July 2016

Corporate

July 2016 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 7 • ` 50

Huthridurge Vibrant

Gujarat Oasis of tranquility:

Uruguay

July 2016 | Corporate Outbound 1

Contents

14 Other Stories

Managing Editor: Anurag Gupta Editorial: Garima Singhal Marketing: Don Jose Creative: Raj Toppo Printed, Published & Owned by Anurag Gupta @ 348, Amarjyoti Layout, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Ph: +91 80 41224331 Email: corporateoutbound@gmail.com Printed at Cosmos Printers & Publishers, Wilson Garden, Bangalore - 560 027

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Aviation News

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Hospitality News

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Vibrant Gujarat

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Weekend Getaway- Huthridurge

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Pattaya Goes Pink

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National Tourism News

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08 Oasis of tranquility: Uruguay

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Buzz

Aviation

‘Super Fares’ by Air India for Unconfirmed Bookings of Rajdhani Express

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ir India brings good news to passengers who are unable to get confirmed bookings on Rajdhani Express.

With its Super Fares scheme passengers can book the tickets 4 hours prior to the flight departure at a fare which is equivalent to that of Rajdhani Express (1A). The scheme is valid till September 30th 2016.Currently 21 Rajdhani Express trains run across the Indian Railways Network and close to 20,000 passengers travel with the train on daily basis. However, thousands of passengers are unable to get confirmed tickets due to non-availability of seats. Air India will bridge this gap as passengers can book the tickets through Air India booking offices or from www.airindia.com.

First Haj flight from Kerala

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he first Haj flight of this season, carrying pilgrims from Kerala, Lakshadweep and Mahe will leave for Mecca on August 22.

The first flight will carry 300 pilgrims and only one service would be operated on the first day. Two flights would be operated each day from August 23 to 31. Considering increase in number of Haj pilgrims from state this year the state Haj committee had decided to arrange enhanced facilities in the Haj camp at Nedumbassery airport. Last year the total number of pilgrims from state was only 5633. But the number has increased to more than 10,000 this time, as the HCI has allotted 9,943 Haj seats for state, considering special request from the part of state Haj committee.

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SpiceJet to give discount to senior citizens

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SpiceJet to operate special Haj flights from Indore and Gaya

ow cost carrier Spicejet will give 15% discount on base fares to all senior citizen customers on its domestic flights. The airline says the booking and travel period for this offer for 60 plus travellers is from July 15 to September 30, 2016.

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The senior citizen discount is applicable only on base fare and can be availed for all domestic flights on both one-way and round-trip bookings. Tickets under this offer are changeable, cancellable and refundable (after deducting applicable cancellation fee), though non-transferable as name changes are not permitted. Web check-in is not allowed for senior citizen discount bookings and with limited inventory under the offer, seats will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. These fares are not applicable on group bookings.

Jet Airways to charge Rs 900 for extra cabin bags

Jet Airways to operate Boeing aircraft on MumbaiDubai route

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et Airways will operate one of its daily flights to Dubai from Mumbai with a wide body Boeing aircraft to meet growing demand on the route, starting next month. The change in aircraft type will help Jet Airways fly an additional 178 seats on the route.The city-headquartered full service carrier currently operates 10 daily flights between India and Dubai or 70 flights per week on this high traffic density route.

Starting August 6, Jet Airways flight 9W 544 from Mumbai to Dubai and the return leg flight 9W 543 from Dubai to Mumbai will be operated on the wide-body jetliner, Boeing 777300ER, replacing the narrow-body B737-800.

piceJet is all set to take more than 8000 pilgrims on special flights for the grand annual Islamic pilgrimage Haj in Mecca from Gaya and Indore. The airline plans to deploy two Airbus 320 to ferry pilgrims from Gaya and Indore respectively. The flights will be operated from the two Indian cities to Jeddah and Madina between 4th August and 3rd September 2016. The return journey for the pilgrims back to Gaya is scheduled from 17th September and to Indore from 30th September. The whole activity is expected to be executed by 16th October 2016.

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omestic flyers that don't travel light will not be able to avoid paying excess check-in baggage charges by carrying more 'free' cabin bags. Jet Airways will charge Rs 900 for extra cabin bag for passengers flying from the six metros.

Flyers will be allowed to take one hand bag weighing up to seven or 10 kg, depending on whether they are flying economy or business or are Jet's "privilege platinum and gold members", a laptop bag, and a purse for women without any extra charge. Any other cabin bag will attract the levy of Rs 900 on Jet.Duty-free bags will be exempted from additional cabin baggage charge.

Indigo’s one-stop flight from Vishakhapatnam to Ahmedabad

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ndiGo Airlines started a one-stop flight between Vizag and Ahmedabad. The flight will leave Ahmedabad at 6.25 am and reach Hyderabad at 8.15 am. It will leave Hyderabad at 8.45 am and reach Vizag at 9.55 am. On its return journey, the flight will leave Vizag at 6 pm and reach Hyderabad at 7.20 pm. It will leave Hyderabad at 7.50 pm and reach Ahmedabad at 9.30 pm.

Jet Airways increases capacity to challenge Emirates, Singapore Airlines

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et Airways is deploying wide body Boeing 777 aircraft on Dubai, Singapore and Amsterdam routes to grow its international business. The move will intensify competition on Dubai and Singapore routes dominated by Emirates and Singapore Airlines and could lead to a fare war. It will also enable Jet Airways to consolidate presence in Amsterdam, its new European gateway. The airline is increasing its capacity deployment on international routes following the re-entry of six Boeing 777s into its fleet with seating of 346 passengers in a three class configuration. The six planes were on lease to Etihad Airways and are returning to Jet Airways upon the expiry of lease term.

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Buzz

Hospitality

Indian luxury trains could turn into vintage restaurants

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ndia, luxury travel may get a fillip if the Railway's recent proposal to turn old coaches of Palace on Wheels into 'thematic vintage hotels' becomes a reality. With an aim to let the passengers experience the old heritage while tapping into potential revenues, Indian Railway's heritage wing has proposed to turn the original coaches of India's luxury train into vintage hotels and restaurants. Currently, seven of the original nine coaches of the Palace on Wheels is an exhibit in the National Rail Museum, which houses more than 100 exhibits including coaches in which erstwhile royalty travelled, antique furniture and photographs, among others. The proposal envisages putting up such coach-turned-restaurants at select stations, locations that draw tourists or at strategic points like the Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed and Museum which draws locomotive enthusiasts. The Cox&Kings-operated luxury train Deccan Odyssey also came up with a package this month that allowed Indian residents to avail a 50 percent discount for their "companion" while booking a cabin for journeys taken up between June 30 to October 16, 2016.

Stayzilla Expands Presence in North East India

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tayzilla.com has expanded the number of homestays in North East, Sikkim and Bengal, given the remoteness and demand for stays in these areas. Stayzilla works closely with various state tourism departments for opening up more homestays across the hilly terrain of the East. Identifying the undersupply of stay options relative to demand in India, Stayzilla stays are surpassing geographical barriers to welcome diverse cultures experiences across remote places such as Majuli.

With over ten homestays, local tribes of Majuli have been promoting spiritual and eco-tourism vigorously in the region. Majuli is located on the river Brahmaputra in Assam and is known as the largest river island in the country. Stayzilla work closely with State Tourism departments to develop unique tourism experiences based on the community's cultural heritage to enable tourists to experience local hospitality, cuisine, customs and traditions by staying with families.

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Hard Rock Hotel Goa affiliated with RCI

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CI announced an agreement to affiliate Legends Club at the Hard Rock Hotel Goa, to the RCI network. The Hard Rock Hotel is located near the Calangute beach in North Goa, the 135-room Legends Club at the Hard Rock Hotel Goa is the first music memorabilia themed resort in India. The first music-inspired hotel in India offers you the opportunity to experience the ‘complete entertainment’ resort.

Ginger Hotels expands footprint in Noida with Ginger Hotel Noida

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inger Hotels announced the launch of its second hotel in Noida; Ginger Hotel Noida, East. With this, Ginger, a pioneer in budget accommodation, now has one of the largest room inventories in Noida. Strategically located in the heart of Noida, Ginger Hotel Noida, East; provides convenient access to Noida Expo Centre, Electronic City, Corenthum Business Park, Pragati Maidan, Buddh International Racing Circuit and Delhi Expo Mart. The hotel is also in close proximity to Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Akshardham Temple and the Old Fort. The hotel’s location allows access to a multitude of other services like medical, entertainment and banking within the radius of a kilometer. With 96 smartly designed rooms, professional and efficient team to serve you with a smile, this sparkling clean hotel offers free high-speed wireless Internet, multi cuisine restaurant with 24/7 coffee shop, well-equipped fitness center, reliable security features and state of the art meeting facilities, the hotel is a great choice for today’s value conscious traveler.

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Oasis of tranquility:

Uruguay Officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, this is a country in the southeastern region of the continent of South America. Bordered by Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) to the south and with the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. This is geographically, the world’s second-smallest nation, after Suriname.

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Featured

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he CharrĂşa people inhabited Uruguay in approximately 2000 BC before the Portuguese colonized it. This is one of the oldest European settlements in the continent.

The Spanish founded Montevideo, the capital of the country as a military stronghold in the 18th century, which intensified the struggle for claim over the region between the Spanish and the Portuguese. Modern Uruguay is a democratic constitutional republic, with a president who serves both as head of state and head of government. Uruguay is ranked first in Latin American for maintenance of democracy, peace, lack of corruption, press freedom and middle class prosperity. It is regarded as a high income country, with high GDP growth and has been named the country of the year by the Economist in 2013. Uruguay is probably the freest economy in Latin Amercia. There are no currency restrictions and the banking system uses the Swiss model for integrity.

The general nature of the Uruguayan people is calm and tranquil. Quite different from the frenzied residents of the city across the Rio De La Plata of Buenos Aires, or the Samba driven tempo of the Brazilians on the northern border. Poverty and crime in the country is minimal.

Montevideo Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. The southern most capital city in the Americas, Montevideo is situated on the southern coast of the country on the northeastern bank of the river Rio De La Plata. The proximity to the ocean makes for a wonderful coastline and beaches. With a small population and area, the city has the nuance of a small village. historical sites, old and new architecture, world class restaurants, music, theatre, and more – welcomes business and pleasure travellers alike.

The city is a relatively new one, founded in 1724 by a Spanish foot soldier. This was part of a strategic move amidst the Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the Platine region.

Seductive attitude The Uruguayans will put out welcome mat for everyone they meet. They will thank everyone that visited. There is an authentic display of hospitality that pervades the country.

Beachy beach town With the beach coming right up to the edge of Montevideo, one can drive or walk along the Las Rambla with bustling city life on one side and sunbathers relaxing on the other. The Rambla is an avenue that goes along most of the length of the beach of Montevideo. Most of the attractions of the city are here, with powdered sugar sprinkled donuts and churros and watch children play beach volleyball, fly kites, skateboard and walk their dogs and enjoy the laid back life that is the signature of Montevideo.

Montevideo has an extensive history, and it is centered in the Ciudad Vieja area (the historical quarter), which has been rejuvenated in recent years and is now the focal point of nightlife. If you have time, squeeze in a performance at 10 Corporate Outbound | July 2016

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Teatro Solis, a gem of a theatre similar in style to Milan’s La Scala. The Sarandi street and the Mercado del Puerto are the most frequented venues of the old cities. On the edge of the Ciudad Vieja, Plaza Independencia is surrounded by many sights, including the Solis Theatre and Palacia Salvo, and the plaza also constitutes one end of 18 de Julio Avenue, the city’s most imporat tourist destination outside of Cidudad Vieja. Apart from being a shopping street, this avenue is also noted for its art deco buildings, three important public squares, the Gaucho museum and buildings of municipal and community interest. The avenue leads to the Obelisk of Montevideo, beyond that is the Parque Batlle, which along with the Parque Prado are important tourist destinations with imporant ceramic and tile artworks displayed proudly

Colonia del Sacremento Take the one-hour ferry ride from Montevideo or Buenos Aires on the other side of the river. This world heritage site is the country’s oldes city. Spain and Portugal alternately ruled it since 1680, leaving a quant historic quarter, marked by a unique blend of Spanish and Portuguese architecture. Walk along the cobblestoned streets under yellow street lamps at night and make your way to the Lobo Restaurant on Calle del Comercio for a memorable meal that might include Spanish styled tapas, sautéed prawns, and rib eye steak. Los Cerros de San Juan, the country’s oldest vineyard, about 20 miles from Colonia, hosts groups (minimum of 10) year round.

Visits include a tour and sampling of the wines produced from grapes that are harvested by hand at the peak moment of perfection. A lunch of fresh salad and Uruguay’s signature

meal of parrillada—grilled sausages and steak—completes the visit. El Terruño (“Homeland”), an 800-acre sheep and ostrich breeding station, also near Colonia, showcases the gaucho life. It hosts parties, weddings, and individual tourists and accommodates overnight visitors.

Wedged between the massive countries of Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay has been something of an underdog. Yet, after two centuries of living in the shadow of its neighbors, this country is finally getting its well deserved recogition. Progressive, stable, safe and culturally sophisticated, this country offers an experince that is not made of the ‘everyday’ tourist.

Whether it is the caught in a cow-and-gaucho traffic jam on a dirt road outside the city of montevideo or strolling on the waterfront on las Ramblas.

Express Info An oasis of tranquility, with a near perfect climate that eagerly welcomes foreign guests, this small Latin American country provides a rich mix of historical, beachy, urban, rural and ecological offerings.

Getting there By air The chief airport is Carrasco Airport in Montevideo and most commercial fliers like Emirates, Qatar, Lufthansa, Air India, British airwas etc. connect major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore via codeshare to Latin America for fares starting at Rs 110,000 . Usually, the first stop is Sao Paolo or Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, from where local airlines connect to various capital cities of every South American country.

Domestic travel within the country is aided by about 20 domestic airlines, which connect all the thirteen airports within the country.

Rail The Uruguayan Railway network has connections to most cities from Montevideo- Rivera, Livramento, Piedra Sola, SAyago – Minas, Verdum, La Teja, Paysandú, Concordia, Fray bentos and many others.

Road Walking is a good means of getting around the city of Montevideo as well as most cities and towns in Uruguay. Local bus agencies ply buses between and within cities.

Currency: The primary currency is the Uruguayan Peso which stands at 1UYU = 2.2 INR. Both Argentine Peso and the USD can be readily exchanged in the airport, several shop and hotels and is also readily accepted.

VISA :Tourist visa is required for Indian citizens traveling to this charming country. One must contact the Embassy of the Oriental republic of Uruguay in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, which issues all visas. The Uruguayan visa form must also be collected directly from the embassy but it is usually no more than a one-day procedure.

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Featured

Sabarmati River and division of Amdavad

Vibrant

Gujarat

The old city of Ahmedabad lies on the east side of the river and used to be surrounded by a 10 km long wall, with 15 formidable gates, which stand now as forlorn islands, with the majority of the old wall lost and the cacophony of metropolitan Ahmedabad traffic all around them. The new city is on the west side of the river, and has most modern developments. Other sites of interest are the Jama Masjid, the iconic mosque build by Ahmed Shah, Siddi Sayid’s mosque, Bhadra fort, Rani Sipri’s mosque and tomb, Dada Hari Ni Vav, the iconic step well with five levels of carved stone columns and two small wells. The city has a large number of religious places that belong to different religious communities. The famous religious places in Ahmedabad for the Hindus are as follows: • Swaminarayan Temple • Hatheesing Jain Temple • Akshardham Temple • Bhadrakali Temple • Huthising Temple • Narayan Temple

anchors has suggested that the harbor site for Dwarka dates back to ancient times, with some of the underwater structure being late medieval. Coastal erosion was possibly what destroyed the ancient port.

Food on the temple premises The food of Gujarat is as vibrant as the people, and this is mirrored in the food of this temple town as well, although the proximity to the temple makes it a little more austere.

Lord Krishna was a devotee of the milk and dairy products, which abound, such as lassi, chaas, butter and cream, shrikhand, and many other milk based desserts and puddings. The typical meal here is served on a platter knows as the thali. One can even get one of these platters at the Dwarkadheesh temple, where the offerings from the temple as well as the food cooked on the temple premises are offered as a meal for a small sum. The typical meal includes dal, kadhi, puri, fulka, papad, fafda, thepla, khandvi, handvoh, ganthia, oondhiyo, surat paun, and many, many dairy based desserts to follow.

Submerged kingdom Dwarkadheesh Religious sites play a major role in the tourism of Gujarat.

Dwarkadheesh, or the jagat Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Krishna, and king of the kingdom of Dwarka, hence the name. The main shrine is a five-storied building and is supposed to be from 200BC according to the archeological Survey of India. Located in the ancient town of Dwarka and situated on the banks of the river Gomti, this town has been legendarily described. Evidence such as a stone block with script, with the use of dowels and an examination of the

Beyt Dwarka, an island in the Arabian sea off the coast of the city of Dwarka is considered to be the original residence of Lord Krishna. It was an old port and a major fishing town.

To this day, the fishermen can be seen on every inch of this temple town, selling their wares. Only a small ferry ride away, the travel to this island is a thrill, with fish leaping about the rushing boat and a spray of the salty ocean water in the face.

Part of the submerged kingdom of Dwarka can be visualized at Beyt Dwarka. The shrine built here is credited to Guru Vallabacharya and is devoted to the Lord Krishna.

Barely glimpsed by many travellers scurrying Beytween Mumbai and Rajasthan, Gujarat is an easy side-step off the well beaten tourist trail. Ahmedabad is the most important city as far as economical and connection points are concerns. And yet, amidst its chaos, this city retains its charms. The countryside holds most of this state’s many treasures. Traditional artisans in tribal villages weave, embroider, dye and print some of India’s finest textiles. The pristine parks harbor unique wildlife, migratory birds, wild Asses and the last remaining pride of the Asiatic Gir lions.

For the spiritually inclined, the state is a mecca for the sacred Jain and Hindu pilgrimage sites, which sit atop mountains and rise dramatically from the vast salty flatlands. Colorful festivals punctuate the barren grey and brown vista and burst with a cornucopia of culture.

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Offering at Beyt Dwarka Rice is the primary offering as well as food on this island. The reason for this is that Sudama, Krishna’s childhood friend is supposed to have offered rice to his long lost friend. Rice is also the primary consumed food and in Beyt Dwarka, one can find many small restaurants and eateries, making every possible imaginable delicacy out of rice, whether it is the savory version or the sweet pudding called as Kheer.

Fish incarnation of Vishnu There are smaller shrines on this island, devoted to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Devi. Vishnu is believed to have killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. The Matsya incarnation, or the fish incarnation of Vishnu is worshiped in this temple.

Hanuman’s only son Lord Hanuman is said to have borne a son called Makardhwaja, and they are both deified at the Hanuman Dandi temple, 6 kms from the Dhwarkadheesh temple, also on the island of Beyt Dwarka. Hanuman was considered celibate, but some of his sweat is believed to have been consumed by either a fish or a mermaid, who later gave birth to a son. Some of the Rajput clans living in Gujarat, known as the Jethwa Rajput claim their descent from Makardhwaja.

The temple shrine for the Better half As you leave the town of Dwarka, the temple of Rukmini devi stands 2 kms from the Dwarka city. The temple is devoted to the wife of Lord Krisha, Devi Rukmini. The local explanation 16 Corporate Outbound | July 2016

given for this distance is an old legend. They say, once Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini went to the sage Durvasha to invite him for dinner at Dwarka. He agreed on the condition that Krishna & Rukmini would have to pull his chariot instead of any animal. The couple happily obliged. While pulling the chariot, Rukmini became thirsty so Lord Krishna prodded his toe into the earth to draw a spring of the holy Ganga water.

Rukmini took a sip without offering Durvasha. Annoyed by her impoliteness he cursed Rukmini that she would be separated from her beloved husband. Hence Rukmini temple is located 2 kms away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir. Maybe 2500 years old, but its domed mandapa and stepped sanctuary cannot be older than the 12th century in its present form.

The exterior of the Rukmini temple is richly carved. The panels have intricate human figures and sculpted elephants.

The temple is located on the salt flats right outside of the city of Dwarka and this provides and interesting vista to behold.

There are the stray water bodies, which are homes to hundreds of migrating pink and giant pelican which will be seen as you drive along the road. If you are lucky, you can catch one such flock taking flight.

Somnath Temple The state of Gujarat is also home to Somnath, the first of the twelve Jyortirlingas, or shrines of Shiva, and is mentioned in the Rigveda. It is located in the Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Saurashtra. The temple is considered sacred because of the various legends connected to it. Somnath stands of lord of Soma- an epithet of Shiva. This temple is also known as the shrine eternal. The first temple was built at some unknown time in the past. The second was build by Yadav Kings of VAllabhi around 649 CE. In 725 CE, Al-Junayd, the Arab governor of Sindh destroyed the second temple. The July 2016 | Corporate Outbound 17

Express Info The western most state of the country, the major cities include the capital Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Khambat. The state has an extensive coastline and serves as major trading ports.

Getting there By air Gujarat has seventeen airports. The chief international airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, and domestic airports in Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Deesa, Kandla, Porbandar, Rajkot, etc.

Rail Gujarat falls under the western railway zone, and the Vadodara railway station is the busiest railway station in Gujarat. Other important railway stations are Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. They are connected by rail line to most cities of the country.

Sea With the longest coastline of all the states of India, the ocean is a major means of domestic transportation as well as goods transport using the sea port. Kandla is one of the largest ports of western India. Other important ones are the Port of Navlakha, Magdalla, Pipavav, Bedi, Veraval and the privately owned Mundra Port.

Gurjara-Pratihara king Nagabhata II constructed the third temple, and many after. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times by Islamic kings and Hindu kings respectively.

The most recent rebuild happened in November 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the area for the integration of the state of Junagarh into the republic of India and rooted a plan for restoration. After Patel’s death, restoration continued under Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, another Minister in the State government of Gujarat. The temple is situated on the beach of the port town of Veraval and the beach washes almost to the steps of the temple, as the legend holds.

Road The state has a very extensive network of well maintained and smooth highways which were particularly developed in the last decade and half. The State Road Transport Corporation is the major bus service plying within the state and connecting it with the neighboring states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The roads are also great for road trips and personally driven vehicles.

When to see: The state has an equable and moderate climate, albeit humid climate throughout the year, with predominantly tropical weather. The monsoon and summer are harsh, and a visit during the relatively cooler winter months is advisable.

Cuisine of Somnath The proximity to the jyotirlinga temple and the ocean makes for an interesting combination. There are a few popular eating places around the temple which offer the popular dairy products such as lassi, chaas (sweet and salty buttermilk), srikhand (sweetened greek yogurt style dessert) and many Gujarati homemade snacks such as Dhokla, Khakhra, sev, khandvi, Ghevar, Malpua, puran poli and more.

Something for everyone The state of Gujarat has something for the nature lover, the believer, the nomad, the textile aficionado and the seeker of the arts and culture. It is a bouquet, if you will, with a different fragrance in every city.

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Weekend Getaway

Huthridurge B

uilt by Kempegowda in the 16th century, Huthridurge is on the nine fortifications or Durgas (Nava Durgas) built around the city of Bangalore. These were supposed to the watch posts to guard the city against intruders. The ruined fortifications are still visible on the two hillocks surrounding the village of Huthridurge. Back in the days of its glory, it is supposed to have been a seven-tiered fort.

It has a small Shiva temple known as the Shakareshwara temple, a massive Nandi idol on the top of the hill and an Anjaneya temple on the way. The village of Huthri also has the temples dedicated to Veerabhadra and Narayanswamy. The village and the forest in the area also have a wide variety and diversity of flora and fauna, insects, birds and mammals such as wild boar, leopard and bear.

Beautiful drive The easiest way to get to this fort is by road. It is a drive of about 100 km one-way.

One can take the route that goes from Bangalore-Bidadi-Ramnagara-Jalamangala and finally to the village of Huthri. Many adventure seekers choose to take motorbikes on this route. The 100km stretch is partly on the highway and partly on country roads. The stretch up to Ramanagara, and partly beyond is beautiful roads, but after that, the terrain gets rough. After Jalamangala, you will spot the Narayangiri hillock. It is useful to stop here and ask for directions for the village of Huthridurga, as the place is not very clearly marked on Google maps. Navigating somehow through mud and country road, you will arrive at the village of Huthri with the hillock and Fort in the backdrop.

Camping enthusiast? Huthridurge got you covered!

The village is good place to spend the night camping. Carry your camping gear with tents, sleeping bags and provisions and the village offers all the basic amenities for camping.

There’s a small spring nearby which provides for water source. Begin the trek first thing in the morning.

Breaking down the trek The trek begins with a simple walk through plush green fields. Soon after, one passes a few homes. The trail to the top goes through seven archways/doors (dwarakas), and the climb is occasionally steep, but is helped by numerous steps 20 Corporate Outbound | July 2016

carved into the rock. If it is a wet day, one might have to take extra precaution. There are some very distinct stretches of the climb- The fort wall, misguiding gateways, bare rocks and the green pastures.

Fort wall This is the first stretch of the climb. This is also the most confusing of the entire climb. As one passes through the first gate, one gets a glimpse of the hillock, but once one gets to the wall, finding a doorway is the hardest. The easiest way to deal with this is to reach the first fort wall and keep going alongside it. One can end up going in the opposite direction, as we did. But if you are, eventually, you will hit a dead end in the rocks or the wall.

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Rajkot th 19 , 20 , 21 Aug 2016

Indore rd 21 , 22 , 23 Oct 2016

Mangalore 18th, 19th, 20th Nov 2016

Madurai 16th, 17th, 18th Dec 2016

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Nagpur th th th 27 , 28 , 29 Jan 2017 Misguiding pathways and passageways

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Vijayawada th th th 24 , 25 , 26 Feb 2017

Bhubaneshwar 24 , 25th, 26th Mar 2017 th

After one climbs the first fort wall, one arrives at a relatively pleasant hike. Through old gateways and under the tree shade, this makes for a very happy. However, there are climbs and descents which arrive out of the blue, and sometimes, they lead to a gate. This leads to the bare rocks, there is a proper climb, or hike, with slippery rock with the occasional hint of the stairwell carved into the rock. It eventually leads to the final gateway from where, the top is easily visible. The top is studded with the Shiva temple and the glorious Nandi, and one can also visualize the water reservoir of the olden days.

This is one of those carefree, fun filled, free flowing weekend trips that include some serious sections of treacherous climbs and trek. The place is highly enjoyable and has something to offer for everyone, whether it is an adventure seeker, the nature lover or the history buff.

Express Info Getting there: Road Huthridurge is situated about 65 km west of Bengaluru in the State of Karnataka in the Kunigal Taluk. It is about 7 km from the state highway SH94 (Kunigal-Magadi highway) and 10 km from the Anchepalya industrial area on the national highway 48 (Bangalore-Mangalore Highway).

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For Stall Bookings Contact: No. 348, Amarjyothi Layout, Domlur, Bangalore - 560 071 Ph : +80 41224331, Telefax : +91 80 41483066 July 2016 | Corporate Outbound Email : iiteindia@gmail.com, admin@iiteindia.com Website : www.iiteindia.com

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National Tourism News

Rashtrapati Bhavan to open three new Tourist Circuits

PATTAYA GOES PINK Pattaya Marathon with Milind’s Pinkathon

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ilind Soman, an actor, model, runner and Ironman ran the Pattaya Marathon with four winners of Pinkathon (Soman’s breast-cancer awareness initiative; a women’s marathon held across 8 Indian cities) on July 17th 2016. He and the winning runners from the Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore marathons, not only participated in the world-famous Pattaya Marathon, held on its popular Pattaya Beach Road, but are also podium finishers.

Our Indian women are making us proud around the world. Nilam Rajput from Mumbai stands 1st and Supriya Mali from Hyderabad takes the 3rd place at the Pattaya Marathon in the age group of 25 – 34. V Priyanka Vaditya from Chennai secures the 6th position in the age group of 19 – 24. The Tourism Authority of Thailand partnered with Pinkathon in order to create awareness about Thailand as the perfect getaway for women travelers and to showcase it as destination encouraging sports tourism.

Heartiest Congratulations to all the winners of the 21kms women half Marathon.

24 Corporate Outbound | July 2016

S

ecretary to the President, Smt. Omita Paul held a meeting with 24 prominent tour operators at Rashtrapati Bhavan in order to publicize three tourist circuits that are being developed within Rashtrapati Bhavan. The three new tourist circuits will be the Rashtrapati Bhavan main building, museums and the gardens which the visitors can see singly or in combination.

Addressing the tour operators, Ms. Omita Paul, Secretary to the President said the Rashtrapati Bhavan is looking forward to serving as a major tourist destination. She asked them to create greater awareness and attract visitors from both India and abroad.

It was important as many people as possible have the opportunity to view this great monument of living heritage. Visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan now have the convenience of booking and paying for their visits online. In addition to the Rashtrapati Bhavan building, now two museum complexes and beautifully manicured gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be added to the tourist circuits.

services to the customers of Indian Railways in the field of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) and Internet-based eticketing system.

Water Sports Allowed In Goa Rivers, Not In Sea during Monsoon

G

oa government has allowed water sports activity in the state's rivers while banned it in the sea during the ongoing monsoon season. Captain of Ports Department allowed the water sports activity in Goa's inland water between June to August with the condition that it should be stopped during unfair weather. The water sports activities

IRCTC Joins Hands with SBI to Promote Rail Ticketing

I

ndian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has joined hands with the State Bank of India to chalk out a detailed plan for promotion of rail ticketing activities, including internet ticketing and unreserved ticketing system. They jointly explore areas of cooperation and draw up a detailed plan for promotion of rail ticketing activities. Both parties are desirous of working together to provide improved Internet ticketing

are allowed in rivers Sal, Chapora, Zuari and Dona Paula bay which is an initiative to promote monsoon tourism. The permission would stand immediately withdrawn in case of congestion in the river ways, local fishermen's problems, safety of navigation (of vessels using the river) and other issues.

July 2016 | Corporate Outbound 25

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