Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu sustain injuries as bus overturns in Idukki
Idukki (Kerala) (PTI): Around 50 Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu were injured after a bus in which they were travelling overturned at Kollam-Theni National Highway near here on Thursday, Fire and Rescue Service officials said.
The condition of one passenger is critical, while others suffered minor injuries in the accident that took place between Kuttikkanam and Valanjakanam, they added.
Officials at the Peermade fire station said the accident occurred around 5.45 am, when the bus carrying devotees from Dindigul in Tamil Nadu was on its way to Sabarimala.
The bus driver failed to manoeuvre a tight curve, and the vehicle lost control and overturned. Police and fire force personnel soon reached the place and rescued the passengers, who were shifted to a private hospital in Mundakayam, Kottayam district. Later, using a crane, the bus was shifted off the road to restore the traffic.
Police officials at Peermade station said that other state bus drivers, due to overspeeding, often fail to negotiate the curves in the National Highway stretch, leading to accidents. Police have launched a detailed probe into the incident.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
First-ever life-size Vivekananda statue in US unveiled in Seattle
_vb_02.jpeg)
New York (PTI): The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.
The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.
Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.
"From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle," the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.
Addressing the event, Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "in recognition of the city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity", the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.
The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India's broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.
Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks including the Amazon headquarters ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.
Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.
_vb_92.jpeg)
_vb_08.jpeg)
_vb_31.jpeg)