CAB chief, wife survive boat capsize in Puri
1
2
3
Bhubaneswar: A leisurely boat ride nearly turned into a death trap for Cricket Association of Bengal president Snehasish Ganguly and his wife Arpita, when the vessel capsized in the rough sea near Puri's Light House beach.
The couple, along with three other tourists, were about 100 metres from the shore when a massive wave struck their speedboat, flipping it. Swift action by alert lifeguards prevented the adventure boat ride from turning tragic. While the incident took place on Saturday evening, the matter came to light on Monday when video footage emerged of the incident, prompting the Puri district administration to launch a probe.
"I have been coming to Puri for 31 years, but never experienced anything like this. We owe our lives to the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Chandi, and the brave lifeguards who rushed to our rescue," said Snehasish, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's elder brother
Narrating their 20-minute ordeal, Arpita said, "It is a second life for us. We are still in trauma. For those terrifying moments under the capsized boat, we had given up all hope."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
She said the sea was rough and the waves were towering over them. "Even though it was a 10-seater boat, there were just four or five of us. Before boarding the speedboat, I had asked the operator whether it was safe to venture into the sea in such inclement weather. The greedy operator assured us it was safe," said Arpita, who intends to write to the Odisha CM and Puri SP to strengthen safety measures.
Lifeguard G Appa Rao said the tourists were lucky it was not dark and the incident happened close to the shoreline.
"Had the incident happened far into the sea, it could have been fatal."
Panchanan Reddy, another lifeguard, said at least 15 of them rushed to the sea and pulled back the tourists to safety. "Such a boat capsize incident had never occurred in Puri sea, though drowning incidents happen regularly. We keep saving 5-10 tourists every day," he said.
Following the incident, Puri district administration ordered a probe. "We have launched a thorough investigation. While the operator had necessary permits, we are examining if any safety protocols had been breached or not. Action will be taken," Puri district collector Siddharth Shankar Swain said, lauding the lifeguards for their prompt response.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Trump's travel ban comes into effect, citizens from 12 countries barred from entering the US
US President Donald Trump 's order banning citizens of 12 nations from entering the United States has come into effect on Monday. The countries affected by the travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The move is expected to disrupt refugee pathways and further restrict immigration as the Trump administration expands its crackdown on illegal entries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Winchester: What Is Your Home Worth? Take a Look! Smartfinancetips Learn More Undo In announcing his restrictions last week, Trump said the new measure was spurred by a recent "terrorist attack" on Jews in Colorado. The group had been protesting in solidarity with hostages held in Gaza when they were assaulted by a man the White House said had overstayed his visa. Live Events That attack, Trump said, "underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted" or who overstay their visas. The president calls the move as protecting the country from "foreign terrorists." The entry of people from seven other countries, including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela has been partially restricted. Trump said the countries that face the ban were harbouring a "large-scale presence of terrorists," fail to cooperate on visa security, have an inability to verify travelers' identities, and have an inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories. He added that citizens of these countries also have a high rate of visa overstays in the US. The travel ban is a part of the president's attempts to restrict immigration into the US. However, the ban will not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, or in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It will not apply to diplomats from the targeted countries either.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Trump travel ban in effect, citizens from 12 nations barred from US
Washington, Jun 09, 2025 -President Donald Trump 's sweeping new travel ban came into effect early Monday immediately after midnight, barring citizens from a dozen nations from entering the United States and reviving a divisive measure from his first term. The move is expected to disrupt refugee pathways and further restrict immigration as the Trump administration expands its crackdown on illegal entries. Many of the nations covered by the restrictions have adversarial relations with the United States, such as Iran and Afghanistan, while others face severe crises, like Haiti and Libya. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mix 4 Kitchen Ingredients, Wake Up Thinner Every Morning Vinegar Health Learn More Undo In announcing his restrictions last week, Trump said the new measure was spurred by a recent "terrorist attack" on Jews in Colorado. The group had been protesting in solidarity with hostages held in Gaza when they were assaulted by a man the White House said had overstayed his visa. Live Events That attack, Trump said, "underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted" or who overstay their visas. The move bans all travel to the United States by nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, according to the White House. Trump also imposed a partial ban on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas from those countries will be allowed. New countries could be added, Trump warned, "as threats emerge around the world." Mehria, a 23-year-old woman from Afghanistan who applied for refugee status, said the new rules have trapped her and many other Afghans in uncertainty. "We gave up thousands of hopes and our entire lives... on a promise from America, but today we are suffering one hell after another," she told AFP. World Cup, Olympics, diplomats excluded The ban will not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, or in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Trump 's order said. Nor will it apply to diplomats from the targeted countries. United Nations rights chief Volker Turk warned that "the broad and sweeping nature of the new travel ban raises concerns from the perspective of international law." US Democratic lawmakers and elected officials blasted the ban as draconian and unconstitutional. "I know the pain that Trump's cruel and xenophobic travel bans inflict because my family has felt it firsthand," congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, who is Iranian-American, posted Sunday on X. "We will fight this ban with everything we have." Rumors of a new travel ban had circulated following the Colorado attack, with Trump's administration vowing to pursue "terrorists" living in the United States on visas. US officials said suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national according to court documents, was in the country illegally having overstayed a tourist visa, but that he had applied for asylum in September 2022. Trump's new travel ban notably does not include Egypt. His proclamation said Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and war-torn Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen lacked "competent" central authorities for processing passports and vetting. Iran was included because it is a "state sponsor of terrorism," the order said. For the other countries, Trump's order cited an above-average likelihood that people would overstay their visas.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
From Bali to UK: Indians are redefining summer travel
As per the recent report, 'While 58% Indian travellers plan to explore places they haven't considered before, 51% want to tick off multiple spots in one trip – showing a clear shift towards exploration and memorable getaways' Did you know Sunday is the cheapest day to fly? And if you're open to offseason trips, mark your calendar, the week of August 25 is the most budget-friendly. According to a global travel app, these are just some of the smart hacks Indian travellers are using to plan their summer getaways – or even opt for the increasingly popular shoulder season (the sweet spot between peak and off-peak travel). From crowd-free escapes to culturally immersive sites, Indians are heading to Bangkok, London, Denpasar, Malé, Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai, and beyond. 'Over half (52%) of Indian travellers prefer less-crowded sites' Though some travellers continue to favour familiar destinations, many are now exploring quieter, lesser-known places — not just during peak season but also in the off-season. 'Over half (52%) of Indian travellers prefer quieter, less-crowded locations over the usual tourist hotspots. It's not just about where they go – it's also about when. The shoulder season is gaining traction, with 1 in 2 Indian travellers open to travelling during these periods,' says the report by Skyscanner. 'An increased interest in a mix of domestic favourites and global destinations' According to a report by the global travel app, 96% of Indians are planning to take the same number of trips – or even more – than what they did last year, with 95% citing maximising their summer vacations as a top priority for 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo 'They are curating itineraries while staying flexible with travel dates or considering alternative destinations to beat the crowds – all in an effort to make their money go further and get the most out of their journeys, the report mentions. 'Among the top international picks are London, Dubai, Paris, and Amsterdam, while Manali, Goa, Udaipur, and Chennai are trending domestically,' shares the data by Air Bnb. According to a report by a global travel app, 96% of Indians are planning to take the same number of trips – or even more – than what they did last year Top 10 popular shoulder season destinations for June & September 2025 Bangkok, Thailand London, United Kingdom Denpasar, Indonesia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Goa, India Paris, France Leh, India Zurich, Switzerland Amsterdam, Netherlands Kochi, India — Data by a global travel app 'At least 95% of Indians aim to maximise their summer vacations in 2025' According to data shared by Pickyourtrail, Bali is the top destination this summer, with 23.43% Indian travellers heading there. 'The island's mix of beaches, culture, and adventure continues to captivate visitors. Sightseeing in West Nusa Penida remains the most popular activity at 10.3%. Exploring the Kintamani Volcano, Tegenungan Waterfall, and a coffee plantation ranks second at 6.9%. The Uluwatu Temple tour remains a cultural favourite, drawing 6.79% of travellers. ' Popular summer hotspots Bali tops the list, attracting nearly 23.43% of Indian travellers Europe is high on the list, with 14.95% of travellers heading there for its diverse cultural & historical offerings The Maldives follows with 12.43%, offering serene resorts and crystal-clear waters for ultimate relaxation Thailand accounts for 11.26% of the total travel bookings Vietnam, with 8.77%, offers a blend of culture & adventure Singapore, attracting 7.96% bookings, is a favourite among families for its modern vibe and diverse culture (Source: Pickyourtrail) 'It's never easy to come to a consensus with your family about where to go on holiday' Sunil Shah, an entrepreneur residing in Vasant Kunj, says, 'It's never easy to come to a consensus with your family about where to go on holiday. Some want a lavish European trip, others a peaceful retreat. With kids, options like Hong Kong or Singapore come up. After much planning and rescheduling, we're now eyeing a week in Singapore at the end of June.' Ragini Bajaj from Sector 55, Gurgaon, who works with a tech company, says, 'We planned a London trip in June but found the flights costly and visa uncertain. Since remote work is possible, we'll take a week off and then work from the UK countryside for another week in September. Starting now gives us enough time to plan.' One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
