Chiru worried over US tourist harassment

Tourism Ministry has launched a sensitization campaign called “I respect women,” which is about according due respect to women

VENKAT PARSA

New Delhi: Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi on Saturday reacted and promised follow-up action on the bitter experience of sexual harassment faced by American Michaela Cross. “I was extremely pained when I read about the harassment that a student encountered during her stay in India. I have personally taken up similar issues with several Chief Ministers and have addressed all State Tourism Ministers. Consequently, all State Tourism Departments have unanimously agreed to put into place measures to give greater security to all tourists, specially women tourists,” Chiranjeevi said. In her blog post, Michaela Cross gave a scathing account of the sexual harassment she faced during her education trip to India.

“When people ask me about my experience studying in India, I always face the dilemma. How does one convey the contradiction that has torn my life apart? India is wonderful, I go with, but extremely dangerous for women,” wrote Michaela Cross. Chiranjeevi said the Tourism Ministry has launched a sensitization campaign called “I respect women,” which is about according due respect to women.

“I am now coordinating with the concerned Union Ministries – first, to raise awareness about the need for more sensitive behavior towards women and second, to provide greater security. In all cases that are brought to our attention, we will endeavour to take remedial action as appropriate.” In the two unfortunate incidents that involved foreign tourists that took place this year, in both cases, the culprits involved were speedily acted against, he said. In Madhya Pradesh, the culprits were arrested within two days and sentences of life imprisonment were given to them in 4 months. In Himachal Pradesh the culprits were apprehended.

German tourist found dead

Haridwar (PTI): A German tourist was found dead on Saturday in his hotel room in Haridwar. 53-year-old John Friedrich Holger was found dead in his bed by hotel authorities this morning, Sub-inspector Mukesh Pal said. Holger's room was close to the reception and when he did not come out till late in the morning, the hotel authorities got suspicious, Pal said. The German never locked his door from inside and preferred to keep it ajar. When the hotel officials stepped into his room, they found him lying dead in his bed, he said.

The tourist's body has been sent for a post mortem, Pal said. Though the exact cause of his death will be known only after the post mortem report arrives, prima facie, it appears he died of a heart attack as there were no external injuries or scratch marks on his body, he said. Travel documents seized from the spot show that the German was on a six-month tourist visa and had come to Haridwar last month from Mumbai. The German Embassy in New Delhi has been informed of the incident, he added.