Manhole cover thefts: BMC blames Olympics

MUMBAI: USA advisory may have warned American citizens of Mumbai's open manholes, but the BMC on its part is blaming the Chinese dragon for its woes.

Civic officials say the massive construction activity undertaken for the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing has increased demand for iron ore globally. As a result, they claim, organised gangs are now operating in Kurla, Bandra, Mankhurd and parts of Byculla to systematically steal the manhole covers. A staggering 1,500 covers have been stolen in the past few months—each costing a handsome Rs 5,500 in the grey market. Read more................................Manhole cover thefts: BMC blames Olympics

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A village called 'America' in India

America in India.......................Passengers need no longer face the rigours of a transcontinental flight or suffer a jetlag; all they have to do is board a bus in Jodhpur for Falodi and ask the conductor for a ticket to America.

A couple of hours later, say 140 km off Jodhpur in Rajasthan state of india, if you are in doubt whether you've reached your destination, just lean out of the window and ask, "Is this America?" A prompt reply will follow: "Of course! You are new here or what?"

India's own America is just a few kilometres from Falodi and Kheechan, famous for the migratory demoiselles crane. Its actual name happens to be Lordiyan, but, over the years, it has acquired the tag "America" - and each villager seems to have his own reason for calling it so.

Read more.......................A village called America

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