TARNETAR FESTIVAL IN GUJARAT SEP05: The Tarnetar Fair is one of the most important fairs of Gujarat. Various tribes like the Kolis, the Rabaris, the Bharwards, the Khants, the Khanbis, the Charans and the Kathis, get together to celebrate the famous legendary marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna, thereby retracing its origin to the times of the Mahabharata. This fair is held every year on the 4th, 5th and 6th day of the Shukla Paksha (Aug-Sept) in Tarnetar (a village near the industrial town of Thangadli) in Surendranagar district (Saurashtra region). Also known as the Trinetreshwer Mahadev Fair, this three-day festival is held at the 14th century Temple of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer), or Trinetreshwer (Three-Eyed God) who is also popularly known as Tarnetar.
This fair is basically an important matchmaking fair where the tribal youths appear elegantly dressed in their best dhotis (drape for menfolk), waistcoats, holding large
colourful umbrellas embroidered by them over a period of one year, and which reveal their bachelorhood. According to popular belief, this was the very place where Draupadi had her swayamvara (a ceremony where an Indian princess chooses husband from amongst many eligible suitors invited to her father's court). Source: Gujarat Tourism
MANGO FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN NEW DELHI: Delhi Tourism in association with APEDA and National Horticulture Board organized the 17th Mango festival from July 2-3, 2005 at Talkatora Stadium. The two day festival had almost 500 varieties of mango from various parts of the country on display including Alphonso, Daseheri, Banganpalli, Kesar, Chausa, Swarnekha Vanraj and Totapari. A Mango eating competition was also held in which participants had to eat three kilograms of mangoes in three minutes time to win.
KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI (KRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY) 07 SEP05: Mathura & Mumbai along with other parts of India, celebrate the birth of Krishna,
one of the cheekier Hindu gods, with lots of pots of yoghurt....and human pyramids.
THE MALABAR TOURISM AND TRAVEL MART SEP 2005: will be held from September 1-4, 2005, informed Mr. K. C. Venugopal, Minister for Tourism. The Mart is held to market the tourism potential of Malabar internationally. Around 250 international delegates and 100 domestic delegates would participate in the mart. A tour will be arranged for the delegates to destinations at Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Thrissur and Palakkad. The venues for the programmes are Kadavu Resort at Kozhikode (1st 3rd Sept.) and Vythiri Resort in Wayanad (4th Sep).
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (India)
DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR INDIANS: With the recent okay from the Cabinet, the long wait for acquiring dual citizenship seems to be almost over for people of Indian origin. The ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) is finalizing and notifying a one-page application form for the process. First applications will be
processed by August 2005 and dual citizenship will be granted to applicants. A new simplified one-page form will be issued by the overseas missions and consulates from August this year to members of the Indian diaspora who qualify and want to apply for dual citizenship. The process for obtaining the dual citizenship would take just two weeks in normal and straightforward cases. The visa will be valid for life.
The applications, which will be processed in two weeks in straight-forward cases, will be decided at the consulates concerned and the passports or applicants will not need to come to India. While applicants will be charged $275 for the entire process, PIO card holders will have to pay only $25. In case of refusal to grant dual citizenship, the applicants will get a $250 refund.
EXPERTS SAVE BODH GAYAS HOLY BUDDHIST TREE: A 110 year old Bodhi tree in Bodha Gaya where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment 2,500 years ago has been saved after three years of
painstaking effort by scientists and has now borne new leaves. The tree grew directly from the original Mahabodhi tree here, a branch of which was taken to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and then a sapling brought back to Bodh Gaya. Pilgrims visiting Bodh Gaya carry leaves buck from this sacred tree.
HERITAGE WALKS INTRODUCED IN DHARAMSHALA: Tourists to Dharamsala and neighboring areas will be able to take to heritage walks to get a better feel of the cultural wealth of the area. There will also be performances by local artistes from McLeodganj, Bhagsunag and Naddi Dharamsala is better known as the headquarters of Dalai Lama.
FORD SCIONS SKI VILLAGE PROJECT GETS INITIAL CLEARANCE: Himachal, Ski Village, a tourism project planned by Alfred Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford, has made critical headway with the Himachal Pradesh Government give a 8o ahead to accept a feasibility repot for setting up 300 cottages. The projects promoters have now set about doing the detailed
feasibility report, that would be expected in three months. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between the promoters and the State Government last month.
LOST CITY UNEARTHED IN KASHMIR: Archeologists have discovered a lost city during excavations in Anantnag district Kashmir. They found the remains of a bustling ancient urban settlement with tiled pavements stamped in colourful human and animal motifs and inscriptions in ancient script Karoshti.
INDIAN RAILWAYS DEVELOP A TRAIN THAT RUNS ON CNG: Indian Railways have developed a train that runs on compressed Natural Gas (CNG). A four-compartment modified DMU Diesel Multiple Unit is being test run in New Delhi by the Railways. In New Delhi all public transport including buses are being run on environmental friendly CNG.
LOST PALACE OF KHAN-E-ALAM NEXT TO TAJ MAHAL DISCOVERED IN AGRA: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) while working on the conservation and repair of structures
adjacent to the Taj has discovered the palace of Khan-e-Alam, the first Governor of the Taj Mahal, just beside the monument. Because of a long period of disuse the structure got buried under more than three meters of river silt. The ASI plans to restore the place to its organized gloomy.
NEW INTERCITY TRAIN BETWEEN AGRA & JAIPUR OPERATIONAL FROM 03 JULY:
From Jaipur to Agra Time Table
Jaipur 06:00 Hrs
Bandikui 07:45 Hrs
Bharatpur 09:00 Hrs
Agra 10:20 Hrs
From Agra to Jaipur Time Table
Agra 18:00 Hrs
Bharatpur 18:58 Hrs
Bandikui 20:55 Hrs
Jaipur 22:30 Hrs
ADDITONAL ROUTE ON DELHI METRO IS THROWN OPEN: Vintage old Delhi and the commercial hot spot of Central Delhi Connaught Place Rajiv Chawk, got a vital linkage through the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate underground section of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) early July. The 7-km stretch was inaugurated Ms. Sonia Gandhi. She thanked the Japanese government for its cooperation
in the project and said other cities had also shown interest in having a metro style system. Work on the section had begun in April 2001 and finished eight months ahead of schedule. More than 1.5 million commuters would use the section daily, and it would ease the load of around 1,000 buses. Once the 32 km Indraprastha-Barakhamba-Dwarka (line III) gets completed by December 2005, it would help ease traffic equivalent to 2400 buses. The already functional Rithala-Kashmere Gate section, is line I of the first phase and is 22 km long. Commuters would now be able to travel from Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate in 14 minutes flat, beneath the bustling traffic of the city.
INDIAS LAST ACTIVE VOLCANO ERUPTS IN ANDAMANS: Smoke and lava are spewing from India's last active volcano on an uninhabited island in the Andaman and Nicobar chain. There is no danger as Barren Island is uninhabited. There is no big threat as the volcano is surrounded on all sides by the sea so the lava
rolls into the sea. Indian Coastguards had reported smoke and lava pouring out of the rim of the crater on Barren Island, which is located some 135 km north-east of the capital Port Blair.
FAST MODERNISATION OF DELHI & MUMBAI AIRPORTS: The civil aviation ministry has proposed sweeping changes in the bid document for restructuring of Mumbai and Delhi airports. The successful bidder would now have to commence work in 15 months after signing the transaction documents from the originally fixed 27 months. The date of completion is proposed to be advanced to October 2008 from March 2010.
FLEMINGO DUTY FREE SHOPS: Flemingo the only private sector duty free shop commenced its business in Delhi with the opening of its four shops at Indira Gandhi International Airport, two at the arrival and two at the departure terminals. In very short span Flemingo launched a major promotion in collaboration with UDV-Diageo. Flemingo is offering schemes and discounts on various products
including Johnnie Walker scotch, perfumes, cigarettes, Sony products etc. Apart from Delhi Flemingo operates in Ahemdabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Tichy and Trivandrum.
BEKAL FORT AREA TO BE DEVELOPED IN KERALA: The State Government has given administrative sanction for projects worth Rs. 9.990 million for the beautification of the Bekal Fort beach in Pallikkara. The works include setting up electric lights, water distribution system and construction of lawn. The National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has identified eighty stretches of roads leading to major tourist destinations for development in the state. In the first phase a total distance of 441 km across the 14 districts would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1900 million. The suggested improvements include provision of lighting and signage, utilities, roadside amenities and sufficient parking facilities. (Source Kerala
Tourism)
KASHMIR IS AS SAFE AS NEW YORK INDIAN TOURISM MINISTER: Minister of state for tourism, Renuka Chowdhury expressed hope that the UK will soon follow Italy and lift its negative travel advisory against Jammu and Kashmir. She also said that the valley is as safe as New York and Bangkok. She said that a special package for strengthening tourism infrastructure in the state has been worked out jointly by both the state and the central governments. The ministry has released financial assistance in the form of subsidy to the tune of Rs 16 crore for houseboat owners, hoteliers, shikarawalas, ponnywalas and other people associated with the trade. Construction work would soon start for skiing in mountaineering complex at Gulmarg.
PUNJAB, ANDHRA TO LAUNCH RURAL TOURISM: Punjab Tourism is taking a leaf out of neighbouring Haryanas book and launching rural tourism. Farm cottages are being identified and will be licensed where tourists will be able to enjoy rural
experience and cuisine. Andhra Pradesh has also announced that a rural tourism project in Chinchchinada village in East Godavari district will show the vibrant lifestyle of their area with its typical fish and prawn culture ponds and dense coconut groves.
PALACE ON WHEELS ATTRACTS RECORD BOOKINGS: Rajasthan's luxury train Palace on Wheels has bookings stretching for the next five years. According to Usha Punia, minister of tourism, the train has been almost fully reserved till 2009-10. For the 2005-06 tourism season, out of the 3,500 seats in the train, 3,392 have already been booked. For the 2006-07 season, the train, which brings alive the luxury of princely travel, is almost fully booked. For 2008-09, 2,864 bookings have been confirmed. During the period 2004-05, Rs 65 million was earned through the train, which is rated amongst the top 10 luxury trains in the world.
NEW BOOK ON GOLD - TEE OFF IN INDIA: People, Places and Golf, the first-ever golf travel guide to
India which was recently released is on book stalls now. The lavishly illustrated 128-page guide is the most comprehensive book available on the burgeoning golf scene in this country. More than two dozen prime courses are profiled in depth with tee tips included at the end of each chapter. A comprehensive list with contact details of 140 golf courses is included. The glossy book also includes a wealth of travel information about major tourist destinations in India and specialized features on diverse topics such as transport, heritage hotels, handicrafts, Indian cuisine, wildlife and houseboats.
BIGGEST GAS DISCOVERY IN GUJARAT: Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPCL) has made the countrys biggest gas discovery - 20 trillion cubic feet (TCF), worth $50 billion - in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin in Andhra Pradesh. Announced on 26 June, it was described as a historical moment for the entire hydrocarbon sector in the country. The initial testing results indicate
estimated reserves of 20 TCF of natural gas with a value of approximately Rs 2 lakh crores ($50 billion). In 25 years, a 1,000 mw plant consumes one TCF of gas.
NEWS MEANS GOOD NEWS (International)
ITALY LIFTS TRAVEL ADVISORY ON JAMMU & KASHMIR, UK MAY DO SO IN NEAR FUTURE: This could be one of the best examples how tourism can assist in killing terrorism! A glowing apotheosis comes from Jammu & Kashmir region which had been suffering from terrorism since 1988. Tourism already picked up two years ago, last year it broke all the records of past years. And this year many foreign tourists from Italy, Israel, Switzerland and groups from Thailand and other parts of South East Asia could be seen. Though the place still may have some minor incidence sometimes, by and large it is quiet safe now and Ministry of Tourism is quiet optimistic that the negative advisory by UK will be lifted soon.
SINGAPORE TOURISM TIES UP WITH INDIAN FILM MAKER RAKESH ROSHAN: TSTB
announced a tie-up by signing an MoU with Rakesh Roshans Filmkraft Productions India Pvt. Ltd. for his new film Krish On 6 July. As per the understanding, he will shoot 60 per cent of movie in Singapore at various locations. The film will have casts as Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Rekha & Naseeruddin Shah. The film will allow Singapore to showcase various facets of unique island country. Indian cinema has such strong following across India that it is an extremely powerful force in shaping the view of the population said Mr. Lim Neo Chian, the deputy chairman of STB.
OLYMPICS WIN WORTH £2 BILLION TO BRITISH TOURISM: Britain`s tourism industry has welcomed the announcement that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games would be held in London, proclaiming it the biggest ever opportunity for UK tourism. Industry leaders believe that between 50 - 75% of Britains net benefit of staging the Games, measured over a 7-10 year period, will accrue through tourism. Based on
Sydneys example, the Games could be worth well over £2 billion to our visitor economy.
A TAIWANESE RESTAURANT THEMED ON TOILETS IS A HUGE SUCCESS: Marton theme restaurant, named after the Chinese word Matong for toilet in Taiwans second largest city is a huge success since its founding in May 2004. Displaying fancy toilet seats studded with flowers and shells, colourful bathtubs, faucets, mirrors and shower curtains it looks more like a bathroom shop. However this unusual theme is proving a great draw Customers eager to eat food off plates and bowls shaped like Western as well as eastern style squat toilets.
A SRI LANKA JAIL TO OFFER A UNIOUE TOURISM EXPERIENCE: The Valle prison in Sri Lanka built in a centuries-old fort that is now a United Nations World Heritage site is being developed into a hotel where guests would abandon their normal dress on check-in and would be issued with prison uniforms. This guests will be allowed keep the keys to their cells and
they could move about at will. There will be no amenities like not and cold running water etc.
NEW JAPANESE BULLET TRAIN TO 230 MPH (360 KMPH): East Japan Railway (Jr East), the largest rail company of Japan has unveiled the new Shinkansen bullet train Fastech 360S. JR East says it will test drive the train between Sendai and Kamikita cities in northern Japan. The train is expected to reach a speed of 230 mph.
NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD: It's going to be a day to remember. On January 1, 2007, the New 7 Wonders of the World will be officially declared at a unique ceremony, broadcast live across the globe. The race to host the prestigious event is currently being fought out between several cities around the globe. Each is keen to play what will be a defining role in the making of modern history, when the result of the huge, worldwide vote to decide the New 7 Wonders is revealed. Between now and the end of 2006, hundreds of millions of people are expected to cast
their vote as to which modern landmarks are worthy of the New 7 Wonder title, using the world's first ever global voting platform. (Read more).
SPECIAL FEATURE
INDIANS TRAVEL NOW OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: In the past, family holidays almost always coincided with school vacations. But the last two years has seen the adventurous traveller going all out to explore exotic getaways during monsoons. Apart from typical destinations like Goa and Kerala, this year newer states like Chhattisgarh (which boasts of waterfalls like Chitrakote and Tirathgarh), Karnataka (especially Karwar, Mangalore and Jog Falls), Bangaram (a coral island in Lakshdweep), Udaipur and the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh are positioning themselves as enticing monsoons destinations. Most state tourism boards have recognised the power of the showers and are actively promoting their states. Goa's highly effective campaign called 'Go Goa' 365 Days' worked wonders. Kerala, too, is actively promoting Ayurvedic packages during monsoons to woo tourists from other states. Apart from exploring options beyond Maharashtra, Mumbaikars are also
taking full advantage of places like Mahabaleshwar, Alibaug and Chiplun, apart from the conventional Lonavala and Khandala this year.
SIR EDMUND HILLARY URGES WORLD GOVERNMENTS TO PROTECT THE HIMALAYAS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE: Environmental campaigners, backed by Sir Edmund, want the World Heritage Committee to put the Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas on its danger list. This would mean governments are legally bound to protect it - which, they say, means cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In May 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary joined forces with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on the first successful ascent of the world's highest mountain. Ever since, he has devoted much time to projects which help the peoples of the Himalayas. "The warming of the environment of the Himalayas has increased noticeably over the last 50 years," he wrote in a statement sent to the BBC. "This has caused several and severe floods from glacial lakes and much disruption to the environment and local people." In
1985, the Dig Tsho glacial lake burst its banks, releasing a mountainside deluge which rushed through villages, bringing down 14 bridges.
Three years ago, a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found more than 40 glacial lakes were filling so rapidly that a similar outburst was likely.
Every year the committee can decide whether to award places of special natural, archaeological or cultural interest the status of a World Heritage Site, and whether to add any of those sites to its "danger list". By ratifying the World Heritage Convention, nations acknowledge that "such heritage constitutes a world heritage for whose protection it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate". Source: BBC
NATURE DOES MATTER
KOTA IN RAJASTHAN TO GET A BIRD SANCTUARY: The Rajasthan Government has decided to develop Ummedganj pond in Kota as a new bird
sanctuary by removing encroachments, improving the water body's ecology and creating facilities for the winged guests. The environment of the wetland measuring 600 bighas will be improved and the expert advice on the project would be sought from ornithologists. A large number of birds inhabit the pond and plenty of others regularly visit the marsh.
INDIAN AUTHOR DUBEYS BOOK BIRDS OF INDIA LAUNCHED AT HOUSE OF LORDS LONDON: An Indian author Prakash Dubeys coffee-table book, Birds of India, was launched at House of Lord, London recently. Lord David Steel of Aikwood, former leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, released the book at Cholmondeley Room of House of Lords in presence of Lady Cherie Blair, wife of the British Prime Minister and 120 Lords, Ladies and other distinguished guests. A Birds of India cover birds of Indian subcontinent and also covers conservation of their environment.
NEW MONSOON TIMETABLE BY KONKAN RAILWAY: The new schedule is in effect
from 16 June until 31 Oct on this route.
CONTEST
Just Answer Five Simple Questions to win a book:
1) Air Deccan is going to withdraw its service ex-Mumbai to which of the following destinations?
a. Delhi c. Surat
b. Goa d. Bangalore
2) Indian Railways network is ---- biggest in the world
a. First c. Third
b. Second d. Fifth
3) Which of these luxury trains was started the last?
a. Palace On Wheels
b. The Royal Orient
c. Deccan Odyssey
d. Fairy Queen
4) Which of the railways has come up with a new monsoon time table for about 4 months from mid June?
a. North Eastern Railway
b. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
c. Konkan Railway
d. South Western Central
5) India is trying to get a membership of which of the UN bodies?
a. Security Council c. UNDP
b. UNESCO d. UNICEF
LAST DATE: 10 Aug05 to send your entries at the email address [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ANSWERS OF LAST CONTEST:
1) Taj Mahal is closed on which day of the week
d. Friday
2) Which natural region in India is likely to get world heritage site status in near future
a. Western Ghat Hills
3) Who is the architect of Taj Mahal
a. No one knows
4) In which month does the Hemis festival take place and where
In June (sometimes in July) near Leh
5) In which year Portuguese came to Goa
c. 1510
WINNER OF LAST CONTEST: We had a great response this time from many participants from India and other parts of world. Though no one is really sure who the architech was for Taj Mahal, giving benefit of doubt, we have selected this time two lucky winners! Warm congratulations to Mr. Blair Letal from New Zealand and Mr. Wolfgang Reindl from Austria! They will shortly be sent some book on India!
NOTE: This newsletter is currently being sent to about 2200 select tour operators, individuals, friends, tourist offices, and other organizations.
The news contents of this are compiled through various resources, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, books, etc 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.
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Book early to avoid disappointment.
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