Asian traveller may 2015 by Mediasteps

Vol. 8

No. 8

Pages 60

` 100

US $10 (Overseas)

May 2015

www.mediastepsindia.com

Discovery of

France

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

Let's Celebrate Thai Style New Year in Songkran Festival 13-15 April,2015.

Ayutthaya - Just 80km north of Bangkok is the old capital of Thailand. It is usually visited as a part of day trip from Bangkok which is usually includes stops at Bang Pa In Palace as well as Bang Sai royal arts Center. Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Heritage site and a wonder to behold. Tel: 91-11-41663567-69, 46741111 MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Tel: 91-22-22042727-28 3

Highlights Vol. 8 I No. 8 I May 2015

Cover Story

Discovery of France

“I love France. It is Europe’s most exciting country. It brims with the good life and an appreciation for culture, music, art, food, and wine,’ says a seasoned tourist.

32 Panoramic Cherai Beach 26 Eat, Drink & Fly 16

This tour takes you through the scenic foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The fabulous wildlife, birds and the beautiful flora are a life-time experience.

Exclusive Interview Jagdish Ram Bojwani

General Manager - India, SilkAir

The Majestic Udaipur Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and is also the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur.

Kumaon Trail

Sites of 20 Historic Freedom Movement

Palace of Udaipur

28 Yoga For Travellers Establishing a rhythm is easy at home when you have control over your schedule. But when you are on a business or pleasure trip, that rhythm is disrupted.

The Wettest Place on Earth Cherrapunji - now in Meghalaya, the state carved out of Assam - in the Khasi Hills is unbelievably the wettest place on the planet earth.

46 ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

THE GLOBAL TRAVELLER

With spectacular success, Narendra Modi has romped home to celebrate the one-year of his government. It is true that the performance on the economic front has yet to match with the success on the diplomatic front. Modinomics understood correctly derives its dynamism from foreign investors who are mostly NRIs. The Chinese success story, too, is created out of NRI success stories, as domestic savings cannot adequately fund fast-track development. So Prime Minister Modi has taken the first step in mobilizing resources as a prelude to faster economic development. To put it mildly, the world is impressed by India, and what the country can achieve. Many foreign investors would like to have a stake in India’s development because India is the second largest market in the world. The fear of cloning inhibits many investors from going to China to launch new products. The foreign investors need not fear coming to India because cloning is not a cottage industry in this land. But without economic reforms, India cannot be a magnet for foreign investors. The bullet trains and the smart cities, the symbols of ultra-modernism, are yet to arrive. But the performance of the Indian economy set to grow at 8.0% has raised the global investor confidence. International relations is all about three things, as Nobel laureate Thomas C. Schelling expounds: war and the avoidance of conflict; migration and the management of the movement of people; and trade, in its many dimensions. With a neighbor like Pakistan, conflicts in any form cannot be ruled out. With a neighbour like Bangladesh, infiltration, which is a form of migration, cannot be ruled out. With a neighbour like China, whose economy is five times that of India, the balance of trade can never be smooth. Set against all these odds, what Modi diplomacy has achieved is indeed commendable.

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The news items and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verif y the facts before making business decisions using the same. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the writ ten permission from the Publisher. MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER 5 All rights reserved. Copyright © 2015 *Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

COVER STORY

Discovery of

France "I love France. It is Europe's most exciting country. It brims with the good life and an appreciation for culture, music, art, food, and wine,' says a seasoned tourist.

or the French, the art of living is the building block for existence. With five weeks of paid vacation, spiced with religious holidays, the French are monarchs of leisure. It’s no accident that France is home to linger-longer pastimes like café lounging, fine dining, and barge cruising. The French people value politeness just as much as they take pride in their language. To make any trip more personal — and more memorable — find ways to connect with the ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

Photo : everydaydialogues.wordpress.com

locals. For the ultimate French experience, consider staying with a family.

Photo : destination360.com

Food is one of the great passions of the French people. French cooking is highly refined and involves careful preparation, attention to detail, and the use of fresh ingredients.

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Learn 10 key French words before you visit France. Always greet people with a warm ‘bonjour’ or ‘bonsoir’ (good morning and good evening) with the honorific title Monsieur or Madame when entering a shop and ‘au revoir’ (good-bye) when leaving. Smiling broadly at a stranger in France is often taken the wrong way. They’ll most likely think you are either insincere, silly or a lunatic. Food is one of the great passions of the French people. French cooking is highly refined and involves careful preparation, attention to detail, and the use of fresh ingredients. The family is the social adhesive of the country and each member has certain duties and

responsibilities. The extended family provides both emotional and financial support. Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a practical approach towards marriage. Families have few children, but parents take their role as guardians and providers very seriously.

Etiquette & Customs in France The handshake is a common form of greeting. Friends may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks, once on the left cheek and once on the right cheek. Dress well. The French are fashion conscious and their version of casual is not as relaxed as in many western countries. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. 7

Enchanting Paris Something magical happens when evening sets in Paris. The world famous buildings are magnificently lit against the dramatic backdrop of the beautiful night sky. This sight is a must-see for every visitor to the capital.

Photo : colby.edu

his tour will drive you through the landmarks and monuments of the city while in the comfort of a luxury air conditioned double-decker bus. The audio commentary accompanying this tour is specially adapted for the night atmosphere. This is truly one of the most romantic ways to see Paris.

Eiffel Tower Once the tallest structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower is probably Europe’s best known landmark and Paris’s most famous symbol. The tower rises 300 metre tall (984 ft); when it was completed at the end of the nineteenth century it was twice as high as the Washington Monument, at the time the tallest structure in the world. The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 8

1889, held in celebration of the French Revolution in 1789. The construction was only meant to last for the duration of the Exposition, but it still stands today. The man behind the Eiffel Tower was Gustave Eiffel, known from his revolutionary bridge building techniques, as employed in the great viaduct at Garabit in 1884. These techniques would form the basis for the construction of the Eiffel Tower. He was also known for the construction of the Statue of Liberty’s iron framework. The structure took more than two years to complete. Each one of the about 12,000 iron pieces were designed separately to give them exactly the shape needed. All pieces were prefabricated and fit together using approx. seven million nails. Inaugurated March 31, 1889,

the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930.

Notre-Dame Not the largest cathedral in the world, the Notre-Dame de Paris might be the most famous of all cathedrals. The Gothic masterpiece is located on the Île de la Cité <http:// www.aviewoncities.com/paris/ iledelacite.htm> , a small island in the heart of the city. The site of the Notre dame is the cradle of Paris and has always been the religious centre of the city. The Celts had their sacred ground here, the Romans built a temple to worship Jupiter. A Christian basilica was built in the sixth century and the last religious structure before the NotreDame construction started was a Romanesque church. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

The construction started in 1163, designed in the new Gothic style to reflect Paris’s status as the capital of the Kingdom France. It was the first cathedral built on a monumental scale and became the prototype for future cathedrals in France. It was in 1345 that the cathedral was completed, partly because the design was enlarged during construction. The result is an overwhelming building, 128 metre long (420 ft) with two 69 metre tall towers (226 ft). The spire over the crossing reaches 90 metre (295 ft) and was added in the nineteenth century. The Notre-Dame Cathedral has several large rose windows, the northern thirteenth-century window is the most impressive. The massive window has a diameter of 13.1 metre. During the Revolution, many of the cathedral’s sculptures, gargoyles and interior were removed or demolished. It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that the Cathedral was fully restored thanks to Victor Hugo, who wrote his book ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’, which made the Parisians realise the cathedral was worth restoring.

Napoleon’s Triumphal Arch In the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle stands one of the greatest arches in history: the Arc de Triomphe (arch of triumph). The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn’t completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon’s regime. The design of the arch by Jean Chalgrin is based on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The Arc de Triomphe is much higher (50m versus 15m), but it has exactly the same proportions. The triumphal arch is adorned with many reliefs, most of them commemorating the emperor’s battles. Among them are the battle of Aboukir, Napoleon’s victory over the Turkish and the Battle of Austerliz, where Napoleon defeated the Austrians. The best known relief is the Departure of the Volunteers in 1792, also known as the Marseillaise. At the top of the arch are thirty shields, each of them bears the name of one of Napoleon’s successful battles. Below the arch is the Grave of the Unknown Soldiers, honoring the many who died during the First World War. The arch is located at the end of the ChampsElysees in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, a large circular square from which no less than twelve streets emanate. The streets are named after French military leaders. MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Louvre Museum

the late eighteenth century.

The Louvre, originally a royal palace but now the world’s most famous museum, is a must-visit for anyone with a slight interest in art. Some of the museum’s most celebrated works of art include the Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo.

Among Egyptian antiquities, you find the famous Seated Scribe and a colossal statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II. On the ground floor is the statue of Aphrodite, better known as the ‘Venus of Milo’, one of the highlights of the Louvre’s Greek collection.

The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in the world. It is housed in the expansive Louvre Palace, situated at the heart of Paris.

Another attraction is the Code of Hammurabi, a large basalt stele from the eighteenth century BC, inscribed with the Babylonian law code. There are other masterpieces like the Wedding Feast at Cana and the Consecration of Emperor Napoleon I.

The collection of the Louvre Museum was established in the sixteenth century as the private collection of King Francis I. One of the works of art he purchased was the now famous Mona Lisa painting. The collection grew steadily thanks to donations and purchases by the kings. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the Louvre became a national art museum and the private royal collection opened to the public. Some of the most famous works of art in the museum are the Venus of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and of course Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. One of the highlights is the erotic Turkish Bath, painted in 10

Palace of Versailles The magnificent palace of Versailles is a testimony of the Sun King’s extravaganza. The palace and its magnificent formal garden became the quintessential model for palaces in Europe. The town of Versailles sits about twenty kilometers outside of Paris. By the end of the eleventh century, Versailles was a country village enveloping a castle and the church of Saint-Julien, remaining prosperous until well into the thirteenth century. After the Hundred Years War, however, only a handful of people lived there.

In 1662, the new king Louis XIV took an earnest interest in Versailles. Louis XIV, also known as The Sun King, distrusted the Parisians and wanted to move his Royal Residence away from the Louvre Palace, which was at the heart of constant political turbulence. The Sun King was largely responsible for the expansion that resulted in the building that still stands today. This Baroque masterpiece, which became the quintessential model for all palaces in Europe. The famed gardener André le Nôtre was responsible for the unequalled Versailles Garden. After the Revolution, Napoleon spent his summers at Versailles until he abdicated. Later, it was Louis-Phillipe who, in 1830, transformed the chateau into a grand museum, dedicated to “the glory of France.” The Chapel, the Opera, and the Hall of Mirrors were preserved but many smaller apartments were destroyed to make room for spacious exhibition halls. In the 1960s, however, curator Pierre Verlet was responsible for getting some of the furnishings back and restoring a number of the royal apartments. The most famous of the fountains in the garden are the Latona Fountain, with a statue ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

of the goddess Latona, and the Apollo Fountain named after the sun god and depicting the Sun King riding a chariot.

Champs-Elysées The Avenue des ChampsElysées is probably the most famous avenue in the world. This impressive street stretches from the Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of Arc de Triomphe. Jardins des Champs-Elysées is almost two kilometre long and seventy metre wide. At its western end the street is bordered by cinemas, theaters, cafés and luxury shops. On the opposite end, near the Place de la Concorde, the street is bordered by the Jardins des ChampsElysées, beautifully arranged gardens with fountains and some grand buildings. On its northern side is the Elysée, the residence of the French Presidents since 1873. The Champs-Elysées is used for all the major celebrations. This is where Parisians celebrate New Year’s Eve and where the military parades are held on July 14. Historic national events, like the Liberation at the end of the second World War or the victory in the World Cup football were also celebrated on this wide avenue.

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Centre Pompidou In 1969 French President Georges Pompidou launched the idea of creating a new cultural institution in Paris dedicated to modern art. When the museum opened in December 1977, it became an instant success: originally designed to accommodate some 5,000 visitors a day, the Centre Pompidou has been welcoming over 25,000 visitors a day making it one of the most visited attractions in Paris. The Centre Pompidou is home to one of the world’s most important museums of modern art. The square in front of the Centre Pompidou, the ‘Place Georges Pompidou’ or ‘Place Beaubourg’, is very popular. The large crowds are animated by mimes, street portraitists and entertainers.

Place de la Concorde Spread over eight hectares (20 acres), the octagonal Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris. It is situated between the Tuileris and the Champs-Elysees. In 1763, a large statue of king Louis XV was erected at this site to celebrate the recovery of the king after a serious illness. In 1792, during the French revolution, the statue was

replaced by another, large statue, called ‘Liberté’ (freedom) and the square was called Place de la Révolution. A guillotine was installed at the center of the square and in a time span of only a couple of years, 1119 people were beheaded here. Amongst them many famous people like King Louis XVI, Marie-Antionette, and revolutionary Robespierre, just to name a few. After the revolution the square was renamed several times until 1830, when it was given the current name ‘Place de la Concorde’. In the nineteenth century the 3200 years old obelisk from the temple of Ramses II at Thebes was installed at the center of the Place de la Concorde. It is a 23 metre (75 ft) tall monolith in pink granite and weighs approximately 230 tons. In 1831, it was offered by the Viceroy of Egypt to Louis Philippe. Three obelisks were offered by the Viceroy, but only one was transported to Paris. The obelisk – sometimes dubbed ‘L’aiguille de Cléopâtre’ or Cleopatra’s Needle – is covered with hieroglyphs picturing the reign of pharaohs Ramses II & Ramses III. Pictures on the pedestal describe the transportation to Paris and its installation at the square in 1836.

The market leader in the fashion Industry

the Fashion Industry, what better place to study than Paris?

Why did French fashion become so important? Why Paris? Why not Rome? Or Athens?

8 Secrets To Dressing Like A French Girl

The Luxury and Fashion sectors are booming; market studies and research predict current growth to continue for the next 20 years and France is the market leader against Italy with a 29 % share of this € 212 billion global market in 2013. Taking in consideration these facts, French luxury and fashion companies will be one of the leading providers of job offers in the field worldwide.

The seductive staple, invented in the ‘60s by Yves Saint Laurent, still holds as much sway today.

Fashion has always been an important part of the country’s cultural life and society, and the French are well known for their attention of dressing-up well; haute-couture, the ‘prêt-a-porter’ and many others, the classy impression, remains traditional in the French way of living. As a student, if your aim is to pursue a professional career in 12

Secret 1 : Vive Le Smoking!

Secret 2 : Less Is More Sometimes it’s the stripped down, uncomplicated outfits that make the most impact. Secret 3 : Flats Are Your Friend Flats are the footwear of choice for a gamine French girl. Plus, they’re way more practical for maneuvering on cobblestone streets. Secret 4 : Keep Accessories Minimal Take a subtler approach to adornment with minimalistic gold accents, like a delicate bar necklace. Secret 5 : Stick With Your Moto Jacket

Whenever you’re pondering your outerwear choice, put on a motorcycle jacket and don’t look back. Trust us (or rather, the French girls): there’s nothing cooler. Secret 6 : Leave It Undone Whether it’s your shirt half-tucked with a few buttons undone or your boots folded over and left a bit unlaced, looking purposefully unpolished is a French art form. Secret 7 : Show Skin In Unexpected Ways Showing décolletage and too much leg? Le boring. French girls much prefer less expected ways of baring skin, like showing off the shoulders or a bare back. Secret 8 : Add One Alluring Piece A body-skimming leather skirt feels even more intriguing when contrasted with a chunky knit sweater and sneakers.

(Courtesy : WhoWhatWear) ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

NORTH EAST SPECIAL

The Wettest Place on Earth

Cherrapunji - now in Meghalaya, the state carved out of Assam - in the Khasi Hills is unbelievably the wettest place on the planet earth. It receives the maximum rainfall in the world; it once rained continuously every single day for two years. It holds a world record of 1,041 inches of rain in 1861. 14

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

he North East is full of natural treasures with lush green canopies, valleys, mountains, rocky hills, rivers, diverse flora and fauna. The flora and fauna have colorful and rare orchids, ferns, moss plants and dense wood forests in small patches. Orchards of oranges and pineapple are the common sight of Cherrapunji. It is a 60 kilometre drive from the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital Shillong, and is situated 1290 metres above sea level. But the irony is people thirst for water without enough water to bathe, drink or cook during months when there are no rains. On an average, this place receives 366 inches of rain every year. The seasonal winds cause the record rainfall. Another town Mawsynram, 16 kilometres from Cherrapunji, also receives almost an equal amount of rainfall. Winds blow in one particular direction for almost six months causing excessive rainfall. The oceans, too, contribute to excessive rainfall. Water evaporates and then condenses into clouds, forming raindrops when the air is cold. Deforestation mining for coal and limestone have rendered soil less effective in absorption and water retaining capability. So as it rains, the water flows down to lower.

Places to visit in and near Cherrapunji Cherrapunji is a paradise of botanists. Its richness is in rare varieties of orchids, dense woods, cliffs, ferns, moss, and also orange orchards and pineapple plants. Mawsmai falls is the fourth highest falls in India. Khasi Monoliths, situated near the Mawsmai falls, has many underground passages underneath old caves. It is an exciting place for explorers. Khasi MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

monoliths are stones which lie scattered around in memory of their ancestors. Noh KalikaiFalls is a stream which emerges from a steep mountain and falls down a deep rocky cliff into a stream. Krem Mawmluh is a cave situated to the west of Cherrapunji with a five river way. The length of the cave is 4503 m making it the fourth longest cave in India. Krem Phyllut, is a cave situated to the south of

Winds blow in one particular direction for almost six months causing excessive rainfall.The oceans, too, contribute to excessive rainfall. Water evaporates and then condenses into clouds, forming raindrops when the air is cold.

Cherrapunji with fossil passages, two stream ways and three entrances, with a length of 1003 m.

The Living Bridges of Cherrapunji These are root bridges of Cherrapunji which are alive and are grown naturally; they are not built. Cherrapunji has a type of rubber tree called the Ficus Elastica, which grows secondary roots from its trunks. The local tribe realised its potential and used hollow betel nut trunks to direct the roots in whatever way they liked. After they grew all the way across the river they are allowed to grow back to the soil and over a period of time leading to a strong bridge. They take anything between fifteen to twenty five years to develop completely and last for centuries, growing stronger each year. Boulders or stones are placed on these roots to make crossing easier, and they have the strength to hold at least fifty people at a time. 15

HIMALAYAN TOURISM

Kumaon Trail This tour takes you through the scenic foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The fabulous wildlife, birds and the beautiful flora are a life-time experience. Trekking through beautiful unexplored forests with some unforgettable vistas, it provides a glimpse of the lifestyle and unique architecture of the Kumaoni hill folks.

n this trip, you have the option of either driving from Delhi to Pangot (8 hrs) or taking a 6-hour train journey. Arrival at Kathgodam station is followed by a 50 km drive through the scenic hills and the forested area of Cheena Peak Range via Snow View Point and Kilbury, the main habitats for wildlife in this region. You will stay at the quaint and idyllic Jungle Lore Birding Lodge The first trek is an exciting half-day trek to Cheena Peak with a picnic lunch. We take you to a local house to see a magnificent view of Corbett National Park ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

area and villages (where Jim Corbett killed 10ft long tiger called ‘Bachelor of Pawalgarh’). Admiring unique local architecture on the way, we stop at ‘Dhamdhamiya’ for excellent views and Akhorwadi’, home to a lot of walnut trees for spotting various woodpecker species and other birds. Along the trek we also find a lot of diverse landscapes, flora and fauna. There are deep ravines and small spring water streams created in the monsoon seasons like the one at Ghorgatti. Salimdhar (named after Salim, a type of grass) is especially spectacular when the fog covers the whole area making you feel like you are walking in the clouds.

Reaching Naina Peak (2311 m) you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas and get a chance to see close up of the peaks through a powerful telescope. On the downward journey, we get superb views of the lake city ‘Nainital’. Reaching Naina Peak (2311 m) you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayas and get a chance to see close up of the peaks through a powerful telescope. On the downward journey, we get superb views of the lake city ‘Nainital’. We then head back to Pangot via Kilbury forest. Full of oak and rhododendron trees, it’s a great area to spot many birds like Koklas, Kalij Pheasants, Common Kestrel, Grey Winged Blackbird, Black Red Start, Bar-Tailed Tree Creeper etc. You may also spot some animals like Leopards, Himalayan Black Bear, Civet Cat, Porcupine, Deer and Wild Boar etc. MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Journeying through the forests, you can see lovely sights of traditionally dressed villagers collecting fodder for their cattle and firewood for their homes. A bon-fire is the perfect end to the evening, around which the experiences of the trek can be shared.

and gorges. With spectacular views of the icy Himalayas, you pass through colonial era forest bungalows and small villages and hamlets, where you can see simple hill folks live in harmony with their wild surroundings.

Next comes an easy 5-hour long trek towards Kunjkharak. This forest trek has an altitudinal variation of 2500 m to 450 m bringing the chance to spot an astounding 500 bird species and equally impressive assemblage of mammals, including the elusive Serow. Highly recommended for beginners, this is a trek along old pony trails, dense broadleaf forests and shallow streams.

Since this area is actually a high pass, it can get very windy and winter temperatures may drop to 0 degrees, with occasional snowfall in the area. Huge rocks in forested ridges make it a good place to sight high altitude birds like Lammergeier, Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon. Other raptors you may see are Tawny Eagle, Steppe eagle and Kestrel. Barely a kilometre after Kunjkharak you get a magnificent 380 km broad view of the Himalayan range.

Dense conifer forests of oak and pine open into scenic valleys

A unique feature of this moist temperate forest is the Khoola 17

moss that carpets the floor below. This moss absorbs water and helps in retaining moisture in the forest. However, due to indiscriminate extraction and collection for its use in several cosmetic products, this moss has become highly endangered. Evenings are magical here, as the setting sun transforms the icy Himalayas across Kunjkharak into gold. The third trek is an easy 6-hour long trek towards Akashkhanda. Being miles away from road, the forest bungalow at Akashkhanda is seldom visited by tourists or even forest officials. Though in a dilapidated state now, this beautiful bungalow is set amidst pine trees and offers complete solitude. On a clear day you get spectacular views of Nanda Ghunti (20,700 ft) and Trishul (23,360 ft). From here the trek takes us to dense temperate forests dominated by oak, chestnut and rhododendron, which is a riot of red when in bloom. Birds commonly seen here include the colourful Jays, Magpie and Thrushes. This area also supports rich mammal life. 18

On the hill slopes you can try to spot the Ghoral (goat antelope) and on the trail you stumble upon the occasional pugmarks of the leopard. We camp for the night at Akashkhanda (1600 m). The next day brings us a moderate 8-hour long trek towards Corbett National Park. From here the vegetation gets scanty and the steep ascent can get quite exhausting by the time you reach the small village of Mon. After Mon the trail gets narrow and the climb gets steeper. The vegetation gradually transforms from Coniferous forest to Sal all the way till Kumeria. We go downhill through a narrow broken trail that leads to the village of Okhaldhunga (500m) and then to the village of Damas (600m). The trail is still used by villagers to carry supplies on packhorses and mules. The trek ends at Kumeria; a suspension bridge over the Kosi River at Kunkhet village leads you to the road head. From there, you are taken to a wildlife lodge at Corbett, called Tiger Camp for overnight stay.

The next two days are spent in Corbett National Park. Established in 1936, Jim Corbett National Park is the first wildlife reserve of India and also the first reserve to come under Project Tiger in 1973. It was named in the honor of Jim Corbett, legendary hunter-turned- conservationist, best known for hunting maneating tigers and leopards in the Kumaon and lower Garhwal in the 1920s. Corbett Park provides fantastic opportunity for viewing wildlife, especially the tiger in its natural habitat. The main animals found in the Corbett National Park include the Tiger, Elephant, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gharial, King Cobra, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Hedgehog, Common Musk Shrew, Flying Fox, Indian Pangolin and nearly 600 species of birds. You can choose to explore the park on or jeep safaris or on an elephant back. On day 7 after another safari, we drive back to Delhi (6 hours) in a private car. The tour ends once we reach Delhi.

(Courtesy: Asian Adventures) ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

FOCUS

Historic Sites of Freedom Movement

Cellular Jail - Andaman & Nicobar Islands The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani is situated in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The prison was known to house many notable Indian activists during the struggle for Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independence. The Cellular Jail is one of the murkiest chapters in the history of the colonial rule in India. The construction of the prison started in 1896 and was completed in 1906. But the history of using the Andaman Island as a prison dates back to the Indian rebellion of 1857. The bricks used to build the building were brought from Burma. The penal settlement established in Andaman by the British after the First War of Independence in 1857 was the beginning of the agonizing story of freedom fighters in the massive and awful 20

The Jail marked its centenary on March 10, 2006. It has been a long journey for the Jail - from a torture machine to a National Memorial, from a dreaded prison to a place of pilgrimage, a place where the memories of brave freedom fighters are revived and patriotic fervor surges through the veins of the visitors. jails at Viper Island followed by the Cellular Jail. The patriots who raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail, where many perished.

The Jail silently stood witness to the tortures and ruthless atrocities meted out to the convicts. The prison acquired the name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cellularâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as it was entirely made up of individual cells which were meant for the solitary confinement of the prisoners, cutting them from contact with each other. Several eminent revolutionaries of India have been imprisoned in this jail, and they include Babarao Savarkar, Vinayal Damodar Savarkar, Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Batukeshwar Dutt amongst others. The Jail marked its centenary on March 10, 2006. It has been a long journey for the Jail - from a torture machine to a National Memorial, from a dreaded prison to a place of pilgrimage, a place where the memories of brave freedom fighters are revived and patriotic fervor surges through the veins of the visitors. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

The Cellular Jail is today acknowledged as a National Memorial monument. In addition, visitors can also enjoy a Sound and Light show in Hindi as well as in English conducted during evening within the premises of the Cellular Jail. This program depicts the heroic Freedom Struggle and the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters and truly touches the soul of every Indian. The show gives us a brief idea about the brutal happenings in the jail prior to Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s independence and other historical events regarding this place. The place also has a Martyrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorial, a museum, and a photo gallery and art gallery as well, reminiscing Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle for independence.

Jallianwala Bagh Jallianwala Bagh has become a famous name and place in the Indian history as Jallianwala Bagh Massacre since 1919. On April 13, 1919, thousands of MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

people gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh of Amritsar to celebrate the Sikh baisakhi festival. Among the people there were women, children also. Jallianwala Bagh was surrounded by walls and there was only one main gate and other two-three small lanes for exit. Brigadier general Reginald E.H. Dyer came to the place with fifty riflemen and without any warning ordered them to shoot at the crowd. The shooting was continued for ten minutes and killed thousands of innocent people including children and women. About 1650 rounds were fired. According to the government data about 379 people were death. Whereas some private data showed that the numbers of death were more than 1000. The incident stirred the whole nation. Many people joined the Indian freedom movement. Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood in the protest.

Hunter commission was formed to investigate the incident. After the incident general dyer was suspended. He returned back to Britain. Sarder Udham Singh killed dyer in London on 13 March, 1940. A trust was formed in 1920 by Indian national Congress to build a memorial at Jallianwala Bagh. It is near the public garden located in Amritsar, Punjab. The memorial was first established in the year 1951 in order to remember and pay tribute to the people who had sacrificed their lives in the massacre done by the forces of the British rule over the peaceful Indian people who were involved in celebrating the most famous occasion of the Punjabi culture called Punjabi New Year. The monument, befittingly named the Flame of Liberty was inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, on 13 April 1961. The central 30-ft high pylon, a four-sided tapering stature of 21

red stone standing in the midst of a shallow tank, is built with 300 slabs with Ashoka Chakra, the national emblem, cursed on them. A stone lantern stands at each corner of the tank. On all four sides of the pylon the words, “In memory of martyrs, 13 April 1919”, has been inscribed in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English. A semi-circular verandah skirting a children’s swimming pool near the main entrance to the Bagh marks the spot where General Dyer’s soldiers took position to fire at the gathering. The memorial is getting managed by the trust called Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust. Jallianwala Bagh massacre is commemorated by the people all over the India every year on 13th of April in order to remember and pay tribute to the people who had sacrificed their lives in that massacre.

August Kranti Maidan August Kranti Maidan is one of the most important places in India;s freedom fight and is of greater historical relevance. On August 8th and 9th of 1942, Gandhiji — father of the nation, and other prominent leaders held a meeting in this ground to fight for the freedom asking the British to ‘Quit India’. Unhappy with the Sir Stafford Cripps Mission sent by the British government, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) met on August 7, 1942 and decided to ask the British to leave India. Yusuf Meheraly, the then mayor of Bombay and prominent Congress leader, suggested the slogan ‘Quit India’, which was accepted by Mahatma Gandhi. Though prominent leaders were arrested, patriots led by Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the Indian tri-colour. The government made attempts to suppress the resistance by using teargas canisters and resorting to lathicharge. 22

The August Kranti Maidan is near Mani Bhavan, another landmark associated with the Mahatma. Mahatma Gandhi used to stay at Mani Bhavan during his visits to Mumbai. The monument has been converted into a museum now. Today, the Maidan is a popular playground. The ground has been split up in to five parts now. The largest part is an open playground for all, there is a smaller

playground for small children, a garden for senior citizens. A memorial in the park stands testimony to the historic event during Indian independence struggle. A monument commemorating this historical event is currently located in a garden inside the ground. August Kranti Maidan is also known as Gowalia Tank Maidan. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

August Kranti Maidan is the perfect example of a monument with great historical significance. Historically it is significant since Gandhijiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s speech marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Chauri Chaura Chauri Chaura is a small town in Gorakhpur district in Uttar Prades. This place will be remembered for ever for its famous Chauri Chaura Incident which took place on 4th of February 1922. Chauri Chaura came into prominence in 1922 when its inhabitants whole-heartedly participated in the Non-cooperation movement started by Gandhiji. In February 1922 on hearing that the sub inspector of Chauri Chaura police-station had assaulted some of the Congress volunteers at Mundera Bazar, an infuriated mob assembled before the police-station Chauri Chaura in February 4,1922 demanding explanation from the guilty MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

official. It ultimately resulted in police firing killing 3 persons from crowd and several injured. After the police had exhausted their ammunition and went inside the police-station, the enraged crowd challenged the policemen to come out of their den and on their paying no heed, it set fire to the thana in which 23 policemen including the station officer were burnt alive. Consequently, Gandhiji suspended the Non-cooperation movement. The people of the district did not forget their freedom fighters. In 1971Chauri Chaura Shaheed Smarak Samiti constructed a smarak near the lake at Chauri Chaura with a 12.2 metres high triangular minaret on each side of which a martyr is depicted hanging with a noose round his neck. Later another Shaheed Smarak was built to honour those hanged for Great Freedom Struggle. This tall memorial has names of those hanged engraved. Railways also introduced 2 trains to honour martyrs. These trains are Shaheed Express and Chauri Chaura Express.

Dandi March The Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, began on 12 March 1930 and was an important part of the Indian independence movement. It was a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly in colonial India, and triggered the wider Civil Disobedience Movement. The march on foot undertaken by Gandhi and seventy-eight Congress volunteers was the most significant event in the history of the breach of salt law. It was a brilliant, non-violent strategy by Gandhi. To enforce the law of the land, the British had to arrest the satyagrahis (soldiers of civil disobedience) and Indians courted arrest in millions. There was panic in the administration and Indian freedom struggle finally gathered momentum both inside and outside of India. The picture of Gandhi, firm of step and walking staff in hand (shown above) was to be among the most enduring of the images of him. 23

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Silking Its Way In India SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines is planning to expand its India operations to more cities. The airline already flies to eight other destinations in the country namely, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam. In an exclusive chat with Asian Traveller, Jagdish Ram Bhojwani, General Manager- India, SilkAir, speaks about the airlines's future plans in india. With an impressive fleet having 350 weekly flights across 12 countries, what is SilkAir’s success mantra? What makes your airlines a favourite to the customers, making them choose your carrier on a second visit? Over the past 25 years, SilkAir has grown steadily, while remaining true to our commitment to connecting travellers to Asia’s newest frontiers. We have consistently expanded our network, providing

convenient connections to exciting destinations of the world. In the near future we will commence operations to Cairns on 30 May 2015. SilkAir’s positioning as a full-service, short-to-medium haul regional carrier gives us a unique appeal amongst leisure and business travellers in Asia. We operate one of the youngest fleets in the world averaging 4.5 years which ensures that travelers experience a modern and efficient aircraft. SilkAir offers ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

carefully selected meals, a full bar service and elements of inflight entertainment, placing great emphasis on providing attentive, friendly and relaxing service. Our regional flair is expressed through both our cabin crew and cuisine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ensuring that travellers begin to experience the destination they are heading to, from the moment they step on board our plane. SilkAir won a distinguished place in Top Airlines for Best Cabin service for six years in a row apart from other notable awards. What sets this regional airline apart from its competitors? Our biggest strength remains that we have grown along with our competition. SilkAir has always had the first-mover advantage in some cities like Trivandrum and Vizag; continuing to be the only foreign carrier in these and some other similar points. Are Indian government regulations friendly to an international aviation company like SilkAir? What are the pros and cons you see? The Indian Government has undertaken initiatives such as improving airport infrastructure, attracting foreign investment, development of a progressive civil aviation policy, reviewing bilateral agreements with countries to augment capacities and marketing India as a favorable tourist destination overseas which adds to increased flow of traffic. As one of the fastest growing aviation markets, the Indian Government has set the right direction to accelerate development and growth through such positive steps. We welcome any decision of the government that will promote the long-term development of the aviation industry, improve overall infrastructure and importantly allow consumers to benefit MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

from enhanced services and experiences SilkAir is currently an active carrier in 8 cities in India, with plans to expand to North and West. What are the expansion plans of the company in the next five years with respect to Tier II and Tier III cities? Yes, we currently fly to eight destinations in India namely; Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam. With the existing range of our fleet, we can connect to South India. We will soon get our Boeing Max, which will allow us to fly further to destinations within a radius of six to six and a half hours from Singapore.. We continue to seek opportunities to enhance our network and are constantly reviewing potential new destinations to fly to, including cities in India which is one of our key markets. How successful was SilkAir Studio, the wireless inflight entertainment system tried on the Airbus A 320 aircraft? Is it a regular feature now? SilkAir Studio is our latest

wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that was launched in May 2014. Complementing the existing overhead system, this wireless service provides customers with diverse options for a more customized in-flight entertainment experience. The service has enhanced the overall flying experience and been well received by fliers. Passengers on SilkAir flights are able to stream blockbuster hits, short features, as well as chart-topping music to their personal laptops and handheld devices throughout their flights. With SilkAir Studio, customers do not need to download a separate mobile app prior to boarding. Once the inflight entertainment system is switched on, customers can enjoy the new programmes on their personal mobile devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. All these are provided on a complimentary basis. For flights above two hours, tablets are offered to Business Class passengers. This effort to improve the in-flight entertainment experience for customers is the latest example of SilkAirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to quality, fullservice air travel.

CUISINE

EAT, DRINK & FLY Top 10 French Foods

rench food is known globally for its finesse and flavour. There is something for everyone – from the basic to the more interesting traditional foods of France. And what better way to explore French culture than pampering your palate with the choicest French cuisines!

Soup (Soupe à l’oignon) This is a traditional French soup made of onions and beef stock, usually served with croutons and cheese on top. Its origins can be traced back 26

to Roman times. However, its current version originated in the 18th century. The remarkable taste of the soup is due to the caramelisation of the onions.

Wine France is the place to find the most suitable wine for every palate – from white to rose, and red to champagne. You can drink French wine with your meal, with cheese or while sitting and enjoying the sun at a café. This drink can make you warm in the cold or enrich the taste of the exquisite French cuisine. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

Cheese If you are up for experimenting and playing with your senses, order a serving of diverse French cheeses. These plates are usually served after the main course and before desert. In general, they consist of pressed, soft and blue cheeses. There is such diversity of French cheeses, and just like French wine, there is something for every taste.

Meal (Boeuf bourguignon) This is a traditional French meal – a stew made of beef braised in red wine, beef broth and seasoned with garlic, onions, fresh herbs and mushrooms.

Chocolate (soufflé) A delicious dessert not to be missed! The crispy chocolate crust with a soft creamy chocolate filling make this sweet delight different than anything you will ever taste.

Cake (Flamiche) Flamiche means cake in Flemish and it originates from Northern France, near the border with Belgium. It is a pie crust filled with cheese and vegetables. The stuffing in the classic recipe is made of leeks. However, there is also a pizza-like version of the Flamiche which is without the top crust of the pie.

It is a fresh starter for a lovely French lunch.

Side dish (Ratatouille) Ratatouille can be served as a side dish, as a meal or as a stuffing for other dishes, such as crepes and omelettes. It is generally made in a shallow pan, on high heat, with a relatively small amount of fat. The ingredients consist of tomatoes, garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, bell peppers, basil, marjoram, thyme and other green herbs.

Apple pie (Tarte tatin) They say this apple pie was made by mistake in 1898 by Stephanie Tartin. She was trying to make a traditional apple pie. Fortunately, she accidentally left the apples in sugar and butter for far too long in the pan. In a hurry, trying to rescue the desert, she put the pastry base on top of the burning fruits and then placed the pan in the oven. The desert finished baking and the result – well, try it and you won’t regret it!

Duck legs (Confit de canard) Duck confit is a tasty French meal made of duck legs. The preparation of the meat may take up to 36 hours! The duck meat is gently mixed with salt, garlic and thyme and left to absorb their aroma for more than a day. It is generally fried or grilled afterwards, and served with roasted potatoes and garlic on the side.

Sald (Salade nicoise) A typical French salad made of lettuce, fresh tomatoes, boiled eggs, canned tuna, Nicoise Cailletier olives and anchovies. MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

PALACE

PALACE OF

Udaipur The Majestic Udaipur Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and is also the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur.

t is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. City Palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes. City Palace is a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble. City Palace has several gates that are known as “Pols”. ‘Bara Pol’ (Great Gate) is the main gate to the City Palace complex that will take you to the first courtyard. On passing ‘Bara Pol’, you will come across a triple arched gate, which is known as ‘Tripolia’. Between these two gates, you would see eight marble arches or Toranas, where Kings used to weigh themselves with gold and silver. Besides Tripolia, there is an arena where elephant fights were staged. Across ‘Tripolia’, you would enter the ‘Elephant Gate’ or the ‘Hathi Pol’. City Palace comprises 11 wonderful palaces, which were built by different rulers still they resemble each other. With the sheer glimpse of unique paintings, antique furniture and

exquisite glass mirror & ornamental tiles work of these palaces, you will get amazed. Manak Mahal (Ruby Palace) has figures of crystal and porcelain. However, Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting the real life stories of RadhaKrishna. The ‘Krishna Vilas’ is known for the noteworthy album of miniature paintings portraying royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace) is celebrated for its lavish decor while Sheesh Mahal (Palace of mirrors) is known for its breathtaking mirror work. ‘Chini

City Palace has several gates that are known as “Pols”. ‘Bara Pol’ (Great Gate) is the main gate to the City Palace complex that will take you to the first courtyard. Chitrashala’ is renowned for its Chinese and Dutch ornamental tiles. ‘Dilkusha Mahal’ (Palace of Joy) is known for the murals and wall paintings. Bada Mahal is the exotic garden palace that stands erect on a 90 feet high natural rock formation. Rang Bhawan is the palace that used to contain royal treasure. There are temples of Lord Krishna, Meera Bai and Shiva, located right to the ‘Rang Bhawan’. ‘Mor Chowk’ has exceptional

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

glass mosaics of peacocks, set in the walls presenting the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. ‘Laxmi Vilas Chowk’ is an art gallery with a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings. Situated in the premises of City Place complex, Jagdish Temple is the biggest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur. This temple Appeals to the aesthetic sense of the people and we will further discuss it in our other section. You can also trace a Shrine of Dhuni Mata in the complex of City Palace. This part is considered as the oldest part of the Palace where a sage passed his life meditating here. In 1974, a part of the City Palace and the ‘Zenana Mahal’ (Ladies Chamber) have been transformed into a museum. The museum is open for public and we have discussed it in our other section about museums. One can locate some striking paintings in the ‘Zenana Mahal’ which further leads to Lakshmi Chowk. ‘Lakshmi Chowk’ is a beautiful white pavilion. In City palace, the most captivating sight can be viewed from the towers and terraces of ‘Amar Vilas’ from where you can get a breathtaking view of Lake Pichola. ‘Amar Vilas’ is the highest point of this Palace and has wonderful hanging gardens with fountains, towers and terraces. City Palace is structured in a way that it offers a splendid view of the lake from all its Balconies, cupolas and towers. Unlike the craggy exterior, City Palace has amazing interiors with delicate mirror-work, marble work, murals, wall paintings, silver work, inlay work and surplus of colored glass. The exquisite work of City Palace cannot be bounded in words, so one must visit this palace to capture the real picture of it.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

BEACH

Panoramic Panoramic Beach Cherai Beach

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

Cherai is one of the Best beaches of Kerala, It is situated just 30 kms from Kochi, the business capital of the state. The beach is on the northern end of Vypin Island. It is very clean, shallow and pacific and evokes irresistible temptation for swimming and sunbathing. Dolphins are occasionally seen here.

he 15 Kilometre long beach is the best clean golden beach of Kerala and is rightly called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Prnicess of the Queen of the Arabian sea. This lovely beach is ideal for swimming. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction. The newly beautified 400 Metres of the main beach with the walkway adds to the charm and the High mask lamps make the beach enjoyable even at night. Cherai is well known for the mouth lingering fresh sea food. This tropical paradise enchants you with its charming exotica. Seductive beaches, serene backwaters, swaying coconut lagoons, lush green paddy fields, delicious cuisine - a sublime heritage. For those who seek refuge from the stress and pollution of modern

civilization, Cherai beach is a heaven, serene, unspoilt and eternal. Despite having been discovered by the world as the place for the perfect vacation. The newly beautified main beach with the walkway adds to the charm. Thus, you will find many locals and tourists picnicking on the sandy shores of the beach, which stands surrounded by tall coconut trees and green paddy fields. The sun set providing the classic back drop is simply marvelous, for photo hunters to take a quick shot cut cruising into the sea, if luck you could sigh the dolphin at play .few would disagree that nothing can compare with glorious landscape of Cherai. Cherai Beach is rightly considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala. It is a beautiful combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. There is also a park for children on the beach. Tourists and visitors can also ride the water-scooter and speedboats, which are available here on.

This tropical paradise enchants you with its charming exotica. Seductive beaches, serene backwaters, swaying coconut lagoons, lush green paddy fields, delicious cuisine - a sublime heritage.

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Best Honeymoon Destinations

he newly-married coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardest choice is where to honeymoon! In India, most visited honeymoon destinations are vying with each other for attention. Here are 10 most popular to choose from.

KERALA Enjoying honeymoon in Kerala could be the most memorable experience for any couple. Kerala offers the natural beauty of its backwaters, sun bath at Kovalam beach, the hills of Munnar and Wayanad, the endless tourist spots in Cochin/Kochi, Allepey and Kottayam which make your honeymoon truly romantic. The best time to visit Kerala: December, November, October, March, February, January. 34

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

GOA There is no doubt Goa is the one of the most visited honeymoon places, blessed with a number of beaches, coconut plants, lush green gardens, heritage monuments and famous Portuguese buildings. You can enjoy a romantic walk on the beaches with your life partner, a Champagne morning breakfast, night beaches parties, delicious sea foods at famous restaurants, water sports, deep sea fishing, parasailing, and wind surfing with your life partner to makes your honeymoon something to memorable. The best time to visit Goa: March to May and October to February.

KULLU MANALI If you are looking for icecold hill stations, Kullu Manali is an ideal destination. Blessed with green hills, snow covered mountains, waterfalls and big green grass landscape, Manali is also one of the best tourist spots in India. Adventure sports like skiing, hiking, trekking, mountaineering, paragliding, river rafting, angling, and biking are an added attraction for sports buffs. The best time to visit Manali: October to February

DARJEELING Darjeeling is famous for its pleasant cold climate, natural beauties of pine trees, tea gardens, mountains, local traditional market and most famous toy train journey. Tiger Hills is only eight kilometre (8 km.) from the Darjeeling city, and it is known for its panoramic view. The other attractions are Batasia Loop, Rock Garden, Singamari Ropeway, toy train journey, Kanchenjunga Mountains, and Peace Pagoda. The best time to visit Darjeeling: September to January MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

SHIMLA The romantic climate, green hills, snow-capped mountains, adventure sports, swaying fields and gorgeous view of the Himalayas make Shimla one of the most favorite honeymoon places in India. The attractions Shimla offers are Hip Hip Hurray Amusement park, Jakhu temple, The Mall, The Ridge, lower bazaar, Viceregal Lodge, Dorje Drag Monastery, Christ Church and more. The best time to visit: April to July and October to February.

LAKSHADWEEP Lakshadweep is as popular as Kerala because of its unbeaten natural beauties of Island , sandy beaches, the ultimate view of blue sea, scenic gardens, water sports, and sunbathing. Lakshadweep offers a romantic environment for honeymooners who want to just lose themselves. Some top recommended places are Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti, Kadmat and Bangaram. The best time to visit: October to April

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND Andaman and Nicobar Island is the gateway to under-water romance. A date with colorful fishes, water-skiing, sail boats, windsurfing, speed boats, and flora and fauna can make a profound impression lasting a life-time. It is the place to be for sea food lovers. The best time to visit: November, October, May, April, March, February and January.

OOTY Perched on the hills of Nilgiri, Ooty is known as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Paradise for Honeymoonersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. It is the perfect destination for couples who want to stay away from the crowd. The main tourist attractions are the Toy Train Ride, Botanical Gardens, Angling in Ooty, Boating at Pykara Lake, and Glen Morgan Tea estate. The best time to visit: October to June.

NAINITAL Nainital is best known for its salubrious climate, placid lakes and water sports, rock climbing, and fishing. Some of its charms are Aerial Ropeway, Jim Corbett National Park, and the Lakes. The best time to visit: March to June, and October to February.

MAHABALESHWAR If you are looking for romantic sports in the green hills, Mahabaleshwar is the right place. The waterfalls, lakes, caves, boat riding, and delicious food are the speciality of the place. The best time to visit: March to June and November to March. 36

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

TAMILNADU TRAVELLER

THE INDIAN PEARL CITY

THOOTHUKUDI

Dr. S. Bakthavatchalam Additional Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism

As per folklore, Hanuman camped at Tuticorin or Thoothukudi during his journey to Lanka in search for Sita. Since he was the Thoothan (messenger) of Lord Rama, the place came to be known as 'Thoothuvankudi', later shortened to Thoothukudi. But over the centuries, the place had come to be known as one of the major sea ports of the subcontinent, besides being India's official 'Pearl City'or 'Muthu Nagar'.

lso known by the name ‘Thirumanthiranager’ in the ancient times, the port city of Tuticorin is famous for pearl diving, fishing and shipbuilding. Popularly referred to as ‘Pearl town’, the commercial port town of Tuticorin is well-known as a centre for sea trading and pearl fishing for over a century and serves the whole of southern Tamil Nadu including inland cities such as Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli. The Tuticorin Port happens to be one of the oldest sea ports in the world dating back to the 6th Century. Forming part of the Pandian kingdom between

7th and 9th Century A.D., Thoothukudi remained in the hands of the Cholas during the period between 9th and 12th century. Emergence of Thoothukudi as a maritime port attracted travelers, adventures, and eventually colonizers. The Portuguese were the first to

arrive in Thoothukudi in 1932 A.D., attracted by its strategic location and flourishing pearl trade, followed by the Dutch in 1658 A.D. The English Captured Thoothukudi from the Dutch in 1782 and the East India Company established their control over Thoothukudi in the same year. The word ‘Thoothukudi’

The Tuticorin Port happens to be one of the oldest sea ports in the world dating back to the 6th Century. Forming part of the Pandian kingdom between 7th and 9th Century A.D., Thoothukudi remained in the hands of the Cholas during the period between 9th and 12th century. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

may also have come from two Tamil words – ‘Thoorthu’ (land reclaimed from sea) and ‘Kudi’ (settlement). Thoothukudi got the name ‘Tuticorin’ when it came under the rule of the Portuguese. Situated in the close proximity of the East -West International sea route, its unique location has helped this place to become a major sea port of India since the 6th Century AD. It was the principal sea port of the Pandya Kingdom in the 16th century when it was taken over by the Portuguese in 1548. In 1842, the British built a light house in Tuticorin, which resulted in bringing about the developmental changes in the harbour. Tuticorin rose to become a Municipality in the year 1866. Thoothukudi became the citadel of freedom struggle in the early of the 20th century with the port city becoming a prominent centre of activities for stalwarts like SubramanyaBharathy, Kattabomman and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, who fought for Independence. Over the centuries the city has witnessed a flourishing trade handling a variety of cargoes meant for the neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka, Maldives etc. and the coastal regions of India. Today the port city is a major commericial hub of South India with its economy based on industries, port, salt pans, and agriculture.

Things to do Today, the port city of Tuticorin is well known for its Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). The Tiruchendur Temple is one of the prime attractions of Tuticorin. Other famous attractions at Tuticorin are Kalugumalai and Korkai. Kalugumalai is famous for its ancient rock cut Jain cave temple and VettuvanKoMaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

vil, whereas Korkai is a popular picnic destination that has Korkai Tank and Vettrivelamman temple.

How to reach there Tuticorin lies along the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu by the Gulf of Mannar. Tuticorin is well connected to Chennai and other cities in Tamil Nadu and

neighbouring states by road and rail. The best time to visit Tuticorin is from November to January.

Where to stay Hotel options in Tuticorin range from budget hotels to resorts, bed & breakfast motels, guest houses and lodges. 39

ENTERTAINMENT

Cannes Film Festival

tory of Lankan refugees wins hearts and award

The 68th Cannes Film Festival came to a surprising close on Sunday night (May 24). The tale of three Sri Lankan refugees struggling to assimilate in a violent French ghetto only to end up in a pastoral British backyard won universal applaud. Hence Dheepan, Jacques Audiard’s tense film, won the Palme d’Or award, acclaimed by critics. The Grand Prize, the Palme runner-up, went to the widely praised. Hungarian movie ‘Son of Saul,’ a first feature from Laszlo Nemes. Set entirely in AuschwitzBirkenau, it follows a Jewish prisoner who was forced to help run the Nazi extermination camps, as he attempts to bury a child and locate a rabbi to recite a funeral prayer. The Jury Prize went to ‘The Lobster,’ an absurdist comedy from the Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, about a world in which people who remain unmated are turned into animals. The Taiwanese master Hou Hsiao-Hsien won best director for ‘The Assassin,’ a glorious martial arts

film. The Caméra d’Or, for best first feature, went to “La Tierra y la Sombra,” from the Colombian director César Augusto Acevedo. ; the film was shown in a parallel section and was inexplicably preceded by a performance of “I Ain’t Got Nobody” sung by a tuneless John C. Reilly. Mr. Wilson followed this by singing “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Reilly. The trailblazing French filmmaker Agnes Varda received a much-deserved honorary Palme d’Or. The Mexican director Michel Franco won the screenwriting award for the English-language drama ‘Chronic,’ about a nurse who draws intense emotional and psychological sustenance from his terminally ill patients. Vincent Lindon won best actor as a middle-age factory worker who, after being laid off, ends up taking a job as a security guard in the French film ‘The Measure of a Man,’ directed by Stéphane Brizé. The Palme for the best short film was given to ‘Waves ’98,’ from the Lebanese director Ely Dagher. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

YOGA

Yoga

For Travellers Establishing a rhythm is easy at home when you have control over your schedule. But when you are on a business or pleasure trip, that rhythm is disrupted. To set yourself at ease on any journey, learn how to ground yourself.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

taying grounded away from home really comes down to being mindful of changing environments, time zones, and meal plans. It means finding a relationship between your brain, body, and breath that disconnects you from the past and future. And you have to align your energy in the present. When you’re grounded, you breathe well, digest well, and concentrate on the present well.

Create a Harmonious Space Cluttered surroundings can make you feel unbalanced and anxious. Unpack your belongings as soon as you arrive and take the time to arrange your room so it feels comfortable. Buy flowers or set up personal photos. Then you feel at home.

Invigorate With Oil Like candles, essential oils stimulate the sense of smell,

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Surya Namaskar postures act as a nice link between warm-ups and asanas and can be done any time on an empty stomach. However, mornings are the best time. Surya Namaskar is an excellent cardiovascular workout and a good way to lose weight. which can influence how you feel. Lavender oil for vata imbalance, jasmine or sandalwood for pitta, and eucalyptus for kapha. Add two drops to a bath or mix a few

drops with almond, olive, or sunflower oil and massage into your skin.

Modify Your Routine You may not have the time, space, or energy for your full yoga practice, but sticking to some form of it will make you feel better. Try to meditate for a few minutes, and practise mostly standing yoga poses. By grounding your feet, you’ll automatically feel stable. Without Sun, there will be no life on Earth. Surya Namaskar (salutation to the sun) is a gesture of gratitude to the Sun – which is the reason of all life force on our planet. Surya Namaskar is a set of 12 fixed cyclic movements (asanas), which bring body, breath and mind together. Surya Namaskar postures act as a nice link between warmups and asanas and can be done

any time on an empty stomach. However, mornings are the best time. Surya Namaskar is an excellent cardiovascular workout and a good way to lose weight. Start the day with Surya Namaskar Surya Namaskar postures are energizing, meditative and relaxing. They also make the body flexible and improve blood circulation. A better blood circulation helps in prevention of hair greying, hair fall and dandruff, and also improves overall hair growth. The vital internal organs also become more functional with better blood circulation. It also benefits our skeletal and digestive system, while balancing body’s tri-doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. Children & Surya Namaskar Surya Namaskar calms the mind and helps improves 44

concentration. Today, children face a cut-throat competition and should adopt Surya Namaskar in their daily schedule as it boosts endurance power and reduces the feeling of anxiety and restlessness, especially during exams. Regular practice of Surya Namaskar gives strength and vitality to the body. For future athletes, it is the best workout. It strengthens muscles and improves the flexibility of spine and limbs. Children as young as 5-year-olds can start doing Surya Namaskar daily. Women & Surya Namaskar Surya Namaskar is a blessing for health-conscious women. It helps lose extra calories, and offers an easy and inexpensive way to be in proper shape by stretching the abdominal muscles. Regularly practising Surya Namaskar can regulate irregular menstrual cycles and

ensure easy childbirth. It helps bringing back the glow on your face, preventing onset of wrinkles. Sixth Sense & Surya Namaskar Our navel or solar plexus is said to be connected with the sun, and that’s the reason why yogis recommend Surya Namaskar practice in the morning when Vitamin D-enriched sunrays fall on the solar plexus. With regular practice, the solar plexus increases from the size of an almond to the size of a palm. This expansion of solar plexus, also known as the second brain, develops our intuitive ability and makes us more clear and focused. The contraction of the solar plexus, on the other hand, leads to depression and other negative tendencies.

Courtesy: Art of Living Center (info@artoflivingyoga.in). ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

REVIEW - BOOK

BOOKER

P R IZ E W IN N E R

total disenchantment with the world! But the disenchantment is hypnotically enchanting!! That’s the craft of László Krasznahorkai, the great inventor of new literary forms – and the winner of this year’s Man Booker Prize. It is raining. It will always be raining—comically, oppressively—in the invented world of Satantango. One morning Futaki woke to hear bells. It’s in one of the collective farms that have been closed down. Once a thriving industry, it is now a dilapidated house. Futaki sees no rational explanation for the bells, as he lies in bed with Mrs. Schmidt, a woman who is not his wife. Her husband is a farm worker currently looking after the cattle. Then suddenly there is silence. Futaki goes back to bed with Mrs. Schmidt, but is afraid to

close his eyes. The reason for Schmidt’s absence from his house is that he and another man, Kráner, are due that morning to receive eight months’ hard-earned wages. The money — it has been agreed — is to be split equally among the farm’s remaining inhabitants. But Schmidt and Kráner have privately worked out a scheme to take the money entirely for themselves, return home in secret, pack up and run away, leaving the others behind to their destitution. His early return nearly leads to the discovery of Futaki in bed with Mrs. Schmidt. Futaki manages to sneak out of the house without being noticed. Immediately he goes back to knock at the front door, as if by chance. He confronts Schmidt, and threatens to expose his defraud. Schmidt then agree to a three-way split. The embezzled wages will now be divided

between Schmidt, Kráner, and Futaki. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt and Futaki wait for dark, so that they can escape. But then the story disintegrates. Kráner’s wife comes knocking at the Schmidts’ door to announce that two men, Irimiás and Petrina, who were believed to have died two years earlier, have been seen alive and on their way back to the farm. “Irimiás is a great magician. He could turn a pile of cow shit into a mansion if he wanted to,” said Futaki. It was Irimiás who had always been able to rescue the farm from financial catastrophe. Perhaps, he can do it again, and restore the farm to its former success. In this surprising state of hope, the embezzled money is for the moment forgotten. They gather in the village bar: suddenly, resplendent with a glowing future. The bar’s owner lusts for Mrs. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

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Schmidt. He turns the heating up, trying to force her to remove more layers of clothing. Throughout the night, they keep drinking, finally performing the drunk, slow tango. Soon, they are all dead – dead asleep in the bar, where they are eventually discovered by returnees Irimiás and Petrina. In the interlude to the night of drinking, there is a tragic chapter. Esti, neglected by her mother and sisters, and bullied by her elder brother, commits suicide. Jeered by the villagers as they think she is mad, she is depressed. In a state of manic sadness and anger, she attacks and kills her cat — and then kills herself. The second part then opens with Irimiás presenting a monologue to the village’s dejected inhabitants—a distantly Communist kitsch. Moved by Esti’s death, he wants in response to once more set up a working collective—“a model economy that offers a secure existence and binds together a small band of the dispossessed”. Naturally, this will need money. Burdened with guilt at Esti’s death, the villagers give Irimiás whatever savings they possess. Then they set off for the manor, while Irimiás and Petrina, go into town, ostensibly to organize

the scheme. Irimiás, the skilful opportunist, had only come for money, but has now seen a much larger prize: Not content with stealing their money, he will impress the authorities by converting the villagers into a personal mafia of informers. Irimiás successfully concludes his scheme. The authorities, he sadly says, will not allow their project to go forward, at least for the moment. So he recommends that they should all disperse and wait for an opportune moment of regrouping— meanwhile remaining in lively communication with him. Then Irimiás files an official report on his activities to the authorities, with descriptions of each of the villagers. In the world of total emptiness, a minor figure emerges – a farm doctor. He is a recluse who, ever since work stopped on the farm, decided to spend his days observing the village inhabitants. The best he can do, in the face of the world’s inescapable disintegration, is to use his memory to fend off the sinister process of decay. He therefore vows to “watch everything very carefully and to record it all constantly, all with the aim of not missing the

smallest detail.” On the night of Irimiás and Petrina’s arrival, he stumbles out into the rain, making for the bar but becomes disoriented in the dark and wanders into the fields, then onto the road into town—where he is found the next afternoon, alive but delirious. In the novel’s final chapter, he has apparently arrived back home after a three-week absence in a hospital. As usual, he tries to resume his observations, but now there’s no one left to observe, since the villagers, following Irimiás’s orders, have left. When the doctor hears the sound of bells—the same bells that Futaki heard at the novel’s opening – the doctor cannot understand it. Puzzled, he keeps looking frustratedly out at the empty farm. There is nothing left for him to describe. Then he has a sudden illumination. He doesn’t need the villagers to be present in order to describe them. He becomes a visionary, or writer of fiction. But his excited scribbling is interrupted by the bells again. He makes his way through the rain to the chapel on the Hochmeiss estate—which Futaki had earlier ruled out as being too far away to be heard—and discovers a madman, ringing “a quite small bell…hanging in the middle of the exposed, improvised structure.” With this matter resolved, the doctor goes back home, nails his door shut, and returns to his notebook: Yes, he begins writing Satantango. This novel, it turns out, is on an endless loop. Satantango is not about the drunken dance – but the repetitive dance of existence. And Irimiás is the Satan in the novel, as the title Satantango suggests. And a minor one! “Without Kafka, I could never have written,” admits the author.

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

REVIEW - MOVIE

Jai Ho Democracy

ai Ho Democracy is a satirical movie on the country’s political system and the media’s fetish for ‘breaking news’.

An irrelevant hen, so to speak, was spotted in no- man’s land, across the LOC between India and Pakistan. A junior cook of the Indian army entered the forbidden land to claim it. Instantly, Pakistani troops opened fire. The Indians demand retaliation. News channels create a war-like situation. The government promptly appoints a committee. Then comes the problem. The ego-heads started fighting. And the hapless man is stranded in no-man’s land! For today’s news channels, anything is news. And our netas are willing to take up all non-issues, complementing the media. But sadly, a good idea is badly executed, ruining the plot.

Director : Ranjit Kapoor & Bikramjeet Singh Bhullar Language : Hindi

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

BOMBAY VELVET

ombay Velvet is one of the most stylish-looking Hindi films, its glowing cinematography and sharp detailing presenting a heady, greedy city, full of nightmares and dreams. Its performances create an eye-catching vintage world – Ranbir Kapoor smashes it as a Raj Kapoor-like Johnny Balraj. Ranbir’s melting eyes and goofy grin stay with you, as does his supple energy and suddenly steely jaw. Anushka impresses as Rosie, her wide-eyed, brittle sadness evoking Audrey Hepburn, wandering through Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Karan Johar is fun as wicked Khambata, giggling at Johnny’s English, responding to a union leader quoting ‘siddhant’ with a carelessly stylish “Who’s he?”, asking Johnny deadpan, “Rosie mein aisa kya dekha jo mujhmein nahin?” Kay Kay has a cool cop cameo while Vivaan Shah’s likeable as jolly chauffeur Tony. Bombay Velvet has rough edges, too. The film is so intensely stylized, it misses emotional pull. Certain sequences - like Johnny’s prize-fighting - feel stretched. At times, the editing simply races, without letting you feel anything, from Khambata’s jeers to Rosie’s tears, deeply enough.

Director : Anurag Kashyap

The plot also wobbles between love story, crime saga, urban legend and corruption drama. Between lovers’ fights, gun-battles and newspaper wars, you’re thinking The Godfather, Casablanca, Chicago – but you want to feel Bombay Velvet more.

Language : Hindi

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

n a bleak sun-scorched future, where the water supply is controlled by a warlord and vegetation is non-existent, the feisty Furiosa (Theron, fantastic) hopes to find redemption in her promised land, beyond the dusty dunes. She finds a partner of sorts in Max Rockatansky, more capable than mad and tougher than ever before.

MAD MAX

Fury Road is a relentless, action-packed assault, with not a seeming nanosecond to spare when it comes to crash-andburn chases involving vehicles that look like they were forged in the Devil’s own backyard. In this post-apocalyptic fable of reconstruction, Immortan (Byrne) rules from an HQ that looks like a steampunk junkie’s dream dominion. Immortan’s lackeys (War Boys) resemble zombies and are slavishly devoted to him. Max has been captured by them and is used as a blood donor for these War Boys. Furiosa, while in Immortan’s employ, goes renegade one day when she drives a supply truck to his HQ containing fuel and some ‘genetically pure’ handmaidens who are in Immortan’s harem. Two of these - Whiteley as The Splendid Angharad and Eaton as Cheedo the Fragile - are very effective. Max and Furiosa meet when an infuriated Immortan subsequently gives chase, with revenge on his mind. Tom Hardy carries on the legacy of the character famously played by Mel Gibson – the lone wolf who hallucinates about his daughter and wife. The scriptwriters would have had it easy here - there’s precious little dialogue. After all, why waste words when you can make things blow up in spectacular style?

Director : George Miller Language : English

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

NEWSLINE

Kerala, Sri Lanka to Form New Tourism Circuit Buoyed by the success of its pioneering initiatives, Kerala Tourism has taken yet another leap by extending its frontiers to Sri Lanka and forming a new tourism circuit with the island country. Navin Dissanayak, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sri Lanka, has applauded Kerala’s growth in tourism and expressed his interest in joining hands

Kerala is looking forward to develop circuits that link tourism destinations in Kerala and Sri Lanka with support from the Central government. with us for developing tourism circuits and joint promotions,” said A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Kerala. The minister, along with G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, P. I. Sheik Pareeth,

Director, Kerala Tourism and Mr. Ali Asghar Pasha, Managing Director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), had been to Sri Lanka for a two-day visit to hold discussions with the Sri Lankan tourism officials. According to A. P. Anilkumar, Kerala is looking forward to develop circuits that link tourism destinations in Kerala and Sri Lanka with support from the Central government. “The Sri Lankan team was appreciative of the high standards of Ayurveda treatment in Kerala. A high-level delegation from Sri Lankan Tourism will visit Kerala shortly for further deliberations in the identified tourism destinations and finalize steps for cooperation,” said G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, Secretary, Kerala Tourism. Joint promotional activities will be conducted by Kerala and Sri Lanka to target travellers from big source markets like China, Germany and Russia. This will help bring more tourists to both these places. “Tourist cruises linking Colombo and Kochi will be explored for this purpose. We will also make maximum use of tourism clubs and cultural exchange programmes through student exchange programmes, to promote interaction amongst the people ,” said P. I. Sheik Pareeth, Director, Kerala Tourism. ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

NEWSLINE

Bengaluru to Host PATA Travel Mart 2015 Bengaluru will host the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Travel Mart 2015. According to RV Deshpande, Karnataka minister for tourism and higher education, this is the first time the state is hosting the event in which over 160 countries are likely to participate which aims to bring together private and government agencies working in the tourism sector. He said “Karnataka has 319 tourist destinations. At the mart, we will showcase these places and the kind of opportunities available here. We hope to get investments in the sector.” The mart will also see the participation of numerous startups. Popular tourist activities such as farm visits, adventure trips, visits to coffee estates and vineyards are planned during the mart that will be organized from September 6-8. To turn the global spotlight on the state, Deshpande has requested for relaxation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules for 42 beaches and four islands, whose tourism potential is largely untapped. The tourism department is in talks with Air India and will soon begin regular flights from Bengaluru to Mysuru. “The need for air connectivity to smaller cities has always been talked about but finding MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

private players has been difficult. Deshpande added that in keeping with the perception that women tourists visiting the country are not safe; the department is mulling the appointment of tourist mitras. “They will have the power of a constable and will assist tourists,”

Minister Hints At Privatization of ITDC Hotels Eight loss-making hotels run by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) would be privatized, said Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism . He added that it would not be wise to bear the burden of these loss-making units. The minister, however, ruled out the possibility of selling off ‘The Ashok’, the flagship property of ITDC in the national capital, saying that attempts are being made to revive it and turn it into a profitable venture this year. Sharma said that eight out of the 16 hotels are not in good shape and the government proposes to disinvest it. The formal process in this regard would begin within two months, he stated. The ITDC hotels together incurred losses of about Rs. 15 crores, with The Ashok alone incurring a loss of around Rs. 13 crores in 2014-15. 53

NEWSLINE

India to Include Caravan Tourism in New Tourism Policy Indian government is likely to include Caravan tourism that mixes adventure tours with luxurious in the new tourism policy. The move comes in the wake of Kerala and Madhya Pradesh governments promoting caravan tourism and the Centre receiving suggestions to include it in the national tourism policy. The draft for the new policy was put in the public domain a few weeks ago. “Caravan tourism has a huge potential in India. We have received several suggestions for our draft policy and one of the important suggestion is on caravan tourism, which may find a place in the new tourism policy,” Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Suman Billa said. According to tourism sources, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh are promoting this tourism format. Pointing out that space would be required for creating infrastructure like camps for power chargers and water facilities, sources said safety is an important aspect that needs to be ensured while promoting caravan tourism. This apart, the Union Tourism Ministry is also fine tuning the new tourism policy with special attention on improving security for women and children in particular, they said. Asked about when the tourism policy would be finalised, an official said the draft policy would be sent to 20 other union ministries including Home

and Railways, seeking their suggestions. “After completion of this process, we would be sending it to the cabinet,” the official added. The government is coming up with a new National Tourism Policy, almost 13 years after the existing policy was formulated in 2002. The draft policy looks at promoting new tourism products including cinematic tourism and honeymoon tourism, while thrusting on seven key areas -- ‘Swagat’ (welcome), ‘Soochana’ (information), ‘Suvidha’ (facilitation), ‘Suraksha’ (safety), ‘Sahyog’ (cooperation), ‘Samrachana’ (infrastructure development) and ‘Safai’ (cleanliness).

Ministry to Offer Tourism MBA with IGNOU, IITTM The Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) in association with Ministry of Tourism is to start an MBA (Tourism) program in partnership with Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) The Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM, Ministry of Tourism, and Govt of India) will now be offering a full fledged MBA in Tourism in partnership with Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Ministry of HRD, and Govt of India. A MoU to this effect ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

NEWSLINE has been signed between IITTM and IGNTU, Amarkantak (M.P.). The Director of IITTM, Prof (Dr.) Sandeep Kulshreshtha and the Vice Chancellor of IGNTU, Prof. T.V. Kattimani exchanged the signed documents of the MoU in the presence of the Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation and Chairman, BOG-IITTM, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi today. The IITTM will now start the MBA (Tourism) program in place of the earlier PGDM course in collaboration with the National Tribal University which has a pan India presence. Secretary, Tourism, Dr. Lalit Panwar and other senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

Bhutan Aims Guinness Record With ‘Maximum Tree Plantation’

Himalayan nation of Bhutan is all about pristine natural beauty, an uncompromising traditional culture, an unwavering reverence for the monarchy and an environment that inspires spiritual as well as physical well-being. To maintain and heighten this Bhutanese are attempting to create a Guinness world record through a maximum tree plantation. Coinciding with the coronation of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Social Forestry Day, 100 Bhutanese will plant 50,000 trees in one hour on June 2, 2015. This mass tree plantation event is an attempt to beat the current world record of 40,885 trees planted by 100 heads in one hour. Participants will undergo vigorous 10day training on tree plantation technique prior to the event for proper coordination, speed and technique to beat the current record. The name of MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

the venue is Kuenselphodrang in Thimphu. This record breaking attempt, will be one of the many beautiful mementos to commemorate the 60th birth anniversary of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck the beloved 4th King. Bhutan’s pristine environment currently has around 72% forest cover, that encompasses high rugged mountains and deep valleys, offering ecosystems that are both rich and diverse. Recognizing the importance of the environment, conservation of its rich biodiversity is one of the government’s key development paradigms. In fact the Constitution of Bhutan states that “The government shall ensure that, in order to conserve the country’s natural resources and to prevent degradation of the ecosystem, a minimum of sixty percent of Bhutan’s total land shall be maintained under forest cover for all time”. Damcho Rinzim, Head, Marketing and Promotion Division, Tourism Council of Bhutan said, “Bhutan has unique geographical and climatic variations. It is one of the world’s last remaining biodiversity hotspots. The attempt to create a Guinness World Record through ‘Maximum tree plantation’ is an effort to maintain and foster the

natural beauty. We hope to succeed and create a record for something that Bhutan is known for- its exquisite beauty” It is also a tribute to our Monarchs, especially our beloved fourth king for his vision to protect our natural environment. In Bhutan taking this step of creating the record, will further endorse its vision - “To foster a vibrant industry as a positive force in the conservation of environment, promotion of cultural heritage, safeguarding sovereign status of the Nation for significantly contributing to Gross National Happiness.” 55

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLINE Dubai Green Tourism Awards Declared

#MyDubai Initiative Promotes VFR Market Dubai Tourism is uniting families across the globe and demonstrating the importance of the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) market to the Emirate. 2 Indians, Ravinder Singh from Amristar, Punjab, Assistant Restaurant Manager( Antique Bazaar) Four Points By Sheraton Bur Dubai and Hanif Kalamata, Front Office Manager at Ramada Hotel Dubai from Mangalore are 2 proud winners of this special contest, which included 11 other winners. Dubai Tourism and 11 participating hotels are hosting families from India, China, Australia, the UK, Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Venezuela, Thailand and Portugal after their family member won the #MyDubai Hotel Edition competition by sharing their individual #MyDubaistories, moments and experiences on Instagram.

As part of the Dubai Green Tourism Awards, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has recognised 10 hotels and tourism businesses in the emirate for their environmental and sustainable practices. In a special ceremony held in the Al Multaqua Ballroom of the Dubai World Trade Centre on the third day of Arabian Travel Market 2015 (ATM), Al BustanRotana took the award in the five-star category; Novotel Deira City Centre in the four-star category; Suite Novotel in the three-star category; Ibis Deira City Centre in the two-star category; Savoy Crest Hotel Apartments in the deluxe apartment category and Villa Rotana in the standard apartment category. Platinum Heritage Desert Camp was awarded in the desert camps category, and special awards went to Rose Rayhaan by Rotana for most improved sustainability practices; Regal Plaza Hotel for most innovative ideas; and Holiday Inn Al Barsha for best waste management practices. Launched in 2009, the biennial awards are held to recognise those companies within the tourism sector that have demonstrated good practices when it comes to reducing the company’s carbon footprint, in efforts to promote sustainability of the tourism industry. The main objectives of the awards are threefold: to develop guidelines that enable the tourism industry to become more sustainable; create a network on sustainability and enable sharing of best practices; and to recognise sustainability efforts and achievements within the industry.

The winners and their families came together for a farewell brunch at The H Dubai which was a chance for the visitors to share their Dubai experiences together and reflect on what they have discovered in the emirate before flying back to their home countries. Aside from enjoying four nights in the hotel at which their respective family member works, the visitors have been offered various experiences including hot air ballooning with Ballooning Adventures Emirates, a cultural experience at Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre of Understanding (SMCCU) including an Abra ride, tour of Deira and the Spice and Gold Souks and a Desert Safari experience with Platinum Heritage.

Dubai Earmarks GCC, MENA For Further Growth As source markets for visitors to Dubai, the GCC and MENA regions present significant potential for growth, despite already accounting for a combined 33 per cent of the emirate’s total tourism numbers. Speaking earlier this week on the sidelines of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ministerial Forum on Intra-Arab Tourism, His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), highlighted the importance of the two regions to Dubai’s tourism economy, and outlined key reasons why they remain central to Dubai’s plans for increasing overall visitor numbers. “Intra-Arab tourism has been of fundamental ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLINE importance to the sustained growth of Dubai’s tourism economy over the past two decades. In 2014, 22 per cent of international visitors to Dubai came from GCC markets and 11 per cent from other countries within the Middle East and North Africa. However, there is still significant potential to increase visitation, thanks to the connectivity provided by Dubai Airports and our home airlines, Emirates and flydubai, the visa policies of the United Arab Emirates, and the range of hotels, attractions and events which appeal to travellers from the regions.”

Mid-Market Hotels Gain Momentum In Dubai

Of Dubai’s 13.2m international overnight visitors in 2014, 2.98m were drawn from GCC countries – an increase of 12.4 per cent on 2013 –and 1.55m came from non-GCC countries in the MENA region – an increase of 18.1 per cent.

This year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) shows evidence of this burgeoning sector in the emirate, with a range of mid-market brands on show including the recently announced partnership between Hilton Worldwide and the UAE-based Wasl Hospitality and Leisure to introduce the mid-market Hampton by Hilton to Dubai and the Middle East. The agreement will see the opening of Hampton by HiltonDubai Al Qusais and Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Garhoud in 2017, adding more than 550 guest rooms to the inventory. Prior to this, two Hilton Garden Inn properties will open in Dubai later this year, with a third slated for opening at Mall of the Emirates in 2016.

Held on the second day of Arabian Travel Market (5 May), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ministerial Forum gathered public and private sector leaders from across the MENA region and GCC to discuss co-operation between nations to increase intra-Arab tourism. A key focus was on increasing connectivity and improving ease of travel by relaxing visa policies.

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

Dubai Tourism is uniting families across the gloAccording to the latest figures issued by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Dubai’s hotel portfolio grew during the 12 months of 2014 from 611 hotels and hotel apartments to 659 – a 7.8% growth over the course of the year. With a number of additions to the mid-market segment opening during the year, further additions to the portfolio of three and four star hotels are expected to open in the coming years as a result of incentives launched by the Government of Dubai.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE CONTEST - 87 1) Who said this “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life” ? 2) Who described the ‘1857 Uprising’ as the first Indian war of Independence ? 3) Largest forest in the world ? 4) World’s largest mall by area ? 5) Largest wine producing country in the world ? 6) Which country hosted the 2014 Elephant Polo World Championship ? 7) Which German Nobel winner in Literature died recently ? 8) Longest and highest jumper among animals compared to body size ? 9) Smallest Cat breeds in the world ? 10) Name the two contestants battled recently for the world welter weight boxing title ?

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ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015

MaY 2015 | ASIAN TRAVELLER

ASIAN TRAVELLER | May 2015