Page 162 - Hospitality Recreation
Nepal's marathon monks trade robes for running shoes
Swapping their maroon robes for running shoes, seven Buddhist monks take off at a sprint across the hills surrounding their remote village in the foothills of Nepal's Himalayas. They are aspiring ultra-marathon runners, hoping the sport will put their remote village on the map and provide the funds needed to rebuild homes destroyed by a massive earthquake nearly three years ago. "We found out that we can get many opportunities through running and hope to do something from our monk team -- make a name for our village and bring development here. That is why we are running," says Man Bahadur Lama, 21, the fastest of the group. The monks -- most of them in their early twenties -- follow a strict regime, praying in the morning before disappearing into the hills to run up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) each afternoon. Life is tough in Sindhukot village, which lies just 80 kilometres from Kathmandu but like many rural communities in impoverished Nepal feels totally cut off from the rest of the .
Haryana grants pub licence at IMT Manesar for Japanese cos
The Haryana government has decided to grant a pub licence at the Industrial Model Township (IMT) at Manesar in Gurgaon on the request of Japanese companies that are present in the 3,700-acre industrial area. A former top executive of a Japanese company, who is running restaurants in the township and Gurgaon, had sought pub licence as Japanese prefer beer, an official said. "Japanese companies which are present in large number at IMT Manesar have sought a pub licence. Considering their request, the government has granted the permission for issuing pub licence," Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Excise and Taxation) Sanjeev Kaushal said here today while unveiling Haryana's new excise policy for 2018-19. Under the pub licence, restaurants can serve only beer as against bar licence which allows serving of other liquor as well. IMT Manesar, which is spread over 3,700 acres, is one of the prominent industrial townships in Haryana. Over 40 companies in collaboration with Japanese firms have
Now, buy Taj Mahal entry tickets 30 min before sunrise: Min
Tourists can now avoid long queues while visiting the Taj Mahal with the government deciding to open the ticket window 45 minutes before sunrise to enable them to get tickets well before the gates to the monument open, Parliament was informed today. Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma told Lok Sabha today that while the opening and closing time of the Taj Mahal has not been altered, the ticket window will open earlier to facilitate movement of visitors inside. "The ticket window would open 45 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes before sunset to facilitate the entry of visitors of Taj Mahal," Sharma said. As of the instructions issued on January 25, 2018, by the Archaeological Survey of India, the gates through which tourists enter the Taj Mahal open 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset, he said. The Mughal-era monument remains closed for visitors on Fridays. Earlier both the gates and the ticket windows used to open between sunrise and ...
Danish history comes alive in restored tavern
A part of Danish history has come alive in West Bengal, with the restoration of the Denmark Tavern and Hotel, an over 200-year-old pub along the river Hooghly in Serampore. The restoration work was completed by the National Museum of Denmark (NMD) and the Cultural Ministry of the Scandinavian nation. The tavern was opened for the public on February 28. Project head of the restoration drive, 'Serampore Initiative', Bente Wolff said, "When we had visited the place in 2010, the front part had completely given way and a small portion of the first floor remained. It was in a state of total decay." When the Danish team had first visited the place, no one could recall the original name of the ruined building, but after historians checked the state archive here and flipped through other official documents, they realised it was the Denmark Tavern and Hotel, Simon Rasten of NMD said. "The Denmark Tavern and Hotel, which came up in 1786, was located at the place in Serampore - ...
Trump ordered to lose weight
United States President Donald Trump has cut down on red meat, since his doctor told him he needs to lose a few pounds.President Trump has cut out his favorite Big Macs from McDonald's and has been eating more fish, salads and soups. It's been two weeks since Trump ate a hamburger, according to Newsweek.White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson, in January had announced that Trump at 6'3" and 239 pounds, is just one pound below being classified as "obese".President Trump has reportedly embraced the new menu choices he is being offered and is enjoying his new diet, according to sources.He is said to have had one cheat day this week, when he enjoyed a hearty bacon breakfast.It's an about-face from his campaign trail regimen, which reportedly included two Big Macs, two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and a chocolate milkshake for dinner.One way Trump supposedly justified his love for McDonald's was the reassurance it offered."He had a longtime fear of being poisoned, one reason why he liked to eat
Boney opened up about Sridevi's last moments: Nahta
Film trade analyst Komal Nahta has claimed that Bollywood diva Sridevi's filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor has opened up to him about his final meeting with his wife, a surprise that turned into a tragedy. Sridevi, 54, passed away on February 24 in her Dubai hotel room due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. Nahta in his blog said Boney wanted to surprise Sridevi who had decided to spend a couple of days in Dubai to shop for daughter Janhvi after the wedding of nephew, actor Mohit Marwah, in Ras Al-Khaimah on February 20. He said the 62-year-old producer had a meeting to attend in Lucknow on February 22, which he did. On the same day Sridevi, spent time with her friend, chatting and relaxing in her hotel room. "On 24th morning, I spoke to her," Nahta quoted Boney as telling him. The producer said Sridevi had told him, "Papa (that's how Sridevi addressed Boney), I'm missing you." Boney, however, didnt tell her that he would be joining her in Dubai in the ...
Four tourism circuit projects on anvil for Kerala: Official
: The Centre is actively considering four new tourism circuit projects in Kerala including one linking various places associated with 20th century social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, a top official said today. Of the total Rs 1,700 crore set aside for the tourism sector in this year's union budget, Rs 1,000 crore was earmarked for 'Swadesi Darshan' programme and Rs 100 crore for the 'Prasad' project, Director General (Tourism) Satyajeet Rajan said. He was talking to reporters here after a meeting with state Tourism Department officials about the progress of various projects. Four projects of Kerala are in pipeline under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, he said. They include Malanadu-Malabar Cruise tourism, the circuit connecting places associated with Sree Narayana Guru, Athirappally-Malayattoor-Kalady-Kodanadu and the Nila rural development circuit, he added. Rajan also said the state was asked to rework on the proposalsfor Malanadu-Malabar cruise tourism project and the ..
Ace the blue jeans, white shirt style
The blue jeans and white shirt combination is classic as both smart and casual wear. Experiment and find ways to have fun while styling the outfit, say experts.
Vietjet Air to start Ho Chi Minh city-Delhi flight
Vietnam-based low-cost airline Vietjet Air on Saturday said it will commence direct flight service between Ho Chi Minh city and New Delhi four days a week to cater to the fast-growing air traffic between the two cities.
Beyonce goes vegan ahead of Coachella 2018
Pop diva Beyonce is eliminating meat and dairy products from her diet. The singer announced on Instagram today that she is going vegan in the weeks leading up to Coachella 2018. "44 days until Coachella! Vegan Time!!" she captioned snapshots promoting 22 Days Nutrition, the vegan meal plan she co-launched in 2015. More than 250,000 people will attend the festival at the Indio, California desert in late April, where Beyonce, The Weeknd and Eminem are scheduled to perform.
Goa Tourism basks in awards for its beaches
The Goa tourism department has said their effort to provide clean and safe beaches to tourists is fetching results with the state getting honours at national and international forums. Tourism Director Menino D'Souza said during the last oneyear alone, more than15.79 lakh kg of waste has been collected along the beach belt and transported to a garbage management facility at Saligao in North Goa. The recent ranking of Goa's beaches at national and international forums has come as a huge positive for the industry expecting a rise in footfalls during the current season, he said. "Positive vibes of the scenic beauty combined with Goa Tourism's cleanliness drives in thelast three to four years have earned not onlyadmirationfor the statesbeaches, but also recognitions andawards on national and international platforms," D'Souza told PTI today. The latest honour was the Agonda beach in South Goa being ranked No. 1 in the Asia list of the annual Travellers' Choice Awards for ...
Taiwan celebrates Chinese New Year with Lantern Festival 2018
Adding exuberance to the Chinese New Year celebrations, Chiayi announced the opening of the 29th edition of Taiwan Lantern Festival on Friday here with the lighting of the lantern in the Chiayi County area.
Goa tourism minister warns errant shack operators of action
Beach shack operators would face stringent action if they violated the rules, Goa tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said today. The minister was reacting to complaints by locals in the North Goa beach belt that shacks remain open beyond the permitted time, late into the night. The complaints have come mostly from Baga-Sinquerim area, considered a night tourism hotspot, an official said. Ajgaonkar,in a statement, said he woulddirect the tourism department to crack the whip on erring shack operators, and officials would be held accountable if they didn't take action. "I will not tolerate this defiance by shack operatorsas well as dereliction ofduty by the departmentin not clamping downon the same. I have directed the Departmentof Tourismto actimmediately againstany such violationofnormsunder the shackpolicy," he said. He would look into the issues raised by the local population in theNorth Goacoastal stretch, the minister assured. Tourism activities will be monitored ...
Fitness for me is a way of life: Malaika Arora
Actress Malaika Arora, who feels there is no substitute for a healthy body, says being fit is her oxygen.
Special trains during Holi
The Indian Railways on Friday decided to run special trains to clear extra rush of passengers during long weekend in co-ordination with Central Railway for the Holi festival.The special trains will run between Madgaon - Panvel - Madgaon.The details of the trains are:-Train No. 01026 / 01025 Madgaon - Panvel - MadgaonTrain No. 01026 Madgaon Panvel special will leave from Madgaon at 13:30 hours on March 3. The train will reach Panvel at 23:00 hours on the same day.Train No. 01025 Panvel - Madgaon special will leave from Panvel at 23:55 hours on March 3. Train will reach Madgaon at 11:10 hours on the next day," the Konkan Railway in a press release said."Meanwhile, the train will halt at Karmali, Thivim, Kudal, Kankavali, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar Road, Chiplun, Khed and Roha stations," the release added.Passengers can avail the services.
FBI investigating Ivanka Trump business deal
FBI counterintelligence officials are reportedly scrutinising one of President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump's business deals related to a hotel in Vancouver, Canada.As per CNN reports, sources said that officials are looking into the deal involving the International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, which contains an Ivanka Trump-branded spa.The probe comes as Ivanka and one of his senior advisers, seeks to obtain a full security clearance.It was however not clear what aspects of the deal investigators are looking into.
Nick Jonas' 'bloody' date in Australia
Singer Nick Jonas didn't let an open wound come in his way of having a good time with a mystery woman in Australia.
Gaurav Bidhuri 'disappointed' over CWG snub
World championship bronze medallist boxer Gaurav Bidhuri, who has not been named in the India squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, on Thursday said he is disappointed over the exclusion.The bantamweight boxer (56kg) has been out of action since winning a bronze in August last year owing to a back injury.He also missed the India Open and the Bulgaria invitational tournaments.Bidhuri told ANI, "I didn't participate in competitions because I was not fit that time of trials. I was making myself fit for the final CWG trials so that I can perform my best.""I also got fitness certificate from another specialist that I am fit enough to participate in competitions. I had just requested for a chance to appear in the trials to prove myself," he added. "Yes, if you talk about my case then yes I am disappointed."Meanwhile, three-time Asian medallist and 2015 world championship bronze-winner Shiva Thapa, too, failed to secure a berth in the lightweight (60kg) category.The Boxing Federation of ...
I'm very particular about my hair: Vidya Balan
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, known for her luscious hair, says she takes extra care -- especially on festivals like Holi -- of her mane.
Black pepper and ginger ease in lacklustre trade
Black pepper and ginger unbleached eased in an otherwise lacklustre spices market here today following subdued demand from stockists and retailers. While, all other spices held stable in absence of necessary buying activity. Black pepper rd slipped by Rs 5/10 per kg to Rs 410/480 from Wednesday's closing level of Rs 415/490 and ginger unbleached edged down by Rs 4 per kg to Rs 121 as against Rs 125. Following are today's closing rates (in Rs with previous rates in brackets): Black pepper (per kg) 410/480 (415/490), ginger unbleached (per kg) 121 (125), copra office Alappuzha (per quintal) 13,800 (13,800), copra office Kozhikode (per quintal) 13,500 (13,500), copra Rajapur Mumbai (per quintal) 16,500 (16,500), copra edible Mumbai (per quintal) 15,500 (15,500).