IRTC Passengers: Rs. 5000. Rajdhani Heroes: Rs.158. Good PR: Priceless

A fire broke out on a Delhi bound Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani train a few days ago.

Source: The Hindu

Luckily, German fire retardant coaches and quick action from pantry staff saved the day.  Passengers were shaken up and sans luggage but breathing just fine when they reached Delhi.

A tiny bit of cash compensation from the Indian Railways didn't hurt.  Non existent god bless them, the nineteen heroes weren't ignored either and will be bothered again with a ceremony at an unknown future date.

With one eye on Arunima and another on her predecessor's integrated security plan, I think, now, it's time for Mamta Banerjee to throw some money at a good public relations firm.

All reputed and qualified companies may apply.  Preference given to the ones that don't rhyme with Nadia.

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IIM Sensei - The Japanese Professor

Ready for an aorta-warming human interest story? Bring a tissue. 

April 6: This Japanese professor returns to keep a promise at IIM

His house lies damaged in the devastating tsunami and quake that struck Japan on March 11, his 100-year-old mother is in a hospital in Japan, but 78-year-old Shoji Shiba is back — to continue teaching his class at the Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata.

April 14: On last day at IIM, Japanese professor's mother dies

After class, the students and faculty came to know about Shiba’s loss. “There was clapping and the students touched his feet. The clapping continued till his car left our campus,” said Rudra Prasad Misra, a student.

If you're in Delhi, go kiss the Indo-Japanese friendship bridge.

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Indian disaster force lends a hand in Japan

Members of the National Disaster Response Force from India search through the rubble for missing people in the town of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 2, 2011. It is the first time India's NDRF, whose 46-member rescue team arrived in Japan on March 28, is engaged in an overseas mission. (Kyodo) Source: Kyodo News

The team starts from its camp in Sendai at seven in the morning, reaches Onagawa town about two hours later, works from 9 to 12, then takes a one-hour lunch break and works again till four in the afternoon before returning to their camp.

Apart from bodies, the Indian team has fished out a large amount of currency notes — between 25 and 30 lakh yen — and jewellery, which it has handed over to the local authorities.

Avasthy said what has been most satisfying is the appreciation of the local people and the authorities. Local media has gratefully acknowledged their role and the Indian team has already featured in two of the biggest newspapers in Japan — Daily Yomiuri and Japan Times.

In view of their good work, the Japanese government has now requested that the tenure of the NDRF team — only 10 days — be extended by at least another 10 days. India has readily agreed.

Read the full article: Indian disaster force lends a hand in Japan

Anything I start to write on this news sounds unbearably sappy so I'm just going to leave it at that.  I hope my readers understand this moment of silence is my comment.

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Dai-Shinsai

At 9.0 magnitude, the 4th largest on record earthquake-tsunami started in the Pacific Ocean at 2:46pm local time today.

Nihon-jin, minna-san, gambatte-kudasai. 




Click here for the latest news from Japanese broadcaster NHK.

Click here for pictures in UK's Daily Mail. 

(Edited when the magnitude was officially revised from 8.8 to 9.0)

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