari, who traveled to Kashmir with her family, said, “After the Pahalgam attack, our phones started ringing continuously. There is a network issue here, but we are safe.” Her WhatsApp status also reassures that the family is safe. Kavita Kedari, who had long planned a visit to Kashmir, cancelled her trip following Tuesday’s attack. “After my daughter's Std X exam, we had planned to visit Kashmir with the entire family, but we had to cancel it,” she said. The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the holiday season. With summer vacations ongoing, nearly 2000 tourists from Pune had planned trips to the Valley. Many families are now cancelling or postponing their plans due to safety concerns. District collector officials said local authorities and tour operators are coordinating with the J&K administration to ensure the safe return of stranded tourists. The Chief Minister’s Office stated that Minister Ashish Shelar and Mangalprabhat Lodha will assist at Mumbai airport, Minister Madhuri Tai Misal will coordinate at Pune airport, and Minister Girish Mahajan is heading to Srinagar. The Pune travel association has urged support, as travel agencies remain on alert after the Pahalgam attack. "Whether the remaining itinerary can go ahead as scheduled will depend on how the situation unfolds. The safety of the tourists is our utmost priority, and decisions will be taken accordingly," said tour operators. Nilesh Bhansali, director of the Pune Travel Agencies Association, urged the government to support tourism companies in case of any hurdles in bringing tourists back. "Airlines should also refrain from exploiting the situation by unfairly increasing airfare," he added. ‘Still shaken’ Mukta Gosavi, a resident of Bhosari, Pune, narrowly escaped the recent Pahalgam attack. She was on a tour with her family and friends, including her daughter Nidhi and husband Nilesh Gosavi, Mukta told mid-day, “We had just moved a kilometre ahead from the location when suddenly chaos erupted. People began running in all directions, horses started bolting, and tourist vehicles turned back in panic. We were told that firing had started. She added, “As we moved ahead, we saw ambulances, military vehicles, and army personnel everywhere. It was only the fourth day of our tour. On the first day, we witnessed a landslide; on the third day, this terror attack.” Despite the fear, her group continued to Srinagar as planned. “The airport was overcrowded. Many tourists cancelled their trips. We stayed. The guides, tourist agents, and locals have been helpful. Today, we saw army convoys, helicopters, and heavy checking everywhere. Seeing the news online was heartbreaking. We are still shaken,” she said. ‘Cowardly attack’ Vijender Singh, Olympic bronze-medal winning boxer via X‘Our brave soldiers will definitely give a befitting reply to this cowardly attack in the coming times. In the presence of the brave sons of Mother India, the plans of those who want to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir will never succeed’ Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister‘The horrific terrorist attack is utterly devastating. My thoughts are with those affected, their loved ones, and the people of India’ Muhammad Yunus, Bangladeshi Chief Adviser ‘Please accept my deepest condolences over the loss of life resulting from the terrorist attack. We strongly condemn this heinous act. Let me reaffirm Bangladesh’s resolute stand against terrorism’ Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General‘The Secretary-General strongly condemns the armed attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April’
24 April,2025 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Archana Dahiwal
Pahalgam terror ambush: Army veterans decode tactical failures and security gaps
As the nation recovers from the shocking tragedy, it raises several critical questions on India’s security and vulnerabilities. What could have been the tactical planning behind this seemingly well-planned attack on civilians that killed at least 26 people?Colonel Ashutosh Kale who has spent long years in Kashmir, fighting insurgency and conducting anti-terrorist operations demystifies the tactical planning and systemic lapses. “There can be several factors that would have been considered while planning. This can range from using a local guide, creating a base close to the attack site to analysing the timing of the attack based on the peak hours for the crowd to gather at the spot. Infiltration route along with the exfiltration route for the terrorist would have been figured out too based on which route gives them a discreet passage to go undetected and let them escape quickly after the attack,” he mentions. Colonel Ashutosh, who has operated in the Pahalgam- Kani Marg area during his service believes that the absence of security forces close by at the attack site would have been considered to carry out the attack. Lt Col Gaurav Bali, SM (Retd.), a decorated Indian Army veteran with over 22 years of service, including more than a decade of operational experience in Kashmir and other insurgency affected regions stresses on intensive planning to carry out an attack like this. “Terrorist attacks of this nature are rarely spontaneous; they are marked by layered and deliberate planning. Likely components include reconnaissance, route familiarisation, identification of soft targets, insider intelligence and planned exfiltration. Given the location, an area frequented by tourists, they most likely studied footfall trends, identified security rotation gaps and exploited periods of low vigilance. The targeting of a tourist vehicle suggests a psychological aim: to instil fear, create disruption and tarnish the region’s image, beyond just inflicting casualties," he says. Also called as Mini Switzerland, Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination. While the gorgeous meadows of Kashmir have always been mired with infiltration and attacks from across the border, this brings into question - what made the famed tourist spot of Baisaran valley so vulnerable?“Remoteness of Baisaran valley could have played a major factor since the closest location is Pahalgam which is 45 minutes on foot. Also, thick forest cover allows easy access and exit considering this is a very sparsely populated area. Tulian valley to the East or Kani Marg to the Northeast are further thickly forested areas which allow places to hide to for extended periods.”, says Colonel Ashutosh. Questions are being raised on the loopholes that could have orchestrated the attack. Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara in a recent interaction with the media, called it a glaring failure of the country’s intelligence.Lt Col Gaurav Bali, SM (Retd.), who has over a decade of operational leadership in Kashmir and other insurgency hit zones, says, “This incident reflects a multi-tiered lapse in security protocols. Potential loopholes include lack of dynamic surveillance; particularly on secondary and less patrolled routes, gaps in actionable human intelligence (HUMINT), absence of layered vehicle screening and insufficient checkpoints and possible underestimation of local facilitators, who often serve as critical enablers. Infiltration with weapons into what is deemed a “secured zone” exposes not just a breach in perimeter security, but also a complacency in threat assessment mistaking temporary quiet for enduring peace.” With this attack, Pakistan’s role in orchestrating cross-border terrorism is yet again in focus. While Pakistan has denied its involvement in the attack, Colonel Ashutosh believes otherwise. “Such an operation cannot be done without professional support. The Pak army and ISI must be involved, and it is very apparent. This is affirmed by the logistics (the terrorists were using M4 Carbines and AK-47), the robust operational and tactical planning involved and provision of local intelligence through the existing ISI OGW network since TRF is not so strong , nor does it have the professionalism unless supported to carry out such an attack. While this attack shows clear signs of professional backing, in attacks of this stature, Army swiftly activates SOPs.“The Army’s response is swift, calibrated, and mission focused. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in such situations generally include area domination through cordon and search operations (CASO), intelligence integration with local police and central agencies to track movements and hideouts, strategic preventive deployment to thwart follow-on attacks, civil military synergy to reassure the local populace without excessive militarisation”, says Lt Col Gaurav Bali. “The immediate priorities are twofold: neutralise the threat and safeguard the social fabric ensuring communal harmony while maintaining operational tempo.” he adds. According to Colonel Ashutosh, some of the strategies that can help tackle terrorism in J&K include imposing Presidents Rule, ensuring a unified command to avoid friction between the DGP (J&K Police) and the GOC 15 Corps (the Senior-most Army Officer In the Valley), isolating and squeezing Pakistan diplomatically, a suitable strong retaliatory military action and continuing with Investments and Infrastructure Development. The country is shaken. While it takes time to recover from the tragedy and the security forces strive to nab the terrorist - what to expect in the upcoming days?“We can expect heightened security presence, particularly on tourist routes and vulnerable pockets, pinpoint operations targeting identified or suspected modules, focused narrative management by the administration to prevent panic and maintain tourism flow, and deep dive scrutiny into local networks, with emphasis on digital footprints and financial transactions that could reveal facilitation chains.” concludes Lt Col Gaurav Bali. While the pain is fresh and India mourns the loss of its innocent citizens, what need to be seen is how India responds in the days to come.
24 April,2025 09:09 AM IST | Mumbai | Katyayani Kapoor
Pahalgam terror attack: Central Railway mourns engineer Atul Mone
Railway employees on Wednesday remembered Atul Mone, a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack, and mourned his passing. Mone, a resident of Dombivli and a senior section engineer at the wheel shop of Central Railway's Parel workshop, was among those killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. A memorial candlelight prayer was held in Mone's memory at the workshop in the morning, with all his colleagues paying their respects. “He used to pass my cabin and greet me every morning by waving. He was always smiling, never even argued with anyone and was very sincere about work,” Suryakant Panchagam, his colleague at the Parel workshop, said. Terror victim Atul Mone’s colleagues at the Parel workshop “On my personal behalf and on behalf of National Railway Mazdoor Union (Central Railway/Konkan Railway), I express deep shock and profound grief over the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in which Mr Atul Mone, serving as senior section engineer in the wheel shop of Parel workshop, tragically lost his life. Mone, an active and dedicated member of NRMU, was on a picnic tour to Kashmir with his wife, child, and extended family members at the time of the incident,” Venu Nair, general secretary, National Railway Mazdoor Union, said. Another colleague, AL Tamilarasan, said Mone was 44 years old at the time of his passing and had joined the Railways when he was 18 on compensatory grounds, said, “He was always dedicated to his work. We will miss him.” “On Saturday, he was so happy and told us he was on a family trip to Kashmir and went off on his journey with his family, including two male cousins. We didn’t think that he would never return. We are just too shocked to say anything more,” another colleague, Umesh Kadam, said. His other three colleagues, Pawan Kumar, Anil Bhise and Rajesh Nadar couldn’t control their grief, saying, We lost a good man to terrorism. He was everyone’s friend, and his daughter had recently passed her Std XIIth exam.” All his colleagues rushed to Dombivli to receive his body, which arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Mone had completed 24 years of service with Indian Railways. The Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) also strongly condemned the terrorist attack and the death of Mone. “He was a sincere employee, and I offer my heartfelt tribute to him and all the tourists martyred in this attack. The government should take strict action against terrorists,” CRMS president Praveen Bajpai said.
24 April,2025 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Pahalgam terror attack: Swift-thinking ambulance crew saves lives in golden hour
“There is an emergency here [Pahalgam], send your ambulance immediately,” was the call that Irfan Khan, 33, received on the helpline number 9484100200 on Tuesday afternoon. Within minutes, Irfan alerted Mubashir Wani, emergency medical trainer (EMT), and driver Manzoor Ahmed, 38, who were on the fully equipped cardiac ambulance, located close to Pahalgam, and rushed to the spot along with government ambulance 108 and other ambulance services. “It was only on reaching the location, it was learnt that it was a terror attack at Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Srinagar, which is not a motorable area. The security forces were getting those injured to the ambulance, and they were rushed to the Government Medical College, Anantnag, J&K,” recalled Irfan, speaking to mid-day from Srinagar. Irfan works for an NGO—Help Foundation, J&K, whose office is in Tulsibagh, Srinagar, and they have three cardiac ambulance services located at three different strategic points—Srinagar, Anantnag and Pattan, for handling any disaster or emergency calls. Incidentally, the ambulance service could save the lives of some of the tourists injured in the terror attack by ensuring that the victims were rushed to the hospital within the golden hour. Mubashir was stationed at Anantnag and was closest to Pahalgam. “We have trained EMT staff on the ambulance who coordinate with the doctors on call, and our ambulance is also equipped with a ventilator and other life-saving devices to handle any emergency situation on the road. It is unfortunate that the terrorists targeted innocent tourists, and we condemn the same,” said Irfan. When asked if the terror attack would impact tourism in J&K, the project manager said that the valley had been looking forward to the tourism season, as over eight to nine lakh tourists visited the Tulip Garden when the season started from March 15 to March 31 this year. “The season begins thereafter from April and goes on until July/August. However, this shootout incident would hamper the tourism industry adversely,” said Irfan. “The residents of Srinagar and J&K condemned the incident and carried out various protests across the valley,” he added. Asked if it was a chargeable service, Irfan said, “We do not charge any fees for providing emergency services. Also, at any given point in time, we otherwise charge a nominal amount for ferrying even local patients from their place of stay to the hospital in case of emergency. Our NGO is known for providing assistance to those in need, and we continue to provide such a service.”
24 April,2025 08:53 AM IST | Srinagar | Vinod Kumar Menon
Pahalgam terror attack: Tourism tanks as Kashmir faces wave of cancellations
With a large number of trip and ticket cancellations for Kashmir, tourism professionals and officials say the region is now staring at massive losses over the next few months. “There has already been a 25 per cent drop in the 80 per cent of bookings that had been secured. People are calling up and cancelling. This trend will only worsen in the days ahead, immediately after the attack. The losses will be massive—this season is as good as lost. The government must intervene to protect tourists’ interests and ensure that fear is removed from people's minds,” said Uday Kadam, vice-president of the Maharashtra Tour Owners Association. “J&K trips and hotels were overbooked. With train ticket and hotel booking cancellations, the losses will be huge. April’s end and the next two months—May and June—comprise peak tourist season. The hit won’t just be to the local economy but also to the larger tourism industry,” an official said. “We strongly condemn the dastardly attack on tourists. This incident will severely impact the tourism sector. Cancellations have already started, and new bookings won’t come in anytime soon. It’s impossible to gauge the full extent of the losses yet, but it will be significant. With the Amarnath Yatra set to begin in two months, the government must act swiftly to restore confidence,” said Ravi Gosain, vice-president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators. Vande Bharat function put off Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to flag off the much-awaited Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on April 19. However, the event was cancelled at the last minute after the India Meteorological Department issued yellow and orange alerts, predicting light to moderate rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days. Sources, however, said that heightened security concerns following the terror attack also played a role in the decision to defer the event.
24 April,2025 08:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Pahalgam terror attack: Traumatised tourists rush home, face soaring flight cost
The Sangle family from Thane is among many tourists stranded in Srinagar who have decided to cut short their Kashmir holiday following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. “We’ve already covered holiday destinations from north to south, and this time we were excited about visiting Jammu and Kashmir,” said Gaurav Sangle, a civil engineer. “We planned the trip ourselves, and booked flights and hotels back in February.” The family landed in Srinagar on Sunday and began sightseeing on Monday. “On Tuesday, we were on our way to Pahalgam to spend two days there, but minutes before reaching, we were alerted about the terror strike. We saw a heavy presence of police and security forces, and the area resembled a fortress. Our driver made a few calls and confirmed the attack. We had no option but to return to Srinagar,” he added. Post-trauma chaos Gaurav recounted meeting a couple from West Bengal who had witnessed the attack from a hideout. “They were visibly shaken and desperate to leave for Kolkata, and then onward to Germany,” he said. “My family was deeply disturbed too, and we decided to cancel the rest of our trip. Our Indigo return flight was originally scheduled for Sunday, April 27.” Soaring costs Gaurav is livid over the high costs airlines are charging. “I paid Rs 58,000 for our Indigo return tickets for April 27. Upon cancelling, the airline deducted Rs 20,000 and refunded Rs 38,000. But a new SpiceJet ticket for April 25 cost us Rs 69,000! This is has left me with an unexpected financial loss.” Gaurav Sangle and his family at Phase 1 of the Gulmarg Gondola. Pics/Gaurav Sangle and family He criticised the government for not stepping in. “Neither the government nor the Civil Aviation Ministry issued any directive to cap airfare. This has turned into our worst vacation experience. On top of inflated ticket prices, we’ve had to extend our stay in Srinagar, spending Rs 8000 for two rooms, and our hotel booking in Pahalgam hasn’t even responded to our refund requests. Drivers here charge R3000 a day—it’s all unplanned expense.” More flights However, the government on Wednesday announced that additional flights will be operated from Srinagar and that airfares on the route are being kept at reasonable levels amid a large number of tourists looking to return from J&K in the aftermath of the Phalagam terror attack. Narrow escape Atul Sonawane, 42, from Hiranandani, Thane, considers himself and his family lucky. “We were just seven minutes away from our hotel in Pahalgam when the attack happened. We had bookings at Hotel Hilton Heritage for two nights, but were stopped by security and turned back.” Gaurav Sangle and his family at the Tulip Garden in Srinagar He added, “We wanted to visit Mini Switzerland, one of the scenic spots, but had to cancel all plans. Our tour operator arranged accommodation at Heritage Luxury Hotel in Srinagar, which generously provided free meals to over 150 stranded tourists. That gesture meant a lot.” Asked if he would continue the trip, Atul said, “Absolutely not. We’re all shaken and want to get back to Thane as soon as possible.” Stranded and stuck Many tourists from Thane, Vasai-Virar and Mumbai are stuck indoors as streets remain cordoned off by security forces. Bhushan Gole, 39, from Manpada, Thane West, said, “I was in Pahalgam the day before the incident. We skipped Mini Switzerland because the pony guide charged Rs 4900 per person. Plus, the route isn’t motorable and involves a 5 km trek through jungle terrain. I’ve spent R1.68 lakh for a seven-day family tour. I urge others to assess the situation before planning trips to J&K.” Nishank Mhatre, 31, a travel agency representative from Virar, added, “We’re constantly in touch with the CM and Deputy CM’s office, giving them regular updates. While things are tense, the situation is currently under control. We’re safe and hope to return soon.” Stars saddened Sachin Tendulkar, via X‘Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic attacks on innocent people in Pahalgam. The affected families must be going through an unimaginable ordeal... India and the world stand united with them at this dark hour, as we mourn the loss of lives and pray for justice’ Salman Khan, via X‘Kashmir, heaven on planet earth, turning into hell. Innocent people are being targeted. My heart goes out to their families. Ek bhi innocent ko maarna puri kainath ko maarne ke barabar hai (killing one innocent person is equal to killing the entire world)’ Shah Rukh Khan, via X‘Words fail to express the sadness and anger at the treachery and inhumane act of violence that has occurred in Pahalgam. In times like these, one can only turn to God and say a prayer for the families that have suffered and express my deepest condolences. May we, as a nation, stand united, strong, and seek justice for this heinous act’ Alia Bhatt, via X‘The news is heartbreaking. Innocent lives lost. Tourists, families, people who were just… living. Seeking beauty. Seeking peace. And now there’s only grief. And the unbearable weight of it. Every time something like this happens, it chips away at our shared humanity. May those souls rest in peace. And may those left behind find strength somehow—though I don’t know how we even begin to ask that of them’ Anushka Sharma, via Instagram‘Heartbroken to hear about the cold-blooded terror attack on innocent people in Kashmir. Heartfelt prayers and condolences to their families. This is a heinous attack that will never be forgotten’ Virat Kohli, via Instagram‘Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength to families of all those who lost their lives and for justice to be served for the cruel act.’
24 April,2025 08:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier
That’s how we roll A vintage car makes a surprise appearance on the Sion-Kurla-Santacruz Road Adieu to an unsung artist Naval Jijina with his wife Gool Jijina (right) Landscape, oil on canvas by Naval Jijina. Pics courtesy/Sumesh Sharma; Gallery art and soul A silent but powerful creative voice in the city’s sea of artists, painter and textile designer Naval Jijina breathed his last on April 22 at his Andheri residence. From textile designing to photography and priesthood, Jijina, 96, donned many hats throughout his life yet it was his passion for painting and particularly, the technique of aerial perspective that led to some of his best creations. Dr Tarana Khubchadani (inset), director of Gallery Art and Soul, which hosted his artworks in March 2023 along with curator Sumesh Sharma, recalled his legacy, “My initial connection with him [Jijina] was born out of a curiosity to celebrate a senior yet unsung artist. He belonged to a genre of artists who strongly believed in their visual vocabulary.” Bollywood tunes in the park A moment from the musical gathering at Jogger’s Park. Pic courtesy/Prashant Magar On his Sunday jaunt to Joggers Park in Bandra last weekend, Prashant Magar, a tutor was impressed by a group of seniors who were belting out retro hits. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar resident, who is on a visit to the city, shared, “They were happily singing hits like Bombay meri jaan and encouraging onlookers to join in. A few of them played the harmonica as well. They seemed very happy and peaceful singing songs. Their enthusiasm made one smile automatically.” A straight drive to fandom Abhishek Satam with his collection of memorabilia. Pic courtesy/Abhishek Satam As fans across the globe celebrate Little Master Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday today, we got wind of a rather wild fan in the city. Zoo biologist Dr Abhishek Satam of the Mumbai Zoo is revisiting his mammoth collection of memorabilia on the cricketing icon’s birthday. “Like any young boy growing up in the 1990s, I was obsessed with Sachin’s style of play. It soon turned into a habit of collecting cut-outs from newspapers and magazines. One of my most prized possessions is a miniature bat made in gold, inscribed with Sachin’s autograph. The highlight came in 2018, when a 40 ft x 20 ft artwork I created for him was reposted by his Instagram page after it came to his notice,” Satam told this diarist, adding that he now plans to create a mural for Tendulkar’s 55th birthday in 2028. Get ready to groove and move A moment from a previous edition of the festival. Pic courtesy/DGTL India While 2025 might have given us some of the best music events and artiste collaborations, the latter half of the year will prove to be a delight for music lovers as global festival, DGTL, returns to the city for its fifth edition. With the dates scheduled in October, this year’s theme, New horizons, will feature global as well as home-grown artistes in the genre of techno and house music with the full list of acts scheduled to be released in June. “This time, it is all about going back to the basics of electronic music. Besides being the financial and entertainment capital of the country, we believe Mumbai is also the electronic music capital. The energy has always been electric from the city that never sleeps. This year is no different. We expect Mumbai to show up and show out,” Arnab Banerjee (inset), organiser, revealed to this diarist. AI on Mumbai’s urban mess A screenshot of a reel that depicts teleportation. Pic courtesy/MANOJ OMRE As Mumbaikars struggle to navigate the city’s choked roads and the health hazard posed by construction work spilling out to pavements, visual and motion designer Manoj Omre (inset) took to generative AI to release a series of reels on social media to voice his opinion. From reimagining Mumbai traffic with a teleportation portal to air-borne roads, the illustraions provide reflections on the problem of urban infrastructure with a pinch of satire. “The main problem is that we have limited space and we cannot keep building more things to resolve existing issues. We need better public transport and walkable infrastructure,” Omre shared with this diarist.
24 April,2025 08:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Special flight arranged to bring stranded Maharashtra tourists home
The state government will be arranging a special flight to bring back all tourists from Maharashtra who are stuck in Srinagar A day after the terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir, the Maharashtra government announced a special flight to safely bring home stranded tourists. According to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s official post on X (formerly Twitter), “The state government will bear the cost for the special flight arranged to bring back all people from Maharashtra who are stranded in Jammu & Kashmir.” On Tuesday, a terrorist attack in Kashmir claimed 26 lives and left 17 others injured. Of the total casualties, six were from Maharashtra. Mortal remains of a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack, being brought to his residence, in Thane, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI Meanwhile, Fadnavis has directed senior BJP leader and Minister Girish Mahajan to be personally present in Srinagar to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts. To ensure smooth coordination at Mumbai airport, the CM has assigned BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha to oversee arrangements. Deputy CM Shinde heads to Srinagar Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde left for Srinagar on Wednesday evening. He will be present on the ground to ensure smooth coordination and provide relief and assistance to stranded tourists from Maharashtra in the terror-hit state.
24 April,2025 07:48 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent