Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. India Sounds Alarm Over 'Revenge Travel' as Tourists Crowd Holiday Spots Anjana Pasricha NEW DELHI - It'svacation time for young and old visitors crowding Shimla, one of North India's most popular hill stations. Some ride horses, others sit at scenic spots soaking in the sight of Himalayan slopes, others snack at cafes in the charming town. Buthealth officialswarnthat the massive holiday crowdsvisitinghill towns and beach resortsin recent weekscould jeopardizethegainsmadein the fight against thecoronavirus. Asecond wave ripped through the country in April and May. India is in the throes of what the health ministry called "revenge travel"--abuzzwordcoined for the urge to break free and vacation after a year of stress, anxiety and isolation as cities remained shut. "I came to enjoy. I was confined at home for a long time due toCOVID. So,I and my friends wanted an outing,"saidYamini Sharma,who traveled to Shimla with her friends from Chandigarhin northern India. The crowds of vacationers are causing alarm in a country where health experts said events such as massive political rallies and religious gatherings earlier this year had contributed to the spread of the highlytransmissibledelta variant. As daily new infections had hit a high of over 400,000 a day in May, the health system buckled, hospital beds ran out, and people made desperate appeals for oxygen and critical medicines. Most people had shut themselves indoors as fear gripped Indian cities. But that has changed dramatically as authorities eased restrictions and infections declined. "I will say very emphatically that it is not OK to have huge crowds in hill stations, markets, without wearing masks,"Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday addressing a meeting of eight chief ministers."The virus does not come and go on its own. We bring it when we disobey the rules." Devotees wait to offer prayer at Lord Jagannath temple ahead of annual Rath Yatra or chariot procession in Ahmedabad, India, July 10, 2021. Pointing to images and videos of holiday crowds that have gone viral on social media, top health officials stressed that India is still struggling with the pandemic. "The war is not over yet," Vinod K. Paul, who heads the federal government's group on COVIDmanagement, said at a news conference last week. "If wedon'ttake precautions, we are giving the virus an opportunity to infect us. It is with great difficulty that cases have declined but this can be reversed because we have not won victory over the virus." Concerns are high becausejust over5%of the country has been fully inoculated--India's immunization program has moved slowly due to vaccine shortages. Health experts and doctors have repeatedly warned that crowds could bring on an early third wave. India's top bodyrepresentingdoctors, the Indian Medical Association, has appealed to state governments and citizens not to lower their guard. "Tourist bonanza, pilgrimage travel, religiousfervorareall needed, but can wait for few more months," the IMA said in a statement. "Enabling people without vaccination to goscot-freein these mass gatherings are potential super spreaders for the COVIDthird wave." Such warnings are getting a mixed response. The northern Uttarakhand state that is already crowded with tourists, suspended apilgrimage that sees tens of thousands of devotees travel through several states. However, a neighboring state, Uttar Pradesh, which was among the worst affected during the second wave, said it would allow the event to take place. A pandemic-weary public rushing for a break acknowledges the risk thatCOVID-19still poses but for the time being appears to be shrugging aside such concerns. "My exams were cancelled recently due toCOVIDand I felt the need to get out. It is very necessary for mental health," points out Chakshu Sharma, a college student who travelled to Shimla for a break with his brother. "It could be problematic. But a person cannot stay shut in the house," according to Yamini Sharma, another tourist. FILE - Sun sets at the candolim beach on the Arabian Sea coast in Goa, India, Dec.6, 2020. Meanwhile "revenge travel" is music to the ears of businesses in states that rely heavily on tourism like Himachal Pradesh.Most of them were struggling to get back on their feet after a strict lockdown last year but a second shutdown this year has again set them back. "10%of the gross domestic product here comes from tourism in our state,"saidSiddharthBakaria,head of Sahyog Foundation, a volunteer group that is helping develop the tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh. "If we have total restrictions, then it is a huge loss to the hotel industry and people's livelihoods. Many people have lost jobs." India is grappling with the lives versus livelihoods dilemma the pandemic poses to many countries -- the need toopen upa battered economy and restore jobs even as the threat of surging infections looms large. Vijay Kumar, who sells popular Indian snacks in his restaurant in Shimla, saidhe had to cutbacksuppliesamid shutdowns. "My work was down to 20%,"Kumar said."But things are looking up again. Now, my business is back to about 60 to 70%." .