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Monthly Tourism Newsletter from India |
March - April 2007 |
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Greetings from lovely Goa!
Renditions of ‘Viva Carnival’ heralded the Carnival season in Goa last month, where tourists, domestic and international alike, converged to witness this annual, colourful extravaganza. Sporting the largest number of floats this year, the event was a mega success.
The boom in the Indian hospitality industry and paucity of hotels in the country, on the other hand, has caught the attention of Asian American motel owners, The Patels, or more popularly known as the Potels, to set up budget hotels in India. Of course, big and small international chains are also staking their claim in this promising sector.
On the international arena, India is also tapping potential tourism markets abroad. This year sees Japan and also China as major players with the launching of the “Japan-India Friendship Year” and “India China Year of Friendship through Tourism 2007”.
Nature and animals are getting their fair share of attention too, thanks to various efforts by the tourism industry and NGOs. The ‘Say No to Bear Dancing’ and ‘Save the Olive Ridley Turtles’ campaigns are receiving a remarkable response.
Musician and Composer A.R. Rehman has done India proud again when he recently unveiled his poverty anthem “Pray for me Brother” which will be the global anthem for the UN Millennium Campaign. Closer to home, our very own Ream Fervidness (Remo Fernandes), internationally renowned musician and composer, was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the President of India. Indeed a proud moment for us all. Happy reading & See you in India! |
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AIRLINES UPDATE
JET AIRWAYS TO INTRODUCE DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM AHMEDABAD TO LONDON: Ahmedabad becomes the fourth city to be linked directly to London by Jet Airways with effect from April 3, with two flights per week. This will be enhanced to three flights per week from May. Jet Airways currently operates direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Amritsar to London.
JET TO LAUNCH US FLIGHT BY JUL - AUG: Jet Airways, the country's premiere private airline, will launch its long-planned maiden flight to the US via Belgium by July - August this year. Jet had earlier decided to start the Mumbai-Brussels-Newark flight on August 15, but efforts are now being made to advance the launch date.
AIR DECCAN FLIES HYDERABAD – PORT BLAIR: From 1 February Air Deccan has commenced operations between Hyderabad and Port Blair. Port Blair is the third city to be linked after Madras and Calcutta.
SPICEJET TO SPICE UP ITS PRESENCE WITH FLEET EXPANSION: One of the fastest growing LCCs in India, SpiceJet is planning an aircraft fleet of 25 by December 2008. Moreover, the carrier is also planning to increase frequencies on its currently served routes. The airline has also initiated opening up of a maintenance hub in Hyderabad.
INDIAN LAUNCHES I-CHECK IN FACILITY: Indian launched its I-check in facility which allows passengers to receive their boarding cards and choose their seat before reaching the airport and they can head straight for security when they reach the airport. Passengers can log on the www.indianairlines.in click on the I-check –in icon, enter originating station, PNR number and passenger name and select their seat and print their boarding card. Those traveling with luggage will have to reach the airport one hour before departure.
ANDHRA BANK, KINGFISHER TIE UP TO OFFER ATM TICKETING: Andhra Bank and Kingfisher Airlines entered into a tie-up to offer customers the purchase of air tickets through the bank’s 400-strong ATM network across the country. A traveller holding an Andhra Bank ATM / debit card or Visa Card can call up the airline informing them about the desired sector, date and time of travel. He would then be given a booking reference number (BRN) along with the fare particulars. He can then electronically pay for the ticket at any ATM of Andhra Bank by typing the BRN number and produce the receipt generated at the facility at the airport for the boarding pass or ticket.
INDIAN (AIRLINES) CHOOSES MELBOURNE: Indian will make Melbourne its sole Australian destination. The airline would fly from five cities - New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Calcutta and Bangalore - to Melbourne via Singapore. The first flight from New Delhi is due to commence on November 1 and flights from other cities will begin by January 2008.
AIR-INDIA EXPRESS TO FLY TO SINGAPORE FROM 25 MARCH: On 25 March Air India Express started flying three times a week on the Bombay – Pune – Singapore route. The flights operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
MAHAN AIR TARGETS DAILY OPERATIONS TO EXISTING INDIAN ROUTES: Iran-based Mahan Air has recently announced its plans to start daily operations to its existing Indian routes. The airline is also looking forward to add Amritsar to its network. At present, Mahan Air is flying to Indian cities like Delhi and Cochin.
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL TARGETS INDIAN FLIGHTS: Showing deep interest in the Indian market, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is planning to attract Indian carriers in a big way. In line with their long-term strategy, an official delegation of the Schiphol Airport was in India recently to hold talks with Indian airline companies. At present, no Indian carrier is flying to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
KLM TO ADD EXTRA FLIGHT TO HYDERABAD FOR SUMMER 2007: For the summer 2007 season, KLM, in cooperation with its partners Northwest and Air France, will add one extra flight to Hyderabad in India, thereby going up to five flights per week. With this the total number of weekly return flights of KLM, Air France and Northwest put together to India will go up to 43.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES PLANS TO INCREASE FLIGHTS TO INDIA: Singapore Airlines is contemplating to double its daily flights to Delhi and Chennai in the next two years and plans to add another flight to Kolkata.
AUSTRIAN KEEN ON FLYING VIENNA-CHENNAI SECTOR: Austrian tourism is planning to tap the Chennai - Vienna route with an aim to increase the tourist flow and they are currently in talks with airlines and tour operators to work out the modalities.
FINNAIR TO FLY TO MUMBAI: Finnair will fly to Mumbai five times a week from June 17 besides making its three-flights-a-week Delhi service into a daily one from May 19.
QATAR AI7RWAYS LAUNCHES DAILY FLIGHTS BETWEEN DOHA AND CHENNAI: Qatar Airways established its air link with Chennai last week with daily flights from Doha. The airline has now 42 flights every week to six cities in India with daily flights to Hyderabad and Kochi as well. The airline is now operating a larger Airbus A330 capable of carrying 110 more travellers on board. TOP
HOTELS NEWS
LEELA GROUP OF HOTELS ORGANISES SINGAPORE ROAD SHOW: The Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts recently organized its maiden Sales and Marketing road-show in Singapore to assess and educate the Singapore market about the great business and leisure options that the four Leela Hotels offer at key locations in India. The Leela Group has also launched a new website www.theleela.com which gives visitors a new insight to one of the fastest expanding hotel chains of India.
LEELA GROUP JOINS GLOBAL HOTEL ALLIANCE: Premium hotel group Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts has joined the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent luxury hotel brands. The Leela Group will add five new hotels to its existing four properties. They are scheduled to open in Gurgaon – Delhi National Capital Region (September 2007), Udaipur (2008), Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune in 2009.
TAJ SAFARIS OPENS ITS SECOND WILDERNESS LODGE AT BAGHVAN: After its first venture at Mahua Kothi on the border of Bandhavgarh National Park, Taj Safaris has recently announced the opening of its second luxury wilderness lodge at Baghvan in the Seoni district of Southern Madhya Pradesh. The lodges will provide wildlife enthusiasts and high-end travellers with distinctive, interpretive wildlife experiences in India based on a proven and sustainable eco-tourism model.
BLOOMINGDALE HOTELS TO SET UP SHOP IN INDIA: Bloomingdale Hotels of the US is set to create a chain of 3 star and 5 star hotels in India. The American Company is already a stake holder in Kumarakom Lake resorts of Kerala.
PATEL MOTELS LOOK FOR SPACE IN INDIA: The boom in the Indian hospitality industry and the paucity of hotels in the country has caught the attention of Asian American motel owners (the Potels), who among themselves own and manage over 22,000 hotel properties in United States and Canada.
WELLSIDE TO LAUNCH HERITAGE HOTELS: Wellside Group, promoted by Singapore-based NRI businessman Aditya Poddar is the latest to join the wave of entrepreneurs launching heritage hotels in India. He is planning to relaunch the house of the late R N Mookerjee on Kolkata's Camac Street as a boutique hotel.
ITALIAN MAJOR BAGLIONI HOTELS EYES INDIAN HOTEL SECTOR: India might now witness the entry of Baglioni Hotels in the hospitality sector. It hopes to set up its boutique hotel brand in the metro cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore with a focus on attracting the high-end business and leisure traveller. TOP
TWENTY SECOND KONARK DANCE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 18-20 FEBRUARY: The 22nd Konark Dance and Music Festival had several Odissi dancers perform from 18 - 20 February. The festival attracted many visitors.
ATTUKAL PONGALA FESTIVAL IN KOCHI FEB 23: The Pongala Festival at the Attukal Temple in Thiruvanantapuram, which sees the largest gathering of women, was held between February 23 and March 4. The festival found mention in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest attendance of only women at the 1997 festival. On the Pongala offering day, women gather with their cooking pots to perform a ritual for the health and prosperity of their family.
FIFTH PATIALA HERITAGE FESTIVAL 16 TO 24 FEBRUARY, PUNJAB: The 5th Patiala Heritage Festival was organized by the Patiala Heritage Society and INTACH from 16 to 24 February. The highlights of the festival included performances by artists from India and Pakistan, a meeting of famous authors - Punjabi, Hindi & Urdu and a presentation of devotional music and a dance performance based on Sufi Music in addition to various cultural programs.
TWENTIETH GARDEN FESTIVAL ATTRACTED CROWDS TO THE GARDEN OF THE FIVE SENSES IN NEW DELHI: Over the weekend of 16/17 February the 20th Garden Festival delighted visitors at the Garden of the Five Senses. “Topiary” was the theme this year. Over 15,000 plants were on display. A fashion show “Colors of Spring” was organized in the evening of the 16th and on the 17th there was a painting competition, music and magic shows.
HOLY DIPS IN KURUKSHETRA, SANGAM & GANGA: More than a million devotees offered prayers, fasted and took a holy dip in various rivers around the country after a partial eclipse coincided with "Somvati Amavasye" for the first time in 500 years. Amid recitations of 'Srimadbhagvad Geeta" of Lord Krishna, the devotees prayed to ward of the 'evil' influences of the eclipse.
UNIQUE VEDIC EVENT IN JAIPUR: Jaipur is witnessing a unique Vedic event, Ashwamedha, which was last conducted 300 years ago. The Ashwamedha Yagya was held on March 18 where 551 Yagya were lit after which the Ashwamedha (white horse) was released. The main aim of this unique event is to create an awareness of the importance of the Hindu New Year.
KASHMIR FOOD & CULTURE FESTIVAL IN HYDERABAD: A five day Kashmiri food and culture festival began on February 22 at Hyderabad. The aim is to showcase the positive side of Kashmir to other States of India and also give food lovers a taste of the cuisine of the Himalayan State. Chefs were specially flown down from Srinagar for this festival.
FLYING START FOR AERO INDIA 2007, RATAN TATA CO PILOTS F-16: The sixth Aero India 2007 opened here with over 500 world corporates including 280 global aerospace majors from USA, UK, Russia, Germany, France, Sweden, Israel etc. participating in the event. A highlight of the show, which had major fighter aircraft, helicopters and others on display, was Indian industrialist Ratan Tata co-piloting the American F-16 Lockheed Martin. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)
MINISTRY OF TOURISM SHINES AT ITB SHOW (07 – 11 Mar’07): The ministry of tourism took place of pride at the ITB Berlin show in early March with its brand “Incredible India” making its mark. Being a partner country, India Tourism visualized the concept of the opening ceremony right up to its conclusion. India Tourism showcased products like wellness, golf and shopping in addition to others.
AGRA CITY TO GET BIGGEST SHOPING MALL: The Taj Mahal city of Agra has got its biggest shopping mall. Just a kilometre away from the Taj, in the heart of the tourist complex on Fatehabad Road, the TDI Mall will have many outlets for handicrafts.
MEDICINAL TREES IN DELHI: Environment friendly, medicinal tress like neem, arjun and shuris will soon be planted around the city in a bid to improve its climate and overall overlook. Already Delhi boasts of lots of neem trees, dotting the wide avenues of Central Delhi.
BELAPUR HAAT: A six hectare plot adjacent to Belapur railway station is being developed as a cultural arena "a slice of India" in the lush surroundings of nature and is likely to be ready in December. This is being developed on the lines of the Dilli Haat.
MUSEUM OF DELHI’S HISTORY TO COME UP BY 2010 IN NEW DELHI: The Dwarka Development, close to the International airport, will be the site of a museum re-creating Delhi’s history. The displays will be a combination of wax idols, moving images and people in costumes. The museum will have both interactive and static displays tracing the earliest cultural history of Delhi.
MANUSCRIPT DATA BASE LAUNCHED: In a move to locate, preserve and promote rare and priceless ancient manuscripts, estimated at almost five million, lying forgotten in temples and museums across the country, the Tourism Ministry has launched an online database, www.namami.org. Out of these, 45 manuscripts are also proclaimed as Vijnananidhi (manuscript treasures of India). The Gilgit manuscript, are some of the oldest in the world, which can be traced back seventeen centuries.
A.R. RAHMAN PENS GLOBAL ANTHEM FOR THE UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN: Composer, A.R. Rahman recently unveiled his poverty anthem “Pray for me Brother” This song will be the global anthem for the UN Millennium Campaign.
RICKY MARTIN PERFORMS AT JAIPUR WEDDING: Ricky Martin, two time Grammy winner, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and the singer of “La Vida Loca” (during the Football World Cup) set the floor ablaze with his songs at Le Meridian in Jaipur. While in the Pink City he enjoyed an ayurvedic massage and took in the sights.
STEAM TOURISM NETWORK: Buoyed by the favorable response to steam engines from passengers, the northern railways are planning to promote heritage locomotives by deploying them on routes to historical Heritage sites in the capital. Parading its five steam engines in the capital recently, the railways said they have formulated a plan to establish a steam tourism network in the country by connecting historical sites and other tourist spots by these locomotives.
RAILWAYS TO CONVERT 20 STATIONS TO HERITAGE SITES: Stations such as Old Delhi, Jhansi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Junagadh, Bikaner have been identified by the Railways as future heritage sites. At present, India has 5 Rail Museums out of which 3 properties - Bombay’s Victoria Terminus, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway have been granted the UNESCO World Heritage Status.
BHOPAL TO HAVE A “TRAIN RESTAURANT”: The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) is converting an unused rake of a railway train into a special restaurant complete with platform and all. It will be located at the Hotel Ashok Lakeview in Bhopal replete with railway lights, signals etc to make for an authentic experience teamed with a delicious cuisine.
BUDDHIST CONFERENCE IN BODHGAYA INAUGURATED: The conference on “Positioning India as a hub for Buddhist Tourism” was inaugurated recently in Bodhgaya in an effort to attract more Buddhist devotees globally on a pilgrimage to this place.
AJEET BAJAJ UNFURLS INDIAN FLAG AT SOUTH POLE: Adventurer Ajeet Bajaj unfurled the Indian flag at the South Pole as India celebrated Republic Day on 26 January. He was part of a 4 member team.
INDIA’S FIRST SPACE TOURIST READY FOR TAKE-OFF: A frequent traveler, who has circumvented the Globe, Santosh George Kulangara from Kerala, will become India’s first space tourist to venture into space aboard the VVS Enterprise – Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceship. This trip is scheduled for mid-2008.
TOURISTS CAN SOON TAKE TONGA RIDES IN CHANDNI CHOWK, DELHI: Chandni Chowk, the “Fountain Chowk” will become the starting point for Victorias (Victoria era buggy known as Tonga) rides through the streets of Shahjahanabad just as the locals did during the Mughal times and days of the Raj.
CALCUTTA TO HAVE INDIA’S FIRST BOOK MALL: There is good news for book lovers. Calcutta is all set to have the country’s first book mall. The seven storey re-development of the College Street market will also have the first auction space for rare books and manuscripts and a host of other features such as a smoker’s corner, a coffee shop and a library.
THE 6TH CENTURY QILA MUBARAK, BHATINDA TO GET FACELIFT: The 6th Century AD fort at Bathinda, belonging to the Maharajas of Patiala was once used as a prison for Razia Sultana, the first Queen to rule Delhi. The fort is to be restored as a historical site.
‘OM NAMAH SHIVAYA BANK’: Devotees in the holy city of Varanasi will now have a bank of faith named 'Om Namah Shivaya Bank', where devotees can deposit their faith in God by submitting papers writing the name of Lord Shiva to achieve salvation.
COUNTRY’S BIGGEST IT PARK AT KERALA: India’s largest IT Park, Tejaswani, with 12 floors, in a single building in Kerala is believed to be the single largest building in the Country’s Information Technology industry.
WORLD’S LARGEST CHINAR TREE IS IN KASHMIR: Located in Chattergram, Kashmir the largest and oldest Chinar tree in the world stands at an impressive 147.8 metres with a circumference of 31.85 metres.
WORLD PRESS CARTOON EXHIBITION 23 FEBRUARY TO 3 MARCH: Portugal based World Press Cartoon organized an exhibition at the India International Center, from 23 February to 3 March, of over 200 award winner cartoons and caricatures from across the globe. Contributions included those from Australia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Greece, Germany, Israel, USA and Uzbekistan and India.
ACTION PLAN FOR “INDIA CHINA YEAR OF FRIENDSHIP THROUGH TOURISM 2007”: The Tourism Ministry has drawn up a month-wise action plan for promotion of the “India-China Year of Friendship through Tourism 2007”. The action plan envisages a jointly approved logo, India’s tourism literature in Chinese, action plan for the program, launch of Chinese version of incredible India website, participation of the CNTA (China National Tourism Administration) delegation in the Outbound Travel Marts in Mumbai and Delhi. India tourism will open its office in Shanghai, China in June.
FROM TOKYO WITH ‘NAMASTE’, DANCE AND SONG: The only Hindi words they have learnt so far are “Namaste” and “Dhanyavad”, but the 16 visiting, all-women, artistes from Japan will give India a taste of their popular culture through dance and song performances with 2007 being observed as Japan-India Friendship Year. A highlight of the cultural celebrations was “Revue Show – Hello! India”. Performers of the Takarazuka Revue OGs are here in the Capital to entertain Delhiites with Japanese folk song and dance and also American musicals and Jazz.
“BIRDS OF BANGARAM” - A GUIDE FOR BIRDWATCHERS ON THE LAKSHWADEEP ISLAND: As a regular visitor to the Island of Bangaram, India since 1996 where he spotted an amazing variety of birds, Chris Gent has produced a book titled “Birds of Bangaram”. Scheduled for an Easter release, the book took off from the bird list that Chris used to compile for the island resort. He has spotted around 150 varieties, including a very rare sighting of the Himalayan Swiftlet, which is a native bird north India.
FRESH SNOWFALL IN GULMARG: Fresh spell of snowfall in the ski resort of Gulmarg has brought back the jubilation in the sphere of the tourism industry in the state since the inflow of tourists to the valley is on the rise.
JAIPUR FOOT CAMP IN INDONESIA: A 15 day camp in Jakarta, Indonesia, will witness the free distribution / fitting of the famous Jaipur foot to 350 Indonesians who have lost their limbs due to diseases, accidents or disasters. Conceived by Ram Charan Sharma in 1968, the foot has gained international popularity for its lightness, facile mobility and low price. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
INDIA INVITES ORGANISED THE INCENTIVE TOUR FOR JANSSEN CILAG, MALAYSIA IN NEPAL: It was an honour for India Invites (www.indiainvites.com) to be arranging once again the incentive tour, this time to Nepal. They did a fun filled & active tour of the Himalayan country including Dhulikhel, Chitwan National Park, Pokhara & Kathmandu. The tour had several entertaining evenings, a 12 km trek through the Sarangkot hill, a stay in the tents and the mountain flight to see the majestic peaks.
SRILANKA SENDS LORD BUDDHA’S RELICS TO BODH GAYA: Srilanka has sent Lord Buddha’s relics together with those of his 2 disciples, Sariputta and Modgal Yayana to Bodhgaya to be enshrined in the Mahabodhi Temple. The Dalai Lama was blessed with the holy relics of Lord Buddha at Bodhgaya on 3 February before they were installed in the temple.
ANCIENT BUDDHIST TEMPLE FOUND IN BANGLADESH: An ancient Buddhist Temple, estimated to be 1700 years old, was discovered in northern Bangladesh, dating back to the pre-Pal period. The lower part of the temple was decorated with arched panels of terracotta and ornamental bricks.
GLORIA STEINEM STAR ATTRACTION AT WOMEN WRITERS’ FORUM: Well known feminist, American writer Gloria Steinem spoke on the opening day of South Asian Women Writers’ Colloquium on 21 February. Forty women writers from Pakistan, Nepal, Peru, Russia and the US participated in this event organized by Women’s World India. Gloria Steinem had studied in the 1950’s in New Delhi’s prestigious Miranda House of Delhi University.
BIG FAT WEDDING FOR LIZ HURLEY AT UMAID BHAWAN PALACE JODHPUR: The guest list read like an International Who’s Who and the events included cricket, polo and never ending parties. Sir Elton John, Donatella Versace and the Beckhams were some of the glitterati who attended the wedding and accompanied the groom and his family moving in a procession of horses wearing turbans and Kurtas.
HOLLYWOOD STARS SEAN CONNERY AND SCARLETT JOHANSSON ON INDIA VISIT: The Capital Delhi is fast turning into a favorite destination of Hollywood’s “A-list”. Sean Connery (of James Bond fame) and his wife were in Delhi on a “business trip” and later visited the Taj Mahal. Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson was visiting projects for a charity, working with the under privileged.
THE FRENCH RAILWAY HAS DONE IT AGAIN: The SNCF / TGV have made it again to another world record by reaching at the highest speed of 575 km approx, being the fastest running train on this earth. This was basically a test run, likely to start operations on commercial basis soon.
BUDDY GUY GIVES DELHI THE BLUES: Buddy Guy, 70 going on 18, swept Delhiites off their feet with his electrifying performance at the Johnnie Walker One Tree Music Festival at Siri Fort on 1 February. He played rock; the blues, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, “Hoochie Coochie man” and “Feels like rain”. TOP
ADOPT A SCHOOL IN RAJASTHAN: In a bid to improve the education infrastructure in Rajasthan, the government has come out with a unique adoption scheme open to public and private sectors to ‘Adopt A School’ to create an environment for effective learning for children. Targeting a three pronged proposal, construction, management and memorandum of understanding all schools would be well maintained with updated facilities.
ART GALLERY FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN: In the first of its kind, an Art Gallery exclusively for physically and mentally challenged children across the country would be set up in Delhi, by the NGO Tammana. The aim is to create opportunities for children with intellectual disability, multiple disability and autism to showcase their talents and to provide them with a platform to interact people at different levels. Various workshops and art shops will also be held for them. TOP
MIGRATING FLAMINGOS IN MUMBAI AND RANN OF KUTCH: A flurry of 40 to 50 pink feathered flamingos flew into Sewri Bay, Mumbai the natural preserve of these migratory birds. The Rann of Kutch is one of their main breeding grounds.
INDIAN WARBLER MAKES A COMEBACK: Ornithologists across the world are celebrating the news that the elusive wet land bird, the Indian Warbler, which eluded scientists ever since its discovery in 1867 has been sighted once again.
INDIA TO HELP CHINA PROTECT TIGERS: A group of Wildlife conservationists mostly from India are touring China to suggest ways to help China protect the South China Tiger, the most endangered of the 5 remaining sub-species of tigers in the World. Rebuilding their habitat is top priority.
ORISSA’S CHILKA LAKE TRACKING ENDANGERED IRRAWADY DOLPHINS: Scientists from the University of Tokyo are acoustically tracking the endangered Irrawady Dolphins in Chilka Lake using sophisticated Underwater Array System. The Irrawady dolphins are the only known marine mammals in the lake and are on top of the food chain so their health is indicative of the health of the entire eco system of the area.
HAND-RAISED ELEPHANTS WILL RETURN TO THE WILD IN MANAS NATIONAL PARK: WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) and IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) moved six hand-raised elephant calves in February from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga to Doimari in Manas National Park.
RESCURED ELEPHANTS SUCCESSFULLY UNITED TO A WILD HERD IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH: Three wild elephants that were rescued in February from poachers in Arunachal Pradesh state were successfully united with a large herd on Friday, in a joint operation by the forest officials and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The three elephants are between 5 to 7 years old and were micro-chipped.
SAVE THE WHALE SHARK CAMPAIGN IN GUJARAT: Thousands of people from the Kharva fishing community pledged to protect the whale shark in Veraval in Gujarat. A cheque was handed out to two fishermen to honour them for cutting their nets to save two whale sharks in two separate incidents last year, while two forest guards were also honoured for their help in the rescue and release of the sharks.
HOTELS AND TOUR OPERATORS JOIN “SAY NO TO BEAR DANCING” CAMPAIGN: Twenty eight hotels and 15 travel tour operators and bookstores in Delhi have joined the “Say no to Bear Dancing” campaign initiated by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with posters, bookmarks and literatures being placed in hotel rooms, lobbies, and receptions. Some major hotels include Claridges and Ashoka and tour operators like Cox and Kings, SITA, are carrying them in their coaches and taxies. The project is also aimed at providing alternative livelihood to Kalandars (bear owners).
BALEEN WHALES COME TO BREED OFF KARWAR: The Arabian Sea near Netrani Island is known for its rich coral eco-system. The Baleen whales spend their summer in high altitudes like Arctic and Antarctic and then migrate to lower latitudes towards tropical waters in winter to breed. Apparently it has now come to light that the waters around Netrani Island are a natural visiting habitat for these whales.
NESTS OF RARE STORKS DISCOVERED IN BIHAR: Conservationists are excited at the discovery of a new nesting site of the endangered Greater Adjutant stork in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.
JUNGLE DRUMS (Courtesy: Jungle Mantra): January was a month of exploration for the tigers of Bandhavgarh. Of the 16 cubs in park and six of sub - adult age, three have spread their wings. The cubs were in wonderful form - climbing trees, sleeping in clearings and pacing on the roadside. At one point their parents also joined them at a wild boar kill. The inhabitants of the elephant camp were not to be left behind. Indrajeet- the male elephant went in mast (heat) and was as usual restrained by the Mahouts. But he pulled up the chains and eloped with his lady love and returned only after a couple of weeks.
100 FOSSILISED DINOSAUR EGGS FOUND NEAR BHOPAL: A hundred eggs from a single nesting site dating to the Cretaceous era have been found in the Kukshi Bagh area in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. Also found were the remains of 2000 year old Buddhist stupas. The finds lie in the Narmada basin, a favorite site for paleontologists of the world. TOP
CARNIVAL FESTIVAL FEB 17: The annual carnival extravaganza opened with much fanfare, festivities and a riot of colour in the capital city here on Fat Saturday, with King Momo, his Queen and their entourage leading an impressive 115 floats in various categories. Parades, floats and dances and folk festivals also organized in various parts of the State marked the three day pre-lent festival, which was witnessed by a record number of domestic and international tourists.
ANNUAL SHIGMOTSAV PARADE MARCH 10: A spectacular Shigmo float parade dazzled spectators in the Capital city. The thunder of drums, brilliance of colour and a rich treasure of Hindu culture and mythology rolled down the streets. The parade opened with the traditional Goan dances of “romatamell” and “ghoddemodnni”. Several entertainment and cultural programs and fancy dress competitions were held throughout the State to mark the occasion.
WENDELL RODRICKS CHOREOGRAPHS SHOW FOR FIRST LADY: Goan and internationally renowned fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks, choreographed a couture style presentation for First Lady, Ms. Gurshararn Kaur, in Delhi. The event which was held to promote and revive Assam silks, showcased the works of three Indian designers, who have worked with these silk weavers over the past year.
EXPLORATION OF SHIPWRECKS AROUND GOAN WATERS: Off Goa’s coast, maritime archaeologists are currently diving to explore the remains of an ancient steam engine shipwreck near Mormugao, about two km away from the oldest shipwreck found here in 1988. At the same time in Lisbon, Portuguese archival authorities are scanning documents of maritime trade between the two nations to pass on tips to the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa, to help locate an estimated 40-odd, ancient shipwrecks along the Goa to Karnataka coast. TOP
Just Answer Five Simple Questions to win a book on India:
1) In India, Carnival is celebrated in... a. Pondicherry b. Delhi b. Goa d. Kathmandu
2) What is the campaign initiated to save the bears in India? a. Bear Beware b. Say No to Bear Dancing c. Bear Safe d. Down with bear kalandars
3) What is the Bodh Pari Karma a. A Buddhist Train b. A Pilgrimage c. A Buddhist prayer d. A Hotel
4) Where is the largest coral formation? a. In the West Indies b. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia c. Off the Ivory Coast d. In the Indian Ocean
5) The airline Eurofly is a / an …. a. American Airline b. Swedish Airline c. Italian Airline d. Indonesian Airline
LAST DATE: 30 APR’07 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net or pmaurya@indiainvites.com
ANSWERS TO THE LAST CONTEST: Editor’s Note: We regret that the option to question no.1 - “International Air Transport Association” was inadvertently omitted. It is also the correct answer. In view of the above, all contestants will be judged on basis of answers to questions 2-5 only.
1) What does the abbreviation I.A.T.A. stand for ANS: International Air Transport Association
2) Which route does the cruise liner ‘Ocean Odyssey’ take? ANS: d. Spice Route
3) Bachendri Pal is the first woman in the world to… ANS: c. Conquer Mt. Everest
4) The Zulus are a tribe from? ANS: c. South Africa
5) A park in memory of Steve Irwin is coming up at? ANS: c. Kerala
WINNER OF LAST CONTEST: We received a good response and there were quite a few all-correct answers, however the lucky winner out of the lot is Mr. Gopu of Marvel Tours, Cochin ! Warm congratulations! The other participants with all correct entries are: Narendra, Oman; Gopu, Cochin. We thank all of you for your participation – better luck next time!!! TOP |
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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is currently being sent to about 4500 select tour operators, individuals, friends, tourist offices, hotels and other organizations. The news contents of this are compiled through various resources, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, books, etc (e.g. Travtalk, BBC, India Travel Online) 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 |