Page 96 - Hospitality Recreation
177 rescued from stormy sea in Thailand
A total of 177 people including tourists were rescued to safety from a rough sea off Thailand's popular resort island of Phuket, authorities said on Thursday.
A portrait of India in black and white
Travel writer Ajay Jain's road trips of over 1,00,000 km across India since 2007 and black and white portraits shot during these journeys; the result: a new book called "Indians". Every destination on the planet offers only a subset of what India boasts as a whole. Where else would one find so much of natural and man-made heritage to include landscapes, monuments, history, food, culture, religion, festivals, customs, dressing, wildlife and people, the author says. Jain has been road tripping across India since 2007, having self-driven over 1,00,000 km. What started as a desire to travel became a journey of enchantment. He wanted to showcase portraits of those he met and what he saw on the road. "This book is an attempt for each of our country's citizen to realise the richness in our diversity, and to appreciate and embrace it. When we do so, we will love our fellow Indians, and thus love our own land," he says of the book, which he has self-published. The book took a decade to shoot, .
J'khand: Locals suffer as Naxals obstruct road construction
With zero availability of cemented roads, locals in Naxal-affected Buddha Pahad area in Jharkhand's Latehar district are suffering inconvenience in travelling for day-to-day purposes.According to the locals, Naxals don't want proper road connectivity in the area as it would give access to the security forces to take actions against them."Construction work was started in our area, but the Naxals didn't allow the officials to complete it," said a local.Due to the current situation, the locals are also forced to take longer routes to travel from one place to another.While requesting the government to build roads in the district in order to improve the situation, another local said, "We think twice before leaving our homes. If the government will take necessary actions then our situation can improve. For Naxals' benefit, why should we suffer? If proper cemented roads will be there, then we can improve our day-to-day lifestyle.
Now visitors will have to pay more to visit Taj Mahal
Visitors to Taj Mahal and other monuments will now have to pay extra, as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) raised the entry fee to visit such historical monuments.While domestic visitors will have to pay an extra Rs 10, the foreign tourist will have to pay Rs 100 more to visit Taj Mahal.As per the notification of Ministry of Culture, foreign tourists will now have to pay Rs 1100, which earlier was Rs 1000, including Rs 500 toll tax collected by Agra Development Authority (ADA). The domestic tourists will pay Rs 50.Apart from this, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries' visitors will now pay Rs 540, including Rs 500 as toll tax to visit the monument.A tourist visiting Taj Mahal said that due to the continuous hike in the ticket price, less number of tourists are visiting monuments.In the last two-and-half-year, this is the second hike in the entry fee at Taj Mahal. Earlier, the ASI increased the entry fee for its protected monuments in 2016.
Jonty Rhodes star attraction in surfing event
Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes will be the star attraction in the 6th edition of the Point Surfing Championship, to be held in Kovalam from August 17 to 19. The Covelong Point Surfing Championship is recognised by the Surfing Federation of India. Rhodes, himself an avid surfer, will also be seen in action at the Covelong Point Surf. The premier surfing competition will see top men's and women's surfers from across the country vie for top spots under seven categories. The surfing categories for the championship are as follows - Novice (U12); Groms (U16); Juniors (17-22 Years); Seniors (23-30 Years); Masters (31 Years and above); Women (all ages); Open Category (Foreign Nationals). This year the competition would also see participation from surfers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Surfing Federation of India also has inked a historic agreement for an exchange program with the Sri Lankan Surfing federation where surfers from both the countries would be participating in the
US museum to return two ancient sculptures to India
An eighth-century stone sculpture of Goddess Durga and a limestone sculpture from the third century will be returned to India by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest museum in the US. The Met, one of New York's most popular destinations, said the stone sculpture of Durga Mahishasuramardini was donated to the museum in 2015. In the course of research, the museum's staff recognised it from the 1969 publication 'The Archaeology of Kumann' by K P Nautiyal, in which the Durga was described as being housed in the Chakravarteswara Temple at Baijnath, a medieval capital in Uttarakhand, in northern India. The museum contacted the Archaeological Survey of India, and The Met and India signed an agreement for its return in April 2018. The limestone sculpture 'Head of a Male Deity' was donated to the museum in 1986. The staff recently determined that it was part of the excavated inventory of the Nagarjunakonda Site Museum and offered to return it earlier this year. The two sculptures will ..
Karunanidhi death: Cases filed against burial at Marina withdrawn
Amid demand for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) patriarch M Karunanidhi's memorial at Marina beach, Doraisamy, the advocate who filed a petition against burial on Marina beach on Tuesday withdrew all the cases saying that "Kalainger Karunanidhi was very important"."I withdraw all cases in this regard because Kalaignar Karunanidhi is important for us. So now, there are no legal hurdles for the government," Doraisamy told the media.The Tamil Nadu Government earlier denied burial space for Karunanidhi near Anna Memorial at Marina beach. Following this, the DMK moved the Madras High Court demanding the same.Scores of Karunanidhi's supporters and party workers in Rameshwaram also raised slogan "Long live our Kalaignar's fame. Give Place, Give Place: Give Place at Marina". They also created ruckus at some places, demanding space for Karunanidhi's memorial at Marina beach.The five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister breathed his last on Tuesday at Chennai's Kauvery Hospital.
Bengal tourism infrastructure development sluggish: Official
The progress in developing tourism infrastructure in West Bengal's coastal circuit has been sluggish in spite of receiving Central government's funds under the 'Swadesh Darshan' scheme, a senior official of Ministry of Tourism said on Tuesday.
Bengal should look at boosting tourism within state: Official
The West Bengal government should make concerted efforts to attract more tourists at different locations within the state, a senior tourism official said today. "While Bengali tourists are among the top travellers in the country, apparently they don't give topmost priority to the tourist spots located in their own state," Regional Director (East), Tourism, J P Shaw told reporters here on the sidelines of a seminar on 'Heritage and Weekend Tourism in Bengal'. He said according to latest figures, West Bengal figured in the fifth spot in terms of foreign tourist inflow and stood eighth with regard to domestic tourist visits. "You have everything in Bengal, it is time you showcase the places and further improve facilities," he said, seeking cooperation from the state government and other stakeholders for improving tourist amenities. Shaw referred to the improving road condition in places like Hazarduari, Bishnupur, and 'classified hotels' (hotels with star facilities) in ...
Jonty Rhodes to be part of 6th Covelong Point Surf Music Yoga festival
South Africa fielding great Jonty Rhodes on Tuesday confirmed his participation in the sixth edition of the annual Covelong Point Surf Music Yoga festival to be held at Kovalam from August 17-19.
Jaisalmer to host India Baja 2018
India Baja 2018, the Indian edition of the greatest challenge of all extreme motorsport competitions in the world, will be organised from August 17-19 among the dunes of Jaisalmer.
Australian pubs begin campaign for drought-stricken communities
Pubs across Australia will donate A$1 from every chicken parmigiana meal they sell to help drought-stricken farmers.
Blue bottle jellyfishes injure many at Mumbai beaches
Scores of blue bottle jellyfish also known as Portuguese man-of-war we spotted cross the beaches of Mumbai, causing panic and fear among the people.Several people were injured and were left in pain after the venomous jellyfish attacked them.The long tentacles of jellyfish when enter the body of an individual, cause itching and pain for hours. The venomous sting can kill fish but not humans.Blue bottle jellyfishes are generally seen in Mumbai, during the mid-monsoon season.A shopkeeper at Juhu Beach said that around 150 people have been attacked by the jellyfish in past two days."The beach is full of jellyfish. Many people have been injured, from the past two days. I am helping them by rubbing lemon when they are stung. I suggest, people should avoid visiting beach for now," he said.Locals said that the jellyfishes are seen every year on the beaches, but this time they can be spotted in large number.
Gordon Ramsay hails late Joel Robuchon as 'God Father of Michelin'
British Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay labelled his teacher, the French culinary genius, Joel Robuchon, as the 'God Father of Michelin', hours after the latter passed away.He took to Instagram to express his heartfelt message for Robuchon and also posted a happy picture of his teacher posing with him."We've Lost The God Father of Michelin the most decorated Chef in the World, he kept all of us on our toes! Even when we were sleeping! Merci Chef, God Bless," the post read.The 32-Michelin starred Robuchon, who died of cancer on August 06, earned the title of 'Chef of the Century' in 1990Talking about his culinary skills, his mashed potatoes dish was a hit in his restaurants based in Paris, Monaco, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Bangkok and Hong Kong. He is also the only chef with 32 Michelin guide stars.
Italian bike-maker Benelli signs MoU for plant in Telangana
Italian motorcycle-maker Benelli today signed an MoU with Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride International (AARI), a subsidiary of Mahavir Group, for setting a manufacturing facility here. The group company would initially start assembling CKD (completely knocked down) kits of the bike here for Benelli and the partnership entitles Adishwar to assemble, manufacture bikes and import exclusive range of the bikes from Italy and SouthEast Asian regions, managing director of Benelli India Vikas Jhabakh said in a press conference. Established in 1911, Benelli is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle-manufacturer andhas presence in over 60 countries such as America, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. "In 2005, Benelli became part of Qjian Jiang Group, China. As of now, we are selling about 2,500 bikes in India. We aim to assemble 10,000 units in the first phase. Once we reach that figure, we aim to go in for production here," he said. The first bike would roll out
Parties want govt-run liquor shop in suburban Kovai
Despite the clamour for total Prohibition, some political parties here today demanded a government-run liquor outlet at Karumathampatti, near here, to prevent locals from falling victims to hooch and adulterated liquor. In a memorandum submitted to the district Collector T N Hariharan, a copy of which was released to the press, representatives of AIADMK, DMK, BJP and CPI sought steps to open the outlet for the benefit of local people and also measures to prevent illegal sale of liquor. Since a licensed liquor shop was located a distance away, local people found it difficult to commute to buy a drink. This has resulted in some people bringing liquor to sell at higher prices to the consumers in Karumathampatti and nearby Somanur, the members of the parties said.
New train between Visakhapatnam to Kirandul
A new train between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to Kirandul in Chhatisgarh via Kottavalasa in AP and Koraput in Odisha will be introduced on Independence Day, ECR said today. While the train would be flagged off from Visakhapatnam on August 15, it would start from Kirandaul from August 16, an East Coast Railway (ECoR) release said. The Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Express will leave Visakhapatnam daily at 9.40 pm and arrive at Kirandul at 9.40 am hours the next day. In the return journey the train will leave Kirandul daily at 3.30 pm and arrive at Visakhapatnam at 3.20 am the following day. The train will have one AC three tier, three sleeper Class coaches, three second class seating coaches and two guard-cum-luggage vans. It will stop at Kottavalasa, Araku, Koraput, Jeypore, Kotpar Road, Jagadalpur, Dilimili, Kaklur, Dantewada and Bacheli between Visakhapatnam and Kirandul from both the directions. Following the introduction of this daily train, the service of ...
India among highest-growing tourist economies in 2017: Alphons
India was one of the highest-growing tourist economies in the world in 2017, Tourism Minister K J Alphons informed Parliament today. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Alphons said in 2017, India had registered a growth of over 14 per cent in the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) over 2016, along with a 19.2-per cent increase (in US dollar terms) in Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism. "In 2017, Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism were Rs 1.77 crore. India ranks 26th in the world in arrivals of global tourists. India was among the highest-growing tourist economies in the world in 2017," the minister said. He further informed the House that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the tourism ministry had sanctioned 69 projects worth Rs 5,711.79 crore for 29 states and Union territories. Under the PRASHAD scheme, the ministry had identified 26 sites in 19 states for development and till date, 24 projects worth Rs 727.16 crore were sanctioned, .
World's most Michelin-starred chef Joel Robuchon dies aged 73
French celebrity chef Joel Robuchon, who is credited with winning the most Michelin stars in the world, passed away on Monday. He was 73.
Dharamshala hoteliers submit list of demands to Himachal CM
A group of Dharamshala hoteliers met chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and told him that the recent closure of hotels had adversely affected the tourism sector in the region, a delegation member said today. The hotel and restaurant association members, led by President Ashwani Bamba and Honourary Secretary Sanjeev Gandhi, met the CM here yesterday. Stating that there is negligible scope for increasing the extent of land for tourism infrastructure, the delegation members told the CM that the state should amend the existing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) rule from 150 per cent to 300 per cent and increase the vertical expansion limit to 21 metres irrespective of location. As per the new hotel policy of the state, the vertical limit for expansion of commercial buildings is set at 21 metres but these structures must be connected to 5-metre roads. Structures connected to 3-metre wide roads have a limit of 15 metres. Further, the delegation demanded that attic roofs be allowed for commercial use. Staff