Steep Climb

Looks like the state tourism department has finally relented that its mainstay visitors come from Gujarat itself. To woo the Gujarati traveller the department has introduced one-day tours to Kevadiya Colony from end of July. Owing to a good monsoon,the Narmada dam is overflowing and is becoming a favourite spot for sightseeing. The tours,which will mainly depart from Ahmedabad and Vadodara,will expose tourists to see the Narmada Canal at Rs 1000 per person. Last year,it had flagged off the same initiative on weekends at Rs 850. While it looks like inflation got the better of the department,a tourism department official sounded optimistic about the steeply priced package as he ventured,“It is cheap,considering that the tour is inclusive of a breakfast,lunch,permissions and guides!”

‘United we stand’

Surat city Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana hosted an iftaar party at the police headquarters Monday evening,said to be a first by the Surat city police. Aimed at building a bridge between police and public,people from all communities were invited to the event.

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The participants of course included all the IPS officers of Surat city besides Municipal Commissioner M K Das,District Collector Jayprakash Shivhare and Vice-Chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Dr Daxesh Thaker. According to Asthaana,the programme was a part of community policing.