cool splash: People thronging the Silver Beach in Cuddalore on Sunday.
CUDDALORE:
There was an unusually large gathering at the Silver Beach here on Sunday. Of course, summer vacation for educational institutions and sultry weather conditions drove the people to the shores to savour the balmy sea breeze and to virtually cool their heels in the waves.
But another factor that had induced the people to flock to the sea front was the lifting of the month-long police bandobust at the Periyar Government Arts College on Beach Road that served as one of the counting centres in the district and where the Electronic Voting Machines of the four Assembly constituencies — Cuddalore, Panruti, Neyveli and Kurinjipadi — were kept in safe custody in the strong rooms.
The police blocked the Beach Road and diverted the traffic through alternative routes. Hence, the round-the-clock presence of security personnel acted both as physical and psychological barriers for the holiday-makers that in turn acted as a disincentive in making a trip to the Silver Beach. Now, with the 30-day long suspense over the outcome of the elections having ended, the people felt relieved and decided to take the well-deserved break from the monotony of the mundane chores and spend some time with family and friends on the beach.
The mercury too was soaring from 25 degree Celsius (at dawn) to 36 degree Celsius. In the midst of dog days, known for harsh weather, and power cuts lasting three hours at a stretch in a day the people really needed a respite from the unrelenting heat. And, unfailingly, the Silver Beach provided them the much-needed recreational avenue. The police and the fire personnel posted at the beach head had a tough time in keeping the eager visitors from getting deeper into the sea.
There were a number of whistle-blowers who kept a watch and cautioned the over-enthusiastic persons from venturing into the sea beyond the safe limit. Vendors of eatables made a brisk business. There were the ubiquitous stray dogs that shared the sandy stretch of the beach with the visitors who had to constantly shoo away the intruding quadruples from sniffing their food packets. The visitors feel that particularly on a crowded day as today the officials should keep a strict watch on the snack vendors, particularly, the cooking medium they use and how often they change it. The fish-shaped fountains that greet the visitors to the beach do not spout any water and remain dry.
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