Nearly 1 lakh people visit zoo during Pongal holidays
The Hindu
The footfall on January 16 and 17 was 34,183 and 31,440 respectively, according to a press release from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park
The Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) had nearly 1 lakh visitors, including around 9,000 children under the age of five, from January 14 to 17. Expecting an increased inflow of visitors on account of the Pongal festival, the AAZP management had extended timings by 30 minutes in the morning and evening.
The footfall on January 16 and 17 was 34,183 and 31,440 respectively, according to a press release from the AAZP. To strengthen security, police personnel and forest department officials patrolled the zoo, the release said. The zoo management strengthened security through three watchtowers and CCTV monitoring.
Barring one incident of theft of a gold chain and a mobile phone, which were recovered by the police, there were no reports of security lapses or medical emergencies, said Manikanda Prabhu, Assistant Director at the AAZP.
Visitors got an opportunity to see elephant showers and animals being fed. The AAZP said it had arranged for additional facilities such as drinking water, food outlets, toilets, for visitors during the Pongal holidays. Two temporary ticket counters were set up in the parking area to manage the crowd inflow, the release said. Nine medical help desks are formed, along with five ambulances standby, inside the zoo premises to address medical emergencies.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.