Beaches being integral to tourism, India has laboured to achieve a significant milestone by obtaining the prestigious Blue Flag certification for 12 of its pristine beaches. The Blue Flag designation is a globally-recognised eco-label awarded to beaches that meet and maintain rigorous standards for cleanliness, safety, and environmental conservation, points out Ritika Seth. India now has 12 Blue Flag beaches, an eco-label given to the cleanest beaches in the world. In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained. Known for its diverse landscapes and breath-taking…
Author: shubhangi
Inclusive tourism provides a platform for local entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises to flourish, avers Pallavi Ghosh. Communities get to showcase their unique offerings, fostering a sense of pride and self-reliance. It also holds immense potential for driving socio-economic well-being through responsible practices, stories of empowerment, skill development, and economic growth. Inclusive tourism stands as a powerful force for positive change, offering enriching experiences for travellers while simultaneously uplifting the lives of local communities. Across India, this form of tourism holds immense potential for driving socio-economic well-being. Through responsible practices, stories of empowerment, skill development, and economic growth emerge, demonstrating the transformative…
Through examples, Aniruddh Kamat explains how the country’s rich legacy is a proof of its multi-splendoured history. A travel experience in India amply unravels the awe-inspiring diversity of India’s temples, forts, palaces, and monuments — a collection of marvels that bear witness to the excellence in human craftsmanship, spiritual devotion, and regal grandeur where each edifice is a classic of human effort. India’s architectural legacy is a testament to its multifaceted history and the profound cultural exchanges that have shaped the subcontinent. Each travel experience in India unravels the awe-inspiring diversity of India’s temples, forts, palaces, and monuments—a collection of…
In tune with the digital era, Sahil Sharma elaborates how India is redefining the tourism experience by embracing technology. From enchanting virtual tours to translation apps, India’s utilisation of technology is transcending barriers, offering an unparalleled, enriching travel experience for all. He says it is an inclusive activity enabling people to connect with history and culture surpassing all limitations. In this digital age, where every facet of life is concealed in the embrace of technology, tourism is no exception. The convergence of innovation and exploration brings forth a symphony of possibilities, transforming the way we travel. India is redefining the…
While Bengaluru is well known as the garden city for its beautiful landscaped gardens, it also has a good number of museums and galleries. While some are more than a century old, few have been opened to the public recently and rest are private. The little known museums are full of character like the vibrant city itself. Some of the museums are dedicated to history, science and technology while some reflect the city’s past like those showcasing aircrafts and HMT watches. There is even a museum dedicated to brains. But tourists often visit only the Vishweshwaraiah Industrial and Technological Museum…
“WHEN YOU ARE MAKING A FILM, THE AUDIENCE IS NO ONE ELSE BUT YOU” Shyam Benegal is one of the most outstanding filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema. He is now 88 years of age, and though he does not talk about this, the ageing shows in his talk, his walk and in his infrequent presences at film premieres and functions. He ran a very successful ad film company called Blaze which also produced his film Ankur but he has moved on since then and also won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his rich and long-standing contribution to cinema…
Dwelling on the overwhelming number of influencers inundating the virtual space Shalini Mehta says, there is a lot of potential to channelise and utilise their reach and promote inclusive tourism. Social media and mobile phones have virtually revolutionised every industry and the way it reaches out to its customers. It has also effectively changed the travel algorithm. The role of social media influencers and celebrities is an important variable in understanding the dynamics of the tourism sector in India today. With an overwhelming number of influencers inundating the virtual space, there is a lot of potential to channelise and utilise…
Chintamani Hasabnis, a consummate portrait artist from Pune, is perhaps the only person in India who has accomplished the unique and seemingly impossible task of making the blind not only “see” but also engage them in aesthetic appreciation of his paintings. What is more, he has done this while at the same time keeping intact such appreciation of the same painting by the sighted. He has taken immense pains, through 12 years of trial, error, and a wide range of studies and experimentation, to develop this composite style of painting technique which is earning him rich dividends in terms of…
Exceptional soldier and an officer par excellence Vetri Nathan was born to Commander N K Nathan on 24 February 1941 in Mumbai. He joined the army and was commissioned into Second Battalion of Eleven Gorkha Rifles (2/11 GR) in December 1962. The second battalion of the regiment was inducted into Mizoram to quell the Mizo uprising in the 1960s. Major Vetri led many counter-insurgency operations leading the terrorists to dub him ‘Black Pearl’ and place a price on his head. The Indo-Pak war of 1947-1948 concluded with the Line of Control bisecting the Ladakh district, with the Skardu tehsil going…
Politician who put people first “My mantra has always been to work hard, to stay humble, and to never forget that public service is a privilege.” Oommen Chandy nee Kunjoonju was a member of the Indian National Congress (INS) and was Chief Minister of Kerala, for two terms from 2004 to 2006 and 2011 to 2016 and the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2011. Born in Kumarakom, Puthuppally, Kottayam district in a Syrian Christian family, he graduated from CMS College, Kottayam and did BA in Economics from St. Berchmans College, Changanassery and LLB from Law College, Ernakulam. Oommen, his grandfather was a…