74. Legal Information

Every time I visit Puducherry, I find it more crowded and more humid.
It is becoming more and more commercial and the peace is disappearing.
However, in the evening, with the breezy wind from the sea waves, it is more beautiful; and even crowded peaceful too.

The Promenade beach road is closed for vehicles from 6.00 in the evening to 7.30 in the morning. Yes, everyday!

This photograph is taken in the afternoon, but evening are crowded. Some people walking (exercise), some just facing the sea, children playing, people eating ... overall relaxed atmosphere.

I see thousands of people here in the evening.

While taking an afternoon walk, I came across this board and was surprised and glad.

Kudos to Puducherry Police for choosing the right spot and taking initiative in making people aware of the legal provisions. It also emphasises Women's Right  to move freely and comfortably.

Hope, all tourist spots have such "Legal Information" boards. 

63. Karaikal

I don't know why I suddenly remembered Karaikal today.
I mean there was nothing which was associated with the place.
That is one of the mysteries of the mind.

 This came from nowhere.

I still find peace in the memory of that spot.
Maybe I should visit the place again. 

14. Contrast

Visit to Kanyakumari Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a five minutes ‘sea journey’. After spending about half an hour in the queue (if you are not so lucky, you spend more time in the queue)  tourists get ride in a  good looking boat; with roof protecting people  from Sun and rain,; with proper sitting arrangements, people helping getting in and out of the boat.

Tourists pay for and get amenities and facilities. Right.

The ‘life jackets’ seems to be a recent addition – though looking at the conditions of life jackets one can understand that it is  not very recent and it is only a ‘tick mark’ activity. Most of the life jackets are in such a condition that they would not save any life when situation demands.

On the other hand, there are so many people out there in the open sea – without any safety measures, without any security assurance, without any protection, without place to sit comfortably and of course they don’t have life jackets – which they actually require.

Luxury is taken care of; livelihood is not.

Life around shows so many such contrasts.

4. Sea at Daman

Last month has been bit crazy .. I mean differently crazy. I had opportunity to visit four coastal places - and all the shores have its special beauty.

Daman I am visiting for the first time. Being ignorant about geography, one afternoon after lunch I could just smell the sea (without knowing the existence of Sea). I am right. We are at a walking distance from the beach.

The sand is blackish ( I have been through red sand experience earlier week) and it seemed to be a fishing hub - to watch this I must come here early in the morning.

Are these some kind of shops?

What are the people doing there at 2.00 in the noon when the Sun is shining? 

Well, I do not know.

Had no time to go and speak to strangers.

And the board creates another image of the Sea - not an 'all time friend' - but one that could turn out to be dangerous without any warning. What are the causes? What is the history?

My questions remain questions.

What is different about this board is - local language is the priority language!

I wonder how do authorities convey this message to people who cannot read?