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IndiGo issues travel advisory for Mumbai as flights impacted due to heavy rain

IndiGo Airlines on Friday issued a travel advisory asking all passengers to check their flight status as Mumbai was facing air traffic congestion amid heavy rainfall lashing the city. “Flights are impacted due to heavy rains and air traffic congestion in Mumbai. Do keep a tab on the flight status. Wishing you happy and safe travels!” the airline posted on X. Hindustan Times reported that more passengers are affected by delays in flights than ever before. IndiGo, once known for being ‘on time’ has now slipped in performance due to delayed departures as well. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue till Saturday in Mumbai, with the India Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for the city. Rains across the city in the early morning, have caused major traffic congestion and waterlogging on ground. The IMD has forecast very intense spells of rainfall in isolated places of the Mumbai district for the next 3-4 hours in a post on X. Colaba recorded 86 mm and Santa Cruz recorded 115.8 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am on July 11 and 8:30 am on July 12. The weather department has also issued an orange alert for Madhya Maharashtra as well as the Konkan region. Earlier in the week, Mumbai experienced intense rainfall, leading to major waterlogging and flooding of suburban railway stations, with 170 mm of rain being recorded in 3 hours. Schools and colleges were shut and the legislative assembly session was also adjourned. As moderate to heavy rains are likely to continue till July 15, the Shinde government's disaster management control room will be in charge of managing civic services.

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Qatar: Indian travellers will soon be able to make UPI payments

Great news for all those planning to travel to Qatar. As per the latest development, NPCI International has partnered with Qatar National Bank (QNB) to enable UPI payments in Qatar. This development means that travellers can use their UPI apps, such as Google Pay or PhonePe, to make payments seamlessly in Qatar. QNB Group, the largest bank in the Middle East and Africa, operates in over 28 countries and offers a wide range of financial services, including access to more than 5,000 ATMs. This collaboration will allow Indians visiting Qatar to use UPI at various places, including shops, leisure areas, tourist spots, duty-free shops, and hotels. Given that Indians are one of the largest groups of visitors to Qatar, this will greatly enhance the convenience of transactions. The benefits extend to local businesses as well. By accepting UPI payments, Qatari shops and businesses can offer faster and smoother checkouts, enhancing the customer experience and potentially increasing sales. The ease of UPI transactions will attract more customers and streamline the payment process for merchants. Anubhav Sharma, Deputy Chief of Partnerships and Business Development at NPCI International, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. He stated, “We are happy to collaborate with QNB to bring UPI payments to Qatar. We believe that enabling UPI acceptance in Qatar will offer substantial benefits to the large number of Indians visiting the country, simplifying their transactions, and ensuring a hassle-free travel experience abroad." Sharma also highlighted that merchants in Qatar would significantly benefit from UPI by gaining access to a wider customer base and more efficient payment and collection processing. Adel Ali Al-Malki, Senior Executive Vice President of QNB Group Retail Banking, shared his excitement about this pioneering initiative. He said, “We are thrilled to embark on this pioneering journey with NIPL to bring UPI payments to Qatar, setting a new standard in innovation in the region. With this new digital payment solution acceptance, we are revolutionising the way transactions are conducted, enhancing the travel experience like never before." Al-Malki further emphasised that this strategic initiative will not only elevate the travel and hospitality sectors but also empower local merchants to thrive. The introduction of UPI payments in Qatar through the collaboration between NPCI International and QNB Group marks a significant advancement in facilitating easier and more efficient transactions for Indian travellers. This initiative is poised to enhance the travel experience, support local businesses, and strengthen economic ties between India and Qatar.

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Peru: 4000-year-old temple and theatre discovered by archaeologists

Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered what they believe to be a 4,000-year-old temple and theatre, shedding new light on the early origins of complex religions in the region. The discovery was made at the archaeological site of La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas, near the northern Peruvian town of Zaña. The team, led by Luis Muro Ynoñán, a research scientist at the Field Museum in Chicago, began their excavation in June after local authorities alerted them to looting activities in the area. Peru is a captivating tourist destination renowned for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse attractions. Visitors explore the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, the historic streets of Cusco, and the Sacred Valley's scenic beauty. The vibrant capital city, Lima lures people with its museums and culinary delights. Adventure seekers can trek the Andes, explore the Amazon rainforest, or marvel at the mysterious Nazca Lines. And the latest discovery will ignite a new wave of interest among tourists. The excavation covered a plot approximately 33 ft by 33 ft, revealing ancient mud and clay walls just 6 ft below the surface. "It was so surprising that these very ancient structures were so close to the modern surface," Ynoñán said. As they dug deeper, the team discovered part of a large temple and a small theatre with a backstage area and a staircase leading to a stage-like platform. This theatre was likely used for ritual performances in front of a selected audience. One of the theatre’s staircases was adorned with mud panels featuring an elaborate carved design of a mythological bird-like creature. This figure resembles other images dating to the Initial Period, around 2,000 to 900 BC, suggesting the temple's age. "The Initial Period is important because it’s when we first start to see evidence of an institutionalised religion in Peru," Ynoñán explained. The discovery provides insight into the early origins of religion in the region. These findings predate Peru’s most famous archaeological site, Machu Picchu, by about 3,500 years and the pre-Inca cultures of Moche and Nazca. "We don’t know what these people called themselves, or how other people referred to them. All we know about them comes from what they created: their houses, temples, and funerary goods," Ynoñán said. He added that these people developed complex religious systems and cosmological perceptions, which played a significant role in the emergence of political authority. Ynoñán has a personal connection to the discovery, as his mother’s and father’s families are from the area. "It was really incredible to come face to face with these depictions of an ancient god that was so important for these ancient groups," he shared. In addition to the temple and theatre, archaeologists found several large murals painted on the walls. Ynoñán collected samples of the paint pigments for lab analysis and plans to conduct carbon dating to confirm the site's age. Peru is rich in archaeological treasures from pre-Hispanic times. In August, archaeologists unearthed a 3,000-year-old tomb believed to honour an elite religious leader. A few months earlier, they discovered a more than 1,000-year-old adolescent mummy wrapped in a funerary bundle on the outskirts of Lima. These discoveries continue to provide valuable insights into the ancient civilizations that once thrived in the Andes.

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Passport surrenders in Gujarat doubles in a year; understanding the new trend

In a recent update, passport surrenders in Gujarat have seen a surprising surge, doubling within a year as reported by the Times of India. In 2022, 241 individuals gave up their passports, a number that reached 485 by 2023. The trend continued with 244 surrenders recorded by early May 2024. Most surrenders were observed among individuals between the age group of 30-45, predominantly settled in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Parliamentary data places Gujarat third in India for citizenship renunciations from 2014 to 2022, with 22,300 individuals surrendering their citizenship. Delhi and Punjab lead the tally with 60,414 and 28,117 renunciations, respectively. The rise in passport renunciations post-Covid has been notable, reflecting changing global mobility trends. A senior official, preferring anonymity, attributed the trend to many young Gujaratis pursuing higher education abroad and subsequently settling there. Lalit Advani, an investor visa consultant, noted a growing inclination among businessmen to relocate overseas for improved infrastructure and quality of life. Issues such as urban congestion and inadequate green spaces in Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, further drive this migration trend. According to Ritesh Desai, a passport consultant, there are three primary visa categories—student, direct immigration, and business—which have seen increased demand since 2012, especially post-2013. Desai anticipates a significant rise in passport surrenders by 2028 as more expatriates secure foreign citizenship. Regarding business visas, Desai highlighted challenges due to country-specific quotas. He cited examples of lengthy wait times, such as a friend's ongoing six-year wait for an EB5 visa despite a substantial investment. This, he mentioned, discourages many potential applicants who lack significant financial resources. Under the Passports Act 1967, Indian passport holders acquiring foreign nationality must surrender their passports. Early surrenders incur no penalties, whereas delays beyond three years may result in fines ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. The trend of passport renunciations in Gujarat reflects broader socio-economic factors influencing global migration patterns. As individuals seek enhanced opportunities and living standards abroad, the state continues to witness a consequential rise in passport surrenders. Gujarat’s significant rise in passport surrenders, reflects a growing trend among its residents to relocate abroad for education, career opportunities, and improved quality of life.

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Buckingham Palace's iconic balcony room opens to public for first time

For the first time, the room behind Buckingham Palace’s iconic balcony will be accessible to the public, offering a rare glimpse into a significant part of royal history. This historic room, from which the royal family has appeared during coronations, weddings, and other major events, will be open as part of a new tour of the palace’s east wing, starting next week. Throughout the decades, the balcony has been the backdrop for many memorable moments. Winston Churchill stood there with the royal family in 1945, celebrating the end of World War II. In 1981, it was the stage for King Charles III and Princess Diana’s wedding. More recently, King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared on the balcony following the king’s birthday parade. Despite the countless images of the balcony, the room behind it has remained unseen by the public. This new tour marks the first opportunity to explore it since its creation approximately 175 years ago. The opening of the east wing has generated immense interest, with nearly 6,000 tickets sold out within hours of their release in April. The east wing, constructed between 1847 and 1849 to accommodate Queen Victoria's expanding family, was originally proposed by Prince Albert. He envisioned the balcony as a means for the royal family to connect with the public, a tradition that continues today. Visitors on the tour will be taken along much of the east wing’s 73-meter principal corridor, which includes the yellow drawing room and the center room behind the balcony. These rooms reflect the early 19th-century taste of King George IV, who had a passion for Chinese-themed art. Notable features in the room behind the balcony include a newly restored glass chandelier designed to resemble a lotus flower and two Chinese 18th-century imperial silk wall hangings. These were gifts from Emperor Guangxu to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Although visitors will not be able to step onto the balcony, they will enjoy views down the Mall, the grand avenue leading to the palace, and see Jonathan Yeo’s new portrait of King Charles, painted almost entirely in red. This unprecedented access to the east wing and the historic room behind the balcony provides a unique opportunity to experience a part of Buckingham Palace that has long been shrouded in mystery.

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Sri Lanka tourism gets a boost with 200,000 Indian visitors in 2024

In early 2024, Sri Lanka's tourism sector witnessed a significant influx of Indian tourists, with nearly 200,000 visitors from India. Sri Lanka Tourism has intensified efforts targeting the Indian market, with various strategies to showcase the country's diverse attractions. An important factor of this campaign was a networking event held aboard a cruise on the Ganges in Kolkata on July 10, 2024. Attended by Kolkata's travel agents, industry leaders, and a delegation from Sri Lanka including the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the event aimed to foster closer ties and promote Sri Lanka's tourism offerings. Representatives from 30 Destination Management Companies, leading hotels, resorts, homestays, tour operators, and service providers from Sri Lanka participated, highlighting the breadth and quality of tourism services available. Earlier in June 2024, Sri Lanka organized a series of B2B roadshows and networking events across Indore, Vadodara, and Surat, targeting potential travelers from Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. These initiatives positioned Sri Lanka as a year-round destination, emphasizing its diverse attractions and the robust growth of its tourism sector. Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, expressed gratitude for India's ongoing support in advancing Sri Lanka's tourism sector. Highlighting Sri Lanka's economic progress, he noted tourism revenues exceeding USD 2 billion in 2023 and surpassing USD 1.25 billion in the first four months of 2024. The Minister set ambitious goals, aiming to attract 2.5 million tourists in 2024, buoyed by the extension of visa-free entry for Indian travellers. Chalaka D Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, emphasized tourism's pivotal role as the island's third-largest revenue stream. He highlighted the sector's evolution beyond beach-centric tourism to encompass sports, culture, spirituality, and history. Recent years have seen Sri Lanka significantly enhance its presence in India through strategic B2B engagements and participation in global travel trade shows, aiming to consolidate its appeal in key markets worldwide. The emphasis on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism also garnered attention, with Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, noting India's importance as a primary target market. The MICE sector's share of total tourist arrivals is expected to rise from 9.5% in 2023 to 12% in 2024, with revenue targets set at USD 550 million for 2024 and USD 1.36 billion by 2026. As Sri Lanka continues to expand its tourism offerings and strengthen its appeal across diverse segments, travelers are encouraged to explore tailored Sri Lanka Tour Packages, such as the enriching 10 Days Sri Lanka Culture Tour Itinerary or the comprehensive 12 Days Sri Lanka Experience Itinerary, ensuring an unforgettable journey through this captivating island nation.

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