TOURISM INDIA JUNE 2015 by TOURISM INDIA

June 2015 Vol. 16 No. 02 Price: India ` 75 US$ 4.99 GBP 2.99

Promoting brand India through Yoga & Ayurveda India is all set to witness the first ever International Yoga Day on June 21st. United Nations and most of the countries across the world has already joined in the mega wellness event. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has involved personally in this initiative to propagate Yoga as a wellness tool to forge global peace and harmony. India is a leading wellness destination that wants to fully tap the potential of wellness systems, developed through centuries of wisdom. This is being done by positioning India as a centre of Ayurveda, yoga, siddha, naturopathy and spiritual philosophy, which has been integral to the Indian way of living. The Ministry of Tourism has highlighted wellness in a through publicity and promotional activities. The growth of tourism sector in the country and demand for wellness centers has led to a sudden surge in wellness centers across the country. This gave rise to the concern for quality service and standards to be followed. This is why a system of uniform accreditation, nationwide has been developed by NABH and AYUSH. The Ministry of Tourism has extended its market development assistance scheme to wellness tourism service providers including accredited wellness centers. India has a large market in preventive healthcare that is yet to be tapped and promoted. According to industry experts, MoT needs to promote wellness as a package and must differentiate it further. Sri Lanka has been given as a reference to show how it has promoted and positioned itself as a destination for Ayurveda, something that India has not being able to do despite being the birthplace of Ayurveda. Sri Lanka had a small campaign that was cohesive and effective. Simultaneously, it was felt that there is a need for synergy between the MoT, state tourism boards and private stakeholders in the wellness segment (be it tour operators, hotels/resorts, standalone spas, rejuvenating centres and so on). Through a synergy, a strong marketing communication strategy could be made based on market/private playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; suggestions. A suggestion was made to form a group or a society for wellness. This could then be guided by the ministry to create strong linkages between various trade associations and public entities at state, regional and national levels with the sole vision of creating the right environment for the wellness segment to flourish in the country. India needs to be promoted as a wellness destination and a common brand for multiple areas like yoga, Ayurveda, lifestyle, spirituality, art and culture, etc, to be all included, but have different specifications along with focus on environment protection, education and quality control, various means of Promotions and development of quality infrastructure and trained manpower. Our potential in wellness tourism is immense but the way forward is very tough. Hope this International Yoda day will be a good beginning for the ultimate aim. Ravisankar K.V. Editor

June 2015 Vol No. 16 No 02

Managing Editor Ravisankar K.V. Executive Editor Rajani A. Sub Editor Anand V. Art Editor N. Bhattathiri Layout Artist Jessy George Co-ordinator-Circulation Divya N.S Legal Advisor Adv. C.P Udhayabhanu Financial Advisor Bhadrakumar FCA

India China Pact on Tourism

Corporate Advisor Krishna prasad

18 Labour Minister met Tourism Minister

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Rail passengers with unconfirmed waitlisted tickets can now fly to their destination June 2015 Vol. 16 No. 02 Price: India ` 75 US$ 4.99 GBP 2.99

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Cover page

Yoga brings harmony & health

22 32

Yoga Beat Resonates;

Air India Felicitates Heros of Yemen Relief Operations

Yoga and its Benefits

Qatar Airways named as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Airline of the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

he Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, has given its approval to enter into an agreement between India and China for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism. The agreement has been signed during the recent visit of the Prime Minister to China. The agreement will help both countries in creating an institutional mechanism for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector. The main objectives of this agreement, amongst other things, are: i. To expand bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector.

ii. To exchange information and data related to tourism. iii. To encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders including hotels and tour operators. iv. To establish exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resource Development. v. To invest in the tourism and hospitality sectors. vi. To participate in travel fairs / exhibitions in each other’s country. vii. To promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism. India China Agreement for Tourism

High Level delegation headed by Mr. Chen Wu, Governor of Guangxi calls on Tourism and Culture Minister, Dr. Mahesh Sharma A high level delegation headed by Mr. Chen Wu, Governor of Guangxi Autonomous Region of China met the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi. The agenda of the meeting was to promote tourism between India and Guangxi, China. The other members of Chinese delegation included Mr. Mo Gongming, SecretaryGeneral of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region and Yao Jing, Minister Counselor, Embassy of China and senior officials of Tourism of Guangxi among others. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that the meeting is a great occasion. The bilateral relations of India with various countries have reached a new height after the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister to various countries and this is expected to give a big boost to tourism in the country, he added. India’s ranking in WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, 2015 has also moved up to 52nd this year from 65th position in 2013. India Drhas

Mahesh Sharma

Dr. Mahesh Shrama made serious efforts in many areas including improving infrastructure, safety and security and cleanliness to promote tourism. Also, this year is being observed as a Visit India Year in China. All these developments should encourage the people from China to visit India for tourism purpose, the Minister added. India will be happy to host the tour and travel operators of China to India during the Visit India Year in 2016, to explore the potential of India as a tourist destination as well as promote the tourist destinations of China. The Minister said that there is a huge gap between the inbound and outbound tourist flow between India and China.

Last year 6, 76,000 Indians have visited China, while only 1, 74,000 Chinese had visited India in the same year, which shows a huge gap between inbound and outbound tourist flow between the two countries. Dr Mahesh Sharma also mentioned that India is in the process of developing various circuits out of which Buddhist Circuit and Himalayan Circuit can be of great interest to the Chinese tourists who can visit India. India is also organising an exhibition of contemporary art in Shanghai in November this year. By taking such initiatives, both countries can promote cultural ties to help boost the growth of tourism, the Minister explained. Mr. Chen Wu, Governor, Guangxi, China said

that they will make efforts to promote the Chinese tourist flow to India. He said that Guangxi is a beautiful region with a unique natural beauty and an interesting coastline. He requested Tourism Minister of India, Dr Mahesh Sharma to work towards promoting tourism to Guangxi. He also mentioned that The Tourism Expo is also being organised on 29th May this year in Guilin, which can provide India a platform to promote tourism. Dr Mahesh Sharma said that the Government will surely put Guangxi on the tourist map and help promote tourism to the region. The Minister said India values its relations with China since both countries share a long history of tradition in the world. China is also a good example of preservation of its natural resources and beauty and can act as a role model for India, he added. Dr Lalit Panwar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and other senior officials of Ministry of Tourism were also present in the meeting. 13

ate 6 – 8 September 2015, Bengaluru Venue: Bangalore International Exhibition Centre The State Government of Karnataka, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India is hosting the 2015 edition of the prestigious ‘Pacific Asia Travel Association Travel Mart’ in Bengaluru from September 06 – 08, 2015. Held annually in September, then 38th edition of PATA Travel Mart will be held at Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC). PTM attracts more than 1000 delegates from over 14

60 countries for three day event, facilities over 10,000 pre-matched appointments and bringing together qualified international buyers and sellers for face-to-face meetings, educational forums and networking functions. Hosting the ‘PATA Travel Mart’ in Bengaluru is one of Govt. of Karnataka’s efforts to bring the attractions of ‘Karnataka’ into a global limelight. Karnataka will showcase its glorious range of tourism attractions such as the

UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Architectural marvels and monuments, cultural pursuits of the state and other tourism products to a global audience. Bengaluru is a city of contrasts, going by several aliases: India’s Silicon Valley, Pub City, Shopper’s Paradise, Garden City, Air-Conditioned City, and Gourmet’s delight. The city not only plays host to several international IT companies, reputed educational and research institutions, public sector enterprises and defense organizations, but also lays claim to being the hub of India’s emerging biotech industry. The event will also showcase the city as a leading destination to host International events as well. Addressing the Press Meet Mr. RV Deshpande, Minister for Higher Education & Tourism Govt. of Karnataka said “It is a great opportunity for Karnataka to host PATA 2015 event in Bengaluru, Silicon Valley of India. I am sure every delegate would enjoy their stay in Bengaluru and will have an oppor-

tunity to visit wonderful tourist spots in Karnataka. The State has so much to offer be it heritage, wild life, beaches, hill stations and temples. I am sure this event will bring Bengaluru on the global map of Travel and Tour Industry. I take this opportunity to welcome all the delegates to this beautiful garden city.” PATA Travel Mart (PTM) is the Associations’ signature event and Asia Pacific’s premier travel trade show, featuring unparalleled networking and contacting opportunities to help travel and tourism organizations access decision makers, meet new clients, expand

their network and build or maintain existing relationships. Prior to the PATA Travel Mart, registered buyers and sellers are invited to attend the PATA Travel Technology

Forum on Sunday 6th September. The Travel Technology Forum will allow delegates to network and learn from highly experienced industry leaders in the travel, tourism and hospitity.

(i) North East Circuit (ii) Buddhist Circuit (iii) Himalayan Circuit (iv) Coastal Circuit (v) Krishna Circuit Under PRASAD, initially twelve cities have been

identified namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kedarnath, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni.

nder the Scheme of Swadesh Darshan of Ministry of Tourism, an amount of Rs. 50 crore has already been sanctioned under the Northeast Circuit for a project in Arunachal Pradesh i.e., Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Tawang. Under Swadesh Darshan, the following five circuits have been identified for development:-

TAs during JanuaryApril, 2015 grow by 2.7% over FTAs during January-April, 2014 Ministry of Tourism compiles monthly estimates of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) on the basis of Nationality-wise, Port-wise data received from Bureau of Immigration (BOI) and Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism on the basis of data available from Reserve Bank of India. The following are the important highlights regarding FTAs and FEEs from tourism during the month of April 2015.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs):

 FFTAs during the Month

of April 2015 were 5.40 lakh as compared to FTAs of 5.37 lakh during the month of April 2014 and 4.51 lakh in April 2013. There has been a growth of 0.5% in April 2015 over April 2014.

 FTAs during the period

January- April 2015 were 28.21 lakh with a growth of 2.7%, as compared to the FTAs of 27.47 lakh in JanuaryApril 2014.

 The

Percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during April 2015 among the top 15 source countries was highest from Bangladesh (15.66%), followed by USA (12.55%), UK (10.32%) Sri Lanka (3.99%), Malaysia (3.27%), Australia (3.14%), France (2.95%), Germany (2.95%), Japan (2.91%), China (2.88%), Canada (2.72%), Singapore (1.89%) Pakistan (1.83%), Nepal (1.82%) and Russian Fed.

(1.75%) . These top 15 countries account for 70.63% of total FTAs during April 2015.

 The

Percentage share of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during April 2015 among the top 15 ports was highest at Delhi Airport (30.35%) followed by Mumbai Airport (17.79%), Haridaspur Land check post (8.71%), Chennai Airport (8.50%), Bengaluru Airport (6.50%), Kolkata Airport (3.86%),Cochin Airport (3.76%), Hyderabad Airport (2.89%), Gede Rail (1.90%), Goa Airport (1.72%), Trivandrum Airport (1.69%), Ahmedabad Airport (1.44%), Tiruchirapalli Airport (1.32%),

Ghojadanga Airport (1.21%) and Attari Wagha (1.15%). These top 15 ports account for 92.79% of total FTAs during April 2015. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from Tourism in India in rupee terms and in US$ terms

pared to the FEE of Rs. 41,118 crore during January- April 2014.

 FEEs in US$ terms dur-

ing the month of April 2015 were US$ 1.505 billion as compared to FEEs of US$ 1.431 billion during the month of April 2014.

 The growth rate in FEEs  FEEs during the month in US$ terms in April of April 2015 were Rs. 9,438 crore as compared to Rs. 8,645 crore in April 2014.

 The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms during April 2015 over April 2014 was 9.2%.

 FEEs

from tourism in rupee terms in January- April 2015 were Rs. 42,474 crore with a growth of 3.3% as com-

2015 over April 2014 was 5.2%.

 FEEs

from tourism in US$ terms during January- April 2015 were US$ 6.815 billion with a growth of 2.0% as compared to the US$ 6.684 billion with a decline of 4.2% during JanuaryApril 2014 over January- April 2013.

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he Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) and MP from Telangana, Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya met the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in New Delhi recently to discuss about the prospects of promoting tourism in the state of Telangana. Mr. Dattatreya was accompanied by Chairman of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC), Mr. Pervaram Ramulu. In the meeting, they discussed the potential of promoting tourism in the newly created State of Telengana. Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya said that there

is a lot of potential in Telengana for the development of Tourism sector. Telengana has a rich and unique identity of possessing a traditional tribal culture. This tribal belt extends for nearly two hundred kilometres between Nagarjunasagar Dam and Srisailam, he explained. These tribes and their rich ethnic art, culture and traditions can help to promote tourism in the region. Mr Ramulu explained that Telengana is also known for the tiger reserves and wildlife especially in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). Appreciating Mr. Dattatreyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views, Dr. Mahesh Sharma agreed that the state of

Telangana should be extended all possible help to promote tourism which will also help generate income and employment for the local people. He also said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has also been laying emphasis on the State of Telengana for looking at possibilities of developing it with a new vision. The Tourism Ministry will make all efforts to ensure that Telengana is developed as a tourist destination and its potential will be explored very soon, Dr Mahesh Sharma added. Dr Lalit Panwar, Secretary, Tourism, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism were also present in the meeting.

iraamaya Retreats, the luxury wellness and leisure destination launched “A Taste of Kerala”, a unique recipe book featuring traditional dishes from the state. The recipe book was launched at the Relais & Châteaux Indian Subcontinent Delegation meeting held at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam. Established in France in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of the world’s finest hotels and gourmet restaurants, a family of Hoteliers and Grand Chefs. The book was released by Mr. Arnaud Wielgus Global Director, Relais & Châteaux in the presence of Ms. Cristina Tang, Director - Asia, Relais & Châteaux and Mr. Joerg Dreschel, Chairman of the Asian chapter at Relais & Châteaux and the other members of the Indian Subcontinent Delegation. Niraamaya Retreats has attempted to capture and showcase timeless regional tastes that have been passed down through many generations in the form of A Taste of Kerala

for the global audience. This glossy production is an amalgamation of authentic recipes from the kitchens of Niraamaya Retreats, and presents some of the native flavours of the region with articulate, easy to follow content and stunning visuals. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Manu Rishi Guptha, CEO, Niraamaya Retreats said, “Niraamaya Retreats has been the custodian of traditional regional gastronomy of Kerala and is delighted to offer “A Taste of Kerala” targeted towards global food connoisseurs who appreciate regional flavours while on their world travels. All recipes in this book, perfected over the last decade, have been simplified for home cooks. As wellness resonates across all that we do, this is mindfully included in the book as well.” “A Taste of Kerala” presents traditional recipes of Kerala’s regional gastronomic experiences. Hand-picked by Chef Prakash Nayak of Niraamaya Retreats the recipes are specially curated for their

uniqueness, in terms of taste, flavour and authenticity. The regional recipe book explains several of Niraamaya Retreats guest’s favourite dishes with emphasis being on cooking for the home kitchen. Showcasing the diverse culinary influences of the state, well known dishes like the Malabar Fish Curry, Travancore King Fish Curry and Avial as well as innovative ones with a contemporary twist like the Squid Pepper, Hibiscus Granita and Coconut Vanilla Crème Renversée are featured in the book. It also features the signature dishes of Niraamaya Retreats like the simple but wholesome, Niraamaya Kichidi - an Ayurvedic comfort food that is detoxifying and calming. Gastronomy at Niraamaya Retreats amply resonates the concept of wellness and hence the book is interspersed with snippets of nutrition guidance on ingredients and some tried and tested home remedies. 19

RCTC ties up with GoAir, Spicejet airlines Unable to travel in a train because your waitlisted ticket could not get confirmed? Don’t abort your trip as you have now the option to fly to your destination at a competitive fare, courtesy an initiative of IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) which has tied up with Go Air and Spicejet airlines for the benefit of its patrons.

Under the arrangement, IRCTC sends a mail to all waitlisted passengers booked through its website after the reservation chart of a train has been prepared. For availing the facility, the date of ticket booking has to be three days prior to the date of journey. Explaining, an IRCTC official said the name of the passenger has to be same while the date of flight booking has to be 20

the same day (date of original train journey or the day after),” he pointed out. “The passenger may cancel the train ticket and try for air ticket through w w w . a i r. i r c t c . co.in for a sector in which the flight and seats are available. The facility is available on only those train routes that are also served by airlines,” he added. The official said the price of flight ticket is lower than the dynamically priced air fare of the day for the particular airlines. “Go Air has tied up with us while Spicejet is yet to pass on its inventory. Talks are on with other airlines as well,” he added. The innovative facility for waitlisted passengers, which was introduced recently, has started getting a good response. Around 100 tickets were sold last month. “An important feature of IRCTC’s tie-ups with the airlines is that passengers

will not have to pay dynamically priced air fares. On the contrary, fares would be incremental and competitive by even 30-40 per cent as compared to the prevailing spot prices. However, sectors and seats are limited; hence

bookings are on first come first serve basis,” he pointed out. The arrangement could be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders. It will help reduce the waiting lists for train tickets; airlines will be able to find customers for their unsold tickets, especially during the off-season, by placing them on the IRCTC website. As for the waitlisted passengers, they may be able to buy air tickets cheaper for their journey. A ‘mini Ratna’ PSU of Indian Railways, the 1999-founded IRCTC handles the catering, tourism and online ticketing operations.

ourism Minister announces financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for development of tourism in Nellore district over next five years. The Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma visited the Indian Institute of Travel & Tourism in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh recently. On the occasion of his visit, the Union Minister announced a sum of Rs 50 crore for the development of tourism in Nellore over the next five years. Dr Mahesh Sharma said India is a country known for its hospitality; and its visitorfriendly traditions, varied

life styles and cultural heritage and colorful fairs and festivals hold great attraction for the tourists. The Minister also said that domestic tourism is as old as the Indian society. According to available statistics, domestic tourism has grown substantially during the last one decade. Some of the recent initiatives taken by the Government to boost tourism are the best examples of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication towards tourism and culture, he added. Dr. Sharma said that the Central Government has been giving funds for a number of Tourism related projects in the state of Andhra Pradesh and is will continue to provide as-

sistance in the future too. The Union government gave financial assistance to the tune of Rs ten lakh for organizing Flamingo festival in Nellore district; Dr. Sharma said. Similarly, development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World Class coastal and Eco Tourism Circuit in Andhra Pradesh is also being supported under the new Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism. A sum of Rs 10811 lakh has been sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Tourism for 13 projects during the year 201415 to the state of Andhra Pradesh. A sum of Rs 1253.4 lakh was released for these projects during the year 2014-15. 21

Feature on Yoga Day

Neeraj Bajpai

ndia is all set to carve out a niche in annals of history on June 21 by holding the biggest-ever open air yoga camp with maximum number of international community members on the sprawling lawns of Rajpath. Official machinery is working overtime to impart final touches to the strategy to ensure influx of volunteers at the venue by 0600 hrs sharp irrespective of any hindrance- premonsoon showers, security hazards, transportation hiccups, check ups at the entry points. All eyes will be riveted towards India, basking in the glory of prevailing on the United Nations to celebrate June 21 as World Yoga day, as the international community looks towards New Delhi show following the country’s expertise in the age old science of yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent interview to UNI it should be matter of pride for any Indian that India proposed be22

fore UN the idea of the International Yoga Day. The proposal was supported by as many as 177 countries for the first time in the history of UNO (United Nations Organisation) and the resolution is passed within 100 days. Mr Modi, in his first year in office, addressed the 69th session of UNGA on September 27, 2014 and urged the international community to celebrate Yoga day. On December 11, the 193-member UNGA approved the proposal by consensus with a record 177 countries, including 47 Muslim nation co-sponsors, clearing a resolution to establish June 21 as ‘International Yoga Day.’ People in 176 countries are expected to join the session by replicating the movements. Indian Missions abroad are coordinating rehearsals. More than 250 cities across six continents in the world will perform Yoga to mark the first International Yoga day, with Mr Modi leading the nation, along with 35,000 yogis at Raj-

path and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj representing India at the UN in New York. Ms Swaraj says Indians across 650 districts and 192 out of 193 countries of the globe will take part in Yoga events being planned to celebrate the Day, with Yemen being the only exception because of war situation. “Our embassy has been shifted to Dijbouti from Yemen and this is the reason that we have left out only one country,” Ms Swaraj said. “The Prime Minister will not perform Yoga,” Ms Swaraj said, adding that he will make a graceful presence during the function at Rajpath, where the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate will turn into a Yoga mat. More than 7,000 copies of coffee table books and 19,000 reference books on Yoga have been sent to Indian Missions abroad. Sources have indicated that about 30,000 volunteers, including disciples of the dozens of Yoga gurus, will descend on the Rajpath lawns to take part in the day. Tightest ever

security paraphernalia will be mounted with air cover by the Indian Air Force to thwart any disruptive design. Security, sources said, will be on lines of the Republic day and Independence day celebrations. Tight vigil is being mounted at airports, railway stations ,bus stations and other crowded areas. Mr Modi’s entire cabinet is likely to take part in the mega session, expected to be attended by celebrities , school children, politicians, bureaucrats and ‘Aam Aadmi.’ Bollywood personalities, known for their yoga exercises, are expected to take part in the mega show. Teeming multitude of people will do a 35-minute session of 15 Asanas at the Rajpath. The event has been registered in the Guinness book of records , under the largest yoga demonstration /45000 at a single venue. The record book officials are closely monitoring developments as the event may eclipse previous records participation in such event and biggest assembly in a single yoga class. The record was held by Kanyakumari-based NGO, the Vivekanand Kendra at Jiwaji University, Gwalior,on November 19,2005. There were 29,973 participants.

Guinness Book of records has set a benchmark of 50 nations participation for another record, and authorities feel this feat would be accomplished as close to 45 have already confirmed the participation. Adjuduicators will be present at the site to oversee the turnouts. According to officials of the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH ) are trying to create records but rules are stringent. The officials say the biggest challenge is to ensure the turnout much before 0600 hrs. Guinness book of records panelists are insistent on the fact that every entry should be bar coded and decoded. The event takes off at 6.45 am for 35 minutes with crisp 15 popular asans . A large Led screen will be put in place to highlight motions of various exercises which include Muktasana, Makarasana, Kapalbhati, Pranayam, and meditation. The Programme starts with Rigveda invocation. Similar events are being

organised in various cities in different countries including Beijing, Budapest, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Port Louis, Paris, Jakarta, Berlin, Dublin, Tallinn and Bogota. UNI correspondents have found that the IYD (International Yoga day) is spreading across the

PM says every Indian proud of Yoga Day on June 21

Feature on Yoga Day

country and at most of the places, preparations are underway for the day. Even in mofussil places, message is loud and clear to observe the day. Locals in NCR region said they would observe with festive fervour and gaiety with no political strings attached. Many were of the firm opinion that the government must ensure that no coercive tactics are used for participation in Yoga program me . They linked it with religious sentiments, but people in general have rubbished grotesque comments . “Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body: throught and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well being,” Mr Modi told UNGA, setting the tone for the international day proposal. Yoga is widely considered as an “immortal cultural outcome” of the Indus Sarsawati Valley civilization –dating back to 2700 BC –and has proven itself to cater to both material and spiritual uplift of humanity. A number of seals and fossil remains of Indus Sarsawati Valley civilization with yogic motifs and figures performing yoga sadhana suggest the presence of yoga in ancient India. 24

Dr. H.R. Keshavamurthy *

ndia is set to celebrate International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2015 to highlight the importance, relevance and usefulness of this ancient Indian technique to the overall benefit of mankind. On December 11, 2014, the 193 member UN General Assembly approved observation of 21 June as “International Day of Yoga” by consensus with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring the resolution. It is a great opportunity for all of us to explore ways and means of propagating this knowledge through multi-

ple strategies. It all started when the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi while addressing the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014 extolled the delegates to adopt Yoga. “Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves,

the world and Nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day”, he said.

What is Yoga

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science for healthy living. The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word yoga is “to add”, “to join”, “to unite”, or “to attach” is derived from the root yuj. In the context of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the root yuj samādhau (to concentrate) is considered by traditional commentators as the correct etymology. The ultimate goal of Yoga is moksha (liberation) though the exact definition of what form this takes depends on the philosophical or theological system with which it is linked. Apart from the spiritual goals, the physical postures of yoga are used to allevi-

ate health problems, reduce stress and make the spine supple in contemporary times. Yoga is also used as a complete exercise program and physical therapy routine. The aim of Yoga practice (sādhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony. The science of Yoga has its origin thousands o f years

ago, long before the first religion or belief systems were born. Yoga is widely considered as an outcome of the Indus Valley Civilisation – dating back to 2700 BC – and has proven itself to cater to both material and spiritual uplift of humanity. Though Yoga was practiced in the pre-Vedic period, the great sage Patanjali systematised and codified the then existing Yogic practices, its meaning and its related knowledge through Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. After Patanjali, many sages and Yoga masters contributed greatly for the preservation and development of the field through well documented practices and literature. In early 11th century, the Persian scholar Al Biruni visited India, lived for 16 years and translated several significant Sanskrit works into Arabic and Persian languages. One of these was Patanjali’s Yogasutras. Al Biruni’s translation preserved many of the core themes of Patañjali’s Yoga

philosophy, but certain sutras and analytical commentaries were restated. Al Biruni’s version of Yoga Sutras reached Persia and Arabian peninsula by about 1050 AD. Yoga has spread all over the world by the teachings of eminent Yoga masters from ancient times to the present date. Today, everybody has conviction

Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga where we utilise the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we utilise the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy(breath or pran). Each system of Yoga we

about Yoga practices towards the prevention of disease, maintenance and promotion of health. Millions and millions of people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of Yoga and the practice of Yoga is blossoming and growing more vibrant with each passing day.

practice falls within the gamut of one or more of these categories.

Yoga sadhanas

The widely practiced Yoga sadhanas are: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānāyāma, Pratyāhara, Dhārana, Dhyāna, Samādhi, Bandhas and

Mudras, Shatkarmas, Yuktāhāra, Mantra-japa, Yukta-karma etc. Yamas are restraints and Niyamas are observances. These are considered to be pre-requisites for further Yogic practices. Āsanas, capable of bringing about stability of body and mind, “kuryat-tadasanam-sthairyam”, involve adopting various psychophysical body patterns and giving one an ability to maintain a body position (a stable awareness of one’s structural existence) for a considerable length of time. Prānāyāma consists of developing awareness of one’s breathing followed by willful regulation of respiration as the functional or vital basis of one’s existence. It helps in developing awareness of one’s mind and helps to establish control over the mind. In the initial stages, this is done by developing awareness of the “flow of in-breath and out-breath” (svāsa-prasvāsa) through nostrils, mouth and other body openings, its internal and external pathways and destinations.

General Guidelines for Yoga Practice

A Yoga practitioner should follow the guiding principles while performing Yogic practices:  Cleanliness - includes cleanliness of surroundings, body and mind.  Yogic practice should be performed in a calm and quiet atmosphere with a relaxed body and mind.  Yogic practice should be done on an empty stomach or light stomach. Consume small amount of honey in lukewarm water if you feel weak. •  Bladder and bowels should be empty before starting Yogic practices. •  A mattress, Yoga mat should be used for the practice. •  Light and comfortable cotton clothes are preferred to facilitate easy movement of the body.  Yoga should not be performed in state of exhaustion, illness, in a hurry or in acute stress conditions.  In case of chronic disease/ pain/ cardiac



 



problems, a physician or a Yoga therapist should be consulted prior to performing Yogic practices. Yoga experts should be consulted before doing Yogic practices during pregnancy and menstruation• Breathing should be always through the nostrils unless instructed otherwise. Do not hold body tightly, or jerk the body at any point of time. It takes some time to get good results, so persistent and regular practice is very essential. Yoga session should end with meditation/ deep silence / Śhānti patha. Bath may be taken only after20-30 minutes of practice.

 Food may be consumed

only after 20-30 minutes of practice.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is essentially a path to liberation from all bondage. However, medical research in recent years has uncovered many physical and mental benefits that Yoga offers, corroborating the experiences of millions of practitioners. A small sampling of research shows that Yoga is beneficial for physical fitness, musculoskeletal functioning and cardio-vascular health. It is beneficial in the management of diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension, hypotension and many life style related disorders. Yoga helps to reduce depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders and stress. Yoga regulates menopausal symptoms. In essence, Yoga is a process of creating a body and mind that are stepping-stones, not hurdles, to an exuberant and fulfilling life. The benefits of Yoga in physi-

Feature on Yoga Day

cal and mental well being of the people have been quite established. Incorporating Yoga in to the curriculum of medical education is a much needed intervention. In the context of increasing life-style related health problems, and rising cost of curative treatment, the conventional curriculum guided by Western medicine is no more compatible. Even considering the amount of stress generated among medical and health professionals, Yoga appears to be the only ray of hope for facing the enormous challenges. Every medical college should therefore seriously think in terms of introducing Yoga for the faculty as well as students for disease prevention and health promotion. Some can specialize in therapeutic uses of Yoga. To conclude, Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing Yoga for the health of the world population. Yoga also brings harmony in all walks of life and thus, is known for disease prevention, health promotion and management of many lifestyle-related disorders. *Dr.H.R.Keshavamurthy is the Director of Press Information Bureau, Kolkata. 28

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev *

normally never talk about the benefits of yoga, because I consider all the greatest benefits as the side effects of yoga. People may initially come for yoga because it offers a variety of health benefits and a way to become free from stress.

Physical and mental benefits are definitely there â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one can experience remarkable changes within their physicality and their mentality. There are many people who have come out of their chronic ailments quite miraculously. There are definitely benefits in terms of being peaceful, joyful and healthy, but

that is not the essential nature of what it is. The real thing about yoga is that it makes your experience of life so large and all-inclusive that instead of being an individual, you become a universal process. You will see it will yield phenomenal results. When the physical dimensions of yoga were first taught, it was expounded as to how to align this human system to the cosmic geometry. We are looking at the geometry of creation. If you get the geometry right, if it is all perfectly aligned, all the friction is taken off. Internal friction means you are working against yourself; you are an issue by yourself. When you are an issue by yourself, what other issue can you handle? Everything is stressful. You should not be an issue in your life. If you have other issues, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deal with it. There are many other challenges in the world. The more activity you take on, the more challenges will happen endlessly. But your own body, mind, emotions, energy should not be stumbling blocks in your life. If these are properly aligned, suddenly this body and this mind can do things that you have not thought possible in your wildest dreams. Suddenly people think you are superhuman. If you are aligned with the geometry â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether it is business, home, love, war, whatever it may be, you will do it with a certain level of efficiency and competence. This is because in a most essential way, somehow either consciously or unconsciously, you found the geometry of that. On the surface it 29

may look like understanding, but in a most fundamental way it is the geometry of the existence. Somewhere you hit it off by getting the right geometry. Yoga means the mechanics of life. Understanding how this human mechanism is made and how to use it in a way that it moves towards freedom, not towards entanglement. Now, how to hold the body? Just learning to hold the body right is not a simple thing. You remember in the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when you got a television in your home, there was an aluminum antenna on top of your house. If it is aligned properly, the whole world pours into your sitting room because you got it into the right position. Similarly, this body has a tremendous capability. If you hold it right, you can download the whole cosmos. This is yoga. The word yoga means union. Union means the distinction is gone between what is individual and what is universal. There is no individual and there is no universal, everything has become you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that means you are in yoga. Not because you imagined something, but because you perceived. Perception will 30

happen only if you are in the right way, otherwise it will not happen. Learning to hold this body right is like adjusting your antenna – if you hold this right, the whole existence pours into you. It is a tremendous instrument of perception.

The Benefits of Yoga in one’s life:

Yoga does not mean doing a particular practice or twisting your body. Yoga means any method that you use to reach your higher nature. The technology that you use is referred to as yoga. Why yoga is needed in one’s life? Of course there are physical benefits. This can do many things to a person, including improving their health and making the body more flexible. But with a healthy body you can still be a mess in your life. There are more people on this planet healthy and miserable than unhealthy and miserable. At least if you have a disease, you have a good excuse, which most people do not even have. With yoga, health, physical and mental wellbeing will happen for a person. People can find quite miraculous health benefits by doing simple processes of yoga, but that still does not fix life. As long as you exist here not knowing all the dimensions of what this

human being is, you will live a very limited life full of struggle. Once you come into this world with a human body and intelligence, you are capable of exploring all the dimensions of what this life has to offer. If that is not done, then the being suffers because it has been restricted to physicality; it has not experienced the other dimensions of what it is. This is the nature of life. The moment you restrict it, it struggles. Today, string theory and modern science is talking about eleven dimensions to life. In the yogic systems we have always been talking about twenty-one dimensions to life. If you can do so much with just the three dimensions that are available to you right now, if you had twenty-one dimensions, you would have enormous freedom with life. You would handle your life with so much ease because all the dimensions are alive and within your experience. The real thing about yoga is, it makes you all inclusive. It makes your experience of life so large and all inclusive that instead of being an individual you become a universal process, which is a fundamental longing in every human being. Wherever you may be, you want to be something more than what you are right now. It

does not matter whether you think you are at the peak or at the bottom, still you want to be little more than what you are right now. If that little more happens, you want to be a little more and little more. What is it that you are seeking? You are seeking boundless expansion. This boundless expansion can never happen through physical means. Physical means a defined boundary. If you remove the boundary, there is no physical. This boundlessness becomes a possibility only if a dimension beyond the physical becomes a living reality with you. If a dimension beyond the physical is constantly there in your experience, then you are free from the physicality and you are free from the very process of life and death because all these are subject to the physical. Freedom means what? To be boundless and boundless can never be physical. The whole process is aimed towards bringing and maintaining an experience beyond the physical within you. Once you are in touch with it, instead of being just a piece of creation, you are becoming a creator of your life. **** *Sadhguru is a prominent yogi and a spiritual leader. The views expressed in the article are that of the author. 31

ir India, felicitated the employees who took part in the recent relief operations in Yemen. Around 50 employees were presented a shield and cash award each in recognition of their efforts, by Mr. P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Minister for Civil Aviation, at a ceremony in New Delhi today. The list of recipients includes around 100 more employees, who could not be present due to operational requirements. Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Tourism and Culture and Mr. V.Somasundaran, Secretary Civil Aviation was also present. From April 3-9 and on 14, Air India operated a total of 19 flights between

Djibouti and Sana’a to bring out 3614 evacuees out of Sana’a. Of these, 682 were foreigners and 2932 Indian nationals. 6 A321 and 6 B777 flights were operated from Djibouti to Kochi and Mumbai. Air India evacuated more than 50% of the total evacuees. Welcoming the guests, Mr. Rohit Nandan, CMD, Air India said the airline has carried out many rescue operations in the past, but this was, by far, the most complicated operation. “I salute these employees who went out of their way in a live war zone to bring out Indians stranded on a foreign land,” he said. He thanked the Ministers for External Affairs who provided “guidance, support,

planning and inspiration during the difficult operation.” Addressing the audience, Mr. Raju applauded the team for being “not unmindful” but rather “being conscious of the danger”. “It is for the first time that I have heard other nations requesting India to assist in evacuating their nationals,” he added. “You have done us proud and I am confident that whenever the country needs the services of an Air Indian, you will be available.” “You have brought laurels to our country,” said Dr Mahesh Sharma, adding that “we need to appreciate such efforts. Appreciation is a great motivator.”

ew uniform for the Air India crews is set to be launched by the end of this month. By the end of this month, the national carrierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crewmembers will have exchanged their trademark red, white and black outfits for mustard ensembles designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology and developed at the cost of Rs 8 crore. It should be noted that the proposal for new uniforms came up in early 2014, and a tender was issued in July 2014. While the uniforms were to be introduced by October last year, Air India is finally making the change now. An official letter dated March 4 -day stated that the distribution will commence for crewmembers in Delhi and Mumbai on March 5 and 10 for women and men respectively, who will don the new uniforms on March 28. The letter further stated that initially the female cabin crew would be issued with two sarees and four blouse material pieces, while the male cabin

crew would be issued shirt/trouser material and ties. The uniform will be distributed to the staff as and when the material maintenance department

of the airline receives supply from the vendor. A senior official said that the uniforms would be revealed to the board of directors on March 9, with a fashion show of sorts, wherein select crewmembers will don the uniforms and walk the ramp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Air India is having a trial display of the uniform on Monday. The airline is bringing in a DJ from Hyderabad and is paying him R2.5 lakh,â&#x20AC;? said the official. Despite attempts to contact the airline, the spokesperson was not available for comment. 33

irAsia X, an affiliate of the AirAsia Group, has successfully completed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), the benchmark for global safety management in airlines. The airline joined IATA’s IOSA Registry on 16th April 2015. Co-Founder and Group CEO of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes said, “This registration is a major milestone for the AirAsia Group. We started working towards the IOSA audit process at the end of 2012 and I am excited to announce that AirAsia X is the first airline in the group to be registered. The rest of the airlines across the group, namely AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines, AirAsia India, AirAsia X Thailand and AirAsia X Indonesia are also in the midst of the preparation process and we are committed to getting all of our airlines through the 34

audit process.” Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Co-Founder and Group CEO of AirAsia X said, “Safety is a core value that we at AirAsia X are committed to. Participating in the IOSA registration audit is a natural extension to this commitment. We are very pleased to receive the IOSA registration and it’s a very proud moment for us to have demonstrated that AirAsia X operates according to the most stringent standards in the industry.” The IOSA Audit covers eight functional and operational areas of AirAsia X Berhad namely; Organization and Management System, Flight Operations, Operational Control and Flight Dispatch, Aircraft Engineering &

Maintenance, Cabin Operations, Ground Handling Operations, Cargo Operations and Security Management. Acting CEO of AirAsia X, Benyamin Ismail said, “This was an accomplishment made possible by the hard work and synergy of our All-stars from various departments who worked tirelessly for the past 14 months in preparing, reviewing and improving all of our operational processes and implementation. Not only has this allowed us to meet the required standards, it has also allowed us to further strengthen the safety and efficiency of the organization.” IATA’s Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to access the operational management and control systems of an airline.

ive–star Airline to showcase three new fleet types which the airline introduced over the last 12 months, the A380, A350 XWB and the all Business Class A319 Qatar Airways will also showcase the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A320 featuring this aircraft’s all-new Business Class cabin with fully lieflat beds Qatar Airways is preparing to showcase the newest and best of its fleet with a display of five aircraft at the 2015 Paris Air Show, which takes place next month at Le Bourget in Paris. With bespoke, highlycustomised interiors, the

airline’s new range of aircraft will undoubtedly be the talk of the show, in particular the Airbus A380 and A350 XWB, both of which entered service for the airline recently, with Qatar Airways receiving the A350 as Global Launch Customer. The A350 XWB, which entered service in January and now flies double-daily to Frankfurt and daily to Munich from October this year, is also being rolled out across three daily services to Singapore this summer, and will prove popular with aviation enthusiasts visiting the show, as Qatar Airways remains the only airline in the world flying this next

generation aircraft. The 517-seat A380 superjumbo comprising of First, Business and Economy Class over two decks, is the largest passenger jet in the world, and currently flies to Bangkok, Paris and London from Doha in the State of Qatar. The new First Class A380 seat features a 90-inch seat pitch, transforms into a fully flat bed and has up to 2,000 entertainment options displayed on individual 26-inch television screens. Overall, Qatar Airways will have on display at the Paris Air Show an Airbus A380, A350, A320, A319 and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

atar Airways has been honoured with three of the top aviation accolades at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, winning Airline of the Year for a third time a major accomplishment for an airline to reach multiple times. In addition to the Airline of the Year award, the airline also collected two other awards: Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which Qatar Airways has won for the eighth time. The top 10 airlines - in

alphabetical order - were: ANA, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA, Garuda Indonesia, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines. (Skytrax has yet to announce the top 10 order). AirAsia was voted best low-cost airline for the seventh year in a row, six months after one of its planes, QZ8501 crashed into the Java Sea killing all 162 people on board. The highest ranking in the annual Skytrax awards category, Airline of the Year is a testament to the commitment and dedica-

tion to service excellence and a high-quality travel experience for all passengers that fly with Qatar Airways. It is a reflection of the five-star calibre service that the Qatar Airways is renowned for. The award comes at a time when the Qatar Airways has experienced remarkable growth, given the major enhancements to its fleet in the last 10 months, with the entry into service of the Airbus A380 and the Airbus A350 as the Global Launch Customer.

The Skytrax World Airline Awards, held at the Musée de l’Air et de l’ Espace, Paris Air Show, are widely known as the Passengers Choice Awards with millions of travellers, from 160 different countries, participating in passenger satisfaction surveys to decide 2015’s winners. Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, said, “I am honoured to lead an airline that has paved such an accomplished path to excel-

lence, and innovation, demonstrating the team’s unwavering pride in their work and the experience provided to each of our passengers. “Becoming an awardwinning airline takes dedication and passion – and retaining such a ranking takes commitment, which I thank each and every team member at Qatar Airways for. “Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do at Qatar Airways, and we are very proud to be recognised by them

and to receive these three Skytrax awards. “These accolades reflect our passengers’ satisfaction; they choose to fly with a five-star airline and today they have chosen Qatar Airways as the World’s Best Airline for the third time. “Qatar Airways strives to offer the best travel experience for its guests across our entire global network of 147 destinations, with a commitment to providing quality services to each and every one of our passengers.” 37

10 Holiday Inn th

in India Opens in

Chandigarh

uests can look forward to a relaxed stay at the 127-room hotel, located at the foot of the Morni Hills InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has opened Holiday Inn Chandigarh Panchkula - its first hotel in Chandigarh and 10th Holiday Inn hotel in India. Located on the Kalka Shimla Highway, the hotel provides easy access to a number of tourist attractions as well as commercial hubs, making it a great choice for both business and leisure travellers. 38

The 127-room hotel is set at the foot of the Morni Hills, an area wellknown for its views of the Himalayas, and next to the Panchkula Golf Course. The hotel has easy access to tourist attractions such as Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Cactus Garden and the famous Sector 17 market which is ideal for shopping and dining. For guests travelling for business, the hotel is located near the business districts of IT Park, Mohali, Baddi and Zirakpur. Chandigarh Airport and Railway Sta-

tion are both within a short drive from the hotel. With eight meeting rooms and event spaces, Holiday Inn Chandigarh Panchkula is a great choice for business meetings as well as large scale events, for up to 500 people. A wellequipped fitness centre, spa and an outdoor swimming pool completes the experience for guests. The hotel offers a number of dining options. Guests can indulge their taste buds at Chingaree, which showcases the best of Indian cuisine. Guests can also choose from CafĂŠ G, the all-day dining restaurant, which features live cooking stations or can grab a quick bite and a

coffee at Deli while Stills, the lounge and bar, offers a variety of drinks and bar snacks. Mr. Shantha de Silva, Head of South West Asia, IHG commented, “As the gateway to northern India, Chandigarh has emerged as a popular destination for both business and leisure travellers. We are delighted to open our first hotel here under the Holiday Inn brand and are confident of delivering a great hospitality experience to guests visiting the city. This move is in line with our ambitious expansion plans to grow Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Ex-

press across India – these brands currently make up more than 85 per cent of our development pipeline in the country.” IHG currently has 22 hotels open in 14 cities in India across its portfolio of hotel brands: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (1), Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts (8), Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts (10) and Holiday Inn Express (3). IHG expects to open another 47 hotels across India over the next three to five years, including 24 Holiday Inn hotels. Holiday Inn is one of the fastest growing hotel brands in the world,

with 87 hotels and 20,100 rooms open across the Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region and a further 50 properties in the company’s development pipeline in AMEA. Globally there are almost 1,200 Holiday Inn properties open and 267 properties due to open within the next three to five years. There is a special opening rate for guests from INR 4300++ per night for bookings from now until 31st August 2015. To find out more about Holiday Inn and to make a booking, please visit: www.holidayinn.com

r Mahesh Sharma held consultations with MPs of J&K, HP and Uttarakhand for developing the Himalayan Circuit. MPs request for better air and rail connectivity, and providing amenities for promoting Tourism in the Himalayan states The Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma held consultations with the Members 40

of Parliament (MPs) from J&K, HP and Uttarakhand in New Delhi today to discuss modalities for developing the Himalayan Circuit. The Himalayan Circuit has been identified under the new Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Union Ministry of Tourism for promoting tourism. Among those who participated in the meeting include Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur (MP, Hamirpur), Mr. Virender Kashyap (MP,

Shimla), Ms. Mehbooba Mufti (MP, Anantnag), Mr. Thupstan Chhewang (MP, Ladakh), Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (MP, Hardwar), Mr. Bhagat Singh Koshyari (MP, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar), Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah (MP, Tehri Garhwal) among others. The Members of Parliament welcomed this initiative of the Union Minister of Tourism to hold consultations with the MPs rep-

resenting various states and they also put forward their valuable suggestions in the meeting for the development of the Himalayan circuit. Addressing the MPs, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that 73 percent of the Himalayas lie within Indian Territory and India can utilize this unique advantage to boost the growth of tourism in the Himalayan Circuit. He said that tourism contributes foreign exchange in a big way to the exchequer of India and it contributes 6.8 percent of the GDP share in India. He said that Rs 120 crore have been allocated for the development of the Himalayan circuit and the amount can be effectively utilized for drawing up a road map which will be decided after consultations with the MPs concerned. The Members of Parliament have an in depth knowledge of the requirements of their areas from the viewpoint of promoting tourism and they can help the Ministry of Tourism to identify and explore new areas where tourism can be given a boost, he added. The MPs shared their views and identified the areas where the Ministry of Tourism should look into seriously and find ways to improve them in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Finance and

Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. Ms. Mehbooba Mufti said the state of Jammu & Kashmir wants to turn around its economy and tourism appears to be the best way of doing it. Boosting Tourism will help to generate income and employment for the local people and also help in diversification. Ms Mufti highlighted the need for starting additional flights from Srinagar Airport to facilitate more inflow of tourists as well as connecting Jammu with more direct trains. Business tourism will get a big boost if Convention Halls are set up in Gulmarg and Patnitop, she explained. The MP from Anantnag also requested the help from the Centre for reconstruction of infrastructure and restoration of heritage damaged by the floods. The MPs from other places like Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh also demanded more air connectivity and development of new airports in their regions. They said that access to these places is the main hindrance to the development of Tourism. The tourist infrastructure like hotels should also be developed along with it. The MPs from Himachal Pradesh emphasized upon the development of village tourism and model

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Home staysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; should be promoted. They also said that Sports Tourism, Adventure Tourism and Religious Tourism are the main areas which can be developed for the growth of tourism in Himachal Pradesh. The proper disposal of waste material especially plastics and providing wayside amenities should draw the attention of the Tourism Ministry, they added. The MPs from Uttarakhand requested for a mono-rail to Haridwar./ Rishikesh to meet the growing menace of traffic to these areas. They also desired for developing more airports like Uttarkashi . Addressing the concerns of MPs, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that the Government is determined to restore the lost glory of J&K as a prime Tourist Destination. Tourism will be used to fight terrorism, he said. He assured the MPS that there will be no administrative/procedural roadblocks to the development of Tourism in the states. Dr Lalit Panwar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Mr. N K Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and other senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture were also present during the meeting.

ermany ranks amon gst the most sought after tourist and trade destinations for global travelers and traders including Indians. The German National Tourist Office has introduced its new campaign theme for 2015 – „Germany – Traditions and Customs, to market the German tourism around the world. The focus of this year’s campaign is strengthening Germany’s image as a traditional and cultural travel destination, highlighting the culinary de-

lights, living traditions and arts and crafts. The campaign will encourage foreign visitors to sample Germany’s many local specialties, to experience traditional festivals and customs in German regions and cities, such as the Munich Beer Festival and the Cologne Carnival. The German Ambassador to India, Michael Steiner, said: “Germany is bustling with more and more tourists every year attracted not only by the most fun city of the world, Berlin, or Munich with its ‘Oktoberfest’. In fact, there is much more to see and explore! Germany features an impressive diversity of cultural and natural, historical and contemporary sights

and offers a wide range of activities in any season” Romit Theophilus, Director, Sales and Marketing, GNTO India said: “We have been consistently placed amongst top three most popular European destinations out of India. Our 2015 campaign is focused on increasing the traditional and cultural diversity and supporting cross-cultural dialogue between Germany and other countries across the globe which will boost the rural areas.” Today, the variety of traditions and customs offered by Germany include 300 types of bread sold in German bakeries, 1400 breweries loyal to the German Beer Purity Law which is the oldest food regulation in the world, 102,071 hectares of picturesque vineyards, 1500 types of sausage, 2000 traditional costume societies and 10,000 fairs and markets. On the social media front, Instagram tours will take place all over Germany, in which high-quality photographs are made available to the campaign by influencers. In addition to the live reports on social media platforms, the content will be published on its own social wall with the hash tag #JoinGermanTradition. For more information log on to www. germany.travel/tradition.

bu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) in association with Etihad Airways recently conducted a familiarization trip for topof-the-line travel trade professionals selected from pan-India, during 26th - 30th April 2015. The agents were treated with traditional Arabian Hospitality at Hotel Inspections, Hosted Lunch / Dinner and Site Tours at various stunning properties, including Emirates Palace, Ritz Carlton, Fairmount, Intercontinental, St. Regis, Shangri La and Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. The agents visited the Falcon Hospital, and tried their hand at the regal sport of falconry, which was a truly educative experience for them. They were spellbound with the serene and soulful environment of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,

especially witnessing its grandeur under the evening lights. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was another favourite for the thrilling rides and exhibitions, which they enjoyed thoroughly. They also enjoyed the visit to Marina Mall and Yas Mall, which took everyone by surprise, thanks to the area and sheer scale of construction. The agents were impressed by the technology and displays at the Etihad Innovation Centre. Bejan Dinshaw, Country Manager, India, TCA Abu Dhabi, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abu Dhabi is ready and eager to welcome Indian outbound travellers in the summer season, with a number of activities and attractions planned to suit all interests and age groups. With this objective, select travel trade professionals, chosen from all around India, visited and experienced the very best that

we have to offer. We have received a very positive response from the participants of the trip, which was both educative and enjoyable for them. We are confident that as a result of this FAM Trip, the trade partners can market Abu Dhabi as the preferred choice for an exotic holiday experience.â&#x20AC;? A well-rounded destination with so much to offer to each travel segment left the agents spellbound. Having first-hand experience of Abu Dhabi and noticing the attention to detail which is paid to make it a true destination of distinction, was much appreciated. From the glitzy to the rustic, modern and traditional, Abu Dhabi is well worth an extended visit to truly absorb the charms of this destination.

015 Ultra-luxurious Indian® Roadmaster™ and Indian® Chief Dark Horse® unveiled Dealership in Bengaluru inaugurated by Mr. Scott Wine, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Bennett J. Morgan, President & Chief Operating Officer; and Mr. Michael Dougherty, Vice President – Asia Pacific & Latin America from Polaris Industries Inc.; and Mr. Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd. Keys of the legendary Indian® Scout™ handed over to their discerning custom-

ers. The new Indian® Chief Dark Horse® was proudly received by its first owner in India soon after unveiling. Polaris India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc., the world leader in Off-Road and All-Terrain Vehicles unveiled its two new powerpacked ultra-luxury 2015 Indian® Roadmaster™ and the new Indian® Chief Dark Horse® alongside the opening of its second dealership in India in Bengaluru. The showroom inauguration and the unveiling of the bikes were done by Mr.

Scott Wine, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Bennett J. Morgan, President & Chief Operating Officer; Mr. Michael Dougherty, Vice President - Asia Pacific & Latin America from Polaris Industries Inc.; and Mr. Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd. The occasion was also marked by another symbolic milestone for the brand - handing over of the keys of the new Indian® Chief Dark Horse® to its first customer soon after its debut in the Indian market. Mr. Scott Wine and Mr. Bennett J. Morgan also handed over the keys of the legendary Indian® Scout™ to their proud customers. The ex-showroom prices (Delhi) are as follows: 2015 Indian® Roadmaster™: INR 34.95 lakh Indian® Chief Dark Hor se®: INR 21.99 lakh A short, sneak peek of the new 2015 Indian® Chief is available on the Indian Motorcycle website (www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-in). “The launch of Indian® Chief Dark Horse® and Indian® Roadmaster™ coincides with the opening up of our second Indian dealership here in Bengaluru. We are bringing these two iconic products from the Indian Motorcycle® stable to the Indian market. Since the introduction of these motorcycles in the Indian market in January 2014, there has been a lot of excitement amongst the motorcycle aficionados across the country. These luxury motorcycles are generating a lot of interest and demand due to their unmatched quality and dynamic looks. We are quite upbeat about the market here and have further plans for bringing these iconic machines close to your doorstep through more dealerships going ahead.’’ said Mr. Pankaj Dubey, Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt. Ltd.

The showroom, located at Exquisite Moto LLP, Prestige Nugget, No. 126, Infantry Road, Bengaluru – 560001 will display the entire range of the Indian Motorcycle®: Indian® Roadmaster™, Indian® Chief Classic, Indian® Chief Vintage, Indian® Chieftain, Indian® Chief Dark Horse® and Indian® Scout™. The team at the dealership will comprise of trained professionals offering global standards of after-sales and service support to add to the overall experience of owning an Indian Motorcycle®. The state-of-the-art showroom combines global architectural standards and infrastructure synonymous with the reputed legendary brand under one roof. Besides being a visual delight with the entire range of Indian Motorcycle® on display, the dealership also boasts of attractive merchandise to enthuse the visitors and customers. INDIAN® ROADMASTER™: The 2015 Indian® Roadmaster™ reflects pure American luxury. Building upon the iconic Roadmaster™ name used by Indian® in the 1940s, the new Roadmaster™ reimagines Indian Motorcycle® comfort, styling and performance out on the open road, for the long haul. The Thunder Stroke® 111 engine delivers an incredible 119 ft-lbs of torque and feature styling that pays tribute to legendary Indian Motorcycle® engines of the past. It comes fitted with Horizon Power Windshield with push-button adjustability to customize airflow, provide weather protection, and reduce glare. Fitted with keyless ignition, the key fob of Indian® Roadmaster™ offers security and convenience. The comfortable rider and passenger seat feature new desert tan leather, designed to withstand the elements. This sealed, high-quality leather is strong and durable, and it complements the traditional Indian Motorcycle® style.

ubai Green Tourism Awards; tourism partners in emirate awarded for environmental practices 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 cat-

egory; Novotel Deira City Centre in the fourstar category; Suite Novotel in the three-star category; Ibis Deira City Centre in the twostar 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 companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Yousef Lootah, Executive Director, Tourism Development & Investments and Chairman of Dubai Green Tourism Award Programme said: “In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai vision for Dubai as a sustainable city, the Dubai Green Tourism Awards sets the foundation for Dubai’s tourism industry to work cooperatively to achieve better sustainability practices. The awards are also an endeavour to recognize the hard work by stakeholders who have invested in sustainable practices and

to encourage and guide other tourism businesses to follow suit and shape a more sustainable tourism sector. We are delighted to have awarded 10 businesses and we will continue to work with the industry to protect and maintain our emirate so that generations of the future can enjoy all that Dubai has to offer.” To date, the awards and industry work undertaken by Dubai Tourism have had a direct result on the green economy; lowering carbon emissions by 10,000 ton CO2. The 2015 awards saw over 81 applications – a 30 per cent increase in participation since the launch in 2009of the Awards. Each nomination is evaluated and assessed by Dubai Tourism, Dubai Electric-

ity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Dubai Municipality, whereby they are graded on four main criteria: environmental strategies; performance and results; education/training & awareness; and awards & recognition. The Awards are part of the emirate’s wider ambitions as laid out in the Dubai Government’s Green Growth Strategy to manage the overall resources within all industries in Dubai. The programme looks at addressing the root causes of the emirate’s environmental impact, with just some of the areas of focus being: solar energy; fuel efficiency within transportation; landfill gas capture for power production; and cooling systems.

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