Missing flight proves lucky for JSR couple
2
Jamshedpur: A twist of fate saved a newly-wed couple from Jamshedpur who missed their flight to Kashmir after falling ill from food consumed at a Delhi restaurant.
Rishi Gupta and Anuradha, Sonari residents employed at a Bangalore IT firm, had planned to visit Pahalgam in Kashmir, a destination often likened to Switzerland that draws international tourists. The couple arranged their Kashmir trip post-marriage, intending to return to work early next month.
Speaking to TOI from Delhi on Wednesday, Rishi said, "As per schedule, we reached Delhi on Sunday. On Monday we had planned to reach Srinagar, then visit Pahalgam on Tuesday. If we didn't miss the flight on Monday, we could have fallen dead in front of terrorists' bullets. On Sunday night, we had a small get together of friends at a hotel in Paharganj, for those who missed our wedding reception party on April 16. Both Anuradha and I fell sick after having drinks and food at the hotel. So we were unable to catch the flight on Monday. Now, both of us think it was god's wish that we missed the flight and so we are alive today."
Anuradha said, "We have cancelled our Kashmir trip and want to return to Jamshedpur as soon as possible. Though we had great desire to visit Kashmir but after yesterday's incident, it is very diffiicult to gain courage and visit there in near future."
The mass departure of tourists from Kashmir has caused airfares to Delhi to increase significantly. The couple now plans to return to Jamshedpur by road.
Local JD(U) MLA Saryu Roy said, "Centre should deal with an iron hand to teach the terrorists involved in this human massacre the right lesson. Killing of Hindu tourists is a direct attack on the ashmita of Sanatan Dharmis."
The Indian Medical Association's doctors from Jamshedpur have urged the Centre for swift action against the perpetrators. IMA secretary Dr Saurabh Chaudhury stated, "The Pahalgam killing is a genocide."
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