Sunday, July 22, 2012

4:36 PM

Tourist arrivals in Kashmir are expected to witness a record three-fold jump this year.

J&K ready for record rise in tourist arrivals


Tourist arrivals in Kashmir are expected to witness a record three-fold jump this year.
“This year we expect a three-fold increase in the tourist influx since people have ensured harmony and peace despite provocations from the elements inimical to the prosperity and development of the state,” said Nawang Rigzin Jora, J&K minster for tourism and culture.
Official figures said more than 13 lakh tourists visited the valley last year. The figure excludes 6.34 lakh pilgrims who visited the holy Amarnath Shrine in 2011. The Jammu and Ladakh regions too reaped the benefits of peace with one crore pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine this year. More than 1.79 lakh tourists visited the cold desert of Ladakh, an increase of 136% from last year.
Figures released by the home minister last week revealed that around nine lakh tourists have visited the state so far this year. “This year the valley would surpass all previous tourist records. Efforts are being made to develop new tourist spots and upgrade the tourist infrastructure for convenience of visiting tourists,” said Talat Parvez, director tourism department Kashmir.
People associated with the tourism sector are taking the government projections with a pinch of salt. “We are still in the middle of tourism season and given their projections we should have crossed the half way mark. This however is not the case. Yes there has been substantial increase in tourist arrivals this year,” said GM Dag, chairman of J&K Tourism Alliance.
What is harming the tourism sector is the travel advisor issued by foreign countries. “Foreign arrivals are very less and it will continue unless advisories are withdrawn,” said Dag.
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Sunday, July 8, 2012

9:50 PM

Kuttralam is a beautiful small town with many waterfalls

GURMEET CHOUDHARY, ACTOR

1 CHERATING BEACH, MALAYSIA: You don’t see Indian tourists here. It is a beach resort and you get everything within its premises. From bows to kayaks, and beach balls to gyms, you have everything and can do everything. It is an experience of a lifetime.
2 KUTTRALAM: It is a beautiful small town with many waterfalls. You can take a shower here. Ethnic meets bohemian here.
3 PURI: One of the four dhams. The sculpture on the temple is very intricate and interesting. Sitting inside the temple and watching a man climb to the temple top to change the flag is a scene to cherish. Also, the gigantic waves here can’t be seen anywhere else.
4 UMARGAON: Again a sea front. There is nothing to see, but there is a feeling of the place being untouched.

5 MAYAPUR: The head office of Iskon is here and it is extremely neat and tidy. Mayapur is a marble city. You eat sleep and stay there, surrendering yourself to the almighty.
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9:48 PM

Relive the history of India’s many monuments, heritage sites and even cities with interactive apps

It isn’t unusual to visit New York or London and head to the Statue of Liberty or Buckingham Palace without a tour guide. Yet hordes of tourists visiting these spots leave enriched thanks to travel apps that mix visuals and audio and make the visit informative. Now India specific apps are bringing the same experience to the average desi traveller. These apps are easy on the wallet and cover monuments, heritage sites and even cities.
Agra Fort New age 

Take for instance Audio Compass. The Mumbai-based audio firm offers in-depth tours at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Khajuraho to anyone with a smartphone (iOS and Android). What’s more, the apps come with the approval of the Archeological Survey of India and Ministry of Culture.
“For example, the trouble with the Taj Mahal on-site tour is that a licensed guide charges the average tourist R895. So others are forced to hire locals who often pass off fiction for fact,” says Gautam Shewakramani, CEO of Audio Compass, adding that there is a high demand for apps that are available in several regional and foreign languages.
Their app tours come with interactive elements like highres pictures, touchscreen maps and, in the case of the Taj tour, a storyline that revolves around the legendary lovers, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Their Agra Fort tour allows visitors to get a feel of the palace, battles, and the rise and fall of Shah Jahan, while the tour of Khajuraho lets visitors explore one of the finest monuments of medieval India. They’ve even kept room for fiction to keep conspiracy theorists happy.
“For instance, Shah Jahan chopping off the hands of artisans who worked on the construction of the Taj is a myth told so many times that it has become true. So we mention it in our fiction section,” says Shewakramani.
The company is soon set to release apps that feature Salar Jung Museum, the Mumbai heritage district and even one around Bollywood star homes. “The Mumbai heritage district tour will start at Horniman Circle and end at Gateway of India. Similarly, the Bollywood tour will talk about the stars and relive their life and times,” says Shewakramani.
The other app worth trying out is Monumental Agra.
Upon download, one is first taken to an illustrated map of Agra. It also has sections such as history of the Mughal dynasty, history of Agra, walkthrough history tours of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb along with cost of entry tickets and timing. “When you travel abroad, most monuments have official audio guides. However, in India, this phenomenon is limited only to popular monuments,” says Vedanta Kumar, creator of Monumental Agra.
Rich resource
There was extensive research done to provide users with accurate information. “We went through various historical sources and consulted guide books. We also took multiple tours of the monuments with various guides to capture the myths associated with a monument,” says Kumar.
Their app is compatible only with iOS, but they are working on launching an Android version of the application soon. Also on the cards are apps for Jaipur and Delhi. “We hope to have these apps launched by Diwali. After these cities, we will expand to other cities within India,” says Kumar.

And tourists too seem happy with the choices. “All we need to do is download the app once. Then they work offline and don’t even use roaming. It is the perfect alternative to guides,” says Ajinkya Kamath, a housewife in Dadar.

Do download

Let’s See—
South India: An interactive ‘travel handbook’, it offers crisp info on tourist places in the states.

A Guide to Goa: Provides info on places to visit, beautiful beaches, Goan dishes, useful contact numbers and Konkani phrases.

Delhi Expert Guide: This app leads you from New to Old Delhi and 400 years into the past with self-guided walking tours. 
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9:03 PM

Super posh places that are only a few hours’ drive away from Mumbai

The city slicker’s guide to an even slicker weekend – super posh places that are only a few hours’ drive away

“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then, take half the clothes and twice the money” – Susan Heller

AFTER A LONG week of struggling with deadlines, missing meals and wondering what life has come to, you deserve total luxury on the weekend. Most resorts outside the city are content to provide lush greenery and quiet. It’s only now that they’re also throwing in plush rooms, spas and world-class amenities. Pull out your platinum card for a decadent weekend.
 

THE RADISSON BLU, ALIBAUG

FROM R19,000

A little further away from popular beaches like Kihim, Mandwa and Nagaon is The Radisson Blu, 16 acres of peace and quiet. City dwellers especially love the Mandara Spa, a Balinese brand offering massages inspired by indigenous practices. Hurlene Kharbanda, a project consultant and frequent visitor at The Radisson, can’t seem to shake her spa experience. “As I lay there, with the sound of water flowing around in the enormous spa, I felt so refreshed. The Tamarind Body Blast Therapy was heavenly and while the masseuse fussed over me, I felt like I was in my happy place.”

FORT JADHAVGADH, PUNE

FROM R7,000

If you’re looking to spend your weekend maharaja-style, this is the place. Trumpets are blown to celebrate your welcome. And from then on, you’re treated like royalty. The tents are air-conditioned, the rooms decorated with antique furniture, and the suites were once used by the descendants of Maratha General Pilaji Jadhav himself. There are ghazals and folk dances to keep you entertained, but if you’re a history buff, just walk around the fort hotel to feel the past come alive. Harish Punwani, operations and scheduling manager at Emirates, spent one of the most memorable weekends of his life at Fort Jadhavgadh. His wife surprised him by booking a romantic escape for their anniversary weekend. “As soon as they learnt that it was our wedding anniversary, they decorated the secluded balcony at the restaurant with flowers and candles, and treated us to a special dinner.”

THE MACHAN, LONAVALA

The Canopy Machan: R12,000 The Heritage Machan: R30,000

Plenty of resorts offer you lodgings in the lap of luxury. At The Machan, they go a step further and put you on the very shoulder of luxury, offering a panoramic view of the Jambulne valley. Tree houses 40ft above the ground include the Heritage Machan, with a suspended ‘Hanging Room’ with glass walls from floor to ceiling. Watch the sunrise, and count the stars, from your cushy bed in a floating room. Talent manager Vidushi Arora visited The Machan and says the resort blends beautifully into its surroundings. “I spent my time sipping masala chai and watching nature revel in the monsoon!”

BEYOND, SULA VINEYARDS, NASHIK 

R6,000 TO R18,000

What started off as a winery has unfurled into an elegant getaway for those who prefer idling the weekend away with good wine and a view of the Nashik vineyards stretching for miles ahead. Beyond at Sula is all about touring vineyards, stomping grapes, appreciating new wines and tasting new flavours.
Former VJ Shehnaz Treasurywala says that one of the things she remembers of her visit is “sipping my wine at

CCAZA CCOMODORE,MANDWA

FROM R10,000

At Ccaza Ccomodore, barely seven minutes from the Mandwa jetty, the lovely cottages come with their own kitchen, private garden and caretaker. The homely vibe continues with a big common garden, where, if you choose to dine, your food is grilled and barbecued in front of you. It’s possible to while away the entire weekend in the great outdoors, watching your children knock themselves out on the trampoline, which according to Nitin Mongia, owner at Ccaza Ccomodore, is a favourite pastime for visiting families.

THE UPPER DECK, LONAVALA

FROM R11,000

The Upper Deck, perched on the highest point of Lonavala, is secluded, untouched and offers the best view of the Valvan Reservoir, Rajmachi Point and the lush Sahyadri greenery that surrounds it. Take in the sights from the openair jacuzzi they’ve installed on their massive deck. When Ishrat Chadha, a playschool supervisor, went there with her family, everyone had a great time exploring the hills. “I enjoyed swimming in the large pool out front, with the valley as the backdrop,” says Shimona Chadha, her daughter.

 


 


 


 


 


 
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3:52 PM

INDIA’S URBAN CHALLENGE

Eight of our cities were at the bottom of a recent international survey. It ranked 120 cities on their ability to attract capital, talent and tourists. What can we do to make our cities more globally competitive?

Eight of our cities were recently ranked at the bottom of a global survey. How can we make our cities more competitive? A ll through June, Mumbai waited restlessly for the elusive monsoon to begin. When it finally poured last week, the joy was short-lived: With just a few hours of rain, the city was reduced to a mess of waterlogged streets, choked drains, falling trees and long traffic jams.
SOURCE: HOT SPOTS: BENCHMARKING GLOBAL CITY COMPETITIVENESS, A SURVEY BY THE ECONOMIST I NTELLIGENCE UNIT
I MAGING: SEBASTIAN ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ THE PARAMETERS USED TO RANK 120 CITIES AROUND THE WORLD Economic strength Physical capital Financial maturity Institutional effectiveness Social and cultural character Human capital Environment and natural hazards Global appeal ■ AHMEDABAD Fared poorly on: Financial maturity MUMBAI BANGALORE RANK 92 RANK 70 Fared poorly on: Environment and natural hazards RANK 79 Fared poorly on: Social and cultural character DELHI RANK 68 Fared poorly on: Financial maturity IND PUNE IA RANK 97 Fared poorly on: Global appeal KOLKATA Fared poorly on: Social and cultural character CHENNAI RANK 105 Fared poorly on: Financial maturity RANK 106 Fared poorly on: Global appeal HYDERABAD RANK 98 To many, then, it may not come as a surprise that Mumbai — and seven other Indian cities — found no place among the top 60 in a recent survey that ranks 120 cities around the world on competitiveness. The survey, titled Hot Spots: Benchmarking Global City Competitiveness, was conducted by the Econom is t Intelligence Unit and released this March.
It defines competitiveness as a city’s ability to attract capital, businesses, talent and tourists, and evaluates cities on parameters such as economic strength, physical and human capital, institutional effectiveness, social and cultural character and global appeal. Despite facing a severe economic slowdown, Western cities emerged at the top of the ranking, with New York, London and Singapore occupying the first three slots.
Indian cities, meanwhile, were in the bottom half of the list, with Delhi at 68 and Mumbai at 70. The only parameter on which Indian cities — Bangalore and Ahmedabad in particular — are rated well is economic strength. But this alone, say experts, cannot improve the quality of city life in the absence of efficient infrastructure and civic amenities. “The main problem in our cities is the absence of planning that responds to the needs of the people,” says Mumbai-based architect and urban planner PK Das. “The underdevelopment of Indian cities is reflected in the lack of provisions for affordable housing, affordable healthcare and education and comprehensive public transport systems.”
While surveys such as Hot spots are of interest to investors and professionals around the world, sceptics question their intentions and methodology. “Such surveys use Western economic models to evaluate India and other countries, where cities function along very different economic logics and histories,” says Bangalore-based urban planner Solomon Benjamin, who believes these rankings, with their policy prescriptions, could have dangerous consequences. “They can be used by the elite to lobby for even more specialised infrastructure, land and expensive services, while the rest of the city that actually provides employment as the real economy, lies deprived of basic facilities.”
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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

4:17 PM

A romantic journey this monsoon

The monsoons make us reminisce over the joy of train journeys, especially toy trains. We bring you some quaint toy trains.

The mast mausam makes us reminisce over the joy of train journeys — especially toy trains! As the weekend approaches, we bring you quaint trains you might want to consider on your next break.

Chugging up hills, little hamlets and terraced fields, tunnels and breathtaking bridges — our romance with the railways has existed for as long as anyone can remember. Rail gadi chug chug chug chug…goes an old Bollywood song, and transports you to sleepy stations and small towns as you travel in a steady locomotive. The leisurely pace offers you a panoramic view of changing vistas. The invigorating air and the delight of scenic hill resorts provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here are some quaint train journeys you should think about for your next break.

The Shimla-Kalka Toy Train
The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla goes though 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. Travellers on this train can enjoy a dazzling view, and stops at picturesque stations like Dharampore, Taksal, Gamma and Solan. An exhilarating experience, the toy train covers 96 kms in six hours.

The Darjeeling Toy Train
The most famous of the little trains, is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. It is indeed a ‘toy train’ with the narrowest gauge of just two feet, and a tiny century-old engine which is a connoisseur’s delight. The 86-km long Darjeeling line has no tunnels, thus allowing for an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas. The seven-and-a-half hour ride up, is a journey especially for rail buffs.
Palace on Wheels
This week-long train journey goes through the most glamorous region of northern and north-western India. A luxury train which is nostaligic of the royal living style, its old world allure is juxtaposed with modern deluxe facilities that turn every voyage into a surprising retreat for the travelers. Starting in Delhi, the train crisscrosses through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Sawaj Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Bharatpur and Agra.
Palace on Wheels

Neral-Matheran Toy Train
The 77-year-old train is the main way to reach this beautiful hill station. A scenic vista of hills and plains is a great getaway from the city’s madness as the little train wheezes up into the clear mountain air. The journey up to Matheran from Neral takes about one-and-a-half hours and the toy train runs between sunrise and sunset. The line is generally closed in the monsoons because of the danger of landslides.
Other trains
The Nilgiri Mountain railway starts from the town of Mettupalayam and thus begins a journey full of twists and turns, as this narrow gauge train ascends 46-km, on its way to the hill resort of Ooty trekking across plains, plantations and forest clad hills.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park toy train Van Rani or Jungle Queen is a fun train ride through the foothills of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, traverses a couple of bridges and tunnels and passes over the Deer Park.
For those who can’t venture too far, Phoenix Market City, Kurla has a quaint toy train and the garden opposite Vashi mini seashore in sector-10 now has a toy train for children as well.
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

11:38 PM

The Snake Boat Race of Kerala takes place today. After Hrs tracks other popular boat races from around the world...

Row, row, row your boat
The Snake Boat Race of Kerala takes place today. After Hrs tracks other popular boat races from around the world...

The Champakulam Boat Race popularly known as Snake Boat Race of Kerala is a sight to see — set against the scenic canals and backwaters of Alappuzha. Exceptionally long country boats, chundans, are used for this, the oldest snake boat race and the first of the harvest season of the state. Festival boats of the area accompanied the idol of Krishna, being brought to the region’s temple, in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake in 1545 AD. Celebrating that moment, the whole procession is enacted every year with the same enthusiasm. A line of boats festooned with colourful parasols and performing arts delights spectators before the race kicks off. The snake boat race is often considered the ultimate test of endurance, speed and skill in this region and rowers numbering about 90 to 100 on each boat undergo rigorous training for several days, prior to participating in the race.
Even the International Dragon Boat Festival or Tuen Ng Festival from July 2-8, is celebrated to memorialise the death of a popular Chinese national hero Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt rulers. Legend has it that as the town people attempted to rescue Qu Yuan; they beat drums to scare fish away and threw dumplings into the sea to keep the fish from eating his body. Today, festival activities recall this legendary event. This year 3,000 athletes from 12 countries will race and the Dragon Boat Races will be a lively, vibrant spectacle with elaborately decorated boats moving to the beat of heavy drums. The special boats measure more than 10 meters and are ornately carved and painted with a dragon head and tail, carrying a crew of 20-22 paddlers.
This week Finland will also witness Sulkavan Suursoudut, the biggest rowing event which gathers over 10,000 rowers and over 20,000 visitors, from July 5-8. During the weekend, rowers can participate in the small boat, special boat and the noted Sulkava long boat race. Sulkava long boat crew consists of 14 rowers and a cox who paces them. Each rower has one oar and rows on a sliding bench. The cox also steers the boat and urges the rowers to their task. Most of the routes take the rowers around the isle of Partalansaari where they can enjoy the beautiful Finnish nature while competing.

Published Date:  Jul 03, 2012
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