In an inspiring display of working together for the community, a group of New Yorkers got together to lift an illegally parked car and move it to the side in order to give way to a bus. A video posted on Instagram by Reddit showed the group of pedestrians joining hands to accomplish the seemingly impossible task. 

“Every day heroes for sure,” the caption of the post read. “New Yorkers lift illegally parked car, so Metro bus can turn,” read the text on the clip. 

Watch the video below: 

In the video, a few people are seen standing around a car. Moments later, they are seen lifting the vehicle and moving it out of the way so the bus can operate freely. 

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The clip was shared on Instagram a few days back and since it has accumulated more than 167,000 likes and nearly 3 million views. Internet users were quick to praise the bystanders for ensuring the bus could resume its service promptly. 

“Wow! Nice to see something positive from the Big Apple! Great job men!” wrote one user. “Together. We can move mountains!” commented another. 

“See, that’s community. We mind our business when it matters, but some things are just unacceptable. You don’t block traffic,” expressed a third. “Used to drive buses in NYC, I’ve hit a few illegally parked cars in my day. Best part is cops ticket the illegally parked car and their insurance company has to pay for the damages to the bus,” added another. 

A person also explained how irresponsible parking can cause much inconvenience for everyone. “As a disabled rider dependent on public transportation, I daily see how stupid people who park, or “wait” in their cars. They not only inconvenience, obstruct, actually endanger, riders, drivers, bystanders, buses, other cars and drivers, and sometimes train. Simply to indulge self centered desire for saving a few seconds, or a few steps. Penalties should be more severe. Vehicles more quickly impounded,” they wrote. 

The number of international outbound departures by Indian residents is expected to grow to over 50 million in 2030, which is more than double of what it was in 2022 – about 18 million, predicts Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India in their latest ‘India Outbound Travel in FY2030’ report.

For the study and forecasts, CAPA India conducted in-depth research with 250 respondents, supported by 100 detailed, qualitative discussions, and rigorous analysis of tourism and traffic data.

Indian Travelers: The Outward-Bound Surge

The number of Indians taking on to travel overseas has been seeing year-on-year rise from 1995. According to the data from World Tourism Organisation, the numbers went from three lakhs in 1995 to 2.6 crore in 2019.

The CAPA India report’s projection of 50 million outbound Indian travellers by 2030 mirrors the nation’s growing appetite for international travel and the economic clout of Indian tourists abroad.

Inbound Tourism: The Global Footprint in India

On the arrival front, India has seen a massive year-on-year increase in international tourists, with Asia and the Pacific leading the source regions, followed by Europe and the Americas. The economic impact is substantial, with the spending by these tourists contributing significantly to country’s economy.

The sector has demonstrated not just recovery, but a potential for surpassing pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a bright future for India’s tourism industry.

India’s Tourism Industry On An Upward Swing

India’s tourism industry has shown exceptional growth and resilience. With a surge in international arrivals, the nation’s allure as a global tourist hub is more evident than ever promising lot of livelihoods.

The tourism industry has also shown a remarkable trajectory in terms of establishments (hotel rooms) and personnel. As per data, in 1995 there were just 57,386 rooms in the total registered hotels doubled to a figure of 1.16 lakhs in 2019. Meanwhile the jobs in the industry has also seen a huge surge before COVID-19 disruptions

Dr Ruth Westheimer, a well-known media figure and sex therapist, has been appointed as New York state’s honorary ambassador to loneliness, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday. According to a press release, this development is intended to assist an underserved mental health need. Dr Westheimer is aiming to help New Yorkers with social isolation, which is associated with physical and mental health issues such as cardiovascular disease, depression and premature death. 

“As New York works to fight the loneliness epidemic, some help from honorary Ambassador Ruth Westheimer may be just what the doctor ordered,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “Studies show individuals experiencing loneliness had a 32 percent higher risk of dying early and we need leaders like Dr. Ruth to help address this critical component of our mental health crisis,” she added. 

As per the press note, Dr Westheimer is a survivor orphaned by the Holocaust. She rose to prominence as a sex therapist and syndicated talk show host on both radio and television during the 1980s and 1990s. It was last year, the 95-year-old suggested the idea of becoming an ‘ambassador’ for the state in a bid to provide fellow New Yorkers will advice on how to address loneliness and isolation, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Hallelujah!” Dr Westheimer said in a news release. “I am deeply honored and promised the Governor that I will work day and night to help New Yorkers feel less lonely,” she added.

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Loneliness is defined as the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact, while social isolation refers to a lack of social connections, as per the press release. More than a third of adults 45 or older experience loneliness, while nearly a quarter of adults 65 and older are considered socially isolated, a study by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine found. 

Therefore, under Ms Hochul’s leadership, New York is working to create “age-friendly communities and build a more robust system of mental health care,” according to the news release. Last year, Governor Hochul also signed an executive order to create the state’s first-ever Master Plan for Aging to ensure older New Yorkers can live healthy, fulfilling lives while ageing with dignity and independence.

Notably, Dr Westheimer’s honorary appointment underlines Ms Hochul’s recent emphasis on ageing and social needs.