News

India's first sunken museum at Humayun's Tomb Complex

India’s first sunken museum was inaugurated on July 29 at the iconic Humayun's Tomb complex in New Delhi. As per reports, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat officially opened the museum, which showcases over 500 artefacts, many of which are on public display for the first time. The museum is inspired by traditional 'baolis' or water tanks, and offers insights into the life of Mughal emperor Humayun and the rich heritage of the Nizamuddin area. Developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the museum is a product of 25 years of conservation efforts across the 300-acre site that includes Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery, and Nizamuddin Basti. Visitors to the museum will be able to take a look at Mughal miniatures, manuscripts, coins, textiles, and various other artefacts. The museum also features an immersive gallery with a 270-degree screen, offering virtual tours of the World Heritage Site's monuments and gardens, as well as an animated presentation on the evolution of Humayun's Tomb over the last 500 years. The museum's inauguration coincided with the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. The museum will be open to the public starting July 30 (Tuesday), offering a new avenue for experiencing India's rich cultural heritage. Humayun's Tomb, a majestic example of Mughal architecture, stands as a prominent historical and cultural landmark in New Delhi. It was built in the mid-16th century by Empress Bega Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Did you know that the design of the Taj Mahal was inspired by Humayun’s Tomb? This tomb was also the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and it marked a significant departure from earlier Mughal architectural designs. The structure is renowned for its grand red sandstone facade, intricate white marble inlays, and a beautiful Persian-style garden layout, which symbolically represents the paradise garden. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun's Tomb not only serves as a resting place for the emperor but also stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and architectural innovations of the Mughal era.

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Uttarakhand: Garbage bags mandatory in vehicles entering the state to preserve nature

In a bid to maintain cleanliness, the Uttarakhand Government has implemented a new rules mandating that all vehicles entering the state must be equipped with garbage bags or dustbins. This measure aims to preserve the pristine environment of Uttarakhand and curb illegal garbage dumping along popular tourist routes and destinations. During a recent meeting, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi underscored the importance of this regulation and directed officials to enforce it rigorously. The state transport department has been tasked with conducting regular inspections at all entry points to ensure compliance. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect Uttarakhand's natural beauty, which has often been compromised by littering, especially along the Char Dham route and near popular tourist destinations such as Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Nainital. To facilitate the enforcement of this new rule, the transport department has sought cooperation from transport commissioners in neighboring states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Under this new regulation, trip cards will be issued both online and at entry points but only to vehicles that are equipped with a dustbin or garbage bag. Vehicle owners are required to present valid documentation—such as a registration certificate, fitness certificate, insurance paper, and pollution certificate—to receive a trip card. This process is designed to discourage passengers from discarding waste along the roadsides. This regulation addresses ongoing issues raised by various NGOs and social organizations about the increasing garbage problem despite previous efforts. By making tourists, tour operators, and drivers accountable for maintaining cleanliness, the Uttarakhand Government hopes to reduce littering and foster responsible tourism practices. Chief Secretary Raturi emphasized the collective responsibility of both residents and visitors in maintaining the state's natural environment. “Uttarakhand is a tourist state. Preserving its natural cleanliness and protecting its environment is the shared responsibility of its residents and the many tourists and devotees who visit annually,” she remarked. In a related development, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has proposed amendments to existing legislation to impose stricter penalties for illegal garbage dumping. Under the new rules, vehicles caught violating these regulations will face severe consequences, including the revocation of permits for a year. Through these initiatives, Uttarakhand and other states aim to address environmental concerns more effectively and promote sustainable tourism practices.

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Jazeera Airways Announces 50% Off Across Its Network

Valid for bookings from 28th to 31st July 2024, travel from 1st August to 31st December 2024 Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s low-cost carrier, is offering a 50% discount on fares to all destinations in its network from July 28 to 31, 2024. The special promotion, “Stamp More Memories!” is valid for travel between August 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and applies to both one-way and return flights. Travellers from Kuwait can fly directly to any of Jazeera’s 58 destinations across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Africa, and Europe. This includes stunning locations such as Prague, Tirana, Istanbul, Antalya, Trabzon, Batumi, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Amman. With this opportunity to explore multiple destinations at half price, Jazeera Airways invites travellers to embark on solo adventures or enjoy trips with family and friends, making the most of their travel experiences throughout the year. Barathan Pasupathi, Chief Executive Officer, Jazeera Airways, said, “Jazeera offers direct connectivity to several interesting destinations at affordable prices. Travellers from Kuwait and beyond, can now enjoy a further 50% discount when flying to cities across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Africa, or Europe. We offer a variety of options for a leisurely family holiday, a fun weekend getaway, or a quick trip to catch up with family and friends. With a convenient transit through Jazeera Terminal 5, travellers from different countries in our network can also explore other destinations that Jazeera serves.” To avail the 50% discount on published fares, the airline has provided a unique promo code ‘J950’ to be utilized when booking flights through the Jazeera website (www.jazeeraairways.com), mobile application or any other booking channels. Dates and seats are subject to availability.

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Honeywell Partners with Air India for Long-Term APU Aftermarket Support Agreement

Honeywell has entered into a long-term agreement with Air India Limited, a leading global airline and Tata Group enterprise, to provide Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) aftermarket support for both its existing and new fleets. This agreement includes comprehensive maintenance support for Honeywell APUs, aimed at enhancing aircraft dispatch reliability, fleet availability, and reducing unplanned maintenance costs across Air India’s fleet. The APU is a vital component that delivers electrical power and air conditioning while the aircraft is on the ground, ensuring passenger comfort and supplying air before the main engines are started. Honeywell’s APUs are part of a broader range of technologies shaping the future of aviation, aligning with key global megatrends including Automation and Energy Transition. “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Air India and help in its fleet modernization efforts, as part of a long-standing commitment to supporting the carrier’s innovation and growth objectives,” said Ashish Modi, President, Honeywell India. He also added, “This latest milestone in our 30-year-plus partnership with Air India is a testament to our key role in accelerating the growth of India’s aviation sector through innovative technology.” With air travel steadily growing, the need for easily accessible aftermarket services continues to rise. Under the agreement, Honeywell will deliver to Air India comprehensive APU aftermarket support to ensure the continued reliability and efficiency of Air India’s extensive fleet of more than 300 aircraft. This includes its legacy fleet, which consists of over 100 A320 aircraft, 15 B777 aircraft and its new fleet of 190 B737-8 aircraft, and will cover Honeywell’s 131-9A, 131-9B and 331-500 series APUs. Honeywell’s extensive global service and support network is designed to ensure that its APUs operate at optimal performance with minimal operational disruption. Commenting on this, Sisira Kanta Dash, chief technical officer, Air India, said, “This is an exciting milestone that adds to our long-standing partnership with Honeywell. This agreement forms part of our global growth and transformation plans, to help achieve more efficient, reliable operations, with maximized fleet availability, through Honeywell’s advanced technology services that enable us to continue meeting the needs of our valued customers.”

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RedBus CEO Urges State Transport Corporations to Embrace Digital Ticketing

According to a report in The Hindu, travel aggregator redBus has urged state-owned bus operators to make their services available on booking apps, arguing that this move could significantly boost revenue for state road transport corporations (RTCs). States such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, which manage some of the largest inter- and intra-state bus networks in India, have recently pulled back their online booking options. “Online penetration for RTCs is hovering between 5–30%,” said Prakash Sangam, CEO, redBus. “There is clearly an opportunity” to improve the portion of their businesses that is available for online purchase, Sangam said. He added that 23 firms had tied up with redBus, but there remained a lot of digitisation potential. For RTC bookings, the firm makes money through commissions that are comparable with other travel and ticketing agents with whom RTCs work. . Sangam outlined two reasons why RTCs were not completely distributing online. “One is, their technology systems may not be able to handle an external integration.” The second reason is that some RTCs may not provide commercial terms to online booking sites that make the exercise worthwhile. There was also a large portion of services where RTCs could improvise — for instance, on some routes, two separate bus services scheduled to leave in short succession may combine the services into one ride due to lower-than-usual demand.

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Travomint Teams Up with Blue Ribbon Bags to Improve Traveller Experience

Travomint, a prominent name in the travel industry, has announced a new partnership with Blue Ribbon Bags, a well-regarded luggage tracking service. This collaboration aims to streamline travel for customers by enhancing the handling of lost or delayed baggage, ensuring greater peace of mind and efficiency. By joining forces with Blue Ribbon Bags, Travomint underscores its dedication to boosting customer satisfaction and providing dependable travel solutions. This partnership will enable Travomint’s customers to benefit from expedited baggage recovery, significantly alleviating the hassle of lost luggage. “Blue Ribbon Bags’ advanced tracking technology guarantees that travellers receive their delayed baggage within 96 hours, regardless of their location. This service offers travellers both reassurance and convenience, allowing them to focus on enjoying their trip without the stress of managing misplaced belongings,” said the company release. “We are thrilled to team up with Blue Ribbon Bags to offer our customers a smooth and stress-free travel experience,” said Alok K Singh, Co-founder and CEO, Travomint. “This partnership reflects our dedication to providing exceptional service and support to travellers around the globe”.

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