May 2016

Corporate

May 2016 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 5 • ` 50

Getting better with age:

Bikaner Land of the siesta:

Barcelona Landlocked

Sikkim stairway to heaven

May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 1

Contents

24 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

04

Aviation News

06

Hospitality News

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Getting better with age: Bikaner

26

Visa Free Vacations

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14 Land of the siesta

Barcelona 2 Corporate Outbound | May 2016

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Buzz

Aviation

IndiGo introduces new domestic flights

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ndiGo has introduced 3rd non-stop daily flight between Bengaluru and Ahmedabad; Bengaluru and Jaipur; Chennai and Kochi and 4th non-stop daily flight between Kolkata and Hyderabad and Delhi and Jaipur. The airline is also starting its 5th non-stop daily flight between Srinagar and Delhi and 6th non-stop daily flight between Delhi and Srinagar.The airline has also introduced Chennai –Guwahati, Bangalore- Guwahati, Bangalore-Chennai and Delhi- Raipur flights.

Flying from Delhi IGI Airport gets cheaper

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lying out of IGI Airport in New Delhi has got cheaper with the discontinuation of the development fee being charged from each passenger for the past several years.

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) was allowed to levy Rs 100 per flight as Development Fee (DF) from passengers flying on domestic routes and Rs 600 from those flying to international destinations. Last month, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had also asked all airlines operating from Delhi to refund the development fee charged from passengers flying out of the IGI Airport on the tickets booked for journey beyond April 30.

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Air India looks to woo tourists with Delhi-Vienna service

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fter Austrian Airlines withdrew from the sector, Air India started it’s thrice a week flight from Delhi to Vienna. The airline is looking at not only the number of travellers to Austria but also the travellers looking at tying the knot at foreign location.The Austrian capital is also the new attraction for big, fat Indian weddings.

Air India to connect Mumbai & Bhavnagar with four weekly flights

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ir India Ltd will commence flight services to Bhavnagar from Mumbai . The new flight, to be operated by the national carrier's regional arm Alliance Air, will be a huge relief to frequent flyers between the two cities and operate four days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Air India will serve the route with a 70-seater ATR-72.

SpiceJet introduces scheme for frequent fliers

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piceJet has launched a pre-paid card scheme for its frequent fliers, offering them rewards points on purchase of products and services through the airline’s website as well as online/offline shopping through its retail partners.

SpiceClub, which has been launched for the first time by any Indian airline, offers its loyalty club members opportunity to not just save money, but also get rewarded while spending more with the airline. The programme which can be availed for membership at a minimum of INR 599 offers benefits worth up to INR 5,999. The card comes with privileges such as a free ticket on birthday, up to 50% discount on domestic air tickets for a couple on anniversaries, free vouchers, priority check-in and updates about new offers, among others, for its members.

GoAir to start direct flight between Mumbai and Leh

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oAir started its non-stop daily flights connecting Mumbai and Leh from April 13, 2016. GoAir will be the first airline to offer non-stop daily flights in this route. Additionally, it has further strengthened its domestic network in the Summer Schedule 2016 with the addition of frequencies on the Mumbai - Patna and Mumbai - Lucknow routes to cater the holiday rush.

The GoAir flight G8-386 will take off from Mumbai at 4:00hrs and arrive in Leh at 6:40hrs while the return flights will take off from Leh at 7:10hrs and arrive at Mumbai at 8:30hrs via Srinagar.

SpiceJet to add new flight on Udaipur-Mumbai route from April 16

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s part of its summer schedule, SpiceJet Ltd will launch a flight between Udaipur and Mumbai.

To cater to the peak summer rush, from March to October, SpiceJet has unleashed a whole new summer schedule wherein apart from equipment upgradation, the airline has added three new flights and six new frequencies, thus offering more seats and connecting key metros and cities. SG -422 will depart from Mumbai at 12.35 and arrive at Udaipur at 14.05 hrs daily. Similarly SG-635 will leave Udaipur at 14.35 and will arrive at Mumbai at 15.55 everyday.

May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 5

Buzz

Hospitality

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

th

th

Nagpur th th th 27 , 28 , 29 Jan 2017 Brigade Group and AccorHotels announce opening of Grand Mercure Mysuru

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engaluru-based Brigade Group and AccorHotels have jointly announced the opening of Grand Mercure Hotel in Mysuru in Karnataka. The hotel has 146 spacious and well-appointed contemporary rooms and suites and is located within close proximity of all major tourist attractions as well as the central business district.

The Grand Mercure Mysuru is situated on the legendary new Sayaji Rao Road that witnesses the world-famous Dasara procession. The sixth floor of the hotel features an exquisite viewing gallery overlooking the Dasara processional pathway, allowing guests to enjoy an exclusive view of the magnificent festivities the city is globally renowned for. Inspired by Mysuru’s rich culinary legacy, guests can feast on an extensive selection of cuisines at the hotel.

La Uppu serves an eclectic mix of global cuisine and local delicacies, is an all-day-dining multi-cuisine restaurant with an option of indoor and al-fresco seating; By the blue, the rooftop specialty restaurant which overlooks the pool, serves Northern Indian cuisine; Silk Bar, by its name narrates the story of the famous silk in Mysuru and serves a mix of single malts, cocktails, mocktails, spirits and wines; and Deli Shop, a delicatessen at the lobby, serves the finest bakery and confectionary creations by talented chefs paired with an array of Indian coffees.The hotel also features amenities like a gym equipped with the latest equipment, a terrace pool, kids play area and a spa to rejuvenate the mind and body.

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ITC Hotels signs 3 more Luxury Collection Hotels with Starwood Hotels

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st

nd

Vijayawada th th th 24 , 25 , 26 Feb 2017

Bhubaneshwar 24 , 25th, 26th Mar 2017 th

TC Hotels’ three upcoming hotels in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata will have Luxury Collection branding of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The two companies have signed partnerships recently for ITC Kohinoor in Hyderabad, ITC Narmada in Ahmedabad and ITC Royal Bengal in Kolkata. The partnership between the two companies came into being in 1979 with the Sheraton brand. In 2007, both companies signed an agreement through which Starwood introduced The Luxury Collection brand in India, which at present stands at 11 hotels.

Oaks Bodhgaya to open by this year end

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inor Hotel Group (MHG) has announced the development of Oaks Bodhgaya in India with 78 keys to start and is slated to open by Q4 this year. In addition the property will have a restaurant, a conference hall, a terrace with meditation area and landscaped gardens. A second phase is also under development which will add a further 60 keys and will bring the total to 138 keys.

The hotel is ideally located along the main road in Bodhgaya between the Mahabodhi Temple and the airport keeping in mind the demand for Religious tourism.

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

7

Landlocked

Sikkim

: stairway to heaven

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he joys of the little land-locked state of Sikkim are immense. The little Indian state borders Chinese Tibet on the north, Nepal on the west, Bhutan on the east and the Indian state of West Bengal on the south. One of the smallest state, and being largely amidst the Himalayas, it is also sparsely populated.

This makes for pristine landscape and untouched flora and fauna with a freshness that is unrivalled. Tourism is one of the principle industry of this state. In fact, accordingly to a recent census, the influx of population due to tourism has surpassed its resident population in numbers!

Picture Courtesy: Rahul Srivastava 8 Corporate Outbound | May 2016

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Picture Courtesy: Rahul Srivastava

. Rumtek Sikkim is known for its surreal natural beauty and pure surroundings, and the most famous mountain peak of course, is the Kanchenjunga. At a majestic elevation of 8586 m, it is the third highest mountain peak in the world. As is obvious, mountaineering, adventure sports and hilly attractions are majority of tourism of the state. But in addition to the bounty of the Himalayas, rich in flora and fauna, with a tremendous variety of plants and wildlife, there's also the intense ethnic diversity found in the state, with a diverse mix of people with a rich cultural tradition. The state is home to over 26 glaciers and 80 lakes, and some of them are the highest lakes in the world. Most of these melt during the summer and drain into little streams, which eventually join together to form the glorious and majestic Teesta river that flows through the state.

Sikkim has gained immensely in popularity in the last decade or so as a prime tourist attraction. The major attractions of the state are varied and include natural diversity, the bounty of the Himalayas and a tĂŞte-a-tĂŞte with the rich cultural traditions of this state and its people.

Gangtok: Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim and the largest town in the state. The precise meaning of the word Gangtok is unclear, but roughly translated, it means 'hilltop'. Located in the Shivalik hills at an altitude of nearly a kilometer and a half, Gangtok is also known as the land of monasteries with the highest number in a small area in the whole world.

Gangtok is also a significant Buddhist pilgrimage centre, and one of the major sources of Tourism in Gangtok is religious.

Nestled within the higher peaks of the Himalayas, the temperature in Gangtok is moderate year round, and tourists can enjoy adventure, climate, religious tours and unparalleled natural beauty. Gangtok is India's first litter and spit-free zone, which keeps the city a delight to all the senses.

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Ganest Tok, located about seven kilometers from the city gives a view of the sprawling city and across the hills, the snow-capped peaks of Khang-zeng-dzonga and Mt. Siniolchu are easily visible behind the spread of humanity. Ganest Tok is also a great place for paragliding, which is sharply gaining in popularity amongst both the indian and western tourists.

The flights can be taken from Ganest Tok to Tadong for as Picture Courtesy: Rahul Srivastava

little as Rs. 5000/-. There are many other destinations for paragliding as well, but this remains the first and the most popular. One can also ride the ropeway over the Gangtok city and get a panoramic aerial view of the city and all of its attractions.

Just four kilometers from Gangtok, and a very short drive, en route to Ranka monastery, one can find the Ban Jhakri falls.

This is a famous tourist destination for the traveller coming to Sikkim and Gangtok in particular. The Ban Jhakri energy park, which is a primary source of hydroelectricity for Gangtok houses the falls, and the park consists of over two acres of lush green valley. This can get quite crowded during the tourist season and in the summer with picnicers and it is best to avoid those times to be able to completely absorb the beauty of this place. The water is mild and a great place to swim in. The park is themed on Shaman culture and Sikkemesse architecture and holds something of significance even for the history buff.

Tsomgo lake is another popular place to visit when in Gangtok. Also known as the Changu lake, this glacial lake is situated about 40 kms from Gangtok and is a treat . Thukpa to the city sore eyes. The lake surface reflects light at different angles during different months of the year and the change of seasons. And this natural phenomenon puts this lake at a high reverance with the Sikkamese and the Buddhist people. The monks would study the change of color of the lake back in the day. The lake is also a great place for a Yak ride, if you are so inclined.

Because of its high elevation, yaks are found in abundance and are a good source of income for the local herders. The

yak milk is exquiste, and slight exotic, and this might be of interest for the gastronomically experimental folks.

Speaking of gastronomy, in the city of Gangtok, much deliciousness waits to be consumed. As one takes a walk down MG road in the heart of the city, one will inhale the many aromas emiting from the roadside stalls and restaurants, and will immediately transport you to the cookery of the orient.

The most popular dish that has made headlines all over the world are the steamed momos, dumplings made of flour casing with meat, chicken or vegetable filling inside. The dumplings are steamed in special bamboo steamers over a boiling wok of water and served with a hot chilli sauce and a sour chilli sauce. Another must try speciality of the Sikkimese cuisine is the Chang or the Thomba, a local beer made by fermenting millet using yeast. It is held in a bamboo receptacle and sipped using a makeshift bamboo straw. The locals will keep topping the receptacle with warm water until the millet loses its potency.

Thukpa, also known as Gyantuk, a Tibetan import is one of the delights that must not be missed when one visits Gangtok. Made up of flour dumplings which are cooked in boiling vegetable or meat stock like pasta, and freshly made ribbon noodles are cooked with vegetables, bok Choy and a hearty broth, spiced with chillies, a variant of Worcestershire sauce and hums with soy sauce.

Gangtok is also an important centre for Tibetology and many centres of learning are spread throughout the city. The May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 11

Sikkim shares its borders with only 1 state in India but shares 3 international boundariesBhutan, China and Nepal.

. Pelling Enchey monastery is the oldest monastery in the city and the seat of learning for the Nyingma order. Then there is the Dro-dul Chorten Stupa, a place adorned with prayer wheels and a place of peace and serenity. The Rumtek monastery located on the outskirts of the city is one of the major seats of religion and power in Buddhism and the seat of the Kagyu order. It houses some of the rarest and oldest sacred texts and documents of Buddhism. The Namgyal institute of Tibetology houses a great collection of masks, Buddhist scriptures, statues and tapestries.

The Thakurbari temple, located in the centre of the city is one of the oldest and best-known temples in the city. The Ganesh tok and Hanuman tok are other Hindu deities located in the city and places of pilgrimage and worship.

There are many other attractions to the city, Nathula pass, which was the path to the ancient silk route from Tibet, just 50 km from the city. Enroute to Nathula is the majestic Kyongnosla waterfall standing tall at 10,400 feet.

North Sikkim: Natural beauty at its best! Lachen and Lachung are the two main tourist towns, with Lachen as the base camp for visits to Lake Gurudongmar. About 180 km from Gangtok, it is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is named after Lama Rinpoche, or Guru Padmasambhava, who visited it in the 8th century and is a lake of religious significance for both Buddhists and Sikhs.

South Sikkim: This is where the majority of flora and fauna of Sikkim lies. This little town acts as the connecting point to Maenam wildlife sanctuary. The park is a delight for bird watchers, animal lovers and lovers of nature and its bounty.

Orchids and rhododendron species abound and make for a beautiful spectacle, particularly during the summer months.

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Pelling: This is a major town in the Western part of the state of Sikkim. Pelling is about 10 km from the district headquarters of Geyzing and is connected by road. The Himalayas and the Kanchenjunga is clearly visible from this part of the world. The little town is surrounded by quaint bridges over streams and waterfalls that make the little town of Pelling a delight for the visual senses.

After coming back from Sikkim, you will be overwhelmed, delighted, submerged, enlightened, all at the same time. Sikkim has this way of taking ordinary people and bringing out the poet in them. This tiny Indian state is one to be cherished, and enjoyed, and is not to be missed.

Picture Courtesy: Rahul Srivastava

. Thakurbari Mandir

Express Info Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra, Near Siliguri in West Bengal, which is connected via Kolkata or Guwahati

Picture Courtesy: Rahul Srivastava

Train. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.

Road. Both Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri are connected to Gangtok by road and are a short distance of 124 and 153 km respectively. Many people also opt for self-driven trips from Guwahati, Kolkata or even further.

May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 13

Land of the siesta:

Barcelona

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he country of Spain is characterized by idyllic, slow paced life, that begins late, slows down into a siesta in the afternoon, and runs late into the night. If you are traveling to Spain, put away your fast paced furore, or you will end up being frustrated with the early closing stores and the laid back pace of the Spaniard. But it is the Spanish perspective- move slowly, eat well, relax and enjoy yourself, that gives the country and its people so much character.

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. Sagrada Crypt Spain is an upbeat and exciting country, with the pace of life ranging from the hip and modern Barcelona and Madrid, to the quaint and idyllic Seville and Figueres. The moors of Granada, the Basque country and the getting off the beaten train, the ports of Valencia and the tomato throwing festival La Tomatina of Bunol are some of the many things to do in Spain.

the works of Antoni Gaudi, the Modernist Catalan architect with an individualized and distinctive style.

Most of his works are located in the city of Barcelona with over seven of them being under the cover of World Heritage sites, along with his magnum opus, La Sagrada Familia, the immense, and as yet unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction since 1882, and planned to be finished by 2026. The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia is an expiatory church devoted to the holy family, which is being built by private funding and donations, and it was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by the Pope Benedict XVI.

Spain is much affordable as compared to some of the other western European countries. A two bedroom hotel room can be as economical as 60 Euro a night in the hip and metropolitan city of Barcelona. Dormitories and hostel are even cheaper, at about 15 to 20 Euros a night, and are usually very well equipped with all the modern amenities.

Spain, officially, the Kingdom of Spain is a western European country located in the Iberian peninsula, and it is this proximity to the Mediterranean that defines pretty much everything, from food to culture to travel to the climate to the people in this country. Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate, which means mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. Barcelona is located on the Northeast coast of the Iberian peninsula and the mountain range of Collserola forms a scenic backdrop for this vibrant and lively city.

Barcelona, the capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain is the second most populous city in Spain, the first being the capital city of Madrid. Finding its origins as the Roman capital of the county of Barcelona, Barcelona later merged with the kingdom of Aragon, forming the modern day Catalunya or Catalonia. Even to this day, important Roman relics are displayed in Plaça del Rei underground, as a part of the Barcelona City History Museum, the MUHBA; the typically Roman grid plan is still visible today in the layout of the historical centre, the Barri Gòtic, or the Gothic quarters.

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Some fragments of the Roman walls are now incorporated into the cathedral of the Basilica La Seu, which was said to have been founded in 343 AD. The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic quarter is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. Many buildings date from the medieval times, and the plans can be found in the MUHBA. The modern Catalan architecture, related to the movement of Art Nouveau, or the modern arts in the rest of the Europe developed between 1885 and 1950 and has left an important and indelible legacy on Barcelona. Many of these buildings are now world heritage sites under UNESCO and protected and preserved as such. Especially remarkable about the city of Barcelona are

the city and many of them are of important artistic significance. Spain's favorite son, Salvadore Dali also belonged to the Catalan region, and lived in his majestic mansion in picturesque town of Figueres, complete with cobblestones and cliff views and walks along la Ramblas for shots of café.

Figueres is but a short train ride from Barcelona and must be visited. Born in the oceanic town of Cadaques under the shadow of the mountain range of Collserola, the Spanish surrealistic painter, sculptor and artistic bent his artwork to

Gaudi's work was influenced by his passions in life: architecture, worship and oneness with nature and religion. He considered every detail of his creations and integrated into his architecture such crafts as ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He also introduced new techniques in the treatment of the materials, such as use of waste ceramic pieces. These influences can be found in his other works, such as Casa Battlo, a private residence he designed, part of which has now been converted to a museum for Gaudi enthusiasts. La Pedrera shows off his love for the curves and non linear nature of his surroundings. With his works, he earned the nickname of 'God's architect', and devotees and followers have been calling for his beatification from the Church.

Other sites of major significance around the city include the Gothic basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and Santa Maria del Pi, the Columbus monument and many others. Museums dot May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 17

Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain – the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother.

. Sagrada bend the mind of the observer, known for his striking and bizzare images. Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire included film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.

Parc Güell is another one of Gaudi's masterpiece, situated on the Carmel Hill, which is a public park system, composed of gardens and architectonic elements. Park Güell is the reflection of Gaudí’s artistic plenitude, which belongs to his naturalistic phase. He put into practice a series of new structural solutions rooted in the analysis of geometry. To that, the Catalan artist adds creative liberty and an imaginative, ornamental creation. In the design of Park Güell, Gaudí unleashed all his architectonic genius and put to practice much of his innovative structural solutions that would become the symbol of his organic style and that would culminate in the creation of the Sagrada Familia.

Once you are done absorbing the art and history of the city, you will realize that the culture of the city is tightly intertwined with the culture and atmosphere of the city. Take a walk down La Rambla and sip on some Basque country wine, made locally in Spain, and you will come away questioning your love for the French wines. Walk over to the beach of the Mediterranean sea, the San Sebastia beach, or the beach of the little suburb of Castelldefels, and eat some of the best Saffron flavored Paella at one of the shacks on the beach, rich with fresh catch of the day in crustaceans, crabs, prawns, sea bass, which goes together marvelously with a glass of chilled white wine. Go on a bar crawl, late at night, in this city that never sleeps, and sample the best Tapa Spain has to offer. Prawns fried with garlic in hot butter, stuffed olives, mini grilled cheese sandwiches flavored with truffles, the options are endless, all of this washed down with generous helpings 18 Corporate Outbound | May 2016

of the best regional wines.

Barcelona is famous for its partying, late-night eating and drinking, and amazing historic streets, history literally littered on the strees. Learn to sleep until 10 pm, and eat dinner at midnight, just like the locals do. Visit some museums, they are the best in Europe and enjoy the Spanish - Catalan lifestyle like nowhere else.

Express Info Getting to Spain: Air India flies from all major cities to Paris, where, via codeshare with Air France, one can get a connection to Barcelona, Madrid and all other major cities of Spain. All major airlines flying to europe also offer similar connections with fairs starting from Rs. 55,000/-. . Sagrada Window

Travel within Spain: Air: All major cities are connected by airports and domestic airlines such as Iberia express and Canaria airlines fly between all these cities.

Train and Road: All major cities have domestic train connectivity as well as are well connected by road, should you want to take a bus, or drive, if you have an international driver’s licence. The driving lane discipline is opposite to that followed in India.

Within cities: There are buses, trams, metros, ferries and taxis, which run almost all hours of the day.

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Getting better with age:

Bikaner

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f beauty ever bloomed in a desert, it was in Bikaner. Founded in the 15th century by the Rao Bikaji of Jodhpur, the youngest son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, this desert haven is situated in the north-western part of Rajasthan, the north-western state of India. Rao Bika chose a barren piece of land called the 'Jungladesh' and converted it into an impressive city called Bikaner, named after the founder Bika and 'ner' means 'populated by'. The imposing palaces and the sand stone hewn temples and sculptures display some of the jewels of the relatively modern Rajput civilisation.

The architectural wealth of Bikaner lies in its forts, palaces and temples. The most common monuments of interest are the Junagarh Fort, largest fort in Asia with intricate murals, paintings, mirror and artwork and sculpture, sprawling gardens and water fountains, and a mind boggling collection of war equipment and uniforms. Though slightly smaller in size, the royalty maintain the grandeur and glamour of princely states of Marwar. They made many other palaces and havelis during their reign and the lakeside Gajner Palace, Lakshmi Nivas palace, Karni Vilas palace and many others. Independent havelis were made by the wealthy and royally blessed of the city. Rampuria group of havelis is a must visit, which showcases exquisite marble carving skills of the artisans of the day. Most of these monuments are world heritage sites and need to be experienced.

Another famous must visit place in Bikaner is the Karni Mata temple, located in the village of Deshnok, 30 kms outside Bikaner and famous for its resident rats. They serve as places of worship for the local populace. The city is also famous for temples, some of which are located in the inner arms of the city, unreachable by car, and you must either walk or take an auto rickshaw. The most famous are the Bhandasar Jain temple and the Lakshminathji temple. The Bhandasar temple is devoted to the Shwetambar sector of the Jain faith and is known for intricate carvings and dizziyingly vibrant paintings on the walls. This three storied temple also offers a panoramic view of the city of Bikaner if you manage to climb all the way to the top. Right next to the Bhandasar temple is the 1100 year old Sheetla Mata temple, the goddess of cooling, where devotees offer prayers in the month of March.

One can also do some off the beaten track things in Bikaner, like ride a camel cart into the desert and have a desert picnic. At sunset, one can ride a camel and watch the sun go down over the horizon into the sandunes. As the moon rises, the sanddunes are bathed in silvery moonlight that make staying out on the dunes that much more exquisite. Or one can wait until the camel 20 Corporate Outbound | May 2016

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. Kolayat Fair

festival held in second week of January, the annual celebration of the ship of the desert, the magnificent beasts that have helped and aided human existence in the desert since times immemorial. Gangaur, celebrated in April is the celebration of the goddess of power with the Rajasthani locals.

The festival is accompanied by idols of the goddess, dressed in the best Rajasthani finery, carried on the heads of married Rajasthani women, dressed in their most regal finery. This is accompanied by the Ghoomar dancing, bhavai and chari dance, where women dance on nails and broken glass with a pot of water on their heads and the fire dance where men dance barefeet on hot coals and amber.

One can visit the army run Chetak restaurant right opposite the Junagarh temple or the Gallops restaurant right behind the fort and sample some of the most amazing delicasies of meat and vegetables that the city has to offer. Almost all the palaces and havelis have now been converted to heritage hotels, and all of them have hatted chefs that will whip up the most exquisite Rajasthani delicasies such as the dal, baati, churma, or Kadhi chawal, or laal maas (red meat- cooked in chilli paste) for you. But to get the real taste of Bikaner, one must visit the old city and taste bhujia fresh out of the wok or you could visit a factory in the Rani bazaar industrial area and see the snack in mass production. While you are at it, try also some mirchi bada (fried chilli dumpling), or some kachori and khaman dhokla. To cool off the heat, walk across the railway line near Kote gate and eat the legendary sankhla kulfi.

bandhani (bandhej), leheriya and shibori. Gurunanak market and Labhuji ka katla are old markets, bustling with activity and traders where one can buy textiles where the ties are still tied. The traders will open them for you, and as you watch, magic on cloth will unfurl in front of your eyes. Alternatively, you can take a short class in making tie and dye in the inside reaches of the labhuji ka katla and inside kote gate, where most of the artisans work, but make sure you bring old clothes along and be prepared to get very colored.

Bikaner is a small, colorful town in the remote corners of Rajasthan, but once you visit, the dusty, ethereal, eerie aura of this city will have you spell bound, and you will never want to leave. It is a city that is struggling hard to stay untouched by modern advances and trying to preserve its roots the best it can, and this is the magic of Bikaner, that only grows with every year that goes by. . Gangaur

. Leheria

Express Info The Naal airport is under construction and is expected to open to the public by 2017.

Bikaner is connected by the rail line to all the major cities of India such as Jaipur, New Delhi etc.

The city is interspersed by many national highways connecting it to many major neighboring cities Transportation within the city is by cabs or autorickshaws within the inner reaches of the cities where the lanes are too narrow for cars.

Rajasthan is famous for its colorful clothes and most of the textiles are handmade. Tie and dye is the most famous art and craft form of Rajasthan, the most common forms being 22 Corporate Outbound | May 2016

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Method: Roughly chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onions into 1-inch cubes.

Put each vegetable separately into a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until it is coarsely chopped.

After each vegetable is processed, combine them in a large bowl and add the garlic, tomato juice, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill before serving. The longer gazpacho sits, the more the flavors develop.

Chef Vipul, a Professional in Industry with over 11 years of experience in India and Abroad, specializes in South East Asian and Modern Continental Cuisine. Currently, he is inspiring and nurturing young chefs as a Chef Trainer at IHM PUSA New Delhi.

Gazpacho Gazpacho is a soup made of raw vegetables and served cold usually with a tomato base, originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spain and neighboring Portugal particularly during the hot summers, as it is refreshing and cool.

Traditionally, gazpacho was made by pounding the vegetables in a mortar with a pestle. A traditional way of preparation is to pound garlic cloves in a mortar, add a little soaked stale bread, then olive oil and salt, to make a paste. Then very ripe tomatoes and vinegar are added. In the days before refrigeration the gazpacho was left in an earthenware pot to cool by evaporation, and some water added.

INGREDIENTS 1. 1 cucumber 2. 2 red bell peppers 3. 4 plum tomatoes 4. 1 red onion 5. 1 garlic clove 6. 3 cups tomato juice 7. 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 8. 1/4 cup good olive oil 9. 1/2 tablespoon salt 10. 1 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

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Visa Free Vacations For every vacation you don’t have to plan an overseas trip months in advance. Yes!! Your next impulse trip not necessarily be Goa, Kerala or Rishikesh. There are as many as 50 plus countries you can visit without any hassles of Visa formalities. Indian citizens with their valid passports can visit these countries visa free or visa on arrival. So when you are thinking of a trip abroad just manage your stay, flights and of course shopping. It also saves your money and time required to get the visa cleared. So what are you waiting for? Listed here are few exotic locations you can visit over a long weekend Thailandor just like that.

Seychelles-

A perfect destination to get away from the hassles of busy life. The nature at its best with bluest water, serene beaches, coral reef, nature reserves, rare wildlife and the mountain rainforests. The visa on arrival is free of charge with valid passport for a period of 30 days.

The most preferred and affordable destination amongst Indians for its islands, beaches, shopping, temples, party options, golf, adventure, nature, attractions for kids etc. You name it and Thailand has it all! The visa on arrival is 1000 Baht or approximately 2000 INR.

Mauritius-

An exuberant destination with its breathtaking pristine beaches and exciting water sports offers colorful excitement, interesting beach activities and thrilling water sports for the tourists. If you want to step into the water for snorkeling or underwater walk or want to lay back in sparkling waters for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday then Mauritius is the place. There is no visa required for Indian citizens.

Hong Kong –

They say be a Roman when in Rome! When in Hong Kong be like a child to enjoy the Disneyland, Madam Tussauds or if you are foodie or shopaholic enjoy the magic of Asia’s world city. No visa required for Indians upto 14 days with all valid documents.

Indonesia-

Is the home for number of active volcanoes, diving, surfing, wildlife, cultural hub and shopping.

Explore the island of Bali, known for some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. There is no visa required in Indonesia but you must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Indonesia, in addition to carrying confirmed flight tickets for the return or onward destination. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia.

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May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 27

Madagascar – Is a home to thousands

of animal species, rainforests, beaches and reefs. Madagascar is a huge island nation off the south coast of Africa is also the fourth largest island in the world. Madagascar’s tourist attractions include its beaches and biodiversity. Visa on arrival is available for Indians for stay up to 90 days.

Macau- the Las Vegas of Asia, with

extensive number of casinos and gambling hub is Mecca for shopaholics. From churches, to temples to beach to satisfy the tastes buds of gastronomes it has it all!! Visa on arrival is free for Indian travellers for maximum stay of 30 days with necessary documents.

Maldives- is one stop destination for everyone. It

has something or the other for honeymooners, luxury travellers, adventure enthusiasts, kids, cruise, wellness , spa, MICE, seaplanes, dolphins, sharks, golf etc. Maldives boasts of one of the world’s top diving and snorkelling experiences and is a great way to see the fascinating underwater life. The visa on arrival is free of charge for maximum of 90 days with return or onward flight tickets.

Fiji - Bula !!!! Blessed with 333 magnificent islands are a land where there is still room to move.

Set in the tropical South Pacific, the Fiji islands are a vision of a tropical island paradise that’s real.

White sandy beaches, pristine oceans and waterways are waiting to be explored. Stroll on glimmering white beaches, snorkel, dive, surf or kayak, white-water raft, cruise the ocean around mainland and outer Fiji Islands, trek our rainforests or backpack the outer islands. Visa for Indians is not required for stay up to 4 months.

Jamaica- If you are an adventure enthusiast take

your holiday to new heights at Negril cliffs , the so very famed cliff jumping spot. Jamaica offers long beaches, protected coves, rugged mountains for trekking, waterfalls, caves, surfing, horse riding, and swim with dolphins…oh just jump in!!! Experience the diversity in its performing arts, dining and strong crafts tradition. Visa is not required for Indians.

Trinidad and Tobago- lie in the Caribbean Sea off the northeast coast of Venezuela offers appealing combination of eco adventure and cultural activities.

Trinidad claims to have energetic nightlife in its modern capital Port of Spain. On the contrary, Tobago two hours away by fast ferry on the north coast road reveling lush green forests and breathtaking views is serene. Visa is not required for Indians for stay up to 90 days.

El Salvador - a tiny Central American

nation is known for its beaches, surfing and mountainous landscape. Its Ruta de Las Flores is a winding journey past flowering coffee farms, rainforest zip-line sites and towns like Juayúa, with its weekend food festival, and Ataco, home to vivid murals.

The capital, San Salvador, with a dramatic backdrop of volcanoes, has vibrant nightlife and arts scenes. Again visa is not required for Indians for stay up to 90 days.

VISA CHECKLIST: For obtaining a visa on arrival, visitors would typically need to furnish return flight tickets, proof of hotel reservations, evidence of sufficient funds to cover their stay, passport sized photographs, a six months validity passport with adequate empty pages and the money for fee if required by the country.

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So what are you waiting for! Pack your bags and book your tickets.

Visa on arrival rates are subject to change and it is advised to check these before departure.

May 2016 | Corporate Outbound 29

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