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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Blocked roads take life

Kolhapur: Ten minutes. That is the gap the family of Nalini Ganesh Mainkar says may have separated life from death. On Tuesday, as preparations for Ganeshotsav gathered pace in Kolhapur, Mainkar, a resident of Wangibol in Shivaji Peth, suddenly fell critically ill after her blood pressure dropped. Her family immediately called an ambulance. The ambulance came. But it could not reach her home without delay. According to the family and the ambulance driver, roads were blocked at two or three...

Blocked roads take life

Kolhapur: Ten minutes. That is the gap the family of Nalini Ganesh Mainkar says may have separated life from death. On Tuesday, as preparations for Ganeshotsav gathered pace in Kolhapur, Mainkar, a resident of Wangibol in Shivaji Peth, suddenly fell critically ill after her blood pressure dropped. Her family immediately called an ambulance. The ambulance came. But it could not reach her home without delay. According to the family and the ambulance driver, roads were blocked at two or three locations by festival pandals, forcing the ambulance to negotiate alternative routes. By the time Mainkar was taken to hospital, doctors reportedly told the family that she had arrived about 10 minutes late. She died soon afterwards. For the Mainkar family, those 10 minutes are now an unbearable question: could she have survived if the ambulance had reached her on time? No medical conclusion establishing that link has been made public. But the incident has exposed a larger and recurring civic failure—the vulnerability of emergency services when public roads are allowed to become festival spaces. Mainkar lived barely a few minutes away from the Ambabai temple and had served there as a sevekari for several years. On Tuesday, her family watched helplessly as her condition deteriorated while the ambulance struggled to reach the house. The ambulance driver, the family said, acknowledged that the vehicle was delayed because of obstructions created by pandals at multiple points. No Implementation The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has stipulated that a public festival pandal cannot occupy more than 25 per cent of the width of a road. The regulation is intended to ensure that traffic, pedestrians and emergency vehicles can continue to move. But on the ground, residents say, the distinction between a permitted pandal and a blocked road often disappears. In several parts of the old city, particularly the gaothan areas, festival structures have narrowed or closed roads. In other places, roads have been dug up for drainage and civic works. The result is a maze of bottlenecks at precisely the time when emergency vehicles need unobstructed access. The problem does not end with pandals. During festival processions, arrangements for dedicated passage of ambulances and fire engines are often inadequate. A traffic diversion that causes a commuter a few minutes of inconvenience can have an entirely different consequence for a patient suffering a cardiac emergency, major trauma or respiratory distress.

India’s Northeast: Exploring the Three Sisters

Writer: Archita Redkar
Archita Redkar
Jul 23
3 min read

The Northeast is not just a destination—it is an emotion, an adventure and a reminder that India's greatest treasures often lie beyond the familiar tourist trails.

India’s Northeast is a land of extraordinary beauty, ancient cultures, mist-covered mountains and warm-hearted people. Among its many treasures are the three states fondly known as the “Three Sisters”—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland. Situated in India’s northeastern corner and sharing international borders with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Three Sisters offer a journey through mountains, valleys, forests and rivers, where nature and tradition live in beautiful harmony.


My journey through the Three Sisters with a wonderful group of ladies remains one of my most unforgettable travel experiences. Discovering new landscapes, enjoying local food and experiencing the warmth of the people made this trip much more than a holiday. It became a celebration of friendship, adventure and discovering one of India’s least-visited yet most fascinating regions.


Arunachal Pradesh

The largest of the northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s easternmost state, known as the “Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains”. Its dramatic Himalayan landscape is home to snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, rivers and dense forests.


Tawang, at an altitude of around 10,000 feet, is the state’s best-known destination and home to the magnificent Tawang Monastery, one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. The journey passes through Sela Pass, Sela Lake and the historic Jaswant Garh War Memorial.


Ziro Valley, with its lush rice fields and distinctive Apatani tribal culture, is another highlight. The Apatani people are known for their sustainable agricultural practices and unique traditions. The remote Mechuka Valley offers pristine scenery and an authentic glimpse into the life of the Memba community.


Arunachal Pradesh is also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. Namdapha National Park shelters elephants, red pandas, clouded leopards, hoolock gibbons and numerous bird species. The cuisine is simple and wholesome, featuring momos, thukpa, bamboo shoot preparations, smoked meats and rice dishes.


Assam

Assam is best known for the Brahmaputra River, sprawling tea gardens and rich wildlife. It is the geographical and cultural gateway to the Northeast.


Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the finest places in India to see the one-horned rhinoceros. Jeep safaris through its grasslands and wetlands also offer sightings of elephants, wild buffaloes, swamp deer and, with luck, tigers.


Guwahati is home to the revered Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most important Shakti Peethas. The annual Ambubachi Mela draws thousands of devotees.


The famous Assam tea gardens provide a glimpse into one of India’s best-known tea traditions, while endless green plantations create unforgettable landscapes.


Beyond the popular attractions, Majuli River Island preserves Assamese Vaishnavite traditions, Sivasagar showcases the legacy of the Ahom Kingdom through Rang Ghar, Talatal Ghar and ancient temples, while Haflong, Assam’s only hill station, offers a peaceful retreat amid rolling green hills.


The vibrant Bihu festivals, especially Rongali Bihu, celebrate agriculture, music and dance. Rice, fish, tenga, khar, pitha and bamboo shoot preparations form the heart of Assamese cuisine.


Nagaland

Bordering Myanmar, Nagaland is home to several Naga tribes, each with its own traditions, dialects and cultural identity.


The capital, Kohima, is best known for the Kohima War Cemetery, which honours those who lost their lives during the Second World War’s Battle of Kohima.


The state's biggest cultural attraction is the Hornbill Festival, held every December at Kisama Heritage Village. Often called the “Festival of Festivals”, it brings together Naga tribes through traditional dances, music, food and handicrafts.


Khonoma, widely recognised as India’s first “green village”, is celebrated for its community-led conservation and terraced fields. Dzükou Valley attracts trekkers with rolling hills and seasonal flowers, while Longwa offers the unique experience of a village where the India–Myanmar border passes through the Angh's (chief's) house.


Naga cuisine is bold and distinctive. Smoked pork, bamboo shoots, fermented soybeans, axone and the famous Naga chillies reflect the region’s rich tribal heritage and close relationship with nature.


A Memorable Journey

My Three Sisters tour with a lovely ladies’ group is one I will always cherish. Every day brought something new—the thrill of mountain roads, the serenity of monasteries, wildlife safaris, local flavours and colourful indigenous traditions.


What made the journey truly special was travelling together. We laughed, explored, supported one another and created memories that will last a lifetime. From the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh to the wildlife of Assam and the tribal culture of Nagaland, the Three Sisters revealed a side of India that is raw, beautiful and incredibly diverse.


The Northeast is not just a destination—it is an emotion, an adventure and a reminder that India’s greatest treasures often lie beyond the familiar tourist trails. The memories of travelling through the Three Sisters with my wonderful group of ladies will always hold a special place in my heart.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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