Tuesday, February 9, 2016

8 Indian Selfies Where Tragedy Struck


Selfies seem to be everywhere these days: at political rallies, parties, in front of running trains and at the edge of high rise buildings. People seem to be dying to take a selfie that could earn them 5 minutes of social fame. Taking a selfie seems cool, but not for these people who unknowing played with fate.

Train mows down teen taking a selfie


On Feb 2nd this year, a teenager who took a selfie before a running train in Chennai was killed on the spot. This turned the spotlight again on the lurking dangers for daredevil mobile phone snappers.

Elephant chases selfie takers

Two young men from Kannur, Kerala, who dared to take selfies with a tusker behind them were chased out of the forest by the elephant. While they escaped, it sparked outrage on social media.

Girls washed away in Mumbai

Three college girls who perched themselves on the egde of a rock, near Mumbai's Bandra Fort, and took a selfie fell into the waters when a huge wave hit them. Two of them were rescued by an onlooker who was himself drowned while trying to rescue the third girl. http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/3-girls-fall-into-sea-while-clicking-selfie-man-drowns-in-rescue-bid/

A boat ride to hell

In Nagpur last year, 7 youth died while attempting to take a selfie on a boat. The boat tilted to one side and drowned them all.

Daredevils on rail track meet death

Three college students who were driving to Agra were suddenly seized by the urge to do a selfie on a railway track at Mathura. The daredevilry went horrible as the train mowed them down, even as a fourth was shooting the whole drama on a camera.

Man falls off Jodhpur Fort rampart

While on a holiday at Jodhpur Fort, 23-year-old Nikhil Prajapat who was to get married in 10 days, climbed on to a rampart to take a selfie. He lost balance, fell several feet down and died. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/two-men-drown-in-doon-jodhpur-while-trying-to-click-a-selfie/story-xSpBqcGbPVqV3jSAq3unnL.html

Drunk youth slips into canal

A youth who was allegedly drunk tried taking a selfie on the Shaktinahar canal, around 40km from Dehradun, and slipped into the canal. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/two-men-drown-in-doon-jodhpur-while-trying-to-click-a-selfie/story-xSpBqcGbPVqV3jSAq3unnL.html

Australian tourist falls into 30-feet well

An Austrian tourist, Friedel, who was on a tour of Junagarh Fort in Gujarat fell into a 30-foot well while attempting to take a selfie. Passersby who created a rope by tying together pieces of cloth, managed to pull him out. http://www.india.com/stream/selfie-disaster-averted-austrian-tourist-fells-into-well-in-junagadh-fort-gets-rescued-in-thrilling-manner-video-906251/

While it's part of our visual culture to take selfies at every half opportunity, risky selfies are increasingly causing disgust with many calling for "no-selfie zones" in every city . Fearing a stampede, a no selfie zone was imposed at this year's Kumbh Mela. Mumbai Police have identified 16 no-selfie zones after the recent selfie-related drowning.

Rajasekar KS is a content and social media strategist who tweets at @positivemantra. When he's not playing with his family of one loving wife and two caring daughters, he blogs at www.positivemantra.com He travels to connect to himself and the universe.

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