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India Travel News
INDIA TOURISM SYDNEY CASHES IN ON EVEREST
GOLDEN JUBILEE
Sydney: India Tourism Australia in Sydney has cashed in on
all the excitement gathering around the Everest Golden Jubilee and
the feting of Sir Edmund Hillary. India Tourism Australia grabbed
the initiative to place a set of highly credible Hillary
commercials on carefully targeted television programmes linked
with the Everest story.
Another interesting coup: while India may have lost the Cricket
World Cup – the finals coverage in which these ads featured scored
the highest audience rating ever on Packer’s Nine network
according to figures just out. A resounding win for India tourism.
The campaign was created by Allan Fernandes of AdVentures for
India Tourism.
Australia has now become a major source market for tourists to
India.
23rd INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE
FAIR NOV 14-27, 2003 TO HAVE TOURISM AS A THEME
New Delhi: India’s largest International Trade Fair is held
from 14 November to 27 November every year. This year. The theme
is Tourism and promoting Exports by small and medium Enterprises.
The partner country is Turkey. Normally the fair attracts
35,00,000 visitors with 7,500 corporate participants with
participation from about 30 countries. It is considered one of
Asia’s largest Global business Marts.
For details contact: Email:
iitf2003@itpo-online.com
or www.iitfonweb.com
HOLLYWOOD PLANS MOVIE ON TAJ MAHAL
Los Angeles: Warner Brothers, the famous Hollywood studio
is planning to produce a movie on the Taj Mahal and the tragic
love story of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved queen
Mumtaz Mahal who inspired this “Poem in marble”. This is the first
time ever that Hollywood will make a film on the Taj. Work has
begun on the screenplay based on a script by Kamran Pasha.
LARGEST BUDDHIST SITE OF THE MILLENIUM
FOUND AT SIRPUR
Raipur: A one meter high statue of Buddha in the lotus
position, belonging to the 6th century, together will other
sculptures have been unearthed during excavations at Sirpur (80 km
/ 50 miles from Raipur on the banks of the Mahnadi River in
Chattisgarh). Archeologists feel that this may be a city 4 times
bigger than the ancient Buddhist University town of Nalanda in
Bihar. The Chinese Traveler Huen Tsang who visited India in the
7the century had written about a Buddhist stupa built by Emperor
Ashok and at least 100 Bodh Vihars (Chambers) and about 150
Temples at Sirpur. About 164 mounds have been found of which only
10 have been excavated so far, have revealed monasteries and
nunneries. This is the largest discovery of a Buddhist site in
this millennium.
KASHMIR TO BE PROMOTED IN THE GULF
Srinagar: The Ministry of Tourism plans to showcase Jammu
and Kashmir in the Gulf. Though other tourist sites in India will
also be promoted, the primary focus will be on promoting the
natural beauty and cool climate of Kashmir to visitors from the
Gulf. The infrastructure in the Kashmir valley is also being
spruced up to receive the visitors.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO BE USED FOR
ANCIENT INDIAN MANSCRIPTS
New Delhi: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has embarked
on an ambitions project of digitalizing all Indian manuscripts
available in India and across the world. Soon India’s heritage
will be only “a click away” whether it be an ancient Indian
manuscript stored at the Royal library Copenhagen, or in Kashmir.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has been appointed as the nodal
state for “Mission Manuscript”. The Indira Gandhi National Center
for the Arts in Delhi is in the process of setting up the systems.
200 YEARS OLD “GREAT ARC” INSTRUMENTS TO
BE EXHIBITED IN THE UK
New Delhi: 200 years ago George Everest (who gave his name
to the mountain) and Col. Lambton and hundreds of Indians,
undertook the greatest feat of measuring ever undertaken. The rare
instruments used for “The Great Arc”, the measurement of the
Indian sub continent, all 2,900 km (1800 miles) of it, will be
part of an exhibit to open at Jesus Green, Cambridge on 20 July.
It will coincide with the conference of Heads of Surveys from July
21-25. This “festival of the great Arc” will then travel to
Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and London.
CHRISTEL GLOBAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT IN NEW DELHI JUNE 16
Bangalore: About 3000 golfers will tee off from 19 premium
golf courses on 4 continents as part of a global charity
tournament. The first tee off will be from India; New Delhi and
Bangalore; on June 16. The entire tournament will be completed in
a unique same day play format with tee times scheduled across 24
time zones in 10 countries; Austria, Canada, England, Germany,
India, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the U.S. In India
the tournament will take place at the K G A in Bangalore and at
the Classic Golf Resort in Delhi.
The proceeds of the Christel House open Golf Tournament are used
to fund a charity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of
under privileged children the world over.
PARK ROYAL SETS UP INTERNATIONAL
NEWSPAPER KIOSK
New Delhi: The Park Royal’s International newspaper KIOSK
is an automated newspaper vending machine. International guests
will be able to start the day with a printed same day edition of
their hometown newspaper. The newspaper will be printed on
customer’s demand through the International Newspaper KIOSK.
BRITISH CIRCUS ARTISTS LEARN TRADITIONAL
INDIAN GYMNASTICS
Bombay: 2 British circus artists were in Bombay to learn
the rope variations of “mallakhamb” a traditional form of Indian
gymnastics. This traditional form goes back to the 12th century.
It is a combination of “aggressive body control and the gentleness
of a dancer to attain physical fitness”.
HET FELICITATES SIR EDMUND HILLARY
New Delhi: The Himalayan Environment Trust felicitated, Sir
Edmund Hillary and Lady June Hillary. They were presented with a
silver memento plaque by the Chairman Captain M.S. Kohli.
Trustees, associates members, donors and representatives of the
national boards of the HET were present besides a large number of
legendary mountaineers from India and abroad, as also
environmentalists of repute. Mr. Jamling Norgay, Everester and son
of Tenzing Norgay, Dr. Karan Singh, Mr. N.N. Vohra, Major H.P.S.
Ahluwalia and many other distinguished persons were present. A
number of government officials including senior defence and para-military
forces also attended the function. Speaking on the occasion, Sir
Edmund recalled his experience, interacting with the multitude of
people of India during the famous ‘Ocean to Sky’ expedition on the
holy river Ganga organized along with Captain Kohli.
Sir Edmund presented silver mementoes to 40 persons belonging to
HET – members and well wishers – in appreciation of their valuable
contributions to the cause of Himalayan environment under the
banner of HET.
HET TO FORM LOCAL CHAPTERS OVERSEAS
New Delhi: In the extraordinary meeting of the
International Board of Himalayan Environment Trust (HET) held in
New Delhi to felicitate Sir Edmund Hillary on the occasion of the
50th Anniversary of the maiden ascent of Mount Everest, it was
decided to open Chapters of the HET in most of the countries of
the world, which have sizeable activities of Himalayan climbing.
It was also decided to open Associate Membership of the HET with a
fee of US dollar 100 for lifetime.
For more information contact:
The Legend Inn
E-4, East of Kailash
New Delhi-110065, India
Tel: 91-11-26215635/26216111
Fax: 91-11-26215635
Email : hetrust@del2.vsnl.net.in
Website : http://www.himalayanenvironment.org
SHERPAS – THE HIMALAYAN LEGENDS BOOK BY
CAPTAIN M.S. KOLHI RELEASED
New Delhi: Captain M.S. Kohli’s book titled ‘Sherpas – The
Himalayan Legends’ published by UBS Publishers’ was released by
Sir Edmund Hillary and Jamling Norgay at the meeting of Himalayan
Environment Trust held on May 21, 2003 at Sainik Farms, New Delhi.
The book, started as brief untold story of Phu Dorjee, the first
Nepalese to climb Sagarmatha, ultimately ended up in a
comprehensive account of rich contributions of the Sherpa
community in the field of mountaineering most of whom climbed with
the author during the past five decades.
AMARNATH YATRA FROM JULY 12
Srinagar: The annual Yatra to the Holy Amarnath Cave (Jammu
and Kashmir) will begin 12 July this year and will be spread over
32 days. On each day 3,500 devotees will be allowed to have
“Darshan” at the shrine in the cave, tucked away in the Pahalgam
mountains, History records that the first pilgrimage to Amarnath
was undertaken in 1,000 BC. The state machinery is gearing up to
take care of thousands of devotees who will visit the holy shrine
in July/ August this year.
A PARK FOR 3RD CENTURY ASHOKAN EDICTS AT
DHAULI
Bhubaneshwar: Just a 10 Minute drive from Bhubaneshwar in
Orissa lies Kalinga where a bloody war was fought by Emperor Ashok
in the 3rd century B.C. So chastened was the king by the
unnecessary bloodshed that he vowed to eschew violence forever
becoming a convert to Buddhism. He had rock edicts engraved to
proclaim the message of Buddhism. At Dhauli stand the rock edicts,
which are a living testimony to his change of heart. These 3rd
century BC edicts are in excellent state of preservation. They are
topped by a sculpted elephant, the universal sign of Lord Buddha.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda is situated on the opposite Hill. Orissa
Tourism is hopeful that the Japanese will help with the
establishment of the park at Dhauli where there are also small
rock cut caves.
PRODUCT UPDATE
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HOUSE
The financial year 2002-03, has been a good one for International
Travel House Limited. The Company achieved a total billing of Rs.
2878 millions (US $ 61.4 millions)– an increase of 24% over the
previous year, the Iraq War and SARS notwithstanding. The dividend
of 25% is two and a half times more than last year’s dividend of
10%.
Major international conferences handled in the year by the
Company’s Conferences and Event Management cell are ‘Arcasia’, the
10th Asian Congress of Architects, the Biennial Congress of the
Gemstone Association, the Nutrition Expo and the International
Conference on Chysotile Asbestos. Its “Royal weddings” branded
event is drawing many enquiries.
For bookings and more information please contact: International
Travel House Limited
Tel: 91-11-2601 8708/2610 3052-54, Fax: 91-11-2601 1543, E-Mail:
sunilhasija@ith.co.in
and website:
www.travelhouseindia.com
DESTINATION OF THE WEEK
RANIKHET – TOWN WITH A VIEW
 Ranikhet,
nestled in the Kumaon (Uttaranchal) hills at a height of (1829
metres 6000 feet) has the most spectacular view of any hill
resort, where literally like the title of Tennessee Williams play
“On a clear day you can see forever.” You get the grandest view of
the western Himalayas – all the peaks are on display in the early
hours of the morning before the mist descends. As the morning sun
hits the peaks they glow a faint pink turning to gold. You stand
mesmerized, wanting the show to never end something like the “song
without end.” The most stunning of the peaks belongs to the Nanda
Devi group. In 1869 Lord Mayo, the then Viceroy of India was
enchanted by the beauty of Ranikhet as is the present day visitor.
Ranikhet is for complete relaxation, for leisurely walks, hot cups
of tea with cakes, with time to read and enjoy nature, the pines,
the bird song et all. It is a sleepy cantonment town where
colonial era cottages with quaint old English and Scottish names
rub shoulders with graceful churches and all the residents know
each other. The old Ranikhet club is as evocative of the British
Raj as ever and a favorite “watering hole” for the residents and
discerning visitor.
It is no wonder that Rani Padmini queen of King Sudhardev was so
taken by the beauty of the place that she decided to make it her
home – hence the name Ranikhet or “Queen’s field”.
For those wanting to experience more than the panoramic view, the
singing of birds, the gentle mountain breeze rustling through the
pines, life centers around the Mall where old shopkeepers
recognize the residents and take care of their special needs. 10
km (6 miles) beyond the Mall are the fruit orchards of Chaubatia,
which are famous for their apples, pears, peaches and cherries.
The view from here is perhaps the most spectacular, specially of
Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti and Nilkanth. Just go for a
leisurely mountain walk to take it all in.
 On
the outskirts of Ranikhet is the ancient shrine of Jhoola Devi
dedicated to godess Shakti and Lord Rama. 54 km/34 miles beyond
Ranikhet is the shrine to Durga at Dunagiri with an inscription,
which goes back to the 12th century 37 km (24 miles) from Ranikhet
lies a complex of 55 ancient hill temples (divided into 8 groups)
of Dwarhat the once principal seat of the Kalyuri Rajas. The
ancient sculptures are outstanding. It is also famous for its
annual Syaldeh Bikholi fair (13-15 April) drawing locals and
visitors alike. Bhikrasain 55 km/34 miles from Ranikhet, holds a
famous Maha Sivratri Fair in February every year. Many a trek to
the Himalayas starts at Ranikhet. The Town also boasts of a 9 hole
golf course commanding the most scenic view.
Ranikhet can be reached from Delhi by road (9 hour drive). The
nearest railhead Kathgodam is 80 km/50 miles away beyond about two
hour driving time to Ranikhet.
For more information contact Uttaranchal Tourism,
Chandigarh : Parminder Singh Bakshi, Executive Officer,
Confederation of
Indian Industry (Northern Region),
Sector 31-A, Chandigarh - 160047 (India).
Tele:0091-172-607228, 666517-20 Fax: 0091-172-606259
Email :parminder.bakshi@ciionline.org
Dehradun : Brigadier B M Verma, Head - Uttaranchal State Office,
Confederation of Indian Industry,
C/o Sara Services & Engineers Pvt. Ltd.,
7/1, Pritam Road, Dehradun - 248001 (India),
Tele : 0091-135-669322(D),
674815, 672395, 677759 Fax : 0091-135-669459, 673109
Email :b.m.verma@ciionline.org Website : www.ciinr.org
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