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Boatman in troubled waters due to Varanasi blasts
Published on Sat, Nov 24, 2007 at 22:41 in 
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Tinkoo Majhi has ferried hundreds of passengers on Dev Deepawali for years in Varanasi.
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Varanasi: Saturday was to be the biggest, and most profitable day of the year for Tinkoo Majhi, who has ferried hundreds of passengers on Dev Deepawali for the last seven years in Varanasi. But this year things are different.
Lakhs of Hindu devotees flock to the Varanasi ghats on the 15th day after Deepawali every year for the Dev Deepawali festival and Majhi takes the passengers for a boat ride.
"On this day I usually make good money but today since morning I haven’t made a single penny,” Majhi said.
It's not just the ghats of Varanasi, which have been affected by the blasts. The city's hotel industry has suffered, too, with many tourists cancelling their reservations.
“In many countries travel advisories are issued and when they are not followed then insurance companies don’t cover for those who disregard it. So, there could be many reasons for the low tourist turnout,” Vice-President of Hotel Ramada Plaza Hareshwar Dayal said.
Authorities say Dev Deepawali will be celebrated in a subdued manner this year as a mark of respect for those killed in the blasts.
On Saturday night the Gods will be celebrating Dev Deepawali on all 84 ghats of Varanasi, but it will be a dark night for the city because of the terror attacks.
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