Page 46 - Hospitality Recreation

Artists to celebrate carnival in Goa's Arambol next month

Hundreds of artists will gather at the Arambol beach in Goa next month to display their talent during a carnival parade being hosted annually by locals and international tourists. The 'Art of Carnival' will be held in the last week of February at Arambol beach in North Goa, 40 kms away from here. Holland-based musician ZouZou, who conceptualised this unique festival one and half decades back, said the theme of this year's event would be ocean. "It's 15 years back when it started. Carnival is an age-old tradition here. Portuguese were here for 450 years and therefore carnival became part of their world," he said. He said that initially the carnival used to happen on the streets of Arambol, with a walk to the beach. "But from third year onwards, it was shifted to the beach exclusively," ZouZou said. "Every 300-400 metres there is artists' installations on the beach. At each of the art installation there is a small performance. To bring the crowd from one art installation to

Kenya attack witness says he saw 5 bodies

A witness to the attack on an upscale hotel complex in Kenya's capital says he saw five bodies. The man who only gave his name as Ken said the bodies were at the hotel entrance. He says other people were shouting for help and "when we rushed back to try rescue them, gunshots started coming from upstairs and we had to duck because they were targeting us and we could see two guys shooting." Separately, rescue workers say two of the people they rushed to a local hospital were dead on arrival. The rescue workers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. Authorities have not yet released any figures on dead or wounded.

Karnataka MLAs inside, media posse outside Mumbai luxury hotel

Attempts by mediapersons to sneak in a luxury hotel where some Congress MLAs from Karnataka were staying proved futile, amid talk of BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the coalition government in the neighbouring state. Security was beefed up at the five-star resort in suburban Mumbai where two independent MLAs and reportedly four Congress MLAs from Karnataka are staying. The Congress suspects that some of its MLAs are lodged in the Powai-based hotel, kept secretly by BJP leaders. Many journalists and Congress workers were seen in the vicinity of the hotel, searching for the "missing" Congress MLAs. There was a large media presence outside the hotel Tuesday after the two independent MLAs announced they were withdrawing support to the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka. Earlier Tuesday, some mediapersons managed to sneek in the hotel but could not progress beyond the hotel lobby. The hotel security and local police were at the main gate to monitor those entering

Explosion, gunfire at Nairobi hotel, office complex: witness

A gunfight was underway following a blast at a hotel and office complex in a leafy Nairobi neighbourhood Tuesday afternoon, an AFP reporter and a witness said. "There was a bomb, there is a lot of gunfire," whispered a man working in the offices in the Dusit Hotel compound, asking not to be named. The blast was heard from AFP's offices some five kilometres (three miles) away and a reporter sent to the scene said the gunmen and security forces were exchanging gunfire. It was not immediately clear whether the incident was a robbery or an attack.

Some tourists think any girl on Goa beach is 'available': BJP MLA

Some Indian tourists who visit the Goa beaches think every girl on the beach is "available" and the influx of such tourists has led to a decline in the coastal state's tourism fortunes, Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo said on Tuesday.

HMSI to drive in CB300R, opens bookings

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) Tuesday said it has decided to drive in CB300R bike in the country and has also opened bookings for the model. The new model will arrive in the country under the completely knocked-down (CKD) route. "Driven by the need to discover and challenge new frontiers, the CB300R is for true enthusiasts willing to try new ideas and experiences," HMSI Senior Vice-President (Sales and Marketing) Yadvinder Singh Guleria said in a statement. The model would be assembled in the country and priced below Rs 2.5 lakh (ex-showroom), he added. The bike comes mated with a 286cc engine.

IAF Siachen unit conducts a trekking expedition in Ladakh region

In the run-up to the 70th Republic Day, Indian Air Force's Siachen maintenance unit conducted a trekking expedition in the daunting terrain of Ladakh region."This expedition on the frozen Zanskar river was undertaken by the air warriors of Air Force Station, Thoise," an Air Force release said.The team leader and overall coordinator of this expedition was Wg Cdr Vikrant Uniyal, a qualified mountaineer from Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen.The expedition team comprising seven air warriors covered a total distance of 65 kilometres in five days through a treacherous route on the frozen Zanskar river.The Chadar Trek is one of the toughest and most challenging trails in the country. The trek began from "Chilling" and continued on Chadar (frozen Zanskar river) via "Tibb" cave till "Naerak" village.The nights were spent in tents near caves along the frozen river at an altitude of 13000 feet.

Hilton introduces new dining program for guests in India

Hilton has announced the launch of its new Hilton Dining Asia Pacific Program, for its Indian guests, providing more choices and benefits at 13 hotels across 9 cities in the country.Aimed at offering benefits along with exceptional Hilton hospitality, the new dining loyalty program includes special accommodation rates and exclusive dining discounts.The benefits can be redeemed at not only the host hotel or other Hilton properties in India, but also in a large number of Hilton hotels in the Asia Pacific Region.The new annual subscription loyalty program offers discounted prices on food and beverages, room privileges, and also extends the benefits to other hotel amenities such as spa, fitness and wellness vouchers, even when the guests are not staying at the hotel.Members can enjoy up to 25 percent off on food and beverage for up to 12 persons, best available room rates, and 20 percent off on easy cancellation rate."We are delighted to extend our Hilton Dining Asia Pacific Program to ...

Centre striving hard to develop eastern states: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday the Centre is striving hard for the development of eastern India, including Odisha, as he launched projects worth Rs 1,550 crore.

Here's how Pongal is being celebrated in India

The four-day harvest festival of Pongal, is observed in the month of Thai and is being celebrated by Indians across the world, especially in Tamil Nadu.The festival celebrates the harvesting of crops including sugarcane, rice and turmeric and falls around the same time as Lohri and Makar Sankranti in mid-January each year.It is essentially a thanksgiving festival, wherein farmers thank the nature, the Sun God and the farm animals for helping in the productions of crops, while other people thank the farmers for producing the crops. The word 'Pongal' in Tamil means to 'to boil', it is also the name of a sweet dish made out of boiled rice, moong dal, milk and jaggery, which is prepared specially to mark the harvest festival.Tamilians usually celebrate the occasion by making delicate traditional designs known as kolams in their homes with rice powder. The kolams are made to welcome goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring wealth, prosperity and happiness into their households.In Madurai,

Google doodle honours first man to launch Indian food in UK

Google's honourary doodle today was a nod to Anglo-Indian traveller and businessman Sake Dean Mahomed who not only became the first Indian author to publish a book in English, but would go on later, to open an Indian restaurant in England.Born in 1759 in Patna, Sake Dean Mahomed, who came from Buxar knew much of alchemy and understood the techniques used to produce various soaps and shampoo.Introducing the Indian cuisine to Great Britain, Mahomed went on to find success as the "The Shampooing Surgeon of Brighton," opening a spa in the British seaside town that attracted the rich and royal.In 1810, Mahomed opened the Hindostanee Coffee House, Britain's first Indian restaurant, which was hailed by the then media reports as a place for nobility to enjoy hookah and Indian dishes of the highest perfection. Nonetheless, Mahomed was forced to close his luxurious restaurant in 1812 and sought to reinvent himself.According to Google, "Moving his family to the beachside town of Brighton, he ...

Google Doodle celebrates Anglo-Indian entrepreneur Sake Dean Mahomed

Search engine giant Google on Tuesday celebrated the birth anniversary of Sake Dean Mahomed who was the first Indian author to publish a book in English and later, to open an Indian restaurant in Britain.

Ferns N Petals' Venues Reaches New Heights With More Than 500 Events in 2018

/ -- FNP Gardens has already raised the bar of Indian weddings by providing its luxurious venues and now they have opened doors for various corporate events. The large spaces offered by them are known for serving as venues for wedding, pre- as well as post-wedding functions such as engagement, cocktail and receptions. These venues are also used to host birthdays as well as anniversaries. Every year, the number of functions are increasing; FNP Gardens takes great pride to become a part of hundreds of celebrations from over two decades. This was possible only by the determinations of FNP Team as well as by offering a unique blend of luxury and hospitality to all the guests as well as clients. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/808341/FNP_Gardens_Logo.jpg ) Currently, there are nine Wedding venues in Delhi NCR by FNP Gardens and the list includes The Ritz, The Riviera, Udman Boutique Resort, The Kundan, Vilasa, Shagun Farm, Chhatarpur Central, Pavilion and the newest member is ...

Pongal celebrated in Tamil Nadu with traditional fervour

Tamil Nadu celebrated Pongal, a major harvest festival, on Tuesday with traditional fervour.

Hoteliers request Dalai Lama to host 'Kal Chakra' puja in Dharamshala

A group of Dharamshala hoteliers Monday wrote to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama requesting him to host a 'Kal Chakra' puja here in an effort to increase the tourist inflow into Himachal Pradesh. "'Kal Chakra' puja has already taken place at various states like Bihar, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, but not in Himachal Pradesh," said Ashwani Bamba, president of Dharamshala Hotel & Restaurant Association. In a letter to the Dalai Lama, the association members wrote that the economy of Himachal Pradesh largely relies on tourism and 'Kal Chakra' puja will largely benefit the state. "Thousands of foreigners as well as Indian tourists are visiting Dharamshala on a regular basis during the past so many years. The city has grown up a lot in terms of infrastructure. Dharamshala has also been selected as one of the smart cities of India," the letter stated. "We strongly believe if 'Kal Chakra' is hosted here, it will give a tremendous boost to the tourist inflow in the city. We request you to .

63% Indians want to replace meat with plant-based food: Report

As the country grapples with health-related issues such as diabetes, healthier food choices might be the flavour of the season with a poll showing that around 63 per cent Indians (now want) eat plant-based food in place of meat.

Try these fitness apps on Apple Watch Series 4 for marathon season

Aiming to serve fitness enthusiasts better as "Mumbai Marathon 2019" inches closer, Apple has recommended some advanced activity, communications and health-tracking apps in its "Watch Series 4" to train people keeping a record of their resting, workout, recovery, walking and breathing sessions.

'Makara Sankranti' festivities begin in Telangana

The three-day Makara Sankranti festivities began in Telangana Monday with the first day celebrated as 'Bhogi'. Traditionally, 'Bhogi manta' (a bonfire with logs of wood and other waste wooden furniture) is lit at dawn. It is a day to discard old clothes and others and make a new beginning. Along with the disposal of the derelict things, it is believed that old habits and vice are sacrificed. In the evenings, children are showered with 'Regi Pandlu' (Indian jujube fruit) in a traditional function organised at homes. This is done in order to protect the children from evil. The second day of the festival (Tuesday) is 'Sankranti'. Traditional food items are offered on banana leaves to ancestors. Delicacies prepared for the festival of Sankranti include chakinalu, appalu and ariselu. On the third day of 'Kanuma' (Wednesday), livestock is worshipped. Youth fly kites during the festival. The Telangana government is organising the fourth international kite festival and the ...

Minister unhappy with Kerala's low ranking in tourism

Union Minister K.J. Alphons on Monday expressed unhappiness over his home state Kerala's low ranking in the tourism sector.

Dine-and-scoot father-son held for cheating posh Mumbai hotels

A father-son duo were arrested for allegedly posing as hotel guests and escaping without paying bills after dining there, police said Monday. The two were nabbed after staff at a five-star hotel in Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai alerted police Saturday, an official said. He identified the two as 57-year-old Suhas Nerlekar and son Swapnil (32), both residents of Kandivali East. Explaining the modus operandi, the official said, "They used to book rooms in posh hotels after introducing themselves as businessmen. Before collecting the keys of their rooms, the two would have dinner at the hotel and then sneak away without paying the bill." On Saturday, a hotel staffer stopped them while they were making an exit and asked them to pay the bill, he said. "They were detained as they did not have any money. The police was called in and we arrested the duo under section 420 (cheating) of the IPC," the Cuffe Parade police station official added. He said the accused have reportedly ...