Indo American News

Category: Travel

Our travel section features the Traveling Desi. Our staff travel across the world. We feature travel columns written by them. We also feature readers write-ups who travel around the world.

  • How Travel is Shaping the Future of India-US Relations

    How Travel is Shaping the Future of India-US Relations

    By Amit Kumar Sharma, Head-Americas, VFS Global

    As we enter into 2025, the travel landscape is set for a transformative shift, especially shaped by renewed Indo-US relations. Both nations share a strong relationship deeply rooted in trade, culture, technology and business. The current sentiment, promised by announcements of renewed trade and business, has already bolstered more travel, reflecting strengthened bilateral relations. A new travel era is emerging – one marked by resilience, innovation and a renewed focus on cultural exchange. This demonstrates the essential role of travel in further strengthening a close bond between the United States of America and India.

    The Resurgence of Travel

    The travel industry is experiencing a robust recovery, with projections indicating that international travel will continue to gain momentum. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), India’s tourism sector is expected to contribute nearly $253 billion to its GDP in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This resurgence is not just about numbers; it reflects a deeper desire for connection and exploration that transcends borders. As per the data released by the United States Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), 15,54,020 Indians have visited the U.S. till August 2024. As India emerges as the second-largest travel market for the US in 2024, the opportunities for cultural exchange and economic collaboration are immense.

    Economic Impact and Opportunities

    Tourism serves as a significant economic driver for both nations. American tourists are projected to contribute substantially to the Indian economy, while Indian travellers are increasingly exploring the diverse landscapes and cultural experiences the US has to offer. According to the data released by the Tourism Ministry, Government of India, from January to June 2024, 17.56 per cent of foreign tourist arrivals were from the United States.

    Additionally, niche sectors such as medical, wellness, and adventure tourism are gaining traction as many Indian travellers seek activities beyond traditional attractions. Add to this the new administration’s chances of reviving earlier conversations in the defence, energy, agriculture, education and healthcare service – the business traffic between the two nations only sees a more promising time. According to reports Brian Beall, director of the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) under the Department of Commerce, stated that the US aims to attract 9 crore visitors annually, with an estimated $280 billion in spending, by 2027.

    The U.S. continues to be the preferred destination for Indian students. And the accompanying family travel also significantly boosts tourism revenue. Overall, the travel relationship between India and the USA presents substantial economic opportunities for both nations, fostering cultural exchange and mutual growth.

    Cultural Exchange and People-to-People Ties

    Travel is a powerful medium for fostering understanding and connection; it is not merely a transactional experience. The half-million-strong Indian diaspora enriches the Indo-US relationship and acts as a natural bridge that boosts travel. As more Indians travel to the US and vice versa, they bring with them their unique cultures, traditions and perspectives. Both societies benefit from this interchange, which also establishes the foundation for future diplomatic ties. In 2025, it is anticipated that there will be a sustained focus on cultural tourism, where travellers will look for genuine opportunities that allow them to interact with local communities. Initiatives that promote cultural exchange, such as festivals, art exhibitions and culinary experiences, will play a pivotal role in enhancing mutual understanding.

    The Role of Technology in Travel

    Technological integration is expected to redefine travel experiences by 2025 and beyond. Innovations in AI are set to revolutionise the travel industry, enhancing customer experiences. Technology is a driving force in shaping the future of travel and Indo-US relations. As both nations are working closely to innovate in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and aviation, the role of technology will play a pivotal role in their partnership. AI-driven tools can provide personalised recommendations, streamline customer services, and improve operations efficiencies for airlines and hotels. Moreover, the rise of remote work has led to a new trend: ‘workstations’ where individuals combine work and leisure travel. This shift allows for longer stays and deeper engagement with destinations, further enriching the travel experience. As more professionals embrace this model, the demand for flexible travel options will grow, benefiting both the US and India.

    Amit Kumar Sharma, Head — VFS Global

    Looking Ahead: The Future of Travel

    The era of travel in 2025 heralds a new chapter in India-US relations, characterised by economic collaboration, cultural exchange and innovative travel experiences. The travel trajectory between India and the US appears promising in 2025 and beyond. The journey ahead, I believe, is not just about destinations; it is about building bridges between people, cultures and economies. As both nations navigate the evolving landscape of international travel, the emphasis on shared data, innovation in global travel systems, and processes will play a more pivotal role in fostering deeper connections and mutual understanding.

  • India Off the Beaten Track: Walking Back through Time — Mysteries of Konkan

    India Off the Beaten Track: Walking Back through Time — Mysteries of Konkan

    Dutch Factory – lithograph c. 1850

    By Shashishekhar Gavai

    The Konkan region of Maharashtra offers many attractions: secluded beaches, lagoons ringed with coconut palms and mangroves, lonely roads winding through forested hills, seafood, and other culinary delights, delectable ‘hapus’ mangoes and great sea forts standing guard over the coast like ancient sentinels. I have written about these in an earlier piece on Konkan. My visit this time is to explore dimensions of the history of this land, the mysteries of which I find enticing. And that brings me once again to Sindhudurg, the southernmost district of Maharashtra.

    I am in the town of Vengurla, a picturesque harbour with an eye catching lighthouse north of Goa. Also to be found here are remnants of Dutch presence centuries ago. The scramble by European powers for trade in the east saw the establishment of trading companies from the beginning of the 17th century. The English were the first off the mark with the East India Company in 1600, followed by the Dutch, the Danes, the Portuguese and the French. The Dutch set up about two dozen ‘Factories’ or trading posts including one at Vengurla for which they had obtained the permission of the Sultan of Bijapur. They built their Factory here in 1638. The choice from the trade perspective was a curious one and was dictated more by strategic considerations. The Dutch Republic (a rarity in an era of monarchies) was a powerful and prosperous nation. It had its eyes on the lucrative spice trade in Cochin which was then under Portuguese control. The Dutch used Vengurla to exert pressure on their rivals leading to a months-long naval blockade of Goa which was the major Portuguese possession in India. They succeeded in ejecting the Portuguese from Cochin in 1663 after which their interest in Vengurla evaporated and they abandoned their factory in 1682. It was later taken over by the English.

    Dutch Factory – present day

    Today, almost 400 years after its construction, the Dutch Factory at Vengurla lies in utter ruin, its masonry either collapsed, soon to fall or entangled in vegetation(a scarcely legible notice at the entrance warns that the structure is unsafe). But as I walk through the desolation it appears to me that I am looking at what must have been a handsome edifice. Built in the prevailing European style with large halls and several rooms, it was protected by fortification on its perimeter. A lithograph of the mid nineteenth century bears evidence. A photograph taken in 1909 shows that the building was still in use 300 years after its construction. The site is now under the “care” of the archaeology department of the state government. Its dilapidated condition gives the impression that the caretaker has abandoned its ward.

    As I walk out of the ruins in the heat and humidity, I wonder what the scantily dressed native in a turban, dhoti and no footwear, would have thought of the overdressed Dutchman in his tall hat, doublet worn over a long sleeved shirt with broad lace collar, breeches and long boots. Surely such enormously impractical and uncomfortable attire worn in stifling heat by the ‘gora log’ must have provided much amusement to the locals.

    Pendur- female with child

    Prithviraj Barde teaches science at a local school. He is also a history and archaeology buff who has studied several ancient sites in Konkan. It is at his suggestion that I am in the village of Pendur an hour’s drive from Vengurla. A narrow path by the side of the temple of the local deity Sateri Devi leads me to the forest behind. Here in a clearing, scattered around an ancient stone platform, lie a number of stone carvings in various stages of preservation; some of them executed with considerable artistic skill. There is a statue of Lord Mahavir,founder of the Jain religion; there are Hindu figures in stone and entangled in a tree is a female figure holding a child. Barde has informed me that the artefacts date back a thousand years to the Shilahara dynasty whose kings ruled over Konkan and were patrons of both the Hindu and Jain religions.

    It is an eclectic collection and it appears to me that the artefacts may have been found in the vicinity over a period of time and placed in this small area. I find that intriguing. If my impression is true then the forest beyond may hold many more such treasures. And if so, was there an ancient settlement here which has now been covered by the jungle? Only an archaeological exploration may answer the question.

    I have read about recent discoveries in Konkan of petroglyphs or prehistoric carvings on rock. Over 70 sites with as many as 1700 petroglyphs have been identified, some of which have been included by UNESCO in its tentative list of World Heritage Sites. These petroglyphs belong to the Mesolithic or middle Stone Age period between 10,000 – 20,000 BCE. Prithviraj Barde has suggested that I visit Kudopi which happens to be on the UNESCO list.

    Kudopi – petroglyph

    A pleasant drive over a narrow road and through a thick forest brings me to Kudopi village. I find a small group of village folk near the temple and I make my enquiries. One of the group introduces himself as Ashok Walve and offers to lead me to the petroglyphs. His younger kinsman Santosh Walve also joins us. We walk a short distance through the neat little village and then it’s a strenuous climb uphill over a rough track. The foliage overhead protects from the fierce sun until we reach the hilltop which opens onto a plateau covered mostly by rock. There are no trees here and the sun beats upon me mercilessly. It feels like a long walk to the petroglyphs across the plateau and I am exhausted when I get there. As during my trips to the Dutch Factory and Pendur sculptures , I am the only visitor here besides my guides. There are about 40 petroglyphs of various sizes spread over a fairly large area. I see figures of humans, animals and some intriguingly abstract designs carved over the rocky terrain. With only the primitive tools of the Stone Age available to them our Mesolithic ancestors must have possessed considerable talent and tenacity to create this prehistoric art gallery.

    So who were these people and where did they come from? Santosh Walve who hasn’t travelled much beyond his village, tells me that it was the Pandava brothers (of Mahabharata fame). Ashok Walve who has lived and worked in Mumbai shakes his head sceptically. We don’t know who these people were, he says. I imagine that Erich Von Daniken, that writer of many unbelievable bestsellers and pseudo archaeologist , would attribute these creations to extraterrestrials without batting an eyelid, were he to visit. The answer may well lie at Koloshi, about 20 kilometres from here as the crow flies. Recently in a cave here stone tools of the Palaeolithic or old Stone Age period have been discovered. These are estimated to be about 50,000 years old. Our petroglyph artists may well be the descendants of the makers of these tools.

    On the way back Santosh invites me to his dwelling in the village where I meet his wife. After a drink of cool and refreshing water from the spring which supplies the village, the hospitable couple offers me tea and homemade laddoos. The sugary tea sends a burst of energy coursing through my rather weary person. I don’t think I have ever felt so grateful for a cup of tea. Ashok then insists I have lunch at the village temple. Today happens to be one of the two auspicious days in the year when lunch is offered by the temple to villagers. It is lunchtime and I accept the invitation. It’s simple fare – rice, dal and a vegetable curry served on an eco friendly plate crafted from leaves.

    These places that I have visited have told me interesting stories but I am sure there are infinitely more that they hide. But one story that I would like to tell is common to all these historical and prehistoric sites – it is one of extraordinary neglect on part of the authorities whose responsibility it should be to look after them. They have been unable to even provide something as simple as a signboard for the guidance of visitors. With the eventual granting of the UNESCO World Heritage status the petroglyphs at least would receive some attention and efforts would be made for their preservation……hopefully!
    Retired from the Indian Foreign Service, Shashishekhar Gavai served as India’s Consul General in Houston during 2005 to 2008. His last post prior to retirement was serving as the High Commissioner in Canada. Living in Mumbai, Mr. Gavai enjoys traveling off the beaten track.
  • Masterji’s ‘Go Green’ Indian Yatra

    Masterji’s ‘Go Green’ Indian Yatra

    Masterji with Atul Bhai Pandya at the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram

    By Jawahar Malhotra

    HOUSTON: Last December, surrounded by a small group of admirers, Masterji Indravadan Trivedi, the celebrated classical Indian dancer, dramatist, painter and Hindu priest, had shared his plans for his planned trip to India on a to multi-city trek to spread knowledge about his “Go Green” initiative.

    It was an ambitious plan to “raise self-awareness of one’s place in the world and impart practical spiritual education,” explained Masterji, “distilled from years of my own experiences and knowledge.”

    Realizing that people grasp ideas better through demonstrations, Masterji intended to use puppets to teach young children and pantomime, a craft he knows well from years as a dancer, when addressing university gatherings.

    Masterji with devotees in Gujarat with his “Go Green” car

    The Houston Team left on January 3 and has completed its mission in several cities in Gujarat as the portly, 75 year-old Masterji, sometimes in a wheelchair during the long distance treks, Pankaj Trivedi and Jay Prakash made their rounds. In Ahmedabad, they met with Mayor Kirit Kumar and in Baroda with Mayor Keyur Narayandas Rokadia and gave them messages of goodwill from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

    On January 26, India’s Republic Day, the Team visited the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Statue of Unity near the Narmada River Dam and raised the Indian Tricolor.

    The trek will proceed from Gujarat to Delhi and end in Lucknow, UP. The volunteer team is staying in Government bungalows and gives seminars in local schools and universities in events co-organized by the Lions Club of India.

  • Adventurous Visit to Shri Amarnath Temple in Jammu & Kashmir

    Adventurous Visit to Shri Amarnath Temple in Jammu & Kashmir

    By Ananya Chandak

    In early July 2022, my family, and my extended family, a total of thirty-one people, visited the Shri Amarnath Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

    The Amarnath Yatra is a shrine for the God Shiva in the Himalayan mountains near Lidder Valley and stands at an elevation of 3,888m above sea level. Devotees can trek and reach the shrine using one of the two routes. In addition, the temple trust also facilitated private helicopter services for the older or disabled devotees. The service is regulated by the shrine board for distribution of service. The Pahalgam route spans 36-37 kilometers and takes up to 2 days to trek. The shorter route is the Baltal route, which runs 14 kilometers and can be done within a day, but is more treacherous. The Amarnath Yatra is only open for as long as the ice lingam inside the temple has not melted, which takes up to 40 days. Recently, global warming crises are making the ice melt faster.

    To many Hindus, this shrine is a representation of Lord Shiva. The story behind the religious pilgrimage goes something like this:

    Once Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva how she could become immortal like him. With persistent coaxing, Shiva agreed to share the mantra if she could find an isolated cave where nobody could listen in to the story. Parvatiji found this isolated place (Amarnath cave). However, the legend has it that Parvathiji missed two unhatched pigeon eggs while setting up for Lord Shivji’s arrival

    Lord Shiva arrives at the cave through the Pahalgam path, where he leaves behind important items along the route. At the cave, he tells Parvatiji the immortality story, (Amar Katha). The two eggs become immortal pigeons by listening.

    Devotee’s usually come between the summer months of June, July, and August to see the wondrous ice lingam and the immortal pigeons. The exact opening and closing dates vary from year to year. This year, the Yatra opened on June 30th and closed on August 11th. Whenever there is incremental weather, like heavy rain, landslides, or risk to devotees, the Shrine board temporarily suspends the Yatra out of caution.

    In the past few years, the trail to the shrine has been greatly improved in quality, thanks mainly due to the effort of the present Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modiji. We took the Baltal route to reach the shrine. The trek begins early in the morning; at around 2:00 am people line up at the checkpoint. It is very dark, and people would usually have to carry a flashlight. The beginning few kilometers have lamps to light the way in the early morning. There are rest stops, medical camps, and disaster management teams every few kilometers. Air ambulance can also be made available at a short notice. These additions make the trail safer for the general populace. And do that they did- there are now stricter rules and requirements that greatly decrease the risk of going and make the experience much more gratifying.

    However, they can’t prevent everything. On July 8th, 2022, a series of flash floods swept through the trail and killed at least 15 people. A few more were reported missing.

    This was just two days before my family and I were set to leave for the pilgrimage. It was a reminder of how difficult this pilgrimage is. I remember many calls and discussions between the families in our group about whether or not to go. Some people pulled out, not willing to risk being caught in another natural disaster. Other people wanted to continue ahead with the plan and go to Srinagar. In the end, we decided to go to see if luck would have the shrine open. If not, we would tour around Srinagar for the allotted days, and then come back home.

    Luck was in our favor, and the shrine opened just a day after we arrived. Excitedly, our group piled into a bus to drive to the Baltal base camp, which was our start-off point for the trek.

    It’s no surprise that security in the Jammu and Kashmir area is tight. India has its international borders in that region. At Baltal there were 3 different identity checks before we reached the gate, and the trek had military men positioned throughout. All this security wasn’t a bother, however. It made my family feel safe knowing that if something were to happen, there would be the best of the best people to help us out.

    Funnily enough, something did happen. My brother got lost ahead of us on the trail!

    My family and I were going on Palkies and Horses. Palkies are a method of transportation where a chair is tied to 2 long sticks, and 4 men carry the rider by lifting the stick onto their shoulders. This means that lighter loads (aka people) could travel faster up the trail. What ended up happening was that my brother reached the temple 2 hours before we did due to his lighter body.

     

    We, however, had no idea where he was. The most stressful 7 hours of my parent’s life commenced as we and parts of my extended family looked for him frantically everywhere on the entire remaining trail of 10-12 kms. My father notified every security/Disaster management and military personnel we came across to look for his boy. They assured us that no child had ever gone missing on the trail. They also said that good people take care of each other and that we are on the doorsteps of the almighty, so we would find him. The palkie men calmed down my mom too and told us that the other men with my brother’s palkie would not let him out of sight.

    They were right, of course. After reaching the shrine after a few more hours (the longest of my life), my troublesome brother was sitting there (with my grandmother) right outside the temple with the palkie men waiting for our arrival. He had no clue what had happened and instead was asking us “What took you so long!” Looking back, I can’t help but laugh- all that stress (for nothing)!

    Overall, the Yatra was a wonderful experience. I am thankful that everything went well, and even if there were a few bumps along the road, my family and I were able to meet my extended family after 4 long years (thanks to Covid-19 and travel restrictions). We had such a memorable trip.

  • Afraid of Covid, Indian ‘Stays’ at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

    Afraid of Covid, Indian ‘Stays’ at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

    Chicago: A 36-year-old Indian-origin man who was too scared to fly due to the coronavirus pandemic and lived undetected for nearly three months in a secure area of Chicago’s international airport has been arrested, US authorities said.

    Aditya Singh lives in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, was arrested on Saturday for living in a secure area at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport since October 19, the Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday.

    Singh has been charged with felony criminal trespass to a restricted area of an airport and misdemeanour theft, the report said.

    Prosecutors told a court that Singh arrived at O’Hare on a flight from Los Angeles on October 19 and allegedly has lived in the airport’s security zone ever since, without detection.

    Singh was arrested after two United Airlines staff asked him to produce his identification. He showed them a badge, but it reportedly belonged to an operations manager who reported it missing in October.

    He reportedly found the staff badge in the airport and was “scared to go home due to Covid”, Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hagerty said.

    The airline employees called 911. Police took Singh into custody on Saturday morning in Terminal 2 near Gate F12.

    Singh managed to live on handouts from other passengers, Hagerty told Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz.

    The judge expressed surprise at the circumstances of the case, the report said.

    “So if I understand you correctly, you’re telling me that an unauthorised, non-employee individual was allegedly living within a secure part of the O’Hare airport terminal from Oct. 19, 2020, to Jan. 16, 2021, and was not detected? I want to understand you correctly,” Ortiz said.

    Singh lives in the Los Angeles suburb of Orange with roommates and does not have a criminal background, according to Assistant Public Defender Courtney Smallwood. She said Singh has a master’s degree in hospitality and is unemployed.

    Smallwood acknowledged the circumstances were unusual but noted the allegations were non-violent.

    It was unclear what brought Singh to Chicago, the report said.

    Singh has been barred from entering the airport if he is able to post the USD 1,000 for bail. He is due back in court on January 27.

    “The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the alleged period of time that this occurred,” the judge said.

    “Being in a secured part of the airport under a fake ID badge allegedly, based upon the need for airports to be absolutely secure so that people feel safe to travel, I do find those alleged actions do make him a danger to the community,” Ortiz said.

    The Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees the city’s airports, said in a statement: “While this incident remains under investigation, we have been able to determine that this gentleman did not pose a security risk to the airport or to the traveling public.”. — Times of India

  • How Sherpas Reached K2 Summit in Winter for the First Time

    How Sherpas Reached K2 Summit in Winter for the First Time

    Left: Dawa Tenji Sherpa, Mingma G, Dawa Temba Sherpa and Pem Chiri Sherpa. From bottom left: Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sherpa, Nirmal Purja and Geljen Sherpa. (Not pictured: Kilu Pemba Sherpa and Sona Sherpa.

    Kathmandu: At around noon on Saturday, the climbers inched into the infamous passage called the Bottleneck on K2, the second-tallest mountain in the world and one never before conquered in winter.

    The sky was clear, the wind manageable and the summit just beyond this final and most perilous stretch.

    If they could navigate the Bottleneck, the team of 10 Nepalese climbers, led by Nirmal Purja, 37, who is known as Nimsdai, would likely become the first to climb K2 in winter. But Purja knew it was best to ignore the history at his frostbitten fingertips, and focus on taking one step at a time.

    A gleaming, glacial 28,251-foot monolith that straddles the border of China and Pakistan, K2 has retained the same perfunctory name annotated on an original 19th-century British surveyor’s map of the Karakoram range.

    Since the 1950s, it has also been known as Savage Mountain for its deadly reputation. For every four climbers who reach its summit, one dies. By comparison, the death rate on Mount Everest has been around 1

    That thin margin for error was underlined on Saturday, when Sergi Mingote, a Spanish climber who had reached 10 of the world’s highest peaks without supplemental oxygen, fell to his death much lower on the mountain.

    The tragedy occurred hours after the Nepalese funneled through the Bottleneck, an hourglass-shaped gully that runs beneath an unstable overhanging ice cliff, called a serac. The serac routinely sheds enormous blocks of ice. Even before they reached the Bottleneck, the climbers saw foreboding debris fields.

    “Some pieces were the size of a house,” Purja said from base camp on Monday. “You get intimidated by that. But if it’s your day, it’s your day. I was just praying to the mountain. This time we needed passage, and the mountain allowed us permission.”

    The trick was not to rush. Elevations above 26,000 feet are in the so-called death zone. And though any climber caught in the Bottleneck at the wrong time faces certain injury and likely death, getting spooked and moving too fast at that altitude could bring a slow death.

    High-altitude pulmonary edema is the biggest threat. That’s when pulmonary blood vessels constrict, ratcheting up pressure in the lungs, causing fluid to leak into the air sacs. The only cure is to head down the mountain for more oxygen. When pulmonary edema is ignored, breathing becomes more difficult, and soon blood and fluid might leak into the brain, an often fatal syndrome known as cerebral edema.

    Linked to a rope they’d fixed to the ice, Purja and the other climbers stepped around such unspoken truths like so many shattered ice houses. It certainly helped that all but Purja were breathing supplemental oxygen, but even climbers on oxygen have been known to become lethargic and lose mobility.

    “And if your oxygen canister runs out,” said the climber and cinematographer Renan Ozturk, “you could just shut your eyes for a second, and never wake up.”

    Central Asia is home to all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter (26,246 feet) peaks. All but K2 had been climbed in both summer and winter. Thanks to its remote location, avalanche prone slopes, temperatures hovering around minus-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and hurricane-force winds, a winter ascent of the mountain was the last great challenge remaining for serious mountaineers. Many considered it impossible.

    Even a successful spring or summer climb of K2 is rare. Fewer than 400  climbers have been to its apex. More people have been to outer space than have stood on its summit.

    There had been six prior winter attempts over the years, the most recent a failed Polish expedition in 2018. But the Nepalese climbers making their way last weekend were born in the Himalayas and nine of them were Sherpa.

    For generations, since Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary became the first to climb Mount Everest, in 1953, Sherpa people have worked as guides, facilitators and collaborators on countless historic mountaineering feats. Yet they have often been rendered invisible by the global lens and have seldom received their due. Hillary was knighted by Queen Elizabeth after the Everest triumph. Norgay was not. And none have been credited with first ascents in Nepal. — New York Times

  • New Houston Botanic Garden: Now Open!

    New Houston Botanic Garden: Now Open!

    Fountain at the entrance of the new 132-acre Houston Botanic Gardgen near I-45 and Park Place Blvd.

    Houston: Houstonians no longer have to take the Gulf Freeway all the way to Galveston to escape to an island, now that the Houston Botanic Garden, the city’s new living museum for plants, has opened its gates today to the public, just east of I-45 South on Park Place Blvd. Approximately half of the Garden’s 132 acres – which was once a municipal golf course – are on the Island, a feature completely surrounded by the original Sims Bayou meander on three sides, and the later Sims channel to its south.

    The Houston Botanic Garden has transformed the Island, and the adjacent South Gardens on the opposite side of the Sims channel, into an oasis of learning, discovery, and horticultural beauty, with outdoor gallery spaces displaying a collection of tropical, sub-tropical, and arid plants from around the world to showcase the biodiversity that thrives along the Texas Gulf Coast.

    “Adding a world-class botanic garden to enhance the breadth and depth of Houston’s cultural offerings has been a long time in the making,” said Claudia Gee Vassar, president and general counsel of the Houston Botanic Garden. “We believe the benefits of an extensive outdoor museum like the Houston Botanic Garden will be especially desirable at a time when so many are looking to engage with and be inspired by nature.”

    Through its design and programming, the Garden, a collaboration with West 8, an award-winning international landscape designer, seeks to enrich lives through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment. “The intent of the site design is to seek balance in all aspects, from planting and soils, through topography and materials—the careful juxtaposition of order and chaos that is at the heart of enduring gardens,” said Donna Bridgeman-Rossi, PLA, director of implementation, West 8 NY. “With this being Houston’s first garden of this kind, it was exciting to be working with a client group that not only expects best practice but is open to the complexities required to push status quo into new territory or specification.”

    Each time visitors come to the Houston Botanic Garden, they will exchange the bustle of the city for the enveloping serenity of multiple features, which include:

    • Global Collection Garden: Three acres of regionally themed zones that demonstrate the wide variety of diverse and beautiful plants from around the world that flourish in Houston’s climate.

    • Culinary Garden: An artistic display of edible and medicinal plants – many of which visitors could grow in their own yards – that have served as a basis for economic and cultural exchange across the history of the world.

    • Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden: A sensory-engaging area that presents opportunities for families to engage with nature in a variety of ways, including a boardwalk maze around a lagoon; simple water machines, and nature play structures crafted from trees that previously grew on the property.

    • Woodland Glade: An intimate-yet-open space that visitors can rent – beginning later in the fall – to host weddings and other celebrations under a mature overstory of trees surrounded by the beauty of magnolias and sculpted hedges.

    Curated natural ecosystems surrounding these features have visual appeal as well, while also promoting conversation of soil, air, water, and wildlife. To reflect the cultural richness of Houston and the diversity of its collection, the Garden is presenting an opening season across four weekends, with special educational opportunities to showcase how people groups connect with plants in several regions of the world from which plants in the Garden originate:

    • Sept. 18, 19, and 20 – Celebrating Latin America

    • Oct. 2, 3, and 4 – Celebrating Asia

    • Oct. 16, 17, and 18 – Celebrating Africa

    • Oct. 30, 31, and Nov. 1 – Celebrating the Mediterranean

    To ensure visitors can come as often as they like to experience the different blooms each season will bring, the Garden is offering memberships at several levels, starting at just $50, that include unlimited general admission, among other benefits.

    The Garden’s entry drive, One Botanic Lane, is located at 8210 Park Place Blvd., and the Garden is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices on Mondays-Thursdays are $12.50 for adults and $8 for students (with current ID) and children age 3 and older; prices on Formed in 2002, Houston Botanic Garden is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich lives through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment.

  • Kartarpur Sahib: A Pilgrimage Corridor to Unite

    Kartarpur Sahib: A Pilgrimage Corridor to Unite

     

    By Bhupinder Singh

    Houston: The concept of Kartarpur city was conceived by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and was also given the concrete shape by Guru Ji himself in 1522 AD when he moved and settled there. He was 52 years old when he settled there and lived last 18 years of his life there with his family.
    In fact, it is longest stint of Guru Ji’s life in one place. This serene, congregational cum egalitarian commune, became a magnet attracting adherents of different faiths to it, who followed Guru Ji and made it their home.

    Unfortunately, during the turmoil of drawing of the partition lines of the sub-continent by the Radcliffe commission, this idyllic commune became a traumatic victim. Although, the district of Gurdaspur was awarded to India, but one Tehshil Shakargarh out of the four of the district along with Kartarpur was awarded to Pakistan.

    With most of Sikh population migrating to India, this serene town found itself almost abandoned. Since the partition in 1947, the Gurdwara remained in disuse and it was only reopened in 1999 to coincide with Indian PM Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan. Eighteen years after the reopening of this historic Gurdwara after the partition in 1947, we saw a new ray of hope when the PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan in November 2018 laid the foundation stone for the corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur to Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side of the border.

    The news has generated a lot of excitement, enthusiasm as this year of 2019, we all will be celebrating 550th the Prakash Purab of the founder of this Sikh Faith and of this commune.

    This place is the final resting of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev with having Samadh of Hindus and Sikhs and a Mazaar of Muslims peacefully coexisting under its one roof.

    This is the shrine has the potential to become a beacon of peace between the two warring nations after 72 years of the partition. This shrine can be the binding glue to the people’s hearts of the two nations. This has the potential to be the model for opening of more land corridors between the two nations. The bridge over Ravi could become the peace bridge linking the two nations.

    After all, Guru Nanak Dev Ji promoted the harmony, brotherhood between people of different religions all his life. Even in his death, he left a legacy of love, and a bonding place for people with divergent faiths and viewpoints.

    It was this hope that attracted us to visit West Panjab in Pakistan in March 2019. I could feel the genuine love, regards and warmth of Panjabi hospitality the moment I stepped into the other side of the border.

    Although, this was exactly a month after the Pulwama attack had taken place which had brought both the nations close to brink of hostilities, so we cautioned against the visit. But, by placing our hopes and fate in Guru Ji’s hand, with prayers on our lips and looking at it as Guru Ji’s calling we decided to go ahead with the earlier scheduled tour.

     

     

     

    Unbelievably, a major transformation in the heart takes place on entering the Kartarpur soil and breathing its fresh air. We took tour of the shrine and soaked in the feeling of Guru Ji’s divine presence. Next having the langar (community meal) there was again an out of world experience. Imagine breaking the bread made from wheat of Guru Ji’s farm and savoring it with the Dal (lentil soup), along with sabzi of aloo-matar (vegetable dish of potatoes and peas) again from Gur Ji’s fields.

    Even the water used for cooking and drinking is from Guru Ji’s wells that he used for drinking and for his fields.

    Next taking a tour of the construction activity in preparation of the corridor opening was eye opening. The road on Pakistan side is 4.5 KM and on the Indian side is 0.8 KM. There will be a bridge on River Ravi 0.8 KM long on Pakistan side. The pictures included capture the pace of this huge construction project which is scheduled for completion by November 2019.

    It is our sincere hope and prayer that we preserve the heritage that was left untouched because of disuse as a result of partition. Of course the heritage sight needs the upgrading, but it should not come at heavy price of erasing the artefacts forever.

    After all the visitors to this shrine are going there to get first hand taste and feel the ambience that Guru Ji created during his stay there based on the model for ideal life style that he preached. Let this place become a living model of the life style Guru Ji preached and practiced. Guru Ji epitomized purity and simplicity in life and let this shrine spread that message to the entire mankind.

    So, even if we even have 125,000 visitors leaving their footprints there, we just leave behind an ecological footprint of one visitor. Now, that will be a new evolutionary, environmental friendly road map based on Guru Ji’s life that will resonate with the entire mankind.

  • A Train to Leh from Delhi, that’s right!

    A Train to Leh from Delhi, that’s right!

    Direct train from Delhi to Leh

    Yes, you read that right! You will soon be able to enjoy a train ride from Delhi to Leh. This would, in all probability, be the highest rail route in the world, and another gem in India’s crown. A mammoth project, the proposed project will cost a staggering INR 83,360 crores and will let you reach Leh from Delhi via train in a mere 20 hours as compared to the current duration of 40 hours.Furthermore, travellers will be able to take a train right till Leh rather than Jammu. If you fancy a ride on the proposed rail line, here is more information on the same.*Images used in the story are representational, as the project is still in the pipeline.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • Manali gearing up to celebrate Winter Carnival 2019 from Jan 2

    Manali gearing up to celebrate Winter Carnival 2019 from Jan 2

    Manali is gearing up to celebrate the 8-day long winter carnival from January 2, 2019. As per the news reports, Manali Winter Carnival 2019 will be inaugurated by Himachal Chief Minister Jain Ram Thakur, and it is expected that this time the carnival will attract a lot of both domestic and international tourists. 

    This time, the winter carnival will have all the components to cater to every type of travellers. The prominent attractions of the said festival will be crafts bazaar, Himachali Food Festival, folk dances, local band competition, and street play. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • Here’s your detailed guide to Auli, one of the best ski destinations in India

    Here’s your detailed guide to Auli, one of the best ski destinations in India

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    By Samonway Duttagupta

    One of the coolest vacations that Delhiites can think of during the winters is a skiing holiday in Auli, a destination in Uttarakhand which is known for its beautiful snow-laden slopes. Talk about the beauty, the place is dotted with oaks and deodars and is blessed with clear blue skies and a clean environment, both of which are rarities in the cities we live in. 

    Auli is one of those skiing destinations in the world where even beginners can visit. In fact, people start off their skiing experience in this place. Beyond anything else, Auli is now famous as one of the most economical places in the world to learn skiing as well. Yes, you read that right. Out here, tourists can also take residential skiing lessons and that too at economical prices. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

     

  • 11 Golden Triangle attractions that are a must-visit

    11 Golden Triangle attractions that are a must-visit

    Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

    India’s Golden Triangle is aptly named so, for the sights that lie on this stretch are nothing less than fascinating. The triangle covers the cities of Delhi and NCR, Agra, and Jaipur; also covering the other stunning sights of Rajasthan. Try spotting the three cities on a map of India, and you will have the shape of a triangle; thus, the name. You can pretty well start your tour of Golden Triangle attractions from Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. A favourite with Instagrammers, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and defines the capital as one great love of the Mughals.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • Stunning photos from Northeast India to make you a travel addict

    Stunning photos from Northeast India to make you a travel addict

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    Photo: Sayan Nath

    River Umngot, Meghalaya

    India is so much more than the regular, away from Ladakh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa and the Andamans. So much more and so much prettier, for there is a treasure trove of attractions in Northeast India. It is the easternmost region of the country, sees a few tourists, and is yet spectacular. If you are done with the regular, it is time to leave for Northeast India. Perhaps starting from a day spent boating in the stunning waters of River Umngot in Meghalaya. Tap next for more spellbinding photos from Northeast India; more surprises lined up.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • This river cruise from Kolkata to Dhaka via Sunderbans promises a breathtaking view

    This river cruise from Kolkata to Dhaka via Sunderbans promises a breathtaking view

    Book your slot for this amazing river cruise on the Brahmaputra. (Source: File Photo)
    Book your slot for this amazing river cruise on the Brahmaputra. (Source: File Photo)

    If you wanted to know what it would be like to hop on a river cruise and travel the length of the Brahmaputra to land in Bangladesh, while traversing through the marshy lands of the Sunderbans, you are in luck. Looks like the dream of an inter-country river cruise is soon set to turn into reality.

    Travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers can now book a river cruise from Kolkata to the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka via Guwahati, from March, 2019.

     

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    Credit: indianexpress.com

  • Much awaited Titanic II set to sail in 2022

    Much awaited Titanic II set to sail in 2022

    Titanic II will follow the same route as that of the original doomed vessel. (Source: Blue Star Line)
    Titanic II will follow the same route as that of the original doomed vessel. (Source: Blue Star Line)

    Titanic II, a replica of the ship of dreams, the legendary Titanic, is all set to sail through its maiden voyage in 2022. Australian company Blue Star Line, recently, made an official announcement about their much delayed and controversial initiative in a press release. The chairman of Blue Star Line, Clive Palmer, wrote in a statement, “The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, but she will also circumnavigate the globe, inspiring and enchanting people while attracting unrivalled attention, intrigue and mystery in every port she visits.”

    “The ship of peace represents the reconciliation of man”, says Palmer.

     
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    Credit: indianexpress.com

     

  • Facts that don’t lie about Hawa Mahal and its 953 jharokhas

    Facts that don’t lie about Hawa Mahal and its 953 jharokhas

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    By Panchali Dey

    Rajasthan is a place of many wonders, and Hawa Mahal is one such. Just like its architecture that has the potential to amaze you, the history and facts of this monument will let you view this monument in a new light. It is one of the striking landmarks of Jaipur, famous for its pink latticed windows and balconies that offer a panoramic view of the city.

    Often referred to as the ‘Palace of Winds’, it was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 to facilitate ladies of the royal household to enjoy processions and observe crowd in the below street without being noticed by the people. Red and pink sandstone was used for constructing this monument, and the unique five-storey exterior looks like the honeycomb of a beehive, which has numerous small windows (jharokhas) further beautified with latticework.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

     

  • Secret mountain escapes: Kareri Lake trek

    Secret mountain escapes: Kareri Lake trek

    Photo by: Ashish Gupta, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
    Photo by: Ashish Gupta, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

    By Shikha Gautam

    MCLEOD GANJ: A trek to Triund is not the only good one around Dharamsala and Mcleodganj. If you are eager to hit a trek that is not yet on Instagram and sees only the most ardent explorers and hikers, a trek to Kareri Lake is just the thing for you. While it is quite a common name with the locals in Dharamsala, who frequent Kareri Village often, the trek has managed to stay away from the glare of touristy eyes. A surprise if you ask me, for Mcleodganj has been one of the favourite weekend getaways from Delhi. 

    Kareri Lake trek is more stunning than you can imagine in spite of its proximity with the town that has been seeing traffic jams in summer! A moderately difficult trek, it goes through Kareri Village and traverses through pine forest. The forest gets denser for a while and you might even be able to spot a Blue Magpie or more. The village has a Forest Rest House, and a few houses that sell basic amenities; some of these houses also offer facilities for a night’s stay or more. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

     

  • Pari Mahal, the Abode of Fairies in Srinagar

    Pari Mahal, the Abode of Fairies in Srinagar

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    Srinagar is a place that is often called as the ‘Venice of the East’ or the ‘Kashmiri Venice’. This summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has all the reasons to justify the title of being the Kashmiri Venice. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that visiting this place only once would just not be enough. 

    The city’s popular drawcard cannot be singled out from the vast array of options. Mughal Gardens, the mesmerising and serene Dal Lake, and many picturesque locations makes it one of the top tourist destinations in India. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • Himalayan escapes for a perfect summer this year!

    Himalayan escapes for a perfect summer this year!

    TRAVEL

    We have massive, stunning mountains, and then we have the Himalayas. A mountain range so stunning that it is oftelabelled as Gods’ favourite abode. If you have a mountain break on your mind for this summer, a good dose of Himalayas is just what you need. Miles away from the scorching, almost-baked cities, unexplored mountain hamlets are just the places to run off to. If you cannot think of places beyond Manali, Shimla or the good, old Nainital, this guide to four offbeat mountain escapes is all that you need. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

     

  • Places to visit in India to spot migratory birds

    Places to visit in India to spot migratory birds

    Photo by: Pratyush Jena, Creative Commons Attribution Licence
    Photo by: Pratyush Jena, Creative Commons Attribution Licence

    Earth is a unique wonder, a gift for mankind. Spinning around in its axis, it is home to billions of animal and plant lives, and some unexplained wonders. Birds form a major part of the earth’s ecosystem, and even though humankind rules over its vast expanse, we still look toward the sky and gasp in amazement at a flying bird. Birds are beautiful living beings, with magnificent wings and extraordinary colours, of various shapes and sizes. They take flight, sometimes flapping their wings, other times simply gliding. One of the most fascinating reasons for the flight of birds is migration, and these birds are known as migratory birds. 

    The main reason for migration is to avoid the harsh winter months and move to somewhere cooler for nourishment of their young ones and for survival in general. India happens to give refuge to a numerous migratory birds during harsh winters. After the passing of winter when India starts getting hotter, they migrate to cooler areas for breeding. This fascinating journey is definitely one-of-a-kind, and it is one of the most interesting things that you will ever learn. There are numerous places in India where these birds flock to during the winter months, making them their temporary homes. The ideal time to visit these locations would be from November to February. 

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com