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. 

Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) leader Manda Krishna Madiga got emotional on the stage in Hyderabad, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Saturday to address a public rally. Manda Krishna Madiga shared the stage with PM Modi in Hyderabad’s Secunderabad on Saturday.

The PM was seen talking to the MRPS leader on the stage, where Madiga broke into tears. After that, the PM consoled Madiga, holding his hands.

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PM Modi comforts Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti Chief, Manda Krishna Madiga, who got emotional during a public rally in Secunderabad, Telangana pic.twitter.com/iZUiBPUXHO

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 11, 2023

PM Modi was present there to address the rally being organised by the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi, a community organisation of Madigas, one of the biggest constituents of scheduled castes in Telugu states.

Thank you Hyderabad.

Today’s public meeting will remain etched in my memory. The affection from my Dalit sisters and brothers, my Madiga sisters and brothers is tremendous.

I salute my brother Manda Krishna Madiga for his efforts towards empowering people.

Some glimpses… pic.twitter.com/OLrXlkIOEK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2023

Today’s rally is considered politically significant as MRPS wields clout over Madigas, a Dalit community with a sizeable population historically occupied by leather workers and manual scavengers.

Since 2013, PM Modi has closely interacted with Manda Krishna Madiga, whose organisation MRPS has been demanding internal reservations within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.

Following a meeting held with Manda Krishna, the BJP, in its 2014 manifesto, promised internal reservations.

The MRPS was established in July 1994 in Edumudi village, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of Manda Krishna Madiga and others, with the aim of implementing internal reservations.

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.