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Monthly Tourism Newsletter from India |
August - 2004 |
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Warm greetings from the western coast of India i.e. Goa! Though the rains have been scanty in northern India so far, the coastal regions are getting plenty of it, bringing a lot of greenery and invigorating atmosphere! It also brings the festivals celebrated only during the rains…especially the Sao Joao fest in Goa which got over last month. One the way are Bonderam festival in Goa on 28 August and before that we have the world famous Nehru cup snake boat race due to take place on the 14 Aug in the serene backwaters! Of course, our Independence Day falls on 15 Aug, bringing a lot of patriotic fervour! Don’t miss to see the other side of India’s natural beauty, that blossoms only in the rainy season, spreading the most soothing vibrant colours ! So, isn’t it the time that you planned your trip to India…See You here soon!!! |
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AIRLINES UPDATEAIR DECCAN CHALLENGES BUS COMPANIES TOO: Air Deccan, the aviation industry’s David, promises to challenge not just the Goliaths on metro routes but bus companies too. Air Deccan’s boss GR Gopinath said that the first five seats, booked 90 days in advance on any metro route, will go for Rs 500 (US$ 11). Government permissions, which were holding him back, are through. The take-off will come before August 14. He said that the next “bucket” of Rs 800 will be opened for another five tickets, and so on. The fares will go up incrementally. For example, the first 45 seats on the Delhi-Bangalore sector will go for between Rs 500 and Rs 3,200, the next 90 between Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 and the balance 45 for Rs 5,000-7,000. The company has taken delivery of one Airbus A-320. Two more are on the way. UB AIR – NEW DOMESTIC AIRLINE: UB Air a new domestic airline being started by the UB Group of Vijay Mallya has placed an order for four A320 aircrafts with Airbus Industrie for $ 240 million and with an option to buy eight additional aircraft. SINGAPORE AIRLINES TO START FLIGHTS TO AHMEDABAD: Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be commencing its operations in Gujarat from July 28, the first foreign airline service to operate between Gujarat and Singapore. With Indian Airlines (IA) and Air-India (A-I) already operating international flights from Gujarat, the SIA will be the first foreign airlines to start operations between Ahmedabad and Singapore. QANTAS TO RESUME SERVICES FROM AUSTRALIA TO BOMBAY: Qantas, the Australian airlines will be resuming Sydney-Bombay-Sydney service from September 1, 2004. This will help attract more tourists from Australia to India. A-I FRANKFURT FLIGHT FROM AMRITSAR WILL ALSO LINK LOS ANGELES: Air travelers from Punjab will now have direct connection to Frankfurt from Amritsar by Air-India (A-I) flights every Friday. The flight to Frankfurt will also connect with Air-India’s Mumbai-Frankfurt service to Los Angeles. FIRST AI NO FRILLS FLIGHT FROM KERALA FROM NEXT YEAR: Air-India’s first low-cost service will be launched from Kerala to Gulf from summer 2005. Due to this, those who used to visit India from Gulf once in a year may now visit once in three months. The low-cost services will expand a new market segment, who would like to fly without on-board services to save money. Short-haul operations were best suited for low-cost carriers, whereas traditional airlines had distinct advantage on long-haul routes. Boeing's design of world's longest-range passenger airplane nears completion: Boeing recently completed 90 percent of the design for its passenger airplane, which will fly farther than any commercial jetliner. The milestone signifies that Boeing is moving from design to production of the world's longest-range passenger airplane, which will carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 kilometers). This Longer-Range 777 airplane will provide non-stop service anywhere in the world, carrying more passengers, offering more cargo volume, consuming less fuel, and flying farther than the A340-500." (Source ETN)BANGALORE AIRPORT PROJECT DEAL SIGNED: In a move facilitating a step closer to the construction India’s first private sector Greenfield airport at Bangalore, the concession agreement for US $ 700 million for the airport project was signed between the Government of India and the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL). This provides for rights and obligation of the Central Government and BIAL, operation and maintenance standards, including monitoring of these standards, levy of airport charges, provision of reserved activities such as customs, immigration, security and resolution mechanisms, among others. The joint venture partner includes Siemens Projects which shall hold 40 per cent and Unique Zurich Airport and Larsen and Toubro will each hold stake of 17 per cent. TOP HOTELS NEWS
WILDERNEST – THE ECO RESORT IN GOA: Nestled in the Swapnagandha valley in the Western Ghat hills (about 65 km from Panjim) amidst thick expanse of forest tracts at 800mtrs above sea level, overlooking the Vazra falls and the entire panoramic view of Goa, Wildernest is an unsung wonder created to introduce you to your roots of nature and culture. With 12 specially designed eco huts that put you in close proximity with nature and its wonders and yet offer comfort and hospitality of the highest ecotel standards. You get a direct view of twin waterfalls Vazra. With no human habitation in the vicinity, you get to learn nature at its best, under the guidance of nature expert like Nirmal Kulkarni. For more information, please check out www.wildernest-goa.com AMANBAGH FROM AMAN RESORTS TO OPEN IN ALWAR: The foreseen Aman Resorts will no longer offer Management assistance to Umaid Bhawan Palace. We will be opening another Aman home named Amanbagh in December 2004 ‘MHARA GAAM’ (OUR VILLAGE) AT RAI IN HARYANA: “Mhara Gaam” (Our Village) at Ethnic India Tourist Resort was inaugurated at Rai amidst traditional celebrations. This will showcase the local art, culture and rural life style of the State for the tourists. The venture will also give the tourists an opportunity to experience the thrill of village life and feel the touch of one’s origin. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to the foreigners to see the rural life of Haryana. In view of the strategic location of ‘Mhara Gaam’ on National Highway and its nearness to Delhi, the project is bound to be a big attraction for the tourists. ‘Mhara Gaam’ is located at Ethnic India Tourist Resort at Rai, Just 8 km (5 miles) from Delhi-Haryana border in District Sonepat. TAJ UPDATE: After Having taken over Rawal Kot in Jaisalmer last year, due to appear on the Taj network are hotel Usha Kiran Palace Gwalior (earlier with the Welcomgroup) and also the Green Cove Resort in Kovalam. This will further strengthen Taj’s presence in perfecting the itineraries. Ushak Kiran Palace was built to host the king & queen of England. One hundred twenty years old now, it is a heritage hotel with 15 superior, 20 deluxe rooms and 2 suites. At 215 km from Cochin and 16 km from Trivandrum, the Kovalam hotel will have 57 hillside cottages including 42 standard, 6 sea view cottages and 8 suites INDIAN HOTELS COMPANY TO SET UP 150 BUDGET HOTELS: The Indian Hotels Company (Taj Group) has opened is first budget hotel indiOne, India’s first of its kind business category budget hotel is located in Bangalore’s Whitefield. These will be located in Haridwar, Tirupati, Coimbatore and Ludhiana. These will offer rooms for about US $ 20. INDIAN HOTELS ON CONDE NAST TRAVELER HOT LIST: India has scored big in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2004 Hot List of the hottest hotels, tables and bars in the world. The Oberoi in Delhi, Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur and Taj Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur appear in the 2004 Gold List of the world’s best places to stay. The Hot Tables List of the best places to dine out on earth has New Delhi’s Olie Bar and Kitchen. Congo in Goa has made it to the 30 Hot Bars List, which features the global hotbeds of nightlife. The list was compiled with focus on drinks, décor, entertainment and crowd. TOP BONDERAM FESTIVAL, GOA (28 AUG’04): Bringing the memories afresh from yesteryears celebrations, all is set to repeat itself end of this month at the quaint island of Divar (12 km from Panaji) in Goa. This feast is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of August every year. A mock fight between mock rival groups is held in which berries are used as missiles to knock down an offending flag. On the day, a carnival ambience is created. Each ward of the village has a float at the parade. Though sponsored by business houses, the floats have an unmistakable local flavour. Melodious music drifts from the village to mainland Old Goa – once the hub of Portuguese Goa – even before the crack of dawn on the Saturday. At noon people begin trickling into the village. By the evening, trickle is a deluge. An expectant crowd assembles along either side of the main thoroughfare of the village. The tempo is set by lads and lasses wielding “fotashes” toy weapon of bamboo stem, now banned) engaging themselves in mock battles. The gaily coloured floats accompanied by colourfully dressed youngsters makes a pretty picture. SNAKE BOAT RACE IN KERALA & ONAM FESTIVAL (14 Aug): Welcome to the snake boat races of Kerala. Magnificent fiestas that bring alive the tranquil backwaters. Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades. Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu (song of the boatman). Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to a spectacular finish. The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs. KERALA TRAVEL MART (28 Sep – 02 Oct’04): This year will see a larger participation of tour operators from India and abroad besides all the hoteliers and local tour operators and other tourism bodies from Kerala. CII TO HOLD HIMACHAL TOURISM CONCLAVE IN SHIMLA FROM 10 – 12 DEC’04: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with the Department of Tourism, Himachal Pradesh will be holds Himachal Tourism Conclave from 10-12 December 2004 at Hotel Peter Hof, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The conclave will have two dimensions: ‘Explore Himachal Pradesh’ and ‘Invest Himachal Pradesh’. It will showcase the tourism potential and cultural heritage of the State of Himachal Pradesh. INDIA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW, 8-10 OCTOBER 2004, KOCHI, KERALA: The India International Boat Show is being held from 08-10 October 2004 at Le-Meridien International Convention Centre, Cochin (Kochi), Kerala, India, the show will be the biggest and the best congregation of the marine & boating industry in India and neighbouring countries. From 60 exhibitors, 526 buyers and around 5000 boating enthusiasts in the first show in the first show last year, IIBS is set to be the ultimate boat show in South Asia. The only show of its kind in the region, IIBS brings together the entire aqua-tourism, marine trade equipment and boating industry of the region at a single venue. For more information please login to http://www.indiaboatshow.com BAHUBALI MAHAMASTAKABHISHEKA POSTPONED TO 2006: The Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony of the statue of Gommateshvara in Shravanabelagola near Hassan, that is held every 12 years, will be performed in 2006. Though the ceremony was due in 2005, the Srikshetra Shravanabelagola Jain Peeth has postponed it in view of the three years of drought in the district. Though the date has not been fixed yet. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)WORLD’S LARGEST STATUE TO BE IN INDIA: The world’s largest statue of the Buddha is to be built at Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh, The 150-metre-high Buddha Maitreya, or Buddha of the Future, will be installed on a 267-hectare (660-acre) site at Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha died, or attained mahaparinirvana (final exit from earth), 2,500 years ago. Cast from bronze, the soaring Buddha will be placed on a throne which itself will be a 17-storey building housing a smaller, 12-metre (40ft) statue and a vast prayer hall, shrine rooms and terraced gardens. The US$ 200 million project has the backing of Japanese religious groups, the U.P. Government and local NGO’s. The site will be the town of Kushinagar where Buddha died 25 centuries ago. The bronze statue is planned to be more than 150m tall, double the height of the 8th Century Tang dynasty Buddha in south-west China or three times higher than the 46.5m (151-foot) Statue of Liberty.. A 17-storey temple building with huge prayer halls will be housed inside it. NANDA DEVI AMONGST BEST GREEN DESTINATIONS: Nanda Devi in Garhwal-hills, Uttaranchal has been ranked the third in the destination category for the prestigious 2004 Conde Nast Traveller’s Eco-Tourism Awards. As many as 91 entries vied for awards in three categories – destination, tour operator and lodging – on the 10th anniversary of the competition. Nanda Devi is one of the highest and most sacred peaks of the Himalays, situated in the state of Uttaranchal, India. Nanda Devi is surrounded by a barrier ring of 12 other peaks over 21,000 feet in altitude.
MORE WORLD
HERITAGE SITES FOR INDIA:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) has declared the Brihadisvara temple of
Gangaikondacholapuram in Perambalur district and the Airavatesvara temple of
Darasuram in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu as "world heritage monuments," two
examples of grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture.
Belonging to the 11th and 12th centuries, the two temples represent "an
outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure
form of the Dravida type temple," says the citation, adding that they are an
"exceptional and the most outstanding testimony to the development of the
architecture of the Chola empire and Tamil civilisation in southern
India." The two temples have
been put under the heading, "Great Living Chola Temples," under which the Big
Temple of Thanjavur also features. The Big Temple made it to the World Heritage
List in 1987. VICTORIA TERMINUS BOMBAY ALSO ON WORLD HERITAGE LIST: Bombay’s famous landmark Railway Station Victoria Terminus now called Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus has joined the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. The UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee – approved the nomination proposal of the 116-year-old rail terminus. This is the first example of 19th century architecture in India to be awarded this status. Designed by English architect F.W. Stevens, the terminus was built by several local artisans and imbibed an array of indigenous influences such as the grand octagonal dome. This year Champaner - Pavagadh archaeological park in Gujarat has also been added by UNESCO on its World Heritage list. THREE INDIAN CORPORATE HEADS FEATURE IN FORTUNE MAGAZINE: Three Indian corporate heads including, Azim Premji of Wipro have been chosen as “the most powerful people in business in Asia’s power 25 list.” The other two are Mukesh Ambani of Reliance group and Nandan Nilekani of Infosys. According to the latest issue of the Fortune magazine, Premji has been ranked 10th while Ambani is 13th and Nilekani 23rd. New Delhi installs tourist police: The Indian government announced it will install tourist police in New Delhi to ensure the safety of tourists. “To protect foreign tourists from harassment and cheating” are the main reasons why the measure is being implemented. The police team will include a woman police officer and an English-speaking cop “for better interaction.” Tourist police will have special vans stationed at the airport, railway and bus stations, as well as popular markets, including Palika Bazar.GOLF COURSE PLANNED AT COCHIN AIRPORT: Cochin International Airport, India’s first joint sector airport may get a Golf course and three 5-star hotels and another three 3-star hotels. Land for the projects has already been identified. Cochin (Kochi) is already attracting a large number of tourists.
NAMASTE
INDIA EVENT AT
ROME:
India showcased its rich contemporary art and culture,
fashion and Bollywood and food and wines at a 'Namaste
India' event (08 – 18 July)
in Rome. The celebration of India in the Eternal City was organized by the
Indian embassy and the Comune di Roma (City of Rome) and initiated by the
Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai. This is the biggest manifestation of
India in Rome for many years and shows the appreciation of Indian art, culture
and business development opportunities between
India
and Italy in a varied way. The festival included performance by artists, both
classical and folk, the latest of Bollywood, a major fashion show and food
festival as well as interaction with visiting Indian delegations on tourism and
film production. A special exhibition on the heritage of
Goa and tasting sessions of Indian wines was also part of the
event. Andhra Pradesh, which was the partner state of 'Namaste
India', had a large presence
at the event. REMAPPING OF INDIA: Here’s an Indian space mission that might actually change the way we see our country. In a few months, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will wrap up work on Cartosat-1, a satellite with special cameras, that will re-map the country in less than 24 months — a task that till now meant decades of hard, human-intensive work. The Rs 240-crore eye in the sky was conceptualised after consulting leading cartographers, and can capture an area as wide as 30 km in a single shot. This is very accurate given that the images will be stereoscopic, which means that two cameras will be at work simultaneously to provide other dimensions of the terrain, including height. Weighing 1500 kg, with a lifespan of 5-6 years, Cartosat-I will be lodged at a height of about 617 km with mapping capabilities that can touch the 1:5000 scale. Cartosat-I is expected to take almost 18 months to cover the entire country, apart from revisiting certain areas for a better picture — it can do so once in 21 days. PALACE ON WHEELS IN OTHER STATES: The Ministry of Railways is awaiting replies of the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in response to its advice for luxury train linking the states as per a memorandum from the Government of Kerala. Presently, three luxury tourism trains are in operation. In Rajasthan, a luxury tourist train, the “Palace on Wheels”, is being run in collaboration with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and in Gujarat, the “Royal Orient Express” is being run in collaboration with the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. (TCGL). In Maharashtra, a new luxury tourist train, the Deccan Odyssey has been launched in collaboration with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), this year on January 16, 2004. Besides, an MOU has been signed for running of similar tourism train in Karnataka. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International) INDIA WILL DEVELOP MYANMAR RAILWAY: India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of Myanmar Railways. Under this, India will make available a Line of Credit of US $ 56.358 million to the Government of the Union of Myanmar for augmenting the Myanmar Railways. Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd. (RITES) will execute the project for the supply of rolling stock, components, equipment, machinery & plant to Myanmar. RITES will supply a package of ten 1350 HP locomotives, 48 passenger coaches of various types and capital spares of the total value of US $ 28 million. The objective is to improve passenger services on the Yangon-Mandalay trunk line and upgradation of tracks, signalling and communication systems and maintenance facilities on the Myanmar Railways. Myanmar has 4525 route kilometres of railway lines. Second hall opens to mummies at the Egyptian Museum: The second hall of royal mummies will be opened in August at the Egyptian Museum. The hall that will display a collection of 12 mummies is a new asset to the museum which already exhibits eleven royal mummies. The new hall enjoys up-to-date facilities to secure the exhibits against fire and theft and the distribution of light. The hall is provided with temperature and humidity control devices and allows easy circulation for visitors. The showcases are supplied with inert gases to prevent viruses and fungi. Among the mummies to be displayed are those of Tohotmos III, Tohotmos I, Amenhoteb II, Seti II, Ramsis III, Ramsis IX, and Queen Ahmos Nefertari. (Source: SST Newsletter). TOP UNSUNG ARTISANS OF TAJ MAHAL: Away from the Taj Mahal’s grandeur that inspires a long queue of tourists on a hot Agra summer day, the northern wall of the monument faces a murky Yamuna. Etched on this wall are the names of the unknown hands that shaped the Taj. And those masons who couldn’t write, drew out swastikas and stars, fish and flowers instead. The names of the workers are mostly in Devanagari and Persian. It is perhaps apt that while an emperor’s ode to love receives such lavish attention, the wall that holds the names of those who realised his dream, has only a dirty drying river and a few stray dogs as audience. But not any more. The Archaeological Survey of India is all set to change that with its survey—the first such detailed documentation of mason marks undertaken by the ASI. Building the Taj Mahal took 17 years—from 1632-48 AD—and 20,000 skilled and unskilled workers. The planning heads were usually Persian or Turk while the actual execution was carried out by Indian artisans. The making of the Taj spawned a host of myths that have survived through centuries. To ensure his monumental tribute was never replicated, Shah Jahan is said to have amputated the hands of some of the master craftsmen and even blinded a few. However, there’s little historical truth in it. What has been established, however, is that quite a few workers left their mark on the Taj. ASI has already recorded about 671 names and symbols and will continue the survey on other parts of the monument, an exercise that will take another four months. While the name of chief calligrapher Amanat Khan Shirazi is inscribed on the main mausoleum and the chief architect is generally acknowledged to be Ustad Isa Afandi from Iran, this survey will put a name to the Taj’s forgotten artisans. All over India, in temples and in monuments, masons have left their mark. Temples of Bhojpur in Madhya Pradesh have these hidden codes while in Karnataka’s Halebid, a sculptor has gone beyond just etching his name—he has challenged all future artists to better his work. TOP We are not featuring any destination in this issue. TOP TWO MONTH OLD FEMALE LEOPARD RESCUED: A two month old female leopard cub was rescued from the Doom Dooma forest near Tinsukia in Assam, affected by the recent floods in the Brahmaputra river in India’s north-eastern Assam state. It was brought to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) on the morning of July 18. The cub was emaciated and weak due to diahorrea. The Wildlife Trust of India’a (WTI) Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) veterinarian decided to shift it to CWRC for better care and nursing. “The leopard cub seems stable at the moment, but does not seem capable of feeding itself,” CWRC veterinarian said. “We are force-feeding her with the help of a pipe with Lactogen. A two-month old cub should be able to lap up milk from a bowl, but this one can’t even suckle,” he said. “Maybe it is scared and disoriented and will settle down in while.” Meanwhile, a third wave of floods hit upper Assam. The water already chest high at the forest bungalow at the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. “This was the highest water level seen since 1950.” Animals, especially deer, are moving in large numbers looking for higher ground. Two hog deer were found dead on the road after being hit. Meanwhile, the four-month-old female greater one horned rhino calf, which was rescued a week ago, is doing well and responding to treatment. The calf, which was injured, was kept under intensive care and has still not been put out in the open. (Source Wildlife Trust Of India) TOP HERITAGE TOURISM MEET IN GOA: Heritage tourism is an area in which India could gain from the international hospitality market, as the basic concept of heritage hotels is picking up in the state. Addressing a gathering at the interactive session on ‘Heritage Tourism’ organised by the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA), the Chief Minister of Goa said that local population owning heritage houses could venture into heritage tourism and generate employment, further assuring financial assistance from government for the same. The chairman of the IHHA, Maharaj Gaj Singh of Jodhpur, in his presidential address said that IHHA has around 125 members across the country, majority of whom are located in Rajastan, adding that the membership needs to be spread across the country. He observed that there is rich, vibrant and diverse culture in Goa and it needs to be built upon, for heritage tourism. In Goa there exist a lot of palatial houses which are difficult to maintain by their owners and must be provided with assistance by the government, if they are to be used for commercial purposes.
Suggestions were made for
introduction of tourism subject in school curriculum, conversion of Adil Shah
palace into a hotel/hub of cultural activities, provision of an airport at a
central location in the state, concentration on rural heritage hotels, land
conversion of heritage hotels, availability of loans at lower interest to the
heritage tourism industry, etc. It was felt that 2,000 rooms could be added in
Goa with
small modifications to heritage houses while local manpower would have to be TWINS OF INDIA EVENT: The Twins of India event of Ful-na Paklli will be held in Goa on the Twin Mandovi bridges on August 15 and at the EDC Patto Plaza for three days beginning August 14. The old Mandovi bridge will be the mid-zone and the other bridge will be used by regular traffic. At EDC Plaza there will be contests, games of wit, luck and fun, all in the spirit of Goan tradition. Besides stalls and exhibitions of Goan artisans, souvenirs, tours and travels, river cruises, there will be variety programmes of music, folk dances and talent search. PREPARATIONS
FOR EXPOSITION:
Preparations have started in earnest for the VINTAGE CAR DISPLAY (19 Jul): Goa's first exclusive vintage car showroom, Ashvek Vintage World, displaying a wide range of cars from the 1931-50 period took place on 19 Jul. The brainchild of Goa`s passionate collector of cars and art of yesteryears, Pradeep Naik, AVM has on display a 1931 Peugeot, a 1939 Mercedes, a 1948 Chevrolet Fleet Master model, a 1947 Morris 8 and an unbelievable double engine German Vandall Tempo car, among others, like a Ford 1933. (Source: Herald Newspaper) TOP
Just Answer Five Simple Questions:
1) Which is this snake commonly found in Goa, besides other parts of India?
a) King Cobra b) Krait c) Russell Viper d) Cobra
2) The Deccan Odyssey train originates from which place in India? a) Goa c) Mumbai b) Bangalore d) Jaipur
3) Jaisalmer is also called “……… City Of India” a) Blue c) Red b) Golden d) Pink
4) If the seven states in North East of India are called “Seven Sisters,” which is the “brother state”? a) Nagaland c) Sikkim b) West Bengal d) Manipur
5) Bonderam festival in Goa is celebrated in which month of the year? a) December c) July b) August d) January ANSWERS OF LAST CONTEST: 1) What is shown in the picture below: ANS Lime powder made from sea shells 2) Which place is famous for its Rathyatra festival ANS: Puri 3) In which month the famous Snake Boat race is celebrated in Kerala? ANS: August (second Saturday of August) 4) If you were to visit Tata Tea Museum, at which destination would you be? ANS: Munnar 5) Kathak is a native dance form of which state? ANS: Uttar Pradesh
LAST DATE: 31 Aug’04 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net
WINNER OF LAST CONTEST: There was no all correct entry in the last contest. However, there is a correction – Mr. Luc Schwarz from Italy wins a book on India for having won the contest of April - May issue. TOP
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NOTE: This newsletter is currently being sent to about 22000 select tour operators, individuals, friends, tourist offices, and other organizations. The news contents of this are compiled through various resources, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, books, etc and are being customized to suit our needs of balanced information in tourism and its related field. The newsletter itself does not carry any commercial value and the sole purpose is to increase the awareness and disseminate the available information in a fast manner to the people concerned in the trade. We try to provide the news as authentic and correct as possible, however, there might be errors sometimes. TOP |