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Ziro Music Festival 2024: Everything you need to know

The Ziro Music Festival is one of India’s most sought-after music festivals, attracting music lovers from across the country and beyond. Set amidst the breathtaking hills of Arunachal Pradesh, this event takes place in the picturesque town of Ziro, known for its scenic beauty and vibrant local culture. The festival offers a perfect blend of indie music, cultural immersion, and adventure, making it an experience worth traveling for. When is the Ziro Music Festival happening this year? This year, the Ziro Music Festival is scheduled to take place from September 26 to 29. This four-day musical extravaganza is not just about the performances but also about the atmosphere, camaraderie, and the chance to explore one of India’s most beautiful regions. India is experiencing extended monsoon this year, so it would be wise to keep yourself updated about the festival dates. How much are the tickets? The ticket prices for the Ziro Music Festival vary depending on how long you want to be part of the musical journey. The Four-day festival pass will cost you INR 8,500; the Day 1 (26th Sept) will cost INR 2,600; the Day 2 (27th Sept) will cost you INR 3,500; Day 3 (28th Sept) pass will cost you INR 3,500; and Day 4 (29th Sept) pass will also cost INR 3,500. If you’re planning to immerse yourself fully in the festival, the four-day pass offers the best value. However, if you're short on time, individual day passes are available too. It's important to note that the ticket prices only cover entry to the festival and do not include food or accommodation. Permits Required to Visit Arunachal Pradesh Because Arunachal Pradesh is a border state (border with China), it automatically falls under a restricted area. Both Indians and foreigners are required to obtain special permits. - Indians: An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required. - Foreigners: A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is mandatory. You can apply for these permits online via the official website or visit the Arunachal Bhawan at various locations, including New Delhi, Shillong, Guwahati, and more. Remember that the permit is valid for 30 days and cannot be extended, so plan your travel dates accordingly. Ziro is located around 2.5 hours from Itanagar city and approximately 3.5 hours from Donyi Polo Airport. The most convenient way to reach Ziro is by taking a shared jeep from Itanagar, which provides a cost-effective and relatively comfortable journey through the scenic landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh. If you’re arriving directly at Donyi Polo Airport, cabs are readily available to take you to the festival site. What to expect at Ziro Music Festival The best thing to do is to just be there at the event. The music festival will do the rest. It's all about celebrating music in the midst of nature. The lineup is great each year. The festival goers get to listen to the best of indie artists, folk musicians, and international acts. Beyond music, there’s food and local Apatani culture to explore, there's a lot of unspoilt nature for you to appreciate, and support the cultural workshops and art installations while you are there. If you are someone who is looking for ways to usher in the autumn season, we suggest you do that with music and adventure, and Ziro is that perfect destination for that. We have explored how and why you should attend the Ziro Music Festival. So why don't you just grab your tickets, get your permits ready, and prepare for four days of musical extravaganza?

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Top 10 countries offering best quality of life in 2024

The Quality of Life Index by Country 2024 research provides insights into the changing global living conditions. In an increasingly interconnected world, both residents and nations highlight and recognise the importance of improving quality of life. Although traditional economic measurements such as GDP are crucial parameters, in this fast-paced world, many other aspects such as healthcare, safety, and social amenities also have a big impact on quality of life and where people choose to live. Needless to say, the quality of daily life is critical, as it ultimately influences the nature of individuals and their experiences. The concept of quality of life is multidimensional, encompassing both objective and subjective factors. According to the United Nations, about 232 million people worldwide migrate in search of better living conditions. InterNations published the Expat Insider 2024 report earlier this year, highlighting nations with the best living conditions for expats. Notably, European countries top the list, followed by two from the Middle East and three from Asia. So, the top 10 countries that managed to get a spot in this list are: Spain Austria UAE Qatar Luxembourg Japan Portugal Denmark Singapore South Korea For the third year in a row, Spain has taken the top spot in the 2024 Quality of Life Index. It is a well-liked option for expatriates due to its recreational options, easily accessible healthcare, and reasonably priced public transit. India managed to grab the second to last out of all the listed countries with a Quality of Life Index, and ranked 52nd. Although it fared well in the healthcare subcategory, India is facing serious problems with air quality that has negatively affected its total ranking. However, the cost and availability of healthcare in India are usually appreciated by foreigners, which helped the country to score extra points.

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Port Blair gets renamed as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’ to shed colonial legacy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will now be known as "Sri Vijaya Puram." This name change is part of a broader effort by the Indian government to honour the country's freedom struggle and erase colonial imprints. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on X (formerly Twitter) explained the rationale behind the decision: “Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, to free the nation from colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. While the earlier name had colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' unique role in it.” The Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold a prominent place in India’s fight for independence. It was once a naval base for the Chola Empire and later became a critical location during India’s struggle for freedom. “It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose ji. And also the cellular jail where Veer Savarkar ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation,” Shah added. Renaming Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is not just symbolic. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are central to India’s defence and development strategies, particularly given their strategic location in the Indian Ocean. Shah emphasised that the renaming reflects a vision for a modern India that acknowledges its past while planning for future growth and security. The name "Sri Vijaya Puram" itself pays homage to the ancient Sri Vijaya Empire, which held influence over the region. This is not the first time a name change has taken place in the region. Earlier in January, on the occasion of Parakram Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed 21 large unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar region after Param Vir Chakra awardees. PM Modi also unveiled the model of a National Memorial dedicated to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, formerly known as Ross Island.

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Iran Tourism Board Wraps Up Successful Indian Roadshow Tour

The Iran Tourism Board wraps up a successful roadshow in India, highlighting Iran’s rich culture and travel opportunities across Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi. The Iran Tourism Board has wrapped up a successful roadshow across three major Indian cities, aiming to showcase Iran’s rich cultural heritage and diverse travel opportunities. The tour began in Mumbai on September 10th, moved to Hyderabad on September 12th, and concluded in New Delhi. The roadshow featured key Iranian figures, including Aliasghar Shalbafian Hosseinabadi, Deputy of Tourism at the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ministry; Moslem Shojaee, Director General for International Tourism Promotion; H.E. Mofidifar, Acting Consul General of Iran in Mumbai; and Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Their presence underscored the importance of strengthening tourism relations between the two nations. The primary goal of the roadshow was to enhance business connections between Iranian and Indian tourism professionals. It provided a platform for 11 Iranian hoteliers and travel agents to explore business opportunities and present a range of tourism packages. The event also involved collaborations with prominent Indian organizations like MTOA, TAAI, TAFI, and IATO to increase Iran’s visibility in the Indian market. H.E. Mofidifar emphasized the strategic significance of the Chabahar Port project, highlighting its role in regional trade and connectivity. He urged the Indian public to explore Iran beyond media portrayals, promoting direct engagement and travel as a means to experience the country’s authentic offerings. India has become a significant source of international tourists for Iran, with over 58,000 Indian visitors in 2023, marking a 31% increase from the previous year. This growing interest reflects the strengthening ties between the two countries, as noted by Narwekar, who recalled the successful visit of an Iranian MP delegation last year.

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Jammu And Kashmir Eyes Tourism Growth with World Bank Collaborating on Knowledge Partnership

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo convened a final meeting today with the World Bank delegation to discuss future plans for developing new tourist destinations in Jammu & Kashmir and promoting the region’s handicrafts sector. During the conclusion of their four-day visit, the World Bank team presented various recommendations for the proposed projects, based on their observations from visits to multiple tourist spots and handicraft units across Kashmir. It was mutually decided that the World Bank will serve primarily as a Knowledge Partner in the development of new tourist destinations and the promotion of the handicrafts industry. The meeting also touched on the need for project funding, with a request to extend the World Bank-funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) by an additional year. Chief Secretary expressed gratitude to the World Bank team for their visit and the technical expertise they provided, reaffirming the important role the World Bank will play as a Knowledge Partner in both tourism development and handicraft promotion. The World Bank delegation, while summarizing their visit, reiterated their commitment to sustainability and support for Jammu & Kashmir’s new initiatives aimed at improving the management of tourist locations. They emphasized the need for a strategic vision in tourism development, advocating for the creation of Tourism Destination Spatial Plans to ensure well-organized growth. Among other discussions, the team highlighted the importance of sustainable indicators, particularly regarding the maintenance and upkeep of tourist resorts. The meeting also addressed the necessity of involving the private sector in investing in tourism infrastructure, streamlining government processes to facilitate business operations, and fostering a clean-green tourism brand. Senior officials from the World Bank, the Ministry of Tourism (Government of India), and various departments of Jammu & Kashmir, including Finance, Tourism, JKTDC, and Handicrafts & Handloom, attended the meeting.

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Bali Tourism Leaders Push for Innovative Certification Program

Denpasar, prominent tourism organizations in Bali have voiced strong support for the development of a certification program aimed at improving the quality of experiences at the island’s top attractions. The Indonesian Recreational Park Business Association (PUTRI) has expressed a need for establishing new standards to ensure safety, industry cohesion, and, most importantly, high-quality experiences for tourists. The Chairman of the Bali Restaurant and Hotels Association and former Deputy Governor of Bali, endorsed the proposal for a certification program. He emphasized that such a program would help tourists better assess the quality of attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other facilities on the island. Addressing Quality Discrepancies Cok Ace highlighted the rapid growth of Bali’s tourism sector, which has led to a noticeable variation in the quality of experiences available. He pointed out that the expanding range of tourism activities necessitates a certification process to ensure consistency in safety and quality across different providers. It was noted that while Bali has traditionally focused on cultural, natural, and artificial attractions, the rise of social-environmental attractions—such as festivals, selfie stations, and rice terrace swings—requires a distinct approach. There are challenges of ensuring quality and safety in this new category of attractions. He argued that the presence of high-end hotels and restaurants is rendered meaningless if the overall tourism experience is compromised. For instance, he described a scenario where a tourist could be injured, such as being bitten by a dog during a village walk, and stressed that such incidents could severely damage the island’s tourism image. He pointed out that the integration of safety measures and quality standards is crucial to maintaining the reputation of Bali’s tourism sector. Need for Comprehensive Certification It was seen that Bali’s tourism activities span multiple regions, including Tabanan, Gianyar, Bangli, and Buleleng, in addition to the more prominent Badung Regency, which features popular resorts like Uluwatu, Canggu, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Despite this diversity, a comprehensive certification program is still lacking. Inda Trimafo Yuma, the Head of PUTRI Bali, underscored the necessity of certification for nature-based tourism activities such as rafting, swings, and ATV tours. Yuma stressed that without certification, these activities could pose significant safety risks. She highlighted that ensuring tourism safety is paramount and urged that businesses offering these services should not compromise on quality. Ongoing Efforts and Impact on Tourism PUTRI Bali has been actively lobbying the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies for over two years to establish a quality verification process. The anticipated certification program is expected to aid tourists in planning their visits, booking activities, and ensuring the quality of their experiences. Currently, tourists largely depend on online information, travel guides, blogs, and fellow travelers’ reviews to gauge the quality of their chosen experiences. However, safety and quality concerns have been a recurring issue among tourists, with numerous reports of accidents and injuries at various attractions. Such incidents have occurred in rafting experiences, ATV tours, adventure play centers, cultural sites, and coastal viewpoints. Additionally, the safety standards of Bali’s fast boat services, which connect the main island with the Nusa and Gili Islands, have been frequently criticized following incidents of capsizing, fires, and injuries. PUTRI’s Proposal for Safety and Quality Certification In response to these concerns, PUTRI has offered its expertise and resources to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism to develop, implement, and manage a safety and quality certification program. This initiative aims to enhance the overall tourist experience in Bali by establishing clear standards and ensuring that attractions meet rigorous safety and quality criteria.

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