Touching tourists to be criminal offence?

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Nov 27 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Touching tourists to be criminal offence?
Aditya Dev
Agra


Union minister of state for tourism and culture Mahesh Sharma said his ministry was in talks with the home ministry to deal with touts who harass tourists. Touching tourists could be made a criminal offence, he said.
Rajiv Tiwari, president of the Federation of Travel Associations of Agra, who was part of a delegation that had met the minister on Tuesday in the national capital, said, “The minister is aware of hardships faced by tourists, especially women. He expressed concern and said a new law would be implemented to make harassment of tourists a crime.“

Members of the delegation said the tourism minister had attributed the fall in the number of people visiting the Taj to the large number of touts (`lap kas' in local language).

“There has been a decrease in tourist inflow to the city by 10% (since last year). The minister said it was largely because of the harassment,“ Sanjay Sharma president, Approved Guides Association (Agra), said. On the issue of encroachments near monuments, the minister has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to draw up a plan in collaboration with the state government.

The minister also plans to develop one Agra monument as a `model' one, so it could be used as a blueprint for the con servation of other monuments. “The ministry plans to adopt three monuments in the country for this purpose; one of these will be from Agra. The name of the monuments will be announced on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday, December 25,“ a member of the delegation that met the minister said. The delegation that met Mahesh Sharma was led by Fatehpur Sikri MP Chaudhary Babulal. The group also submitted a memorandum to the minister, seeking, among other things, that a light and sound show be started at Fatehpur Sikri.

Delhi-Kathmandu Bus Service

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Nov 26 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Modi signs 10 pacts with Nepal
New Delhi:
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Flagging off the Delhi-Kathmandu bus service, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed more than 10 agreements with Nepal on Tuesday , showing that India is prepared to go the extra mile for its neighbours. But if Saarc fails to move to the next level, the responsibility will not be India's.
“We are moving with our neighbours on connectivity , power etc,“ said MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.“The PM presided over a large number of agreements with Nepal, and we have concluded similar agreements with other neighbours. Our commitment to regional integration is for all to see.“ India wants similar agreements through Saarc, but problems with Pakistan may put paid to the efforts.

On touching down in Nepal on Tuesday , the PM made it clear that India expected Nepal to draft an inclusive constitution. “I request all political stakeholders to draft the constitution by early next year as committed through consensus, which will reflect aspirations of all communities, including Madhesis, Pahadis and Maoists... failing to do so can cause difficulties to Nepal and your difficulty despite our expertise to help you in this field is a matter of sadness,“ Modi said.

A number of strategic issues, including defence and security , were discussed during the talks between Modi and Sushil Koirala over nearly 40 minutes. Talking about bilateral ties, Modi said, “When we trust each other, we can move forward very quickly .“

“Projects that have been in limbo for 25 years are moving forward. I feel very satisfied,“ he said after inaugurating a trauma centre built by India.

The two countries finalized the $1 billion line of credit announced during the PM's August visit. This will be utilized for hydropower, irrigation and infrastructural development projects.

Indo-Nepal DTC service opens today

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Nov 25 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi) Indo-Nepal DTC service opens today New Delhi   The first-ever bus service between India and Nepal will be flagged off from Ambedkar Stadium bus terminal here on Tuesday evening. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the luxury bus service which will be run by Delhi Transport Corporation. DTC also runs the bus service between India and Pakistan from the same terminal.This comes after the cabinet on Monday approved the signing of bilateral agreement for regulation of passenger traffic between India and Nepal ahead of the Saarc summit in Kathmandu. The cabinet has also authorized the road transport ministry to sign similar agreements with other Saarc countries. DTC will run a luxury Volvo bus on the Delhi-Kathmandu route and the tentative one-way fare is Rs 2,300. DTC had received a proposal from PMO for starting the trans-national service. The details were worked out between DTC and the road transport ministry.

Meghalaya

http://bit.ly/1yKuQwn About Meghalaya

Carved from the erstwhile State of Assam, Meghalaya became a full fledged State on January 21,1972. Bounded on the North and East by Assam and on the South and West by Bangladesh, Meghalaya is spread over an area of 22, 429 square kilometres, and lies between 20.1° N and 26.5° N latitude and 85.49 °E and 92.52 °E longitude. Meghalaya at a glance Area:    22,429 Sq.Kms. Districts: East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi District, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills. Civil Sub- Divisions: Sohra, Mairang, Mawkyrwat, Amlarem, Khliehriat, Ampati, Resubelpara and Dadenggiri Number of Villages                  :  5629 Forest Area                             :  8510 Sq, Km. Population                               :  23,18,822 Density                                    :  103 Per Sq. Km. Literacy                                   :  62.6% Racial Origin of the People     :  Austric, Tibeto-Burman Population of Shillong (Census 2001) Shillong Urban agglomeration - 2,67,662 Major Mineral Resources Coal, Limestone, Sillimanite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Felspar, Quartz and Glass-sand. Principal Forest Produce Timber, Bamboo, Reed, Cane, Ipecac, Medicinal herbs and Plants, Cinnamon, Lemon-grass and Thatch-grass. Principal Agricultural Products Rice, Maize, Patato, Cotton, Orange, Ginger, Tezpata, Arecanut, Jute, Mesta, Banana and Pineapple. Wildlife Animals: Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Panther, Wild Boar, etc. Birds: Duck, Hornbill, Myna, etc. Climate The State enjoys a temperate climate. It is directly influenced by the South-West Monsoon and the northeast winter wind. The four seasons of Meghalaya are: Spring - March and April, Summer (Monsoon) - May to September, Autumn -October and November and Winter - December to February. The Monsoon usually starts by the third week of May and continues right to the end of September and sometimes well into the middle of October. Maximum rainfall occurs over the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills, i.e over the Sohra and the Mawsynram platform, which receives the heaviest rainfall in the world. The average rainfall in the State is 12,000 mm. Principal Languages The principal languages in Meghalaya are Khasi, Pnar and Garo with English as the official language of the State. It was at the initiative of the Christian missionaries that the Khasi, Pnar and Garo languages and literature have developed and emerged in the list of Modern Indian Languages. The Khasi language is believed to be one of the very few surviving dialects of the Mon-khmer family of languages in India today. Capital Meghalaya's capital, Shillong and also the District Headquarters of East Khasi Hills District is situated at an altitude of 1,496 metres above sea level, The capital city has a bracing climate throughout the year. This city has been the seat of Government since the consolidation of the British administration in this part of India more than a century ago. The city is well connected with motorable roads all-over, has its own charm, different from other hill stations, and presents a natural scenic beauty with waterfalls, brooks, pine grooves and gardens. The place, the people, the flora and fauna and the climate all combine to make Shillong an ideal resort throughout the year. Shillong offers amenities for tourists with good hotel accommodations, facilities for sports, angling, trekking and hiking. Shillong is connected by the National Highway 40 with the rest of the country through Assam. It is also well connected by road with other important towns of the State. Shillong is also the headquarters of the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Eastern Air Command the Assam Regimental Centre, the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU). A bench of the Guwahati High Court also function from Shillong. The North East Telecom Circle-I has its headquarters at Shillong. Shillong is also the Regional Head Quarters of Power Grid for North Eastern Region. NEIGRIHMS, the first and the only Postgraduate Medical Institute in the North Eastern Region and third in the country has been established in Shillong. Shillong also boasts of having the first Indian Institute of Management (RGIIM), in the North Eastern Region and the 7th in the country. The 12th National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has also been setup in Shillong. Total Area  6436 Sq. kms. Altitude  1496 metres Population  223366 Rainfall  241.5cm. Language  Khasi, English and Hindi Clothing  Summer (April to October): Light Tropical. Winter (November to March): Woolen. Climate  Summer - Max.23°C-Min. 15°C Winter - Max. 15°C-Min.03°C People, Culture & Religion Meghalaya's main ethnic communities, each having its own distinctive customs and cultural traditions are the Khasis (of Mon-Khmer ancestry), the Garos (of Tibeto-Burman origin) and the Jaintias said to be from South East Asia. The common trait binding all three communities is its matrilineal system in which the family linage is taken from the mother's side. The people of Meghalaya are known to be hospitable, cheerful and friendly. Traditionally, the Khasis believe that their religion is God given and is based on the belief of one supreme God, the creator 'U Blei Nongthaw' A Khasi is a deeply religious person, who has an intense love of life. He believes that life is God's greatest gift and he has to account for it again in the hereafter. The Jaintias and Khasis have the same religion, although the Jaintias are more influenced by Hinduism. They have a superstition that the Jam, like the Khasi Thlen, is an evil spirit bringing riches to its owner and disease or death to its enemies or victims. The Garos believe in one supreme Creator, Rabuga, who is the sustainer and commander of the world. The other spirits are the representatives of the supreme Creator. The spirits connected to the Garo's agricultural life, are appeased by sacrifices but never worshipped. The headman is an integral part of the village and acts as religious head.However, many members of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities have converted to Christianity and one can see a number of churches as well as temples, mosques, gurudwaras and monasteries in Meghalaya.

Tourist Happening

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India to offer online visas to 45 countries
Himanshi Dhawan
New Delhi:


India will offer online visa facilities for 45 countries including US, Australia, Germany , Israel, Japan, UAE, Palestine, Jordan, Thailand, Singapore and Russia. The facility will be announced on November 27 by the ministries of home affairs and tourism.
This is the first time that electronic visas will be implemented in the country. Elaborating on the government's focus on tourism and culture, Union minister Mahesh Sharma told TOI, “The PM has given a vision for the importance of Indian tourism.We will take the country's rich heritage and culture via tourism and aviation to the world... This will create employment for youth whether it is medical tourism, adventure or rural tourism.“

Countries that already have visa on arrival and will be able to apply under the electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme include Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Phillippines, Laos and South Korea.

Once implemented, ETA will allow foreign travellers to apply for a visa on a separate website and receive an online confirmation within three to five working days. ETA will be available for a 30-day period from the date of the tourist's arrival in India.

The e-visa scheme received the PMO's nod in June and is expected to be implemented in the coming months.

The countries that are unlikely to be on the list include SAARC and countries that are on “prior reference“ list, which include Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Afghanistan. Officials said plans were afoot to include all 109 countries in phases.

SAARC Seamless Travel

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Will this be a reality in the prevailing political atmosphere where India and Pakistan are at face off?

Nov 21 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Soon, you can drive across Saarc region
New Delhi:
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Barely a week before the Saarc summit scheduled in Kathmandu, the Cabinet on Thursday approved signing of the Saarc Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity) and Motor Vehicle Agreement among member countries.
Both the agreements are likely to be signed during the forthcoming 18th forthcoming 18th Saarc Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the two-day meet on November 26 and 27.

According to the government, the Saarc Framework Agree ment for Energy Coop eration (Electricity), pending since 2010, will enable greater cooperation in the power sector among agreement is expected to improve power availability in the entire region. It would facilitate integrated operation of the regional power grid,“ said the government in a statement.

India had earlier called for building a Saarc power grid so as to ensure that excess power produced in one region of south Asia could be used to meet deficits in other parts of the region. Power minister Piy ush Goyal had earlier said that with implementation of such a grid, hydel power generated in India's northeast, for example, could be transported via Ban gladesh, India and Pakistan, on to Afghanistan, or offshore wind projects set up on the Lankan coast could supply power to Pakistan or Nepal.

The Saarc Motor Ve The Saarc Motor Ve hicle Agreement aims to have seamless move ment of passenger and freight through land route across the region like that of Europe.

Sources said once the agreement is signed, seamless movement of passenger and cargo ve hicles will be a reality in the next 1-2 years.

For this, the mem ber countries will have to enter into bilateral to enter into bilateral and multi-lateral agreements.

The Cabinet has also authorized the road transport ministry to sign similar bilateral agree ments and protocols with other Saarc member states. The ex pert group on the Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement had consid ered and finalized the draft text of the agreement in September.

Funds Inflow

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http://bit.ly/1t22ZTu

Cricket World Cup 2015

Price: -AU$ 1399.00 per person based on Twin sharing 
Single Supplement – AU$ 810.00

What's Included?

Inclusions: 09nights Hotel accommodation – 3.5 star
• 14 FEB –Arrival transfer to hotel in Adelaide. ( check in at 200PM)
• Dinner at an Indian restaurant walking distance 
• 14-17 FEB – 3nights in Adelaide Hotel – BB basis 
• 15 FEB– Orientation tour of Adelaide City. Early Lunch at an Indian restaurant. Drop off at the Oval for the India Vs. Pakistan match. Pick up at 1030PM for transfer to hotel 
• 16FEB – Free day for Optional tours in Adelaide or to Kangaroo Island etc. 
• 17 FEB – Transfer to ADE Airport for flight to Sydney. Arrive and transfer for Lunch en-route to the hotel. PM free. Dinner at an Indian restaurant – walking distance 

• 17-20 FEB – 3nights at Sydney hotel BB basis. 
• 18 FEB – Half Day Sydney Orientation tour. No Entrances. PM free 
• 19 FEB – Full day Blue Mountains Tour with entrance to Scenic World and Featherdale Wildlife Park. Lunch at Eat Street. Dinner in an Indian Restaurant prior to going to the hotel 
• 20 FEB – Transfer to the SYD airport for flight to MEL. Arrive MEL and transfer to the hotel. PM free. Dinner in an Indian restaurant – walking distance. 

• 20-23 FEB – 3nights in Melbourne Hotel – BB basis 
• 21 FEB – Full day Philip Island Tour with 3-park pass included (Churchill Island, Koala Conservatory and Penguin Parade). Dinner at Philip Island Boardwalk Café. Indian menu. 
• 22 FEB – AM Orientation tour of MEL. Early Lunch and drop off at MCG for the India Vs. South Africa match. Return pick up from MCG back to the hotel 
• 23 FEB – Transfer to the MEL Airport. 

4 Lunches and 5 dinners included as above. No beverages included. Meals will be standard Indian group menu

Duration

1 day

Destination Covered

Australian Capital Territory

Best Suited

All, Budget, Families, Groups, Honeymoon, Kids, Luxury, Solo travellers