News

Goa to host first-ever Brezelfest in November

Get ready, Goa! This November 7, this popular beach destination will transform into a German haven as it gears up to host the inaugural Brezelfest Goa 2024. Inspired by Germany’s famous Oktoberfest, Brezelfest is all set to bring the best of German culture to South Goa, blending beer, authentic German dishes, live music, and art workshops for a day packed with fun and flavours. Hosted at The Basein Madgaon, people planning to visit Goa during this time, will be able to attend this festival. Brezelfest will offer you a chance to indulge in iconic German foods like pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, and hearty sourdough sandwiches, all served with traditional flavours. Adding to the festive vibe, Seven Rivers Brewing Co. is providing 600 litres of specially brewed Munich Helles and 300 litres of German Pilsner, so you can enjoy fresh pours with your meal. Each sip of beer will take you a bit closer to Germany without ever leaving Goa! Well, as we all know that no festival is complete without music, Brezelfest will also bring together a special treat. As per the reports, the Die Kirchdorfer Oktoberfest Band from Munich, famous for their lively tunes, will set the stage burning and have the crowd up and dancing. For those looking to unleash their creativity, Brezelfest will also feature interactive workshops on crochet, block printing, essential oils, and more. It’s a perfect way to take home a little piece of the festival while learning new skills. Three businesswomen from South Goa—baker Andrea Thumshirn, artist Ragini Dhingra, and gardener Yogita Mehra—are the brains behind Brezelfest. They envisioned a festival that would offer a distinctive German flavour to Goa's lively atmosphere while bridging cultures via food, music, and art. Their partnership ensures that Brezelfest becomes a yearly favourite for both residents and visitors, celebrating both cultures.

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Dudhsagar Waterfall tours finally resume

The popular tours to Dudhsagar Falls are back in action, with jeep safaris once again shuttling tourists to this iconic destination. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the Dudhsagar Tour Operators’ Association (DTOA) have reached a compromise, following intervention by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who helped mediate a settlement over online booking disputes that had stalled operations. As per the latest reports, jeeps are once again making their way to Dudhsagar Falls. Around 110 vehicles registered offline with DTOA transported 770 tourists, while 240 more vehicles ferried another 1,440 tourists who had booked their spots online through GTDC's official portal. IF reports are to go by, the GTDC’s online booking system would stay in place for a month. During this time, the service provider will continue to manage the website and register tourists online. Meanwhile, offline bookings at the DTOA counter will also continue, allowing tourists the choice to register in person. At the end of the month, DTOA will take over the online registration process. Dudhsagar, which translates to "Sea of Milk," earns its name from the waterfall’s foamy, cascading waters that rush down a height of over 300 metres. Set in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhsagar ranks among India’s tallest and most powerful waterfalls. The post-monsoon season, that is, October to March, is the best time to visit the waterfall. One of the unique aspects of the Dudhsagar Waterfall tour is the exhilarating jeep safari that takes you deep into the Western Ghats. The jeep ride takes you through rugged, muddy trails, across small streams, and under canopies of towering trees. It’s a bumpy ride yet adventurous.

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Ministry of Tourism participated in World Travel Market London

The Ministry of Tourism will participate in World Travel Market London beginning today at ExCeL London. This three-day-long international travel and tourism event will conclude on 7th of November. A delegation comprising 50 stakeholders including State Governments, inbound tour operators, airlines, and hoteliers from the Indian travel industry will participate in this event. During the event, India Pavilion will showcase the country’s rich kaleidoscope of cultures, languages, and traditions. The focus of this year’s India pavilion is Wedding Tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and Mahakumbh. A special mock Mandapam in the Pavilion has been created to give the look and feel of an Indian wedding. This initiative aligns with India’s strategic goal to enhance inbound tourism and position the country as a premier global travel destination.

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CM Sukhu urges green hydrogen for Kalka-Shimla train

The Himachal government has urged the Union Ministry of Railways to explore the possibility of running the Kalka-Shimla UNESCO World Heritage train on green hydrogen. In a letter written to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the minister to consider transforming this historic rail line into a green energy-powered route. He added, “The state government aims to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by March 31, 2026 and has undertaken several initiatives to achieve this goal,” he stated. The CM stated that the state government is working on a six-pronged strategy to transform Himachal into a certified Green Energy State. The state is on track to replace its current thermal power consumption of 1500 Million Units (MUs) with renewable sources. He said that the Himachal government is focussing on solar power generation, with plans to establish a capacity of 2,000 MW over the next four to five years. Solar power generation has doubled in the last two years, reflecting the government's commitment to this clean energy source. Sukhu said the state government is working on a six-pronged strategy to transform Himachal into a certified Green Energy State, contributing significantly to India’s climate commitments and aligning with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This strategic transition will ensure a fair and just shift towards sustainable energy while also boosting the state’s economy, he stated.

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Saudi Arabian desert sees snowfall for the first time in history

In a remarkable turn of events, some parts of Saudi Arabia are witnessing spells of heavy rain and snowfall for the first time in history. If reports are to go by, the Al-Jawf region experienced heavy snowfall recently, creating a winter wonderland in a country typically known for its arid climate. This unprecedented snowfall follows a series of heavy rains and hail that began sweeping through the area. Residents of Al-Jawf woke up to a stunning landscape transformed by pristine white snow blanketing the mountains. The Saudi Press Agency highlighted that the significant precipitation not only led to snow but also created waterfalls, revitalizing the valleys and infusing the region with life. This winter scene marks a refreshing change as the country transitions into winter, paving the way for the beautiful spring season that Al-Jawf is famous for. During spring, the region bursts into color with seasonal wildflowers, including lavender, chrysanthemum, and a variety of aromatic plants, further enhancing its natural beauty. However, the Saudi weather department has issued warnings for continued severe weather in the coming days. Residents can expect thunderstorms across much of Al-Jawf, with forecasts predicting further heavy rains and hail that could reduce visibility. Strong winds are also expected to accompany these storms, prompting officials to advise caution. Saudi Arabia isn’t the only country experiencing unusual weather patterns. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been under the influence of similar weather systems. On October 14, the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued alerts regarding anticipated rainfall, thunderstorms, and the potential for hail in several areas. The weather department in the UAE attributed these changes to low-pressure systems extending from the Arabian Sea toward Oman, affecting weather conditions across the region.

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Minister Ashwini reviews rail development projects during visit to Kozhikode

Thiruvananthapuram: A remark by union railway minister in favour of the Kerala government's much-hyped K-Rail semi-high speed project has further triggered stirs against the same. Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday that the K-Rail project could be taken forward if the state government clears the technical and environmental issues with regard to the project. The anti-K-Rail action council swiftly resumed their stir across the state against the project demanding that the government should issue formal orders abandoning the project considering its adverse impact on the environment and the lives of thousands of people. The action council also resumed its stir at Kattilapeedika on the suburbs of Kozhikode where the stir against the rail project first started. The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front also strongly flayed the union railway minister's statement. Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that the UDF would not allow the project at any cost.

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