AirPorts India April 2019

A p r i l 2 0 1 9 | Vo l 7 | I s s u e 6

India

Queen of the

Blue hills people & attractions of Ootacamund

detour

St. Mary's Islands in Udupi is a wonder in its own

palate

Explore the foodie lanes of Delhi

aai update

Srinagar Airport, gateway to the 'Paradise on Earth'

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This magazine is provided by AAI for your reading pleasure. Please return it for others to enjoy.

Skin solutions

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April 2019

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AAI_Official

Chairman's Message of the civil enclave was constructed in a record time of four months. The `40-crore project will be able to handle 300 passengers during peak hours.

Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra Chairman, AAI

With an equivalent fervour, the Foundation Stone for the development of the Civil Enclave for Adampur Airport in Jalandhar District, Punjab, was laid through a video link. The terminal building of the airport will be constructed on an area of 7,500 sq m and will be able to handle 300 passengers during peak hours.

Foundation Stone for the New Domestic Terminal Building was also laid at Kolhapur Airport. Kolhapur figures on the domestic tourist map and attracts a large inflow of in-bound tourists. The new terminal building will give a boost to the flourishing tourism industry and help create employment opportunities in the region. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, will also be connected to Lucknow and Delhi soon.

Dear Readers, The growth of the India’s civil aviation industry is a success story as the global airline association, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) pointed out that it expects the number of passengers flying to, from and within India to double in the next 20 years. In another report, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stated that India's air connectivity is now among the world's fastest growing and is delivering crucial sustainable development to local communities nationwide.

Persisting in its commitment towards enhancing aviation infrastructure development and ensuring better air connectivity, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken up various Aviation Infrastructure Development Projects that were formally launched recently.

Recently, Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad in the National Capital Region was inaugurated and the terminal building 4

April 2019

AAI is proud to announce that it has bagged nine Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards given by the Airports Council International (ACI) in providing world-class customer satisfaction facilities at its airports. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad; Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar; Chandigarh International Airport and Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar

organised under the Startup initiative “Innovate for Airports”. There is no denying that growth in the aviation sector depends upon the innovation and creativity and this can be familiarised in the ecosystem by involving the startup community. During the conclave, eight startups were awarded a “Letter of Consent” under this initiative. AAI developed its Startup Policy jointly with the Startup India Team under Invest India.

As AAI continues to experience marvelous growth in air traffic, new programmes and technologies have become vital for Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management. Understanding the need of the hour, the state-of-the-art Network Operations Control Centre (NOCC) was inaugurated, which will help augment communication and network availability, reliability and security appropriation with India’s fast-growing air traffic.

Read in detail about the Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) initiative in this edition.

The magazine will walk you through the development that has taken place at the Srinagar International Airport over the years. Located 12 km north of Srinagar and at a height of 5,445 feet, the Srinagar International Airport is a Civil Enclave.

Now you can also read Airports India e-Magazine and all its exciting stories on any device – mobile, tablet or laptop

AAI is proud to announce that it has bagged nine Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards given by the Airports Council International (ACI) in providing world-class customer satisfaction facilities at its airports International Airport, Indore, won nine ASQ awards in four categories, including three newly-added categories, based on the results of ASQ survey.

With much pleasure, I am excited to acquaint you with the Startup Conclave

– and never miss an update. With every passing month, we hope to serve our patrons with full exhilaration and meticulousness. AAI wishes to serve air passengers with much joy as passenger satisfaction remains our foremost objective. Happy Reading!

AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

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Contents A p r i l 2 0 1 9 | Vo l 7 | I s s u e 6

32

6

April 2019

Detour

St. Mary's Islands is Malpe's most popular attraction in Karnataka

36

Inbound

Ootacamund is a picturesque hill station in the Nilgiris

48

Palate

Make way to the foodie streets of Delhi for a gastronomic fare

aaiofficial

"

Words of Encouragement

16 Diary

Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene talks about her favourite airports

Loved the picture gallery of the Father of Our Nation displayed at Lucknow Airport. @SADHAVI

20 Contest

Happy flyers share their snapshots of AAI airports

54 Spotlight

Udaipur in Rajasthan is a paradise for film directors

74 Product

Must-have skincare and beauty products for men and women

72

tkudkjh egkRek xka/kh ds thoudky esa ?kfVr gj ,d ?kVuk ls lekt dk gj ,d O;fDr izsj.kk ys ldrk gS

Thanks for the Jharsuguda Airport under UDAN 3.0 initiative. It is such great news for people of Jharsuguda district and all over Odhisa. @BIJUSETH Bhopal Airport is extremely beautiful! Thanks to Mr. Anil Kumar Singh, Mr Rakesh Bahari, Mr. Vinod Soni and their dedicated officials. @SEBASTI14957744 Indore Airport is offering more comfort to the travellers! Soon, there will be a sleeping zone which would accommodate 25-30 passengers at a time.

Such a sigh of relief, especially when any flight gets cancelled.

ON THE COVER

Getty Images

@THEINDOREROCKS

The quaint lanes of Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu

Visible Change in look and service of the Ahmedabad Airport. Incredible services in cleanliness. Keep going @AAI_Official! @SANJAYAGAL

AAI Updates 12 Latest news of AAI

and the Civil Aviation Industry

28 AAI bagged nine

Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards

Scan the QR Code to read the e-Magazine

76 Srinagar International

Airport is the gateway to the 'Paradise on Earth'

68

fojklr e/; izns'k ds vksjNk fLFkr egyksa o gosfy;ksa esa fo|eku iRFkj dh ewfrZ;ka o okLrqdyk ns[kdj gj dksbZ vk'p;Zpfdr jg tkrk gS

Loud shout out of big thanks to Lucknow Airport for help.

I tweeted about losing a small paper bag of my newly purchased shirt and within an hour the authorities confirmed that they have found it and kept it in lost and found point.

Thanks @jayantsinha @AAI_Official. @TRUENIHSH Some tweets have been restructured for better readability

7

A p r i l 2 0 1 9 | Vo l 7 | I s s u e 6

Airports Authority of India Chairman, Advisory Board Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra Chairman, AAI Editorial Advisor (AAI) J.B. Singh, General Manager (CC)

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April 2019

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Airports India magazine is printed and published by Prakash Johari on behalf of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and published at Maxposure Media Group (India) Pvt. Ltd. (MMGIPL), #TheAddress, Plot No. 62, Okhla Phase III, New Delhi-110020, India. Airports India is published monthly. All rights reserved. The writing, artwork and/or photography contained herein may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of MMGIPL. MMGIPL does not assume responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited products, manuscripts, photographs, artwork, transparencies or other materials. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or AAI. All efforts have been made while compiling the content of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility for the effects arising there from. All advertorials will be marked as "In Focus". For inquiries | MMGIPL tel: +91.11.43011111, www. maxposuremedia.com.

AAI_Official

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India

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Know more about National Health Programmes at National Health Portal

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happenings

mark your calendar A list of festivals and events taking place in the month of April

Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Tulip Festival

Enjoy the picturesque Kashmir in the blooming season of tulips at this festival.

The city is home to Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest tulip garden, which welcomes visitors with a mesmerising sight. One should also visit the festival for its local cultural programmes, native Kashmiri songs, local handicrafts and delicacies of the Kashmiri cuisine.

First two weeks of April / 2019

Kottayam, Kerala

Attuvela Mahotsavam A water carnival, legend has it that it represents the welcome ceremony accorded to the Goddess of Kodungalloor who arrives to visit her sister, the Goddess of Elamkavu. The temple has Goddess Bhagavathy as its presiding deity.

April 6 /2019 April 5-7 /2019 New Delhi

Boxout Weekender 2019 The online community radio of Boxout.fm is celebrating their two years of being on-air at the Summer House Cafe and Auro Kitchen & Bar, Aurobindo Market. The Weekender will feature some of India's most diverse and entertaining DJs and live acts.

Pune, Maharashtra

The PetYo Festival The PetYo Festival is a celebration of the spirit of the pet-human relationship. Attend the festival to learn about the benefits of owning a pet and the right way to be a pet parent. There is so much to learn at the event from the healthy products for your pet to helping shelter animals find a home.

April 7 /2019 10

April 2019

AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

Assam

Rongali Bihu The main agricultural festival of Assam, Rongali Bihu marks the start of the new year and is also an indication of the seeding time in spring. The first day of the festival is dedicated to cows, the second day is spent visiting friends and relatives, and on the third day, deities are worshiped. The main aspect of this festival is the display of Bihu dance across the state.

April 14-16 /2019

April 14 /2019 Punjab

Baisakhi The day celebrates the harvest festival and is also known as the Punjabi New Year. Celebrations include a great deal of feasting, bhangra dancing, folk music and fairs.

Mumbai, Maharashtra

April 26 /2019

chiragh

Bengaluru-based South Asian Symphony Foundation will be presenting Chiragh â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a concert promoting cultural diplomacy among the eight nations of South Asia. Musicians will offer renditions of classical works by Beethoven, Bizet, Brahms, Mozart and others. Another commissioned work by the Indian American composer Kamala Sankaram, titled "Bhadke" will also be premiered.

April 8-10 /2019

April 26 /2019

Udaipur, Rajasthan

Mewar Festival Images of Goddess Gauri are taken aboard boats from the Gangaur Ghat, on the banks of Lake Pichola. The festival witnesses singing, dancing, and cultural programmes and finishes off with a huge display of fireworks. It gives an opportunity to the tourists to see a range of traditional musical instruments being played.

11

aai update

AIR intel

The latest happenings from the Airports Authority of India enhancing passenger convenience

Environment-friendly, battery operated carts are being put to use for the first time at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore, to provide free services to the elderly, differently-abled and children.

Appreciation for AAIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tariff team

Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI, acknowledged and appreciated the AAI Tariff Team for their timely submission of tariff proposals of all the major airports to Regulator, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) without any assistance from an outside agency.

TUTICORIN AIRPORT GETS NEW PASSENGER BAGGAGE TROLLEYS

Under the Passenger and Visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Facilitation Programme, Tuticorin Airport commissioned 100 new passenger baggage trolleys procured centrally by CHQ from M/s.Delite Systems Pvt.Ltd., Mumbai, at a cost of `10 lakhs approx. as part of delivering an enhanced experience to the passengers using the airport.

accolade for aai employee Regional Executive Director, AAI, North East Region, D. K. Kamra, was conferred with the Vishwakarma Award in Public Servant category

by Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) at New Delhi on March 7, 2019.

Solar Power Plant installed at Agartala Airport With an objective of conserving Green Energy, a 250-KWp Solar Power Plant was installed at M.B.B Airport, Agartala. The roof top solar panels are expected to generate 825 units per day making the airport self-reliant in clean energy.

12

April 2019

Smart Indian Hackathon 2019 The Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI organised the Smart Indian Hackathon 2019 in alliance with Sathyabama Institute Of Science and Technology, Chennai, where around 250 ignited minds worked for 48 hours continuously to find innovative solutions to eight problem statements.

aaiofficial

Vigilance workshop at Agartala Airport

AAI organises Startup Conclave

A preventive vigilance workshop for the senior officers of AAI was organised by the Corporate Vigilance Department of AAI at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala, Tripura.

AAI organised a Startup Conclave under the startup initiative “Innovate for Airports” emphasising that growth in the aviation sector depends upon innovation and new ideas and this can be introduced by involving the startup community in thinking differently. During the event, eight startups were awarded the “Letter of Consent” under this initiative. AAI developed its Startup Policy jointly in conjunction with Startup India Team under Invest India.

Passenger Charter

Safety Rally at Chennai Airport

Striving at maintaining an efficient, fair and approachable system, the Ministry of Civil Aviation recently released the Passenger Charter. The charter is for the passengers so that they will be aware of their rights when they fly.

Prioritising safety, the Chennai International Airport organised a rally inside the premises to sensitise passengers and public on the importance of road safety as part of the Road Safety Awareness Programme. The Airline Operator’s committee and Chennai Traffic Police teamed up for this initiative which was wellreceived by the passengers.

AAI cares AAI, under its CSR initiative, donated two ambulances to the Director of Health Services, the Government of Tripura in the presence of senior Govt. officials, D.M (West) & Airport Director, Agartala. The total cost of ambulances is ` 23,83,368.

Women’s day celebration AAI celebrated the spirit of womanhood on this International Women's Day with all women Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) controlling the Operations of the Guwahati Airport.

Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur also came in full force to spread the message of empowerment by giving them charge of the airport activities.

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata, greeted every women passenger with a rose and organised a dance event on the occasion.

13

infocus

Accelerating Progress towards universal health coverage A visionary initiative in the form of “Ayushman Bharat Programme” ensures an enhanced response towards achieving Universal Health Coverage as committed in National Health Policy 2017

U

niversal Health Coverage (UHC) is central to achieving better health and wellbeing for all people at all ages.

UHC means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.

It includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

Good health allows children to learn and adults to earn, helps people escape from poverty, and provides grounds for long term social and economic development of society and nation. But millions of world’s population still have no access at all to health care. This is why World Health Organisation (WHO) is focusing on universal

14

April 2019

health coverage for this year’s World Health Day, on 7 April.

Achieving UHC is one of the targets the nations of the world set when adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. India is also committed to advancing the agenda of the UHC in the country, and has rolled out various initiatives to meet this aim.

A visionary initiative taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the form of “Ayushman Bharat Programme” ensures an enhanced response towards achieving UHC as committed in National Health Policy 2017 which was launched after a gap of 15 years.

The two major activities under Ayushman Bharat Programme address health holistically in

primary, secondary and tertiary care systems, covering both prevention and health promotion services. Transformation of nearly 1.5 lakh sub-centres and primary health centres in to Health & Wellness Centres for delivery of comprehensive primary health care services and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) which aims to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage up to ` 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization are the two pillars of Ayushman Bharat Programme.

Reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCH+A)- a strategic approach under National Health Mission provides an understanding of continuum of care to ensure equal focus on various life stages.

healthcare infrastructure as well as health manpower in the country by setting up various institutions like AIIMS and upgrading government medical colleges.

A step further to save mothers and newborns Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan was launched in 2016 to provide assured comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on 9th of every month; and to ensure good quality, respectful maternity care, a labour room quality improvement initiative with the name LaQshya was implemented in 2017.

Children from birth to 18 years are also being screened for early identification and early intervention for 4 ‘D’s viz. defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases, development delays including disability under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram provides comprehensive health care to adolescents so that they can take responsible decisions related to their health and well-being.

Basket of vaccines under Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is enhanced, protecting children from 12 vaccine preventable diseases with the inclusion of rotavirus vaccine, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), measles-rubella vaccine, inactivated polio vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine for adults (in selected districts), and to cover unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children in rural and urban areas, UIP is further intensified as Mission Indradhanush.

Government is consistently working towards improving tertiary

AMRIT (Affordable medicine and reliable implants for treatments) pharmacies have been set up across 23 states for providing medicines for diabetes, cadiovascular diseases, cancer and other diseases at discounted prices to the patients.

In the line leaving no one behind, Mental Healthcare Act 2017 was passed to provide mental healthcare and services to persons with mental illness, and HIV & AIDS (Prevention & Control) Act, 2017 to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and affected by HIV.

POSHAN Abhiyan has been launched with its aim to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme was started in all district hospitals in a public private partnership mode under NHM. National viral hepatitis control program was initiated on world hepatitis day 2018 with the goal of ending viral hepatitis as a public health problem in the country by 2030. Considerable improvements are reported in various diseasestuberculosis, leprosy, malaria and other vector borne diseases.

Government also approved the National Medical Commission Bill 2017 with the aim to promote medical education reform and

developed national multisectoral action plan to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with consultation of stakeholders including 39 departments of union government. A multi-ministerial convergence mission, POSHAN Abhiyan has been launched with its aim to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children.

The concept of ‘Aspirational Districts’ wherein 117 lowest performing districts were identified to address the disparities in health indicators through a collaborative and multi-sectoral approach in health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and education sectors will further enhance the equitable development.

Recognising the potential of digital technologies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, Ministry is promoting use of digital health for implementation, monitoring, and improving the accessibility, quality and affordability of health services in the country such as central dashboards , softlaunch of the integrated disease surveillance program (IDSP) segment of integrated health information platform (IHIP) in seven states, national health portal (NHP), mother and child tracking system (MCTS), mera aspatal, online registration system, telemedicine and various mobile applications.

Let’s take the opportunity on this World Health Day to make universal health coverage a reality for many more people to lead a healthy life so that they can contribute to socioeconomic and sustainable development of our country.

15

Diary

1

At the

airport Still fondly known as the Dhak Dhak Girl of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit Nene loves a laidback holiday and does not believe in setting limits to her vacations

W

hen Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on holiday, it means total relaxation. The only schedule I follow then is not having a schedule. My husband often jokes and says I turn into a kid when on a holiday.

I am always eager to do things - see the places, eat all kinds of food, generally let my hair down.

A holiday is ideal for me either when I have my family with me or if I can experience or learn about something I don't know about. I am so glad my husband and sons share my outlook towards holidays and so we are a family of getaway-lovers. We love spending time outdoors, with each other and doing things together. I wanted my sons to know India better and I am glad travelling within the country has made them develop new perspectives. Like they were so taken in by the Goa Airport. They loved the coastal vibe that has been 16

April 2019

AAI_Official

created at Kochi Airport as well. Even though one of my favourites remains the Lucknow Airport. That tahzeeb (the way of talking and greeting) it is easy to tell that one has landed in Uttar Pradesh. Amritsar's Airport also has the same happy vibe. The people smile such brilliant smiles and it all seems to come from their heart. I think Amritsar Airport has the most helpful ground staff in the world! They are just so eager to help with anything. Sometimes I do have to cover my face at the airport, but my husband and kids are cool as cucumbers - they are just so unfazed.

As a family, we have never limited ourselves on holidays. Nothing is out of bounds. Before I was married, I was limited by the nature of my profession.

But after I met and got married to Ram, I have got over my inhibitions and have learnt to enjoy holidays as they are meant to be enjoyed. For instance, I could never mountain-bike. Ram taught me how to do it. I was always wary of crowded places, I am a little nervous now also, but have learnt to handle it or find my ways around it. As a family we try and experience everything that a destination may have to offer. So if we go to the Maldives, for example, we will snorkel, go deep-sea diving, spend time on the beach, go for walks in the forests. And if we are in Switzerland, we will do the cable car, perhaps ski, though rather tentatively.

My profession has allowed me the luxury to be able to travel to places for work as well, and meeting new people is a

2

definite plus. The beauty of a place is not just in terms of its natural surroundings or physical buildings and structures; it is also because of the people that inhabit it. So I love talking to people wherever I go. I have done that a lot in the US and realised that despite being a recognisable face, it is possible. I am glad my children are experiencing that in India - they are learning so much about their roots! The other day Arin, my son, vocalised his observation after we returned from a trip to Nashik. He said, "People seem content and are able to enjoy the small pleasures of life that we city-dwellers have forgotten!" I was so proud - as a mom, as an Indian mom!

A holiday is not about what money can buy, but what the mind can experience!

Speaking of spending, we spend most on local food - all kinds of dishes. So I love the mawa kachori In Jodhpur. Ram loves the petha and jalebis in Agra, and my kids absolutely love Goan bebinca. We are all great foodies. More so, because Ram and the kids, till only recently, were

2.The Terminal Building of the Amritsar International Airport, 3. Exterior shot of the Amritsar International Airport

3

fav3 Cochin International Airport, Kochi Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar not that familiar with the diversity of food, especially Indian. I encourage them to try the different flavours I have grown up with in India.

Even though I tried to feed them dosas, parathas etc in the US, it is just different when you go out. I myself love food and am always on the lookout for new things to experience at a place. Like I loved shooting in Lucknow for Dedh Ishqiya. It has that old world charm! And the food experience! Oh my god! I used to wait for pack up so I could have jalebi with that masala doodh. The way they literally cook the milk and not just boil it makes it so creamy and then to dunk a jalebi in it! My mouth waters at the very thought of it.

I definitely want to see all of India with my family. I am astounded by how amazing our culture and people are.

I want to familiarize my kids with our country, of which they have only seen a tiny part.

(As told to Aarti Kapur Singh) 17

AAI Update

Revisiting the

Cultural Lanes

I

ndia has the perfect amalgamation of several cultures and traditions spanning across the Indian subcontinent. Renowned all across the world, Indian classical dances and music is enchanting and wideranging. The diverse culture of India binds the entire country together and Indian classical music plays a remarkable role in this unification, signifying the age-old saying - "Unity is strength."

Classical dance and music are avenues for self-expression of emotions and sentiments. Dance and music in India has been a part of our generations since time immemorial and are performed by artists to manifest their exhilaration on every possible event or occasion.

18

April 2019

With an aim to spread awareness about Indian culture and traditions, AAI, along with SPIC MACAY, organised the second edition of Music and Dance in the Park

promoting the heritage

The Airports Authority of India in collaboration with SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) organised the second edition of Music and Dance In the Park on March 23-24, 2019. The event was held to exult Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s composite heritage and to generate cognisance about a peaceful and clean environment. The event marked the second successful year of the partnership, which was initiated by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AAI and SPIC MACAY in 2017.

Vibhushan Awards Pandit Jasraj. His melodious renderings infused with emotion and spirit gave a profound touch to the evening. Gifted with a melodious voice, which deftly traverses three and a half octaves, Jasrajâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The event featured two concerts on each day, first being a vocal music recital by the Sangeet Martand, recipient of the eminent Padma Bhushan and aaiofficial

performance synthesised the classical and the opulent, resulting in an intensely spiritual expression. The audience was captivated by his spell-bounding vocal music recital, characterised by flawless diction, clarity in sur and perfect command over laya.

The second performance was by Kapila Venu who has won critical acclaim for her performances in the Kutiyattam dance form, which is a highly stylised and evocative art form of ancient theatre and storytelling from Kerala.

Kutiyattam has a 2,000-year-old lineage that has been saved from extinction, thanks to the perseverance of its custodians like Kapila Venu. In 2001, UNESCO conferred upon Kutiyattam, the status of a Masterpiece of the Oral and the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

was a Bharatnatyam Dance Performance

by Malavika Sarukkai, a danseuse cum choreographer. Renowned world over for her artistic mastery, her performances speak volumes of her perfect control over artistry, technical perfection and a penchant for innovative choreography.

She performed passionately and her synergy made the mood of the audience eccentric.

The event was indeed a memorable one with such remarkable artists performing strikingly best on a breezy Delhi evening.

The audience sat enjoying the dance and music in the vicinity of nature.

The second day kick-started with a mesmerising flute recital by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, one of Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected musicians and a Padma Bhushan awardee. His flute playing is marked by the rare notes of tradition and novelty invariably touching magical heights of technical excellence.

The last performance of the evening 19

AAI Update

The Joy of Sharing

L

ittle moments of joy are priceless. Happiness is a fundamental human right and it stays when one focuses on the positive energy around them. United Nations observed the first “International Day of Happiness” on March 20, 2013.

Since then, this day of happiness is celebrated annually by 193 member states, 11 territories and two observer states. This year, the theme for the International Day of Happiness 2019 was ‘Happier Together’ and celebrating happiness on the occasion.

We have not met each other for 5 months and she travelled two thousand kilometres to meet me. #AirportJoy #AAIContest #AirportsIndia s_u_b_h_am

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) organised a contest where the passengers were requested to share their moments of happiness at the AAI airports via text or a selfie using the hashtag ‘#AirportJoy’ on AAI’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter handle.

The contest saw a breakthrough participation by flyers sharing their happy moments on AAI’s social media handles. AAI is thankful for such amazing participation and the winners of this contest are:

I visited the #PakyongAirport for the first time in November last year. When I stepped out of the plane, the view of the airport and surrounding was marvellous for a moment. I was like in a totally different world and that was my moment of happiness. #AirportJoy #AAIContest @MokshitBhatia

Some tweets have been restructured for better readability

20

Capturing happy moments

I was honestly surprised at seeing the unimaginable transformation of the Kolkata Airport recently where culture and aesthetics mingled together to bring an unknown ecstasy to the heart and enhance my joy of flying for work. #AirportsIndia #AirportJoy #AAIContest

Here are some glimpses of my trip to Varanasi. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport Varanasi is one of its unique airports you'll see. So much ecologically developed you'll love the surroundings. Not only the exterior but the interior of this International Terminal is worth. You'll see a much coordinated dedicated staff of AAI working tremendously in order to make the passengers travel joyful. Each and every aspect is managed effectively and wisely. Thanks for making my travel memorable AAI. singh.ankurr

When your loved ones bid you adieu at the airport, it makes the perfect moment of happiness :) #AirportJoy #AAIContest @AIRPORT_AAI_RAN @sonya013

@travtasy

April 2019

AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

AAI Update

FUTURISTIC TELECOMMUNICATION

INFRASTRUCTURE of AAI Fostering a sync with India’s rising air passenger traffic, AAI has united with Harris Corporation, USA to provide a nationwide telecommunication network to support air traffic management operations 1

I

ndia is the one of the largest aviation market in the world today and is strategically located in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing its boundaries with 14 neighbouring countries and AAI has been crafting best ways to handle the rising air traffic with utmost ease. By progressive promulgation of efficient and green routes through Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 2, India is going to be a major aviation hub in this region.

As one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, India handles more than 190 million passengers, which is expected to double up to 337 million domestic and 84 million international passengers over the next decade.

India’s exponential air traffic growth is continuously creating demands for new aircraft, air navigation technologies, airport security equipment and infrastructure. To keep in sync with 22

April 2019

Words: P.K. Srivastava, GM (CNS-A&FTI), AAI

Upgraded Telecommunication Network

composed of dedicated point-to-point circuits which are run by the stateowned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and a few other providers without stringent commitment on Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for availability and reliability of circuits for Air Traffic Management (ATM) applications. Network Managed services has gained importance across the globe and also in India to overcome such handicaps.

The preponderance of the present telecommunications network is

AAI being the sole provider of Air Navigation Services (ANS) in India, controls and manages the entire Indian Airspace covering 2.8 Million Square Nautical Miles (MSNM) (1.75MSNM over ocean and 1.05 MSNM on land) and is committed to the upgradation of ANS infrastructure along with modernisation and upgradation of Airports in Tier-II and Tier-III in line with global trends.

On a similar note, giving fillip to

this rapid growth, AAI has awarded Harris a 15-year contract to provide the Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI), a nationwide telecommunication network to support air traffic management operations, with an emphasis on safety and high reliability and the ability to expand for growth.

As AAI continues to experience fierce growth in air traffic, new programs and technologies are vital for Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management.

These modern programs and systems require much more communication bandwidth than what have been desirable in the past.

aaiofficial

3

2

4 1. Lighting of the lamp by Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI during visit to NOCC facility; 2. Infographic of the telecommunication infrastructure; 3. Security Operation Control Centre (SOCC); 4. Network Operations Control Centre (NOCC)

the communications infrastructure of ANS of AAI, a state-of-the-art Network Operations Control Center (NOCC) has been recently built by Harris Communications Systems India Pvt. Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of Harris Corporation, USA, on a 12,000 square foot area at AAI’s regional headquarters.

AAI being the sole provider of Air Navigation Services (ANS) in India, controls and manages the entire Indian Airspace

New Network Operations Control Centre (NOCC) launching ceremony

and security center for all critical communications needs throughout the AAI’s facilities across India.

Introduction of the new Network Operations Control Centre for AAI will significantly enhance communications and network availability, reliability and security commensurate with India’s fast-growing air traffic. New network represents AAI’s largest services-based implementation.

The telecommunication infrastructure was inaugurated through a video link jointly connected with the facility located at AAI Operational office, Rangpuri and AAI Corporate Headquarters (CHQ), New Delhi in the august presence of AAI and Harris Communication Executives.

Futuristic Vision

The Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) initiatives contract worth `945 crores will function as a centralised and integrated operations

requirement. All telecommunication links and each network equipment will be centrally monitored 24*7 for immediate response to fix any outages. Security Operation Control Centre (SOCC) at Delhi and Bengaluru will protect the network from cyber threats. All service connections and each equipment will be security hardened, monitored, and safeguarded against intrusion with constant system updates against latest security threats.

The state-of-the-art centre is colocated with AAI’s Northern Region headquarters and is supported by a redundant, robust architecture housed within the facility. This dedicated, round-the-clock center allows the staff to handle virtually all communications requirements, including automated problem reporting and real-time network status for AAI.

An imperative partnership

The FTI Project will provide high availability SLA based telecommunication links using latest technology equipment and communications infrastructure at each AAI location. Performance of all telecommunication links will be continuously monitored at NOCC at Delhi and Bengaluru for various performance parameters to meet the global ATM application performance

The close partnership between AAI and Harris has produced incredible results towards India's ATM modernisation efforts in a short span of time. Finishing construction of the NOCC in less than a year is a testament itself to the industrygovernment team’s commitment to quickly stand up a network that meets the demands of India’s rapid air traffic growth.

Physical building security, redundant climate control systems and uninterruptible power sources ensure system and facility available with virtually zero downtime while security features such as firewalls, intrusion detection sensors and encryption devices safeguard the network’s integrity.

23

reader's corner

The Sci-Fi race Yudhanjaya Wijeratne is a Sri Lankan author and researcher who's brought a breath of fresh air to the sci-fi scene in South Asia. In an exclusive with Airports India, he talks about all things books and travel...

The Inhuman Race explores a surreal landscape where technology and humanity intersect in speculation of a world 'that could be'. What are your plans for the other two parts of the trilogy?

The next book in the series, The Inhuman Peace, zooms out a little, expands the play area. To wit, the island of Ceylon now has a curious problem on its hands: there’s a literal inhuman race occupying the ruins of Colombo. And they’re moving upwards, attacking human settlements.

As everything unravels, the envoy in question (naming no names) has to figure out how to prevent an all-out-war scenario between the British and the Chinese empires – using Ceylon as a proxy. Which, I might add, is a bit of a play on the geopolitics of our country right now. The last part, The Inhuman War, is literally about this battle. Who wins? Who loses? Will it be Elizabeth III, who they call Iron Lizzie, and her conscripted legions from India? Or the forces of the Song Emperor of China?

and racism. There’s one thing there that definitely influenced this whole story: back in 2015, I was one of the first journalists allowed into the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City. They expected a PR trip – the whole goal was to have a bunch of social media “influencers” visit, tweet about how awesome it was. I, having other plans, snuck a camera with a telephoto lens in and went and spoke to the engineers, took photos of maps, and wrote a 4,000-word piece on the plans, the geopolitics, the affect this will have on our region. The Colombo Port City is a key character throughout the Commonwealth trilogy.

That old piece is now archived on yudhanjaya.com, but that’s the source of my fascination with the Port Cities, the Belt and Road, the String of Pearls.

Let's go back a little and talk about the controversial Icaruswept blog. Any chance it was the idea behind the book?

Icaruswept was about politics and technology. I railed a lot against authoritarian governments, incompetence

What are some of your favourite places in the Southeast Asian subcontinent?

Definitely Bangkok. It’s a place I keep returning to, because of the sheer, chaotic variety in the place: you find a temple and

24

April 2019

Any advice for young sci-fi authors?

If you want to keep writing, remember that your first novel, however important, is never your last: think of looking back at a whole body of work ten years down the line.

Published by HarperCollins India

a brothel and a massive department store all next to each other, all with their own subcultures, and outside the busy street is lined with street food stalls, and ten steps away is a park with pensioners doing TaiChi and a couple of backpackers getting arrested for littering. The other place I’ve come to love is Kandy, the old hill-capital of Sri Lanka.

What destinations do you frequent for getaway holidays?

I try not to frequent anything, and I’m one of those insufferable people who mix work and holidays. This year I’ve bounced around Delhi, Maputo, DC and Boston. As the old poem goes, I am part of all that I have met; and all experience is but an arch where through gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades – forever and ever as I move.

AAI_Official

for the bibliophiles

Get your hands on the latest books by noted authors Jallianwala Bagh: Literary Responses in Prose & Poetry Niyogi Books

Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the butchering of unarmed innocents, is a historic event that haunts the human mind even after the lapse of a century. 1650 rounds fired in a matter of 10 minutes, the blocking of exits, preventing help reaching the injured are all acts of unmitigated bestiality.

Through a selection of prose and poetry – the direct outcome of this horrific event and an introduction that traces the history of events leading to the massacre – Rakhshanda Jalil, a literary historian and translator from Urdu and Hindi, attempts to open

a window into the world of possibilities that literature offers to reflect, interpret and analyse events of momentous historical importance. The selection offers ways of ‘seeing’ history, of exploring how an incident that stirred the conscience of millions, found its way through pen and paper to reach the nooks and crannies of popular imagination filtered through the mind of the creative writer.

The acknowledged doyens of Indian literature featured in this volume include Saadat Hasan Manto, Mulk Raj Anand, Krishan

THE BAREFOOT COACH

Chander, Abdullah Hussein, Bhisham Sahni, Ghulam Abbas, Subadhra Kumari Chauhan, Sarojini Naidu, Sohan Singh Misha, Muhammad Iqbal, Josh Malihabadi and Nanak Singh, to name a few. A collection that can pave the way for further research.

Westland Starting as a fitness trainer, Paddy Upton has now moved on to become a mental conditioning coach who brings out the best in players through his unique philosophy and coaching style.

The Barefoot Coach gives us a close insight into his unique line of thinking. It is also a sports memoir of sorts that will document Paddy’s interactions with some of the greats of international cricket both from India and other countries.

sneak-peek

THE CAMEL MERCHANT OF PHILADELPHIA

Live well to 101

Hachette Assessing the major factors that determine how long we live, Dr Dawn Harper gives advice on the measures we can all take to beat the odds and live significantly longer.

Lost Roses

Penguin Random House This new novel, set a generation earlier and inspired by true events, features Caroline's mother and follows three women from St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I.

Sanath Jayasurya

Rupa Very rarely in history does one man shape the sporting fortunes of a nation this way. Sanath Jayasuriya quite clearly achieved that with just his forearms, but after a prolonged delay.

Westland Sarbpreet Singh’s compelling new history of Ranjit Singh’s life and times humanises a great emperor without glossing over his flaws and foibles. He examines the Maharaja’s complex relationship with his mother-in-law, Mata Sada Kaur, arguably the chief architect of his ascension to the throne, just as candidly as he does the rise of the Dogra brothers.

25

landing

In the year 1935, JRD Tata & Sons (Founder of Tata Airlines) laid the foundation of Indore Airport and the construction cost was `1.84 lakh.

On July 26, 1948, air services from Indore to Gwalior, Bhopal, Delhi and Mumbai were initiated.

The Indore Airport was renamed as Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore by the Govt. of India on August 17, 2001.

Indore Airport became the largest and the busiest Airport of Central India in 2018. From March 25, 2018, Indore Airport started providing 24 hour operations.

4 6 8 2 1 3 5 7 9 His Highness Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s descendants first constructed the Indore Airport after due site selection near Bijasan Tekri in the year 1933-34.

Maintained by

26

April 2019

On December 7, 1937, Tata Airlines started its air service from Indore for the very first time.

Indore Aerodrome was taken over by the Govt. of India, Civil Aviation Department on April 1, 1950 and further developments were executed.

On February 14, 2012, Indoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Integrated Terminal was inaugurated.

It was built by the Airports Authority of India at a cost of `135 crore.

In calendar year 2018, 106 scheduled movements operated daily and a total of 30,05,833 passengers flew in and out of the airport in the whole year.

9

Facts about

devi ahilya bai holkar airport, indore

27

AAI Update

Gratifying passengers

on all fronts

O

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) bagged nine Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards based on the airport surveys measuring passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; satisfaction at the AAI airports

ver the past few decades, everyone is parading towards better education and salubrious career choices, which has resulted in mobility of most populace from one city to another, leading India's citizens to explore and experience the best airports in the world in terms of service delivery.

The passengers, now having travelled across the world and experienced the services offered by the best airports, are judicious in evaluating the infrastructure and services offered at home airports in India.

Words: Shri. V. Krishnan, GM (CP & MS), AAI

AAI wins big

28

April 2019

In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitive scenario, increasing passenger satisfaction has become the key that can offer the necessary edge over competition.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI)

1

has been continuously making its mark by offering the best services for unmatched passenger experience. The unrelenting pursuit for excellence in concert with conviction for providing world-class airports by AAI has been acknowledged with four AAI airports getting the top honours in the recently-announced Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad; Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar; Chandigarh International Airport and Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, Indore, won nine ASQ awards in four categories, including three newlyadded categories based on the results of ASQ survey.

The measuring framework Airports Council International (ACI) is a world body of airport operators and is

AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

Results of ASQ Survey 1.

2.

3.

4.

Best Airport by size and Region: Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh

2-5 million passengers per year

and Indore Airport

in Asia-Pacific

Best Airport by Environment and Ambience by size: Chandigarh International Airport

2-5 million passengers per year

Ahmedabad Airport

5-15 million passengers per year

Best Customer Service by size: Indore Airport

2-5 million passengers per year

Ahmedabad Airport

5-15 million passengers per year

Best Infrastructure and Facilitation by size: Indore Airport

2-5 million passengers per year

Ahmedabad Airport

5-15 million passengers per year

a non-profit organisation, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations. ACI based out of Montreal, Canada, serves 646 members operating 1,960 airports in 176 countries.

Across the globe, passengers are demanding higher levels of service.

Likewise, regulators are paying closer attention to airport service provisions and quality of service delivery. In India, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) mandates an ASQ survey for tariff fixation at major airports and National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. Additionally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) monitors the quality of service offered to the travelling public through the result of ASQ surveys.

the best intelligence available.

ACI-ASQ survey is conducted at major AAI airports i.e. airports having throughput of 1.5 MPPA (Million passengers per annum) or more in accordance with the requirement of AERA. Presently, ACI-ASQ International Benchmarking Survey is carried out at 24 major AAI airports. The average ASQ rating of AAI airports for the year 2018 has improved to 4.64 from 4.57 in 2017.

The world average during the period has also increased to 4.21 from 4.19.

The fieldwork for ASQ survey is conducted on quarterly basis in such a way that all seven days of the week distributed over all three months of a given quarter, with a minimum of two fieldwork days per month covering all

airport operating hours according to the sample plan provided by ACI. The field work for ASQ survey is done by an independent consultant appointed by AAI. The field audit and quality control and the survey questionnaire is done

by ACI. ASQ provides the information and insights needed to run a more successful and profitable airport operation. The information provided by ASQ helps in: • Optimising investments and initiatives • Monitoring performance of the suppliers • Sharing best practices with other airports • A ssessing the performance of the management • Helping with regulators • Marketing the airport more successfully

Ingredients of customer satisfaction

A lot of things contribute to the satisfaction of the flight passengers, starting from cleanliness at the airport, especially in the washrooms, ambience of the airport, availability of washrooms to eating joints, ease of finding their way, courteous staff, the quality of WiFi and shopping facilities among others.

Airports now are designed to provide not only an exhilarating shopping experience but also to meet the culinary demands of the

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Designed for airports that require up-to-date feedback on their service performance to drive superior operational and strategic decisionmaking, ASQ ratings help the airport operators understand their airport’s performance and change over time, as well as allow benchmarking and comparison of performance against other airports. An airport may be improving, but its competitors may be a step ahead by widening their offerings and implementing them at a faster pace. ASQ helps airports gauge where they stand, resulting in decisions and investments based on

1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad 2. Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport, Indore

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3. Entrance of the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar 4. View of the Chandigarh International Airport

travelling public. It also reflects on the changing perceptions and priorities of passengers. Today, airports are complex, multifunctional travel centres offering a wide range of services.

The average ASQ rating of AAI airports for the year 2018 has improved to 4.64 from 4.57 in 2017 It was said by none other than the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, himself that â&#x20AC;&#x153;A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. We are not doing any favour to him by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us an opportunity to do so.â&#x20AC;?

Drawing inspiration from the Father of the Nation, AAI's main emphasis is on customer satisfaction and is committed towards working tirelessly to improve the passengersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; overall experience at the airports. In order to gauge the standard of service provided and to meet the expectations of globetrotting passengers, AAI participates in the ACIASQ survey meticulously.

Towards customer delight

As the purpose of ACI-ASQ Survey is to identify the grey areas of the airport services and thereby improve the services offered by AAI, the 30

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ABOUT ASQ & ACI Airports Council International is a world body of airport operators and is a non-profit organisation, whose prime purpose is to advance the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations Airport Service Quality The field work for ASQ survey is done by an independent consultant appointed by AAI. The field audit and quality control for the filled in survey questionnaire is done by ACI.

foremost requirement is that it should be carried out in an independent and non-partisan manner, sans interference from the airport so as not to introduce any prejudice in the result.

The survey is taken by passengers travelling through the airport and it reflects their true experience at the airport. It is a passengers' experience that helps identify the shortcomings and their expectations, leading to remedial action and improvement in the ASQ rating.

To sum it all, customer satisfaction is of paramount importance for the survival of any service based industry in this competitive world and AAI must gear up to provide and set the benchmark by moving from customer satisfaction to customer delight. aaiofficial

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detour

ST. MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ISLANDs

A REAL PARADISE An archipelago of four inter-connected islands, St. Mary's Islands in Udupi, Karnataka, offer a great opportunity to unwind and relax Words: Avika Kashyup

Columnar basaltic lava rocks at St. Mary's Islands in the Arabian Sea

Detour

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t. Mary’s Islands stand in the midst of the Arabian Sea like a beautiful lure that softly touch everyone's hearts. Also known as the Coconut Island, St. Mary’s main landscape is densely covered with coconut trees. The other name for this island is Thonsepar.

St. Mary’s is an archipelago of four inter-connected islands: the Coconut Island, the North Island, Daryabahadur Garh and the South Island. Each of them is unique in its own way.

2. Light House in Kaup Beach 3. Ferry to St. Mary's Islands 4. Columnar basaltic lava formations

What is known

It is believed that St. Mary’s was a pit stop for Portuguese sailor Vasco Da Gama. He docked on this island in 1498, before he took off for Calicut. He placed a cross here for Mother Mary and named it El Padron De Santa Maria, christening the island thereafter.

St. Mary’s is known for its distinctive geological formations of columnar basaltic lava. Theories and scientific studies indicate that the basalt rocks of the island match with those of Madagascar in Africa. Theories suggest that these basaltic rocks were formed by sub-aerial and sub-volcanic activities because Madagascar was attached to India some million years ago. The rocks make this island all the more attractive. The hexagonal, pillar-

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Do pay obeisance at the ancient Shiva Temple just a stone's throw away from the 150-year-old Post Office like basaltic rocks make for a beautiful view and are a unique attraction of the island. St. Mary’s is one of the four Geological Monuments in Karnataka and one of the 26 Geological Monuments of India, declared by the 3

Geological Survey of India in 2001.

This island is among one of the important sites for GEO Tourism in the country; a heaven for geologists and environmentalists.

The main island has a beautiful landscape and its beaches are immaculately clean and wellmaintained. There are a couple of manmade shades for the visitors to relax under as well. One can find numerous conches and seashells at the island. The beaches on the western side of the island are fully covered in seashells; one can hardly see the sand and the water is crystal clear. The beach on the other side of the island, however, is deeper and has sand and pebbles. Unfortunately, swimming is banned on these beaches as the waters are not shallow here and the tides can sometimes get too strong.

Lots of Sunshine!

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the other, as you explore different parts of this island. However, the humidity here is quite high for most part of the year for its close proximity to the seashore. If one can bear the climate, this place is a true traveller’s delight. It is advisable to carry sunscreen, hats, plenty of drinking water and food as there are not many options available on the island. The island has couple of shacks though, which serve juice, snacks and tender coconuts. It is an eco-friendly island and use of plastic is banned here.

St. Mary’s is situated in the southwestern part of India. The best way to reach it is via a boat or a ferry ride from Malpe Beach in Udupi, which takes around 30 minutes or so. The boat service from Malpe Beach to St. Mary’s Island starts at 9:30 am and the last return is at 5 pm. The nearest

airport is Mangaluru, which is 58 km from Malpe.

A natural paradise

The ferry ride from the Malpe jetty to St. Mary's Islands is a treat for the eyes. During the journey, one can spot a variety of birds.

While on your return, make sure you watch the sunset. You will also find flocks of birds on the rocky patches of the sea. Birds like Sea Gulls and Brahminy Kites are familiar sights here. Also seen here are White Egrets and Grey Egrets (breeding plumage).

The best time to visit St. Mary's Islands is between November and February.

During the boat or ferry ride from Malpe, one is stunned by the view. You can find flocks of birds on the rocky patches in the sea, some whizzing by in a formation and birds like Seagulls and Brahminy are a common sight here.

If you love solitude and love to gaze at nature sitting on the golden sands of a quiet beach, then this is the best place to be. Watching the sunset, standing on the crystalline rocks of this quiet island, is one of the most alluring experiences a traveller can have.

So pack your bags, set sail and find yourself lost in the charming vistas of this mystical land floating in the sea.

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Queen of

Blue Hills

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Set within the blue hills of Nilgiris, Ootacamund, also known as the 'Switzerland of India' and the 'Queen of Hill Stations', holds a vast variety of flora, fauna and attractions Words: Chhavi Nagpal

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otacamund has undergone as many names as developmental phases. Inhabited by the Toda tribe since centuries, the gorgeous hill station was known as Oththai-Kal Mandu before the Britishers discovered it and pegged it as their summer retreat for the Madras Residency. Udhagamandalam then, Ootacamund now, the popular hill station with its all-year-round pleasant weather and even more pleasant and friendly locals, is a must on every traveller's bucket. At an altitude of 2,240 metres, once here, no traveller can resist getting mesmerised by its beauty.

With coffee and tea plantations, trees of eucalyptus, conifers and pines and a thick forestation of sholas, I was sure Ootacamund would be the perfect getaway for me to relax and let the stress melt away. A modern hill town, built in traditional, colonial style, it was a perfect fusion of the new and old and there was plenty to see and do without

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things getting taxing. Radiant blue skies, lush green hills, deep valleys and a pleasant weather all rolled together, the highest mountain peak in the South Indian region left me with memories I will treasure forever.

Time in the Wild

Start your day with a visit to Kalahatti village just 13 km away from Ootacamund. Once there, indulge in a two-mile trek for some refreshing air and morning exercise. I walked through dense foliages and serene paths, to end up gawking at the gorgeous, 40-feet high Kalahatti Falls. You also get to cross a stone bridge on your way there that was built during the colonial era!

The stunning view of the waterfall was complimented by the rare spotting of a herd of wild buffaloes in the nearby forest. If you're lucky you can also spot bisons, spotted deer and the extremely rare black panther here. I would recommend carrying warm clothes to this dense site of flora and fauna, it can get pretty chilly.

Next on my list was the very-famous lake named after the city. Artificially constructed in 1824 and spread across 65 acres, it is the centre of attraction in the hill station. It was pretty crowded but I managed to find a quiet spot for myself to enjoy the view before I indulged in a round of solo-boating.

If constant interaction with nature is your thing then a visit to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolute must as well.

The first one to be set up in South India, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is right at a crossover between the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.

It makes for a pretty fascinating visit.

From tropical evergreens to a swamp to a moist teak forest, this sanctuary is a habitat for all kinds of beings. It is the perfect place for you to spot a variety of animal species and indulge in some bird watching too. Come across populations of hornbills, minivets, fairy blue birds, panthers, elephants, Gaur, sloth bears, Sambar and spotted deer, aaiofficial

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Home to the Queen of Flowers

The Rose Garden in Ootacamund was set up to commemorate the 100th Flower Festival of the Botanical Garden in 1995. It has over 2,500 varieties, the largest collection in India.

Situated on the lower slopes of Elk Hill, the garden is home to varieties like Hybrid tea roses, miniature rose, florbunda and ramblers 1. View of the picturesque valley of Ootacamund 2. The curved OotacamundMysore road towards the hill station 3. The Toy Train Ride from Mettupalayam

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4. Ooty Lake 5. The Botanical Garden in Ootacamund 6. Pykara Waterfalls near Ootacamund

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four-horned antelopes (Chowsingha) and so much more. You can also take elephant rides within the park, they have to be booked in advance back in Ootacamund. The Theppakadu Elephant Camp here is a major attraction.

Soak in the Culture

To understand the local life, it's always a good idea to go shopping for handicrafts and souvenirs to take home.

My first stop for this was Poompuhar.

Set up by the Tamil Nadu Government all over the state, the franchise sells locally-produced handicrafts and 40

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how to reach Coimbatore International Airport is 88 km away from Ootacamund.

Must-See Make your way to the nearby Pykara Village to relax at the longest river in the district.

promotes the state's arts and culture.

Ootacamund is famous for wooden products, the Toda embroidery products and Kota stone pottery.

The Kota tribe has inhabited the Nilgiris since time immemorial. This tribe is extremely famous for their art of pottery. The fascinating bit about their handicraft is that it uses black stone and not clay. Another fun fact- only the women of the tribe are allowed to practice this art. I had the opportunity to visit one of their villages on the periphery of Ootacamund and watch the

women at work! I talked to them about their practices and you can too, they are a very friendly bunch. Their unglazed and intricately carved products will make for a beautiful addition to your home.

I also added extra weight to my luggage with the wooden handicrafts sold commonly in the markets. Aesthetically appealing and symbolic of the rituals and traditions, Tamil Nadu is renown for producing wooden articles for daily household use, home decor, traditional panels in various sizes, finely carved small shrines, wall decorations and 41

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For your dose of history, head to the Government Tribal Museum, first constructed in 1989 figurines. The wood carvers here also make baskets, ropes and mats with bamboo shoots, cane, reeds and palm tree parts.

I personally recommend buying Toda products for their distinctive form of embroidery. The patterns on their shawls (poothkuli) and mats and bags are stunning. Made with red and black threads weaved together on a white cotton cloth, Toda Embroidery has been declared a geographically tagged product by the Indian government.

Ootacamund holds immense creative treasures for you to explore!

When strolling along the commercial market, the main street or the Charring Cross, you can also shop for woollen clothes, handmade bead jewellery, a plethora of horticultural products, leather products, eucalyptus oil and aromatic products derived from it like incense sticks and candles and definitely

the white, caramel and dark chocolates that are locally-produced. And if all this doesn't satisfy you, there's also Cinchona products, Nilgiri tea, varieties of coffee and Nilgiri honey!

in a myriad of hues. Keep an eye out for the garden's special features like the Cork Tree (one-of-its-kind in India), a Monkey Puzzle Tree, a 20 million years old fossilised tree and much more!

A Tourist Here, a Tourist There

For your dose of history, head to the Government Tribal Museum, first constructed in 1989. Located on the Ooty-Mysore road, the museum exhibits the rich culture and heritage of 18 tribes that inhabit Nilgiris and Ootacamund's landscape specifically. The museum

For those who like to stick around the civilisation instead of the wild and want to go for the more traditional sights in Ootacamund, I recommend the Government Botanical Garden, the Tribal Museum, and a ride on the Nilgiri Toy Train is a must.

First established in 1848 by William Graham McIvor, the vast, green landscape along the Dodabetta mountain slope is thronged by tourists all-year-round. The Botanical Garden is very well-maintained by the state's Horticulture Department and even though I am not the kind of traveller who likes strolling in parks, this garden was a surprisingly pleasant experience.

The Botanical Garden is divided into six different sections: Lower Garden, Italian Garden, New Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace and Nurseries and houses lush, manicured lawns, exotic and rare species of flora and a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants

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7. Pykara Lake, Ootacamund 8. Picturesque tea gardens of Ootacamund

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houses displays of daily life tribal objects, ecological details of the district and miscellaneous sculptural works and arts and crafts of Tamil Nadu. Artefacts such as skulls of buffaloes sacrificed during Toda tribal funerals and model tribal huts have been set up here as well.

Woodwork Handicrafts

Ootacamund's wood work is a popular souvenir choice. Tables with floral motifs and panels with scenes from Hindu mythology are a speciality of the place and are extremely intricate.

When your holiday is about to wrap up and you're in a bit of a slump about going back, cheer yourself up with a ride on the Nilgiri Toy Train like I did. It was first started in 1899 from Mettupalayam

to Coonoor and eventually expanded to Udhagamandalam (old name of Ootacamund) in 1908. This rail network is one of the steepest in Asia and the entire journey takes just five hours from Mettupalayam to Ootacamund.

The route was extremely scenic and breathtaking and is definitely a recommended space for spending some time in quiet with your thoughts. The train passes through plains, tunnels, ravines, bridges and by a lot of tea estates too.

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heritage

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Benares

the spiritual gateway to India Come experience the soul of Benares, right from the evening prayers at the ghats to the monuments at Sarnath Words: Supriya Aggarwal

B

enaras, or Varanasi, is famous for more reasons than one. Right from its status of being one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world to its spiritual connect, heritage, wandering monks seeking salvation, zari embroidery, food, architecture and the Ganges, I guess these are more than enough reasons

to tempt anyone to set out on a trip to the city. I decided to take the road that leads to Benaras, Uttar Pradesh, from New Delhi. Spread along the banks of the river Ganges, Benaras is often described as Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spiritual capital and rightfully so. Irrespective of the continuous influx of tourists from across the globe, the place holds enough magic to delight and create

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intrigue in the minds of even the most well-trodden travellers. Benaras casts its charm on a person along with the various ghats and temples that make it a special place. From the Assi Ghat up to the Shri Panch Agni Akhara Ghat, there are 88 ghats in total, and most of them are used for ritual ceremonies and holy dips.

My first encounter with the soul of Benaras was more spiritual than religious.

I witnessed the evening Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, closest to the Vishwanath Temple, the main temple of the city. A group of priests performed the agni pooja (worship to fire) dedicated to Lord Shiva, river Ganges, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire) and the entire universe. The whole ceremony is hypnotic and the synchronisation of the priests astonished me. Next was the Manikarnika Ghat, one of the most soul-stirring moments I ever had. Also known as the cremation ghat, Manikarnika Ghat is the holiest place for the final death rituals as per Hindu 46

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Also known as the cremation ghat, Manikarnika Ghat is the holiest place for the final death rituals as per Hindu mythology mythology. It is believed that the person attains salvation when cremated here after dying. I was fortunate to witness this so closely. After a moving evening, I checked in to my stay in the city, Brijrama Palace Hotel - a heritage property built after renovating a 200-year-old palace built by the King of Darbhanga; the hotel allows the visitors get close to the royal way of living. The food of Benaras has enough vibrancy to keep you engaged. I tried the famous tamatar (tomato) chaat , aloo (potato) chaat and the kulfi falooda and understood why no other state can beat

how to reach Fly to the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, 18 km away from the city.

USP The Benarasi Sari is an iconic cultural heritage and a must-buy!

Travel Tip For a diverse street food experience head to the old streets of main bazaar.

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Uttar Pradesh when it comes to soulsatisfying street food.

Nearly an hours drive from Benaras is Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon to the five disciples and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. In the third century BC, Emperor Ashoka had magnificent stupas and monasteries, as well as an engraved pillar, erected in Sarnath, which hold equal importance to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Though most of them are in ruins now, they are still worth visiting. The walls of Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple, house murals documenting the life of Gautam Buddha. Visiting the Archaeological Museum educated me about Buddhism and how it influenced the world, teachings of non-violence, important dates and more. The journey that started with a soul-stirring experience in Benaras ended on an intellectual soul-soothing moment in Sarnath.

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2. The Manikarnika Ghat at evening 3. A flag-covered wall near Mulagandhakuti Vihara 4. Mulagandhakuti Vihara 5. An evening prayer scene

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streets Delight the foodie in you when you visit the national capital and go food-crawling at these popular eating spots in the city Words: Avika Kashyap

B

eyond its bustle, concrete buildings, a plethora of heritage sites and being India's capital city, if there's one thing that Delhi never lets you down on, it's the vast variety of cuisines served here, especially the street food. The city is packed with restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs, street food stalls and has several food festivals. Here are a few recommendations for the next time you visit Delhi.

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Paranthe Wali Gali

Hidden away in the confines of Chandni Chowk, Paranthe Wali Gali is full of legendary restaurants serving North Indian paranthas. It is tough to get through the crowd; once you get a place though, it is worth the effort. According to local legend, this place is famous because of its unique, deep-fried, golden paranthas. Initially, this lane had only one shop selling paranthas; three others opened later on and are still serving the crowd. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been visiting AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

Chicken tikka kebab on skewers

this place since my childhood days.

While a number of restaurants have opened in Chandni Chowk recently, the paranthas at Babu Ram Parantha still taste the same,” says Sharmistha Mukherjee, a resident of Delhi. “Babu Ram Paranthe Wale serves around 30 different types of paranthas; however, the papad and mewa paranthe steal the show,” she adds.

Hauz Khas Village

Considered to be among the most

exciting places in Delhi, Hauz Khas Village is the heart of the city’s nightlife and is a hub for party animals. The streets here are filled with bars, lounges, clubs and finedining, offering a perfect venue for every occasion. “This place is not just a party place, but attracts the fashion divas too,” says Vikram Rana, MD and founder of Vapour Bar Exchange.

Vapour serves Indian and continental cuisines, and the dal makhni, churchur naan and butter chicken cigars 49

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2. A cafe at Hauz Khas Village 3. Momos served at Delhi Haat 4. A bylane at Khan Market

are a must-try here. Hauz Khas gets its name from one of the most elegant structures of history in Delhi – the Hauz Khas Fort. It is at the heart of this area and catches everyone’s attention. You can enjoy the beautiful fort, while devouring a delicious meal with your friends at one of the rooftop cafes in the village. The most popular places to visit here include Hauz Khas Social, Yeti-The Himalayan Kitchen and Imperfecto.

Khan Market

Close to India Gate, Khan Market is one of the costliest retail locations in the city, with some of the best shopping and eating options. This 50

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classy and posh market is a favourite amongst the young and elite. Here you will find the hippest, quaint and expensive restaurants and lounges.

The best time to visit is after twilight when things pick up, and the area is at its most vibrant. While there are many restaurants here that offer everything from Chinese to Indian to Japanese, the tikkas , rolls and seekh kebabs at Khan Chacha’s restaurant are to die for. The Big Chill Cakery will steal your heart too with its red velvet cake.

Delhi Haat

Run by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development aaiofficial

Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi Haat is an open-air craft bazaar and food plaza.

Here, craftsmen from all states across India display and sell their products.

Delhi Haat also has food stalls where you can taste authentic cuisine from every Indian state. Visit the Uttar Pradesh stall for some authentic galouti kebab, the Rajasthan stall for crispy and spicy pyaaz ki kachori, the Odisha stall for caramelised chenna pora , the West Bengal stall for kobiraji cutlet and enormous portions of lucchi aloor dom , and the Nagaland stall for options like fish, beef and lamb, all cooked in authentic Naga style. The momos at the Nagaland house are also much in demand.

Pandara Road

If you love rich Punjabi food and have a craving for tandoori and Mughlai dishes, Pandara Road is a must visit for you. While there are not many options to choose from here, a few notable eateries you can visit include Gulati, HaveMore, Pindi and Ichiban. Opened in 1959, Gulati is known for its range of North Indian, Mughlai and Tandoori delicacies. The menu is quite extensive, and you can pick from their Lucknowi, Hyderabadi, Kashmiri or Punjabi

The Hunger Games

Over the past few years, Delhi has increasingly become a hotspot for food festivals and grub indulgence. No matter what time of the year you are here, you can always find something going on. This April, when visiting Delhi, make your way to the B.Y.O.H World Cuisine Festival happening in Saket and the Bira 91 April Fools' Fest 2019 at Okhla for lipsmacking food!

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5. Kesar kulfi 6. A summer fruit cooler drink 7. Grilled chicken seekh kebab 8. Matka biryani with yogurt

specialities. The all-time favourites are dum biryani and seasonal sarson ka saag with makki ki roti. HaveMore serves dhaba-style food, and their signature dishes include butter chicken, barrah kebab, paneer tikka and boti kebab. Don't forget to try desserts at Krishna Di Kulfi – the matka phirni, kulfi, rabdi and falooda are their best-sellers.

Nizamuddin

Getting its name from the dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya - a beautifully preserved Sufi Shrine in the vicinity, Nizamuddin is a haven for those who love street food delights like kebabs, tikkas, biryani, naharis, etc. The stalls begin doling out the tasty eats at around six in the evening and serve well past 52

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Nizamuddin is a haven for those who love street food delights like kebabs, tikkas, biryani, naharis, etc

midnight. Kit Care Kabab Corner, AlRafiq, Al-Qureshi, Hussain Sweet Corner, Shams-Uddin Pan Corner are a few other joints that you can’t afford to miss!

Amar Colony

A new hub for some of the best street food in Delhi, Amar Colony has

several eateries and restaurants filling the streets. Usually known for being a garment hub, this area also has some of the best street food stations serving the most delicious spread from chaat and momos to biryanis and rolls. The portions are humongous, and your taste buds will be delighted for sure. Few of the celebrated joints in Amar Colony are Hunger Strike, famous for the unique tandoori momos, 34 Chowringee Lane, serving the best rolls with various filling options, the legendary Biryani Corner for its flavourful biryanis and Tibbs’ Frankie. There are also many new offerings in the pipeline and are expected to open shop soon.

AAI_Official

infocus

EbixCash World Money explores overseas expansion ACross markets corner is opening of the counter at the greenfield airport of Kannur, which will be operational soon. We have already signed a contract for five years with Kannur Airport.

Moreover, we have won the bid and will start operations at Kochi airport soon.’’

Mr. T C Guruprasad CEO & Managing Director, EbixCash World Money Limited, said ‘‘EbixCash World Money is going to be international very soon; we are trying to set up offices and counters at the airports locations in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai to start with. We are bidding for overseas locations for airport slots. Hong Kong and Dubai should happen by the next quarter.’’

Additionally, on the domestic front, EbixCash World Money will be adding 2-3 airport locations to its fold from the current 26. ‘‘We are predominately present in the 55-60 cities in India, and 26 airports.

We will be adding more 2-3 airports that we are bidding for. Also, round the

Elaborating on the strategy to grow the business after Ebix Group acquired CentrumDirect Limited, Guruprasad said, ‘‘Our major focus is on cross selling in terms of corporate solutions inter-alia involving corporate gifting, expenses management by weaving in foreign exchange and travel services. For retail B2B network, we are empowering our retail partners with more & more products across financial services and payments space to increase their customer stickiness and goodwill with end customers.”

Moreover, with respect to online strategy, we are integrating our digital foreign exchange and Via.com teams to make one unified team to drive digital strategy. “We are looking at integrating teams in terms of SEOs, Google spends, etc. Digitally we will have only one team handling all the business.” All the backend support for Ebix will be based in India at the Mumbai, Bangalore and Noida offices.

Commenting on the benefits of the acquisition, Guruprasad said that Ebix enjoys a brick and mortar presence of 50 plus offices across Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, the US and UK markets. “We can plug and play the locations where Ebix Group has a footprint for our benefit. The foreign exchange business is predominantly based on how one can source foreign currency in various markets. We want to ensure in the forex space, we continue to grow over market share.

As far as the corporate travel segment is concerned, Guruprasad said that there was a lull for the last 3 years. “But we are now seeing an upward trend and in the past 3 months, large corporations have signed with us. The result of this will be available when we close the balance sheet in March 2019. Another area of interest for EbixCash is the travel insurance business, “There is immense potential to grow the travel insurance vertical. We want to try and grow that business.”

Post the acquisition, the process for change in brand architecture of EbixCash is already done and will be visible soon.

The JCB Prize for Literature

Lip-smacking delicacies A casual fine dining restaurant nestled in the heart of CP, Cafe Hawkers is a perfect place to hang-out with sparkly, gorgeous well-travelled foodie friends.

With a customised menu by the chef ranging from the classic Indian to other variety of cuisines, Café Hawkers is truly a mélange of cultures. It is also home to artists, both national and international, to perform gigs for their audience.

The brainchild of Manik Kapoor and Rajat Kapoor who thought of bringing the street culture alive, Café Hawkers is a place that brings in your platter the food that you all relish, right from chaat to bhajis to pizzas to tacos. Cool, urban and very modern - the inspired environment of Café Hawkers consists of a street-inspired theme, with classy seating amalgamating chic interiors to accentuate the space.

The plush interiors are absolutely modern in style and design, anti-archaic and drawing on influences from streets across the world.

The JCB Prize for Literature was set up in 2018 to enhance the prestige of literary achievement in India and create greater visibility for contemporary Indian writing. The prize encourages translations and aims to introduce new audiences to works of Indian literature written in languages other than their own. It is funded by JCB and administered by the JCB Literature Foundation.

The Prize committee has announced the jury for 2019.

The jury comprises Anjum Hasan, author and critic; Pradip Krishen, filmmaker and environmentalist (Chair); K R Meera, author; Parvati Sharma, author; and Arvind Subramanian, economist and former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.

The 2018 Prize was awarded to Jasmine Days by Benyamin, translated from the Malayalam by Shahnaz Habib and published by Juggernaut Books. Through the life of radio jockey Sameera Parvin, it describes the lives of foreign workers caught up in the turmoil of the Arab Spring.

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A Filming

Paradise The picturesque city of Udaipur in Rajasthan has caught attention of a host of national and international directors making it a city of their choice when it comes down to movie shooting Words: Shyamola Khanna

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n the recent Bollywood film Dhadak (2018) when Jahnvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar chase each other in those long corridors and when he jumps into the pool where she is sitting, we were watching a love story unfold with the backdrop of history. Shot extensively in Kolkata, Jaipur and Udaipur, especially at the Ahar Cenotaphs, the old-world architectural charm of Rajasthan caught everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention. From the Pink City to the City of Lakes Udaipur, the history and culture of Rajasthan thus depicted, synced very well with the tone and tenor of the movie. The Ahar Cenotaphs contain more than 250 cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Mewar, built over approximately 350Â years ago.

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Impressive Forts

The golden period

Right from the early sixties to the present day, some major blockbusters have been shot in the various palaces and gardens of this fascinating ancient city of Rajasthan. Veterans will recall the 1966 movie Mera Saaya where Sunil Dutt and Sadhana seemed to be living in a home, which felt like a palace. Well, it was one of the many fairy tale palaces of Udaipur. Even the 1965 movie Guide, based on RK Narayan’s book of the same name, was shot in Udaipur. The recognisable landmarks of the city are still there - Suraj Pol, Hathi Pol and Fateh Sagar. Fortunately for tourists, the palaces are very well kept and are a pleasure to walk through.

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Even the 1965 movie Guide, based on RK Narayan’s book of the same name, was shot in Udaipur As the years went by, many filmmakers have shot numerous films in the city. In 2013, two of the major grossers of the year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela , starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone and Karan Johar's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

The spectacular beauty of Lake Palace and other locations of Udaipur have been extensively used as film locations. Iconic forts like Udaipur Palace and Divigarh are common places to spot on the silver screen. Other famous locales of Udaipur include the local market of Hathipole, Jal Mahal, Delhi Gate, Gandhi Ground, Swaroop Sagar, and Jagdish Mandir.

aaiofficial

3 1. Movie still from Jahnvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar-starrer Dhadak 2. Still from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 3. Still from the James Bond movie Octopussy

The Fall (2006), an adventure fantasy directed by Tarsem Singh, was shot in selective locations of Udaipur like the Lake Palace Hotel

(hereafter referred to as YJHD) again with Deepika and Ranbir Kapoor were mostly shot in the picturesque locales of Udaipur. So when we approached Gangaur Ghat, Udaivilas and the water bodies around the City Palace, our young guide Gajju sprang into action and told us all about YJHD and who went where!

He went on to tell us where Ranveer Singh jumped in the water and swam all the way, trying to stop the car from taking away his beloved. It caused many ripples of merriment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who can remember locales of movies? But we heard him out and clapped for him when he gave us these nuggets!

Popular across boundaries

Apart from Bollywood, there have been several Hollywood directors who found their perfect locations in Udaipur.

Heat and Dust (1983) starring Shashi Kapoor and Julie Christie was one such spectacular drama. Octopussy (1983) starring Roger Moore was a James Bond movie, which probably gave a great push for the cinema world to look at Udaipur and Rajasthan through a new lense.

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highlights

how to reach Maharana Pratap Airport is an airport serving Udaipur.

It is situated at Dabok, 22 km east of Udaipur.

USP The colourful markets of Udaipur are a must-visit for handicrafts.

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Another major movie was Sooraj Barjatyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo (2015) starring Bollywood's heart-throb Salman Khan, once again extensively filmed in Udaipur AAI_Official

The Fall (2006), an adventure fantasy directed by Tarsem Singh, was shot in selective locations of Udaipur like the Lake Palace Hotel. It was released in 2008 and earned $3.2 million worldwide.

The Cheetah Girls – One World (2008) was a Disney film with the plot involving the girls going to India to star in a Bollywood production. The film scenes are of Sajjangarh, Delhi gate, Dudh Talai and City Palace. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) was an interesting comedy starring Judi Dench and Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame, once again based in Udaipur and shot mostly around the Pichola Lake. In the years 2015 and 2016, two major movies dealing with royalty were shot in the City of Lakes. One was Mirzya (2016), Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s magnum opus. The story flitted between a world of fantasy and the world of today. Another major movie was Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo (2015) starring Bollywood's heart-throb Salman Khan, once again extensively filmed in Udaipur.

The vibrant culture of Udaipur, with its colourful markets and old city homes, is also an ideal location for filmmakers who want to shoot in original settings. Udaipur has a lot to offer for any genre of films whether it be period or historical dramas, commercial films or art films.

Many Hues of Udaipur

Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes, is touted as the most romantic city in Rajasthan. It was the historical capital of Mewar and falls in the southern region of Rajasthan.

Udaipur is famous for its history, culture and scenic beauty and is called the 'Venice of the East'. Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Rajsamand Lake and Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar) are the five prominent lakes of Udaipur. Hathi Pol is an important market here where you can find a huge variety of handicrafts and folk arts of Rajasthan.

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4. A few shots of the film, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani were shot at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur 5. Stars Deepika and Ranbir from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani 6. A still from The Fall

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One for

the Birds

The older areas of Ahmedabad are home to charming chabutras that are a haven for birds Words: Brinda Gill 60

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the Old City area that received the UNESCO World Heritage City status in 2017, one may spot a single pillared structure of wood, stone, brick or metal topped by a chattri-like platform. Standing at a residential quarter in the heart of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, these unusual structures are typically abuzz with birds - pigeons and sparrows - pecking at grain, drinking water, cooing and chirping among themselves.

The structure offers sustenance and refuge to the birds and infuses the space with energy and cheer from the presence of the birds. Upon asking, one is told these are chabutras or bird feeders that are an inherent part of the physical and social fabric of the city and are also seen in other parts of Gujarat.

Food and water may be placed on the plinth, platform or on the ground near the chabutra in places where the structure is fenced off.

An Unusual Tower

The chabutras typically feature a plinth and a long pillar that ends in a burst of brackets or panels holding up an open-sided, pillared, covered platform.

Yet each chabutra is slightly different in scale, materials and detail that seem to have been so designed in response to the space around it and the resources of its patron(s). Some are large, tall and dressed in elaborate, carved wooden elements, while others are compact, simple structures of metal.

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xploring pols, tightly-knit neighbourhoods; visiting monuments embellished in fine carving and jalis, and museums displaying fantastic art and craft; soaking in the serenity of Sabarmati Ashram make up the typical itinerary of a visitor to Ahmedabad. While on these sojourns in the city, especially

Some chabutras have a plinth that is low enough for people to sit on, others have a plinth too high, only within reach to place a bird feeder and water. The post holding up the platform may be of long or of medium height reflective of the space around the chabutra . The platform, supported by a pillar, is also seen to take different forms and expressions.

It may be circular, square, pentagonal or octagonal. Further, most have open sides that allow the birds to freely 61

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fly in and out and roost, while a few are a closed pyramidal structure with several rows with small niches so designed to offer cosy and safe spaces for roosting/breeding. And then the canopy may bear a round or pointed roof that may be topped with a finial.

A few chabutras have an opening at the plinth or at the base of the post (just above the plinth). In addition, some chabutras have a ladder to one side to offer access to the platform, for placing food, water and cleaning it. In more recent times, a chabutra may be fitted with a string pulley to lower a dish for water secured near the platform. And while most retain their patina that has elements that tell they have weathered, some are brightly painted.

The Design

It is said that during the medieval centuries, the Sultans of Gujarat had ordered to provide grains for birds and these were offered at the parabadi (a plinth or a structure where grains 62

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and a small water container were kept for birds adjoining the chabutra (a public square near the police station).

As the parabadi and chabutra were contiguous in many sites, over time, they became synonymous.

The design of the chabutra seems to have emerged after thought for its primary function of providing a safe space for birds; if possible, space for people to sit below it and access

The chabutaros typically feature a plinth and a long pillar that ends in a burst of brackets or panels holding up an open-sided, pillared, covered platform

its upper platform thus, taking into account the requirements of birds and people. By designing a structure with a pillar supporting a platform, it ensures that little space is required on ground level for its construction while providing for ample space for birds along with safety in the platform above.

As artisans carved wood with beautiful motifs and figures, the chabutra turned into a small masterpiece of the woodcarverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills as they hand carved the different elements of the structure and integrated them to construct a well-proportioned and balanced structure. In this way, the unique form of the bird feeder organically meshed concern for birds, comes in a functional design, ornamentation and is a craft in its unique form. It also offers a glimpse of the traditional benevolence of the locals for birds, their philosophy of jeevadaya or compassion for all living beings and the skill of local artisans.

aaiofficial

3 1. Sun Temple Modhera in Ahmedabad 2.A chabutaro installed at the Jama Masjid mosque in the city 3. Chabutaro shelter for pigeons

highlights

Location Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves the cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

attraction Across the Sabarmati river, the Calico Museum of Textiles, once a cloth merchant's mansion, has a significant collection of fabrics.

Getty Images

Travel Tip Most of the monuments in Ahmedabad require you to buy the entry ticket. Incase of violation, you might be severely punished.

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Getty Images

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Iconic Stepwells

The stepwells of Ahmedabad highlight the historical, architectural response to the age-old problem of providing drinking water.

Dada Harir Vav, Adalaj Stepwell, Ramkund Stepwell and Patan are some of the mostvisited stepwells in Gujarat.

4. Adalaj Stepwell 5. Unit of screen print textiles in Ahmedabad

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A Spectrum

While there are said to have been about 300 chabutras in Ahmedabad in earlier times, their number has shrunk in the present. Yet, as it stands today, the Karanj chabutra speaks of a wonderful legacy of the city and the concerted efforts at giving it a new lease of life. In 2007, it was restored to its former glory by a meticulous process that involved documentation, dismantling the structure and its restoration.

Artisans worked at restoring the carved wooden elements, crafting missing elements from recycled, seasoned teakwood true to the character of the original at the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop, fitting them correctly as per the original design and then reassembling and installing the chabutaro to bring back the glory of the original structure and of the original ambience of the locality. The dismantling of the original structure, restoring the parts and re-assembly was carried out by Prabhudas Mistry and his team under the guidance and supervision of architect and historian Prof. Rabindra Vasavada.

Well-known artist Amit Ambalal generously contributed funds to

undertake this work from his family trusts and allowed for the work to be carried out in the compound of his bungalow where he had a carpentry workshop.

the world famous gujarati thali

The typical Gujarati thali that is served in the restaurants consists of real mouthwatering dishes.

Gujarati meal usually consists of rice, bread, rotli and vegetable curry called shaak.

Different kinds of breads are served in the meal such as rotli, thepla, maal purah, puri, bhakhri, and puran-pohli.

For snacking, the people of Ahmedabad usually have ghari and khakhra. Ahmedabadis make an extensive use of ghee in preparing their meals.

Today the Karanj chabutra stands tall, its columns holding up exquisitely carved, angled brackets that hold up an octagonal platform with a delicately latticed edge, marked by animal heads at each corner on the exterior, there are also a few delicate posts holding up the domed canopy, with a small dish attached to a pulley that allows fresh water to be filled regularly.

Located next to the Karanj police chowky in the Teen Darwaza area in the Old City and surrounded by shops and sellers, Karanj chabutra adds charm to the historic precinct.

More recently, in February 2019, an old chabutra in Padshah ni Pol on Relief Road, Ahmedabad, was given a new lease of life: graced with jali work in a parapet wall of its plinth, small niches in the structure above for roosting and a row of bowls for water. Its restoration and presence speaks of the renewed interest in restoring the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique living heritage of chabutras that offer an insight into Ahmedabad's physical and social fabric.

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in flight

elderly & air travel Flying, as most travellers know, can be arduous especially for the elderly.

Below are some tips covering the many aspects of air travel that a senior may encounter

L

ike any other activity, planning ahead of time, especially when travelling with your elderly parents, is extremely important. So, I would start by recommending to plan very well and much in advance.

Plan ahead A little more information about the flight you will be boarding and the aircraft that will be used for the same, becomes very important. A few things that can surely be kept in mind are the type of lavatory and whether it is handicap accessible, information about the aisle seat locations that have movable armrests; find out about the potential limitations that may affect the ability of the individual to fly on the aircraft and storage facilities or limitations in those facilities for mobility aids Plan food requirements When it comes to food and nutrition, proper care must be taken of being fully equipped with the kind of food the elderly you are travelling with are used to having. For long flights,

pre book inflight food as per your preference.

Stay hydrated & be medicine-ready Keep yourselves and the elderly very well hydrated during the flight. Hence, care must also be taken towards the accessibility of lavatory for them. No matter what, don't forget to carry medications or supplements the elderly use on a regular basis. Not all airports

follow An important step in the booking process is selecting any necessary disability options.

When travelling with a senior citizen, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to take it slower than you normally would, and account for their rest.

in India have pharmacies so it is best to have all the medication for any sort of emergency situations. Carry inhalers or quick relieving medications.

Inform in advance Inform the airlines well in advance about any special assistance that may be needed for the elderly. This should include all physical or mental challenges that the elderly may be going through.

If handicapped, detailed information must be provided well in advance and assistance must be asked for the same.

If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s any specific language concerns for them, then that must also be informed well in advance. Also, if there is any chance of any kind of medical emergency due to any ailment, it must surely be informed in advance.

Book concierge service Another option is to hire a concierge service to get your parent through the airport. These services are often available to pick up the passenger at the curb and help them navigate the airport. Keep in mind these services charge fee, which adds to the overall cost of your trip.

About the Author

Preety Tyagi is a Lead Health Coach and Nutritionist. Passionate about healthy living, she took up health coaching as a career and has been able to impact many lives in different countries.

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vksjNk esa cgqr ls eafnj gSaA lHkh ds n’kZu ds ckn vkLFkk ls >qdk flj mudh dykRedrk ds vkxs Hkh ureLrd gks tkrk gSA jke jktk eafnj% ,d le; ;g rRdkyhu ’kkld e/kqdj ’kkg dk egy FkkA dgk tkrk gS fd ,d ckj jktk ds lius esa jke vk,A jktk us eafnj esa jke dh ewfrZ LFkkfir djus ls igys mls egy esa j[kok fn;k FkkA fdagh dkj.kksa ls ewfrZ dks egy ls LFkkukarfjr ugha fd;k tk ldkA rHkh ls jktk us egy dks gh eafnj esa ifjofrZr dj fn;kA ;g ,dek= ,slk LFkku gS ftlesa jke dh iwtk jktk ds :i esa dh tkrh gS u fd Hkxoku ds :i esaA ;g ,slk eafnj gS tgka ij iqfyldehZ izfrfnu jktk jke dks l’kL= lykeh nsrs gSaA ;g eafnj pkSdksj pcwrjs ij cuk gSA prqHkqZt eafnj% bls ns[kuk vius vki esa ,d vn~Hkqr vuqHko gSA bldk fuekZ.k 17oha ’krkCnh esa izfl) cqansyk jktiwr jktkvksa }kjk fd;k x;k FkkA ,slh ekU;rk gS fd eafnj ds fuekZ.k ds fy, ,slk LFkku pquk x;k Fkk tgka ls jktk vius egy dh ckyduh ls d`".k ds n’kZu dj ldsaA dey ,oa vU; vkd`fr;ksa ls ifjiw.kZ ;g eafnj pkj Hkqtk/kkjh fo".kq dks lefiZr gSA vius le; dk ;g mRd`"V Hkou fuekZ.k ;wjksih; dSFkksMªy ds leku gSA

y{ehukjk;.k eafnj% jktk chjflag nso us bldk fuekZ.k 1662 esa djok;k FkkA eafnj vrhr ds dkjhxjksa esa mRd`"V jpukRedrk n’kkZrk gSA bldh okLrq’kSyh eafnj o fdys dk feJ.k gSA bldk fuekZ.k vksjNk xkao ds if’pe esa ,d igkM+h ij cuok;k x;k FkkA ;g ns[kus esa mM+ku Hkjrs gq, x#M+ dh Hkkafr yxrk gSA eq[; }kj x#M+ eq[k gSA eafnj esa 17oha o 19oha lnh ds fp= cus gq, gSa tks rRdkyhu bfrgkl dks c;ka djrs gSaA fp=ksa ds pVdhys jax brus thoar yxrs gSa ftUgsa ns[kdj yxrk gS ekuks vHkh cuk, x, gksaA blds fuekZ.k esa fganw o bLykfed okLrqdyk dk mi;ksx fd;k x;k gSA esgjkcnkj Nrsa vkSj xHkZx`g dk xqacn xksy gSA fHkfŸkfp=ksa esa jktegy] vaxzst+ksa ds lkFk >kalh dh yM+kbZ] jkek;.k ds izlax] d`".k yhyk] vk[ksV bR;kfn dks izeq[k LFkku fn;k x;k gSA

bfrgkl dk o.kZu

egyksa ds lkFk&lkFk ;gka dh gosfy;ka vkSj Nrfj;ka Hkh ’kku ls [kM+h gqbZ gSAa nkmth dh gosyh ize[q k gSA ;s Nrfj;ka vksjNk bfrgkl dk ,d vfHkUu vax gSAa ;gka ’kklu djus okys jktkvksa dh Le`fr esa bu Nrfj;ksa dk fuekZ.k fd;k x;k FkkA ;s csrok unh ds fdukjs dapu?kkV ij fLFkr gSAa bu Nrfj;ksa ds Åij xqca n o ?kqekonkj vkorZ cuk, x, gSAa vksjNk dks pkgs fdruk Hkh ns[k yks] eu gh ugha HkjrkA ;gka fdruk Hkh ?kwe yks] fdarq fdyk ifjlj esa ’kke dks gksus okyk ykbV ,oa lkmaM ’kks ugha ns[kk rks vkidh ;k=k v/kwjh ekuh tk,xhA vksjNk dh lai.w kZ xkFkk lqijLVkj vferkHk cPpu dh /khj&xaHkhj vkokt+ esa lquus dks feysxhA lkFk esa /ofu] n`’;ksa ,oa izdk’k dk lek;ksftr izn’kZu] og Hkh fdys ds [kaMgj es]a jkr ds vaf/k;kjs es]a vksjNk Hkze.k dks jgL;e;h iqV ls Hkj nsrh gSA 71

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gkRek xka/kh ds thou ij ckj&ckj fparu vkSj foe'kZ fd;k tk jgk gS vkSj fd;k Hkh tkuk pkfg,A nqfu;k esa 'kk;n gh ,slk dksbZ egkekuo gksxk] ftlds thou dk izR;sd {k.k lkoZtfud jgk gksA xka/khth ds fy, ifjokj dk vFkZ Fkk jk"VªA ge muds thou ds izR;sd fgLls ij cgl djsaA muds thou ls fey jgh f'k{kk dks le>sa vkSj le>kus dk iz;kl djsaA 'kk;n blls gh nqfu;k esa veu dk;e gks ldsA vkt gekjh lksp ftl jkLrs ij gS] mlds }kjk ge ekuo lekt dks dqN ns rks ugha jgs gSa vfirq blds fo/oal dk izR;{k ;k vizR;{k Hkkxhnkj cu jgs gSaA ekuo lH;rk ds bfrgkl esa xka/kh dk v/;;u foe'kZ dk dssanz gksuk pkfg, vkSj gS HkhA

xka/khth ds fl)karksa o mins'kksa dks viukdj orZeku le; esa gj ,d O;fDr vius thou ds lgh vFkksZa dks Hkyh&Hkkafr le> ldrk gS ys[k% xka/kh Le`fr ,oa n'kZu lfefr 72

April 2019

xka/khth dk jkst+xkj ds fy, nf{k.k vÝhdk dh ;k=k vkSj Lons'k okilh ij pEikj.k dh ;k=k us nf{k.k vÝhdk vkSj Hkkjr ds bfrgkl dks cny fn;kA nf{k.k vÝhdk esa xka/khth us jaxHksn ds fo#) fujarj la?k"kZ djds ogka dh turk dks bl vekuoh; d`r ls eqfDr fnykbZA Hkkjr esa loZizFke xka/khth us fdlkuksa dh leL;k dks ysdj pEikj.k ds uhygksa ls eqDr djk;kA xkSj djus yk;d ckr ;g gS fd vktrd ds nqfu;k ds bfrgkl esa la?k"kZ dk rkRi;Z Fkk fgalkA AAI_Official

ls vjc lkxj ls f?kjk gqvk gSA lkxj rV ij fLFkr gksus ds dkj.k izkphu dky ls O;kikj dk izeq[k dsanz jgk gSA 10oha 'krkCnh esa iksjcanj dks ikSjkosykdqy dgk tkrk FkkA rc ;g ,d fiNM+k gqvk {ks= FkkA lfn;ksa rd ;g geykojksa dk j.k {ks= Hkh jgkA feFkdksa dh ekusa rks iksjcanj Jhd`".k ds fe= lqnkek dh tUeLFkyh Fkh] bl dkj.k bls lqnkekiqjh Hkh dgk tkrk FkkA 16oha 'krkCnh ds vklikl ;g TksBok jktiwrksa ds fu;a=.k esa jgk vkSj dkykarj esa bls fczfV'kksa us vius v/khu dj fy;kA xka/khth ds nknkth mÙkepan iksjcanj jk.kk ds nhoku FksA mÙkepan ds ckn muds csVs djepan ;gka ds nhoku cus] tks xka/khth ds firk FksA xka/khth ds firk dks lk/kkj.k f'k{kk

xka/khth ds ;gka euq"; dh dher ij ikbZ xbZ eqfDr xqykeh ls vPNh ls vPNh ugha gks ldrhA ge vius ;k fo'o bfrgkl dks iyV dj ns[ksa rks gesa ;g Kkr gks tkrk gS fd fgalk dh uhao ij ftl ekuo lH;rk dk fodkl gqvk gS ;k gks jgk gS] muds Hkfo"; ds fy, fopkj fd;k tkuk vko';d gSA vkt fo'o esa vkfFkZd csPkSuh gSA nqfu;k dk izR;sd ns'k ,d nwljs ls vkfFkZd elys ij vkxs fudy tkuk pkgrk gSA bl csPkSuh us nqfu;k dks vkfFkZd tax ds eqgkus ij yk [kM+k fd;k gSA bl izfrLi/kkZ us izd`fr ds fouk'k dk dk;Z vkjaHk dj fn;k gSA xka/khth ds fopkjksa ls gesa n`<+rkiwoZd lcd ysus dh vko';drk gSA vFkZ dh mi;ksfxrk euq"; dh dher ij ugha gks ldrh gSA iksjcanj esa nhoku djepan xka/kh vkSj iqryhckbZ ds ?kj 2 vDVwcj] 1869 bZLoh dks ,d ckyd us tUe fy;kA ml le; dkSu tkurk Fkk fd Hkfo"; esa blh ckyd dks u dsoy lewpk Hkkjr viuk jk"Vªfirk ekudj viuk,xk] cfYd iwjh nqfu;k mls 'kkafr] vfgalk vkSj ekuork dk nwr ekudj Lohdkj djsxhA vkt nqfu;k dk 'kk;n gh dksbZ ns'k gks tgka fdlh u fdlh :i esa xka/khth dh ppkZ u gksA tSls&tSls vk/kqfudrk dk ladV c<+rk tk jgk gS oSls&oSls xka/khth u, lanHkksZa esa izklafxd o Lohdk;Z gksrs tk jgs gSaA iksjcanj og igyh txg gS] tgka ls xka/khth ds thou dh ;k=k 'kq: gqbZA xqtjkr dk ;g dLck dkfB;kokM+ izk;}hi ij fLFkr gSA ;g izk;}hi dPN dk j.k rFkk [kEHkkr dh [kkM+h ds chp iM+rk gSA ;g ,d rjQ

xka/khth ds fy, ifjokj dk vFkZ Fkk jk"VªA gesa muds thou ls fey jgh f'k{kk dks le>us dk iz;kl djuk pkfg, izkIr gqbZ FkhA fdarq og lR;fiz;] O;kogkfjd vkSj fu"Bkoku O;fDr Fks] ftldk izHkko xka/khth ij iM+kA xka/khth us Lohdkj fd;k gS fd mu ij ekrk iqryhckbZ dk fo’ks"k izHkko FkkA xka/khth dks mudh eka cpiu esa ^eksfu;k* cqykrh FkhaA oSls xka/khth dk iwjk uke ^eksgunkl djepan xka/kh* gSA eksgunkl dh eka /kkfeZd vkSj fu"Bkoku izd`fr dh efgyk FkhaA iwtk&ikB] ozr ds fu;e dk dM+kbZ ls ikyu djrh FkhaA bu lcdk vlj eksgunkl ds dPps eu ij iM+kA xka/khth us Lohdkj fd;k gS fd ^^esjs vanj tks Hkh 'kq)rk fn[kkbZ nsrh gks] og eSaus vius firk ls ugha] viuh ekrk ls ikbZ gSA** eksgu cpiu esa lk/kkj.k cPpksa dh rjg gh FksA papy LoHkko ds FksA budh ns[kHkky ds fy, jEHkk uke dh nkbZ dks j[kk x;kA eksgunkl ?kj esa lcls NksVs FksA buls cMs+ nks HkkbZ Fks&dyk vkSj dkjlkfu;kA ,d cM+h cgu Hkh Fkh] jfy;krA ?kj eas lcls NksVs gksus dh otg ls eksgunkl dks lc cgqr I;kj djrs FksA og LoHkko ls cgqr lkSE; FksA muds vanj ekuoh; d#.kk ckyiu ls Fkh] tSlh vkerkSj ij cPpksa esa gksrh gh gSA eksgunkl ds ?kj lkQ+&lQ+kbZ ds fy, ,d ckyd vkrk Fkk]

ftldk uke Ådk FkkA eksgunkl ls mez esa og FkksM+k cM+k jgk gksxkA lh/kk&lPpk yM+dk Fkk ÅdkA lqcg&lqcg eksgunkl ds ?kj esa pqipki lkQ+&lQ+kbZ dk dke djrk jgrkA eksgunkl mls ns[krs jgrsA cky LoHkko ds dkj.k eksgu mlls dqN cksyrs] ij Ådk dsoy eqLdjkdj tokc nsrkA eksgunkl Ådk ds vkxs&ihNs yxs jgrsA mudh bPNk gksrh fd Ådk muls ckr djsA eksgu] Ådk ds dke dks cgqr xkSj ls ns[krsA ?kj&vkaxu ls ysdj laMkl dks fcYdqy pedk nsrkA ml le; ds lekt esa Nwr&vNwr dh /kkj.kk O;kIr FkhA pwafd lkQ+&lQ+kbZ dk dke vNwr oxZ gh djrk vk;k Fkk] vNwrksa ls Nw rd tkus ij yksx Lo;a dks vifo= ekurs vkSj rRdky tkdj ugk ysrsA bl rjg ds okrkoj.k esa eksgunkl iy&c<+ jgs FksA pwafd eksgunkl ds eu esa cpiu ls gh d#.kk] ekuork vkSj izse dk Hkko Fkk] og ,d ckj mlds lkFk [ksyus yxsA ?kj ds yksxksa us ns[k fy;kA eka cgqr fcxM+ha vkSj ckYVh Hkj ikuh ls ugyk fn;kA ,slk blfy, fd;k x;k D;ksafd og vNwr tkfr dk FkkA ?kj okyksa ds bl O;ogkj ls eksgunkl ij dksbZ izHkko ugha iM+k vkSj Ådk ds lkFk [ksyus&dwnus vkSj ?kweus&fQ+jus dk Øe tkjh jgkA eksgunkl dk iksjcanj ds izkjafHkd fo|ky; esa nkf[k+yk djk;k x;kA fdarq dkedkt ds flyflys esa firkth dks jktdksV tkuk iM+k] ftlls iwjk ifjokj jktdksV vk x;kA jktdksV dkfB;kokM+ dh gh NksVh&lh fj;klr FkkA vc jktdksV ds izkFkfed fo|ky; esa nkf[kyk gqvkA X;kjg&ckjg o"kZ dh mez esa eksgunkl vaxzst+h ek/;e ds ^vYÝsM gkbZ Ldwy* esa nkf[k+y gqvkA bl Ldwy esa nkf[k+yk izos'k&ijh{kk }kjk gksrk FkkA l=g fo|kfFkZ;ksa us izos'k&ijh{kk nh] ftuesa ukS fo|kFkhZ gh izos'k ik lds FksA vaxzst+h ek/;e ds bl Ldwy esa i<+us ds dkj.k eksgunkl /khjs&/khjs vdsys iM+rs x, D;ksafd ?kj esa xqtjkrh Hkk"kk dk ekgkSy FkkA Ldwy dh os'k&Hkw"kk o vkpkj&O;ogkj lc dqN cnyus yxkA blls eksgunkl dh vlgt fLFkfr cuus yxhA ckjg o"kZ dh voLFkk esa eksgunkl us lR;oknh jktk gfj'Pkanz ukVd ns[kk] ftldk izHkko muds eu ij iM+kA vkxs Ldwy esa i<+us ds nkSjku mUgksaus flxjsV Hkh ih] ekalkgkjh Hkkstu Hkh [kk;k] pksjh Hkh dhA bu lcdk vlj muds eu ij gqvkA mUgsa vijk/k cks/k eglwl gqvk vkSj mUgksaus viuh gj xyrh ls lh[k yhA ,d ckj dh gqbZ xyrh dks xka/khth us vkxs vius thou esa dHkh ugha nksgjk;kA 73

product

mentabulous

Men, when it comes to grooming, do you know where to start? Here are some go-to products you can add to your grooming kit

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Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Body Wash, omorfee A powerful body wash formulated using coconut oil, derived cleansing agents and Myrrh Oil. The agents act tough on grime and are gentle on the skin.

Gold Face and Beard Oil, qraa It is a rich and complex blend of essential oils and 24K gold flakes.

The formula hydrates and conditions your beard, evading itchiness and brightening dull skin.

Monoi Beard Oil, inatur The oil's nongreasy, light and organic formula keeps your beard soft, shiny and groomed. It has oils that give an antibacterial effect and promote hair growth.

Charcoal Face Wash, inatur Charcoal Face Wash helps to eliminate impurities and damage caused by pollution, giving a clearer and even skin tone.

Deodorant, envy This enticing fragrance is made for men who crave a fantastic blend of spice with musk. Its fresh top notes are blended with exotic spices along with richness of geranium at heart with woody, musk base.

After Eight foot Butter, gulnare Prep your dry feet for open shoes to perfection with this magic formula.

Made with ayurvedic ingredients, this butter consists of coconut oil and peppermint, keeping the feet fresh.

April 2019

aaiofficial

beautilicious

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Ladies! Pack in your vanity the beauty must-haves for a soft, supple and glowing skin

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jelly softener, innisfree This hypoallergenic hydrating peeling softener creates a clear and smooth jelly-like skin as it exfoliates dead skin cells and provides moisture.

Optimals Hydra Moisture Boosting Serum, oriflame Ultra-light serum intensively hydrates, enhances radiance and helps protect against free radical damage.

It is formulated with a natural Swedish blend of antioxidant Blueberry and Cloudberry, together with Vitamins C and E.

tea tree wash, scrub and mask, the body shop Enriched with community trade tea tree oil from the foothills of Mount Kenya, this 3in1 concoction battles blemishes and excess oil.

Today, Tomorrow & Always, avon Celebrate the joy of love with romantic new fragrances for women.

With the notes of Neroli, comes together the ‘Butterfly Blossoms’ in Today, ‘Patchouli’ in Tomorrow and ‘Rose’ in Always making the fragrance a perfect union of a light and elegant bouquet.

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miniature travel kit, just herbs The Just Herbs Miniature Travel Kit is an amazing travel essential. The products are expertly formulated using cold pressed oils, organic waxes and butters to maintain an overall glow.

Activated Charcoal Face Scrub, oshea A parabean, preservative, silicon and mineral oil free scrub.

It is enriched with activated charcoal and licorice extracts for a youthful skin.

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AAI Update

Burgeoning

Srinagar Airport Located in the picturesque Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar International Airport continues to serve passengers from all over the world befittingly, connecting them with the 'Paradise on Earth'

S

rinagar lies in the lap of Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum river and is famous for its gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. Tourists also adore exploring the royal Mughal gardens of the city and those in its vicinity like the Chashme Shahi (the royal fountains), Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies), Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring), Shalimar Bagh and more.

The natural beauty and picturesque locations of Srinagar have made it a favoured destination among tourists across the world. Srinagar has been addressed by several names including

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April 2019

AAI_Official

In 1979, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) established a civil enclave at the Srinagar Airport

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"Venice of the East" or the "Kashmiri Venice." Lakes around the city have got special mention, especially for their houseboats, also known as Shikara.

Apart from Dal and Nigeen, the city is also famous for Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia and Manasbal Lake to the north of Srinagar.

History & Development

Srinagar International Airport is a civil enclave, which serves Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

In extreme weather conditions, the airport is the only medium for the rest of India to access the region of Kashmir. Located 12 km north of Srinagar and at a height of 5,445 feet, the Srinagar International Airport serves the city with both domestic and international flights.

Formerly, the Srinagar Airport was used only by the Indian Air Force and it was in 1979 that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) established a civil enclave at the airport. The terminal was modified in February 1998 for the purpose of handling international Hajj flights, which first started operating in January 2002.

In March 2005, the airport was granted international status by the Government of India.

An expanded terminal, able to serve both domestic and international flights, was inaugurated on February 14, 2009.

The terminal is designed to look like the Himalayas and has a sloping roof that facilitates snow removal during heavy winters. The airport also has the capacity to handle aircraft such as Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380.

passenger movement

Srinagar International Airport witnessed 18 % growth in Passenger

Movement in 2018. From 2017, where the passenger movement was recorded at 2.28 million, Srinagar Airport witnessed a respectable rise in the passenger footfall in the year 2018 with a passenger movement of 2.69 million.

Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Leh. During the holy HAJ period every year, international flights are operated to Sharjah/Jeddah.

Connectivity

Various facilities are available for passenger facilitation at the airport likeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Porter Service, Self-Checkin service (Five Kiosks), the May I

Srinagar International Airport has direct flight services to all major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru,

Facilities

Passenger Movement

2.69

2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3

2.28

2.2 2.1 2 Year 2017

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AAI Update

Know Your Airport Director

Flt.Lt. Akash Deep Mathur is a certified International Airport Professional (IAP) and Ex. Indian Air Force Officer with experience of about 28 years in the Aviation Industry.

A security professional who has been a certified instructor, auditor of Aviation Security, as Airport Director he has taken outof-the-box initiatives to give passengers a better travel experience.

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help You counter, prams for infants, wheelchairs for differently-abled, medical assistance, smoking room, child care room, ferry service to the terminal and more. The Srinagar International Airport has levelled-up its security measures ensuring safe and secure passage for passengers. The initial checks at the gate are supported by five vehicle lanes & x-ray machines and passenger-friendly security personnel.

1. Entrance of the Srinagar International Airport 2. Painting displayed near Self check-in counter 3. Departure hall 4. Child Care Room at the airport.

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New Initiatives taken

In sync with the vision of being a centre of entertainment for children as well, the Srinagar International Airport has built a new Child Care Room in the Security Hold Area (SHA) with colourful paintings, soft toys, cots, sofas, kettles for hot water an automatic lighting system, etc. Providing air services 24*7 is a huge accomplishment when the numbers of passengers are increasing exponentially. Srinagar Airport has taken the first steps 78

April 2019

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towards this by installing Simple Approach Light System (SALS) for the first time and a successful trial of night landing (Opening Avenues for Night Operations).

Considering the adverse weather conditions in the state, Srinagar Airport has also arranged a 100-seater Waiting Hall in City Side (along with Low-cost tea/

4.71 4.61 4.54

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ASQ Rating Consistent improvement from last four quarters Q3

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AirportsAuthorityOfIndiaOfficial

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provisioned 250 new passenger baggage trollies and work on the new executive lounge at the Airport has also been completed. Easing out the traffic congestion problem near the terminal building, the airport has implemented a 10-minute, free entry to exit system and has also introduced ferry services from drop gate to the airport. Srinagar International Airport understands the need of the hour when it comes to customer satisfaction and has created two selfie-points in SHA for passengers use as well.

Future plans 5. Eyecatching installations 6. Executive lounge at the airport 7. Eating joints at the airport

coffee/snacks facility) to facilitate passengers. Providing all necessary arrangement is of utmost importance to an airport and the Srinagar International Airport understands the value of a satisfied customer. To ease out the process of travelling, the airport has introduced four new Self-Check-In counters to expedite

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the process. New steel-made frisking booths have been installed at security checkpoints too. All chairs in the SHA have been replaced for better seating comfort and there is a facility of twenty-four mobile charging port.

To keep a tab on easy passenger movement, the airport has

• T he work for common user Domestic cargo terminal (CUDCT) has commenced, likely to be completed by September 2019.

The area of New CUDCT will be approx. three times that of the existing one.

• A lso, it is expected that by 2031-32, the cargo handling from Srinagar Airport will be approx. 45 Tonne per day, i.e. double the existing one.

• I ntroduction of inline x-ray baggage system.

• E xtension and modification of the existing terminal building.

• Work in progress for the provision of three additional check-in counters to accelerate the checkin process.

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