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Monthly Tourism Newsletter from India |
May 2007 |
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Greetings from lovely Goa!
While the Indian summer is whipping up a heat across the country, its hospitality sector is experiencing a heat of a more pleasant kind with global majors like Wyndham, Hilton, JB Group, Four Seasons Starwood and Bird Hospitality Services announcing new investments in India.
Civil aviation is gaining ground too. Impressed by the double digit growth in this sector, various state governments have staked their claim to commence green field projects with 15 airports already on the construction block.
Mergers on the national front have seen the formation of two new carriers - The Jet Airways-Air Sahara merger has created the largest private airline in the Country and with the amalgamation of Air India and Indian, the country will soon have a new national carrier.
After a long hiatus, Jammu & Kashmir are slowly resurfacing with picturesque spots like Bhaderwah, Zanskar and Gurez, and the Dal and Nagin Lakes being promoted as major tourist destinations, with a special emphasis on golf and adventure tourism in the State.
Indian outbound tourism is witnessing a pleasant change too with major countries like France, UK, Malaysia, Australia and Japan vying to lure the Indian tourists to their shores.
With so much on offer, India can now truly enjoy the best of both worlds!
Happy reading & See you in India! |
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AIRLINES UPDATE
JET AIRWAYS ACQUIRES AIR SAHARA: After a botched effort last year, Jet Airways has finally taken over Air Sahara. The takeover has created the largest private airline in the country having a fleet size in excess of 80 aircraft and around 42 per cent of the market share. Air Sahara will be redeployed as a low cost carrier, to be called ‘Jet Lite’.
KINGFISHER AIRLINES STARTS LAKSHADWEEP SERVICE: Kingfisher Airlines has launched flights to Lakshadweep from March 3, the first private carrier to do so. The Bangalore – Cochin - Agatti flight operates three times a week using a 42 - seat aircraft.
INDIGO STARTS NEW DAILY NON-STOP SERVICE ON DELHI-MUMBAI AND DELHI-CHENNAI ROUTE: IndiGo has commenced its daily non-stop services on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai route and introduced another non-stop service between Delhi and Mumbai on March 26, 2007. The airline will also use its new fleet of aircraft to connect Jaipur to Guwahati via Kolkata.
AIR DECCAN COMMENCES FLIGHTS TO DHARAMSHALA: Air Deccan has started flights to Dharamsala, a town in the picturesque Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh, which is home to the Dalai Lama and Tibetans living in exile.
AWARDS GALORE FOR GOAIR: GoAir became India's first low fare carrier to win the prestigious international award for "Excellent Services" awarded by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) in Berlin at the ITB.
A NEW CARGO AIRLINE TO BE PART OF NATIONAL CARRIER'S NEW SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES: Once Air-India and Indian are merged to form the new national carrier. Alliance Air and Air India Express will also be merged and appended as a subsidiary of the new national carrier. The government plans to start a new cargo airline – as a second subsidiary of the national carrier. Engineering, Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) divisions will form another subsidiary while ground handling services will be the fourth subsidiary.
GULF AIR TO INTRODUCE THREE-CLASS CONFIGURATION: Effective July 2007, Gulf Air is planning to introduce three classes —First, Business and Economy— configuration on its state-of-the-art Airbus 330, three times a day flights into Mumbai. This aircraft will be fitted with ‘Sky Beds’ in first and business class; sky chefs on board; and sky nannies on all cabins, including economy class.
SRILANKAN AIRLINES BOOST GOA OFFERING: SriLankan Airlines is adding a third weekly flight to the popular coastal resort of Goa, moving closer to becoming the first scheduled foreign airline to have a hundred flights per week to India.
LUFTHANSA PLANS
MUNICH-BOMBAY-MUNICH FLIGHTS: Lufthansa is likely to launch a direct
Munich-Bombay-Munich service by early next year. The German carrier currently
operates 45 flights a week from six destinations in India.
CONTINENTAL TO START DAILY NON-STOP BOMBAY-NEW YORK FLIGHT FROM OCTOBER: A daily non-stop flight between Mumbai and Newark’s Liberty International Airport, New York will be launched by Continental Airlines from October this year.
ETIHAD TO DOUBLE FLIGHTS AND DESTINATIONS IN INDIA: Etihad Airways is set to expand its services to India with the launch of two new routes from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram (31 May) and Kochi (03 June), Kerala. The new cities will double Etihad's destinations in India to four, joining highly successful services to Mumbai and New Delhi. With effect from June, it will start a daily service on its existing route Abu Dhabi-Delhi.
“BIG BIRD” AIRBUS A 380 GETS A MAY DATE WITH THE CAPITAL: The world’s largest passenger airliner Airbus A 380 made a landmark landing at Delhi this May on its first ever trip to India. It is named the “gentle giant” because of its super quiet interiors and take-off. So far Kingfisher is the only Indian carrier that has ordered the A 380 and is likely to get delivery in 2011.
LUFTHANSA TECHNIK TO OPEN MRO FACILITY IN HYDERABAD: Lufthansa Technik, one of the world’s largest providers of maintenance, repairing and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft, will be opening an MRO facility in Hyderabad to cater to the Indian aviation sector. The facility will have a two-bay hangars and state-of-the-art workshops.
AIRBUS PARENT EADS TO OPEN TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN BANGALORE: European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) the holding company of Airbus is scheduled to open a technology centre at the new Bangalore airport by the end of 2008.
AURANGABAD TO BE PROMOTED AS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY 2008: The Civil aviation ministry plans to promote the Aurangabad Airport an international one to attract global tourists to world famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The modernisation plans include installing key navigational aids to facilitate night landing, strengthening and extending the existing runway, and building an air-conditioned departure lounge at the airport. TOP
HOTELS NEWS
TAJ GROUP ACQUIRES HOTEL CAMPTON PLACE USA: The Indian Hotels Company (Taj Group of Hotels), is likely to acquire US-based Hotel Campton Place shortly, a move that will strengthen its presence in the US market.
OBEROI GROUP TO ENTER BHUTAN: The Oberoi Group is to have around 35% stake in two green field projects in Thimphu and Paro. These Bhutan properties are expected to be operational by 2009. The Company is also likely to open hotels in Dubai, Cambodia and the Maldives.
ITC'S FORTUNE PARK HOTELS OPENS NEW PROPERTY AT JAMMU: ITC's wholly owned hotel chain, Fortune Park Hotels, recently announced the opening of its 29th property, Fortune Inn Riviera, at Jammu. The hotel is planned as an ideal conference location for the city and offers a variety of conference and banquet opportunities.
FORTUNE CHARIOT BEACH RESORT OPENS AT MAHABALIPURAM: Fortune Park Hotels has also launched its second property, the ‘Fortune Chariot Beach Resort’ at Mahabalipuram.
ITC AND STARWOOD JOIN HANDS FOR 'LUXURY COLLECTIONS' IN INDIA: ITC-Welcomgroup has recently signed a franchise agreement with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to bring in its premium brand, ‘Luxury Collections’, to India. The seven ITC hotels to be a part of this unique brand are ITC Maurya, Delhi, Maratha, Mumbai, Sonar, Kolkata, Grand Central, Mumbai, Windsor Manor, Bangalore, Kakatiya, Hyderabad and Mughal, Agra.
RIRIC JOINT VENTURE WITH CHOICE HOTELS INDIA: The Royal Indian Raj International Corporation (RIRIC) has entered into a contract with Choice Hotels India to build 15000 budget hotel rooms under the international brands of Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion. RIRIC’s initiatives are set to commence over the next 12 months throughout India as it has already identified various cities in the country for its hotel projects.
STARWOOD LAUNCHES 'ALOFT HOTELS' IN INDIA: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has launched their latest brand, ‘Aloft Hotels’, in India. This brand is being introduced in South Asia.
LEMON TREE HOTEL AT CANDOLIM, GOA: Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort has recently opened at Candolim which marks the entry of the Lemon Tree Hotel chain into the leisure market. Lemon Tree Hotels are India’s chain of budget hotels. The resort offers guests a choice of 60 rooms and suites, built along arched loggias, Spanish fountains and palm dotted walkways. The six heritage rooms and suites are housed in a century-old Portuguese mansion.
IHG GROUP SIGNS SIX NEW CONTRACTS FOR ONE INTERCONTINENTAL, THREE CROWNE PLAZA AND TWO HOLIDAY INN HOTELS: IHG has announced the signing of six additional management contracts in India, which include the InterContinental and Holiday Inn Hinjewadi Pune, Holiday Inn Ernakulam Kochi and Crowne Plaza Cochin, Crowne Plaza New Delhi and another Crowne Plaza in Southern India.
JB GROUP, HONGKONG TO MAKE ITS FORAY IN HOSPITALITY: Hong Kong-based JB group will set up as many as 20 hotels and shopping malls in the country over the next three years of which Kolkata, Goa, Bangalore and Mumbai are their major sites.
BIRD GROUP JOINS HANDS WITH DUSIT HOTELS AND RESORTS TO OPEN 6 HOTELS AND RESORTS IN INDIA: Bird Hospitality Services will develop six, 4/5 star hotels which will be managed by Dusit Hotels & Resorts. The first three properties, projected to open by 2010, are in Delhi, Goa and Rishikesh; and the next three by 2013 will be in Pune, Amritsar and Jaipur.
CARLSON GROUP TO BRING REGENT HOTELS TO INDIA: The Carlson Group has 34, four to five star deluxe properties across the country and now plans to invest and bring in its luxury brand, Regent hotels to India.
BANYAN TREE TO START JV HOTEL IN KERALA’S BACKWATERS ISLAND: The Singapore-based hospitality group - Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts – is setting up a joint venture luxury resort in its backwaters island of Chertalla in Kerala's Allapuzha district. The luxury resort will have 60 traditionally built villas each with a private swimming pool. An Ayurvedic centre, luxury houseboats with in-built Jacuzzis will be the other features of the resort. TOP
ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL YOGA FESTIVAL, UTTARAKHAND: The annual International Yoga Festival, organized jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism and Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, took place from March 1- 7. This years' festival included more than 350 delegates from 38 countries across the globe. The participants were blessed with the presence, satsang and divine words of revered saints and spiritual masters.
GUDI PADWA USHERS IN NEW YEAR IN MAHARASHTRA 19 MARCH: Gudi Padwa, celebrates the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and also marks the slaying of demon king Ravana by Lord Rama marking the victory of good over evil. As a reminder of this, a bitter paste of neem leaves is eaten in the morning before the sweets.
RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATES BIRTH OF LORD RAMA 27 MARCH: The birth of Lord Rama is celebrated as Ram Navami. In north India colorful processions are taken out to celebrate the birth of the hero Rama of the epic Ramayan. Ayodhya, Rama’s legendary kingdom, is the focus of colorful celebrations with rath yatras (Chariot processions).
TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR CELEBRATED: Many parts of India celebrated the traditional New Year. Baisakhi (13 April) is New Year for North Indians. In Assam Rangali Bihu is a week long festival beginning 13 April. For the people of Bengal, Poila Basakh celebrations began on 15 April, while the Tamils (Tamil Nadu) celebrated it as Chithirai Vishu.
MALAYALIS (KERALA) CELEBRATED VISHU ON 14 APRIL: Vishu the Malayali New Year falls on the first day of the Malayali month of Medam (14 April). According to legend, Parashuram created Kerala by flinging his axe at the Arabian Sea making it recede to create land. People believe the first things they see at dawn on that day will have a bearing on their prosperity in the coming year. So a ritual arrangement of gold ornaments rice, grain, fresh linen, coconut, yellow cucumber, a metal mirror, coins and yellow cassia flowers (kanipoo) are kept before a garlanded portrait of Krishna along with a lighted lamp.
HOLI, FESTIVAL OF COLOURS CELEBRATED: Holi, the Festival of Colours was celebrated in India on March 5, 2007. In Lord Krishna’s traditional homeland, Vrindavan, Mathura, Gokul, Nandgaon and Barsana Holi celebrations begin a week before the festival. In Barsana, women shower ladoos (sweets) on the men who come from Nandgaon, and then “beat” them with bamboo sticks (lathmar Holi). In West Bengal Dol Utsav is celebrated on the full moon (3 March) and as Basant Utsav in Tagore’s University town of Shantineketan. Punjab celebrated Hola Mohalla at Anandpursahib (Guru Gobind Singhs Fortress) with a big fair where Sikhs displayed their skills of bareback horse riding, Gatka (traditional martial arts) tent pegging etc. In Orissa Dola Purnima was celebrated for 5 days with a procession of idols of Krishna is richly decorated Palanquins. Goa celebrated Shimoga with bright colors and a parade. Manipur celebrated Yasong for 6 days with a folk dance (Thahal Congba) and colour.
KOKA FESTIVAL – CELEBRATION TIME FOR JHARKHAND TRIBALS: Thousands of tribals celebrate the Koka Festival, which begins after Holi and continues for three months thereafter. Dressed colourfully, with their faces masked, the tribals play ghost and beat drums to appease Lord Shiva in the hopes of acquiring the powers of ‘tantra’ (mystical powers). This festival is also known as ‘Chaitra Parav’ or ‘Bhokta Parav’.
THRISSUR POORAM FESTIVAL, KERALA APRIL 27-28: The famed Thrissur Pooram Festival attracted thousands of foreign tourists and Malayalee devotees. This major event took off with the convergence of processions from eight temples in around the Vadakkumnathan Temple on a hillock to the city. The festival was a grand spectacle with firework displays, parading of caparisoned elephants and the colourful Kudamattom (exchange of different types of traditional parasols by two competing sides on these elephants). CONSTRUCTION OF JAGANNATH CHARIOTS STARTS ON 20 APRIL: The construction of gigantic chariots for the annual car festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, the presiding deities of Puri at Bhubaneshwar has begun. Over a hundred carpenters and wood artists have begun the construction on the auspicious Akshya Tritiya (20 April). Nearly 1,000 big wooden logs are procured for the construction which takes two months to complete. During the Rath Yatra, the deities are taken out in procession from the main temple, to Sri Gundicha temple 1 km away. The nine-day festival begins on July 16 this year when over one million devotees will throng Puri to pull the huge wooden structures with the help of four ropes tied to each chariot. TOP NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)
STAR TO CRUISE
FROM MUMBAI TO INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS:
Star Cruises is planning to
start special cruises next season (October 2007), to various international
destinations from Mumbai. In addition, the company will also charter out their
cruise ships to corporate and individuals for special occasions like marriage,
family functions besides board meetings and sale and marketing conferences.
MAHA PARINIRVAN SPECIAL TRAIN TO CONNECT BUDDHIST SITES: A special train connecting Buddhist sites, The Maha Parinirvan Special, started operating from March 28. It has facilities like on and off board catering, housekeeping facilities, transfers and sightseeing etc. The Indian Railways (IRCTC) plans to run 11 trips this year. Each trip of 8 days will start from Delhi and visit Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi/Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shrawasti and Agra. For more details, please check out the site http://railtourismindia.com
OBEROI’S LUXURY-ON-WHEELS ON TRACK FOR END 2008: The Oberoi Group is planning to launch a high-end train safari on the lines of Palace on Wheels by the end 2008. The seven-day luxury train will be dubbed the Royal Luxury-on-Wheels.
KARNATAKA TO UNVEIL LUXURY TRAIN 1 NOVEMBER: Karnataka is all set to launch south India’s first luxury train, “Golden Chariot” on November 1. The weeklong tour, starting from Bangalore, will include the palaces of Mysore, ancient temples of Hassan, Belur, Halebid and Hospet, the Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanbelagola, the world heritage site of Hampi, Dandeli wildlife sanctuary and the beaches of neighboring Goa. The train will have a spa and gymnasium, restaurant coaches, TV lounges, conference coach and internet connectivity.
FASHION SHOW ON BOARD DECCAN ODYSSEY: Fashion shows have now found a new ramp. In a first of its kind, Maharashtra Tourism, Indian Railways, Jet Gems and Designer Anita Dongre organized a fashion show on Board the Deccan Odyssey, while in motion on a short journey. Chic Indo-Western outfits, complemented by exquisite gems were showcased at this show which was attended by a well heeled audience from the business and film fraternity.
KANGRA MINIATURES ALL SET FOR INTERNATIONAL SHOWING IN LOS ANGELES: Kangra miniature paintings, first seen in the 17th century, are all set for an international debut. The classic miniatures will be showcased at Los Angeles in the United States and later the replicated traditional paintings will be taken to other countries. Two renowned Kangra Kalam painters were commissioned to modernise the paintings for the international audience.
UTTARAKHAND TOURISM GOES HIGH ON HOME STAY: Uttarakhand Tourism is promoting ‘home stay villages’ in its rural areas to enhance tourism as well as help the local community. A “Clean green” campaign and Vir Chandra Singh Garhwali Self-employment Scheme have been launched namely to help locals set up tourist related projects.
BOURBON DYNASTY’S LAST KING OF FRANCE TRACED TO BHOPAL: Balthazar Napoleon de Bourbon, an Indian lawyer living in Bhopal is all set to make his first trip to Paris after he was visited by a relative of Prince Philip of the UK, Prince Michael of Greece, who informed him he is a descendant of Henry IV and the first in line to the lost French throne. Prince Michael of Greece published a historical novel, “Le Rajah de Bourbon”.
FIVE DAY INDIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO BEATLE GEORGE HARRISON: The Ravi Shanker Institute witnessed a 5 day Indian classical music and dance festival on March 2 to commemorate the 64th birth anniversary of Beatle George Harrison. Harrison had produced Ravi Shankar’s album “Chants of India”.
DELHI GOVERNMENT PLANS 1857 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS: A mock march is being planned from Meerut to Delhi to commemorate the First War of Indian Independence (1857). The year long celebrations will start in May. An exhibition of rare photographs, postcards, lithographs, cartoons and newspaper clippings from British dailies and journals of time will be organized. Plays will be staged across the city as well as poetry readings.
NEW DILLI HAAT IN NORTH DELHI: A new Dilli Haat with a houseboat in an artificial water body opened in Pitampura on 18 March. Besides handicraft stalls it will also feature a spice bazaar.
TAJ MAHAL ALL SET TO GET A FACELIFT: One of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in the world, the Taj Mahal is all set to get a facelift. The Archeological Survey of India is in the process of identifying land around the Taj Mahal to create a green patch around the historic site. The heritage site would also host a variety of cultural activities like folklore performances, entertainment packages including light shows and a night bazaar for tourists during night viewing,
NALANDA UNIVERSITY TO BE WORLD HERITAGE SITE: The architectural remains of the ancient University of Nalanda, which existed until 1197 A.D., are all set to become the second World Heritage site in Bihar.
QUTAB MINAR TO HAVE RAMPS FOR THE DISABLED: The Qutab Minar is set to become the capital’s first physically challenged friendly heritage monument with ramps and Braille signage. A bookshop at the entrance is also being restored and benches and water dispensers are being set up. Audio guides to provide information about the monument will also be available.
ELEPHANTA ISLAND REVERBERATED TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC: The two day Elephanta Festival was a visual and aesthetic delight. Held outside the Mahesh cave, on an open air stage under a huge banyan tree, the setting was stunning. Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgel and Bharat Natyam dancer Alarmel Valli kept the audience mesmerized.
KARNATAKA TO PROMOTE WINE TOURISM: Karnataka will give a thrust to wine tourism. Soon visitors will be able to stroll through picturesque vineyards in Bangalore, Kolar, Bijapar, Bagalkot and Belgaum and take part in the wine making process and buy fresh wine.
‘MERU’ TAXI SERVICE LANCHED IN MUMBAI: V- Link, a leading fleet management company has launched the ‘Meru’ world – class metered radio taxi service in Mumbai. The company plans to first launch its operations in Mumbai, and subsequently in Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderadad, Chennai, Bangalore and Pune. V- Link will use their technology to ensure that there is a very responsive “lost and found” tracking system in place.
FARM TOURISM IN KERALA: After enticing tourists with its scenic backwaters and houseboats, Kerala is promoting its lush countryside to attract visitors through "Farm Tourism" which conducts trekking, farm tours (working in paddy fields alongside villagers during their stay at a local farm) and village tours amongst others.
KASHMIR PLANS MANY EVENTS TO BOOST TOURISM: The state tourism department in partnership with travel agencies and associations is organizing water sports events from May 1, to be followed by a “water festival” on Dal and Nagin lakes in Srinagar. A series of Golf events at the highest 18-hole course in the world, at Gulmarg (3,730) metres), and along the greens of world-class Royal Spring Golf Course over looking the Dal, are also planned. Climbing sheer ice-walls and vertical granite slabs, trekking the beautiful forest trails to glaciers and mountains lakes, angling in swift flowing trout streams, rafting down rapids and narrow gorges, hang-gliding and hot air ballooning, skiing down some of the finest slopes and ski mountaineering across range upon range of mountains are some of the exciting sports Kashmir has to offer tourists.
WORLD’S HIGHEST CYBER CAFÉ AT 13,600 FEET HAS MAIL FOR YOU: Come rain or snow at the Sherathang Trade Mart Cyber Café (13,600 feet) near Nathula (Indo-Chinese border) you’ll always get mail. This cyber café, confirmed by World Records, as the highest permanent cyber café, remains open with the help of a generator and solar power.
INDIAN RAILWAY BRIDGE TO BE WORLD’S TALLEST: Being built over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, the 1030 meter long bridge, when completed by 2010 will push the one on the Tarn River in France to second place. The bridge will ferry trains at a height of 359 meters.
ANDHRA TO RENOVATE ANCIENT BUDDHIST STUPA: The ancient Buddhist Stupa on the Guntur – Kurnool road of Andhra Pradesh is to be renovated. These miniature figures were found during excavations at the historic Chandravaram Stupa, in Donakondamandal of Prakasam district. This stupa dates back to the second century when Buddhism spread during the rule of the Satavahanas.
MUGHAL ERA COINS FOUND IN RAJASTHAN: As many as 400 coins dating back to the Mughal era have been discovered in Rajasthan’s Sikar district. Apparently these coins were in circulation during the 12th-15th Centuries and are dotted with an Arabic script. TOP
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
BOLLYWOOD BUG BITES UK: Bollywood style dancing has hit the northern English county of Yorkshire. The Country’s noted theater the west Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds is staging a play called ‘Bollywood Jane’ throughout June. This will be followed by the India International Film Award (IIFA).
BRITAIN TO HOST INDIAN CARNIVAL IN JULY: An Indian Festival (Mela) “India Now”, with a British touch, is being planned in London this summer. This will include an opera on an Indian theme, created by an American (John Adams), to be sung in Sanskrit by Venezuelan musicians. The mega carnival, with a long series of cultural and tourist friendly events lined up from July through to September, will have a Fashion Show showcasing Indian designers.
CRUISE NORWAY ANNOUNCES OPERATIONS IN INDIA: Cruise Norway has announced commencement of its Indian operations. The cruise guarantees a magical cruise experience to Norway, Spitsbergen, Greenland and Antarctica providing year-round ship service. Targeting experienced travellers from the Indian market, Cruise Norway (India) offering an opportunity to explore the un-spoilt Polar region.
HOLLYWOOD STAR RICHARD GERE AND MANY SCIENTISTS IN DHARAMSALA FOR MIND AND LIFE CONFERENCE: Richard Gere will join over 125 scientists and physicians from all over the world to participate in a five day conference the “Mind and Life”. This conference on science and spirituality will focus on the issues and challenges highlighted in Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama’s book, The Universe in a Single Atom: the convergence of Science and Spirituality.
QUEEN MARY-2 VISITS KOCHI PORT: The world’s largest and most expensive cruise liner, Queen Mary-2 arrived at Kochi on March 7 for her maiden world cruise. The world's longest and tallest liner offers a host of exclusive facilities to her guests. Art works valued at £3.5 million are on board and the ship has the world's first floating planetarium that offers reality rides through galaxies.
AUSTRALIAN COMEDIAN ATHERTON PLANS OPENING COMEDY ASHRAM IN INDIA: Australian comedian Jonathan Atherton was in the Capital with his stand up act. This Brisbane based comedian wants to open a “comedy ashram” in Pune to teach people world-over how to attain “moksha” by laughing and thereby gaining freedom from all their troubles.
WORLD WAR I BOMBER FROM BIKANER IN UK MUSEUM: A rare World War I bomber that Britain gifted to a royal family in Bikaner (Rajasthan) in the early 1920s, which was lying neglected in an elephant stable, is now on display at the Imperial War Museum in London after being restored by an expert. The de Havilland HD9 two seat by-plane is the only one in Britain and one of only six in the world. TOP
VISUALLY CHALLENGED PILOT LANDS IN BHOPAL: Miles Hilton-Barber, a visually-impaired adventurer flew a two-seater plane into Bhopal’s Raja Bhoj Airport, under the “Seeing is Believing!” initiative which aims to make a difference to the lives of 10 million people by raising US$10 million by World Sight Day 2010. Barber is hoping to become the first visually challenged aviator to fly half-way across the world. TOP
AFTER 139 YEARS, LOST INDIAN BIRD SPECIES SURFACES IN THAILAND: The large-billed Reed Warbler was last heard of in the Satlej Valley of Himachal Pradesh in 1867. Now 139 years later this wetland bird was found during a bird ringing project at a wastewater treatment center near Bangkok. This is an incentive to ornithologists to locate the bird again in India, Burma and Bangladesh.
FIVE BEAR CUBS RESCUED BY NGO IN BIHAR: Five male bear cubs, smuggled to Bihar from West Bengal, have been rescued by an NGO and are now safely lodged in the Patna zoo. From here they will later be shifted to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility.
VILLAGE RELOCATED FROM ELEPHANT CORRIDOR: The wildlife Trust of India, has successfully relocated a village away from the 6 km long Tirunelli-Kudrakote corridor, which connects the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala to the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and is a major path way for the elephants.
JNU PLANS A PARK TO PRESERVE OVER 50 BUTTERFLY SPECIES ON IT’S CAMPUS: Encouraged by the number of butterflies visiting its campus, the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, is all set to develop a Butterfly Park within its premises to attract more species. More than 50 species of butterflies could be seen fluttering around in the university this spring, including some endangered species like Danaid Eggfly, Common Pierrot and Tigers (Plain and Stripped). Other rare species often spotted are the Red Pierrot, Common Jay and Peacock Fancy.
ONE-HORNED RHINO “BRAHMAPUTRA” GETS US VISA FOR SAN DIEGO ZOO: Brahmaputra, a one-horned male rhinoceros from the National Zoological Park, Delhi, is set to travel to the United States. In exchange, the National Zoological Park will get 2 female rhinoceros and one male and two female exotic zebras.
INTACH RESTORES WATER BODIES IN RAJASTHAN, KUMAON HILLS AND DELHI: INTACH is implementing nearly 17 projects in the deserts of Rajasthan as well as in Kumaon Hills to restore water bodies. These include restoration of lakes which have been highly segmented and encroached upon as well as restoration of wetlands which provide a natural habitat for the birds. TOP
DR. JACK SEQUEIRA’S STATUE UNVEILED: Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Suresh Mehta unveiled a 9ft statue of late Dr. Jack Sequeira, former leader of the opposition of the Goa Assembly and father of the Opinion Poll. Dr. Sequeira had single handedly helped Goa retain its ethnic identity and gave Konkani its due recognition.
ART EXHIBITION AT OLD GOA MEDICAL COLLEGE: Commemorating 25 years of its inception, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) hosted an art exhibition - "Aparanta"- on April 11, at the Old Goa Medical College building located at the waterfront of the capital city of Panaji. Around 20 artists of national and International repute participated in this exhibition which showcased around 250 exhibits in oil and water color paintings and graphics.
SUNIDHI CHAUHAN REGALES GOANS: India’s hottest singing sensation and Bollywood playback singer, Sunidhi Chauhan regaled audiences at the Campal Grounds Panjim on March 31 when she performed at the ‘Idea Rocks India’ concert.
GOA LAUNCHES UK MUSIC FESTIVAL MID APRIL: Thirty two musicians were in Goa for the “Big Chill Goa”, which marked the launch of the UK music festival in India in the second week of April where Indian and European artists performed at the event. The Big Chill’s ethos is a fusion of vision and tradition. It’s about the cutting edge of music and performance, art, dance and film about technology and its relationship with nature; about identifying artists and community.
GOA HOSTED $1 MILLION ASIAN POKER CLASSIC TOURNAMENT 1-5 MARCH: In the first week of March, 50 professional and online poker players met in Goa for an introductory Asian Poker Classic Tournament with total prize pool money of 1 million. It was held at the Intercontinental Resort in south Goa. TOP
Just Answer Five Simple Questions to win a book on India:
1) Miles Hilton-Barber is a…. a. Poet b. Swimmer b. Visually challenged Pilot c. Conquered Mt. Everest
2) Holi is a festival of a. Lights b. flowers c. Kites d. Colours
3) What is the name of AR Rehman’s Global Anthem for the UN Millennium Campaign a. A song for the people b. Pray for me brother c. People all over the world d. Keep the faith
4) The Big Ben is… a. Big Clock on tower of British Parliament Building b. The Bridge over River Thames c. The Hunchback of Notre Dame d. A toy train
5) Which is to be the second world heritage site in Bihar? a. Bodh Gaya b. Rajgir Stupa b. Nalanda University c. Gol Ghar Patna
LAST DATE: 05 JUN’07 to send your entries at the email address pmaurya@vsnl.net or pmaurya@indiainvites.com
ANSWERS TO THE LAST CONTEST: 1) In India, Carnival is celebrated in... d. Goa
2) What is the campaign initiated to save the bears in India? b. Say No to Bear Dancing
3) What is the Bodh Pari Krama a. A Buddhist Train
4) Where is the largest coral formation? b. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
5) The airline Eurofly is a…. c. Italian Airline
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 ANIRBAN NANDY, KERALA! Warm congratulations! The other participants with all correct entries are: Damiana Filì, Italy, Nishore Roland, Bangalore. 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 |