News

Dubai to host ‘India by the Creek’, a three-day cultural extravaganza from March 8

The inaugural 'India by the Creek' festival, offering free admission to all, is set to take place at Al Seef Park in Dubai from March 8-10. This event promises to be a vibrant celebration of the longstanding historical ties between India and the emirate of Dubai. Organized by Dubai Duty Free in partnership with the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and Teamwork Arts, with the backing of Dubai Economy and Tourism, and Khaleej Times, this festival represents a significant cultural milestone for both nations. Satish Kumar Sivan, the Consul General of India in Dubai, shared his excitement about the event's conception and highlighted the rich cultural heritage it aims to showcase. He emphasized that the relationship between the UAE and India goes beyond mere economic interests, rooted in shared values of culture, diversity, and tolerance. He added, “The UAE and India share a very special relationship that transcends trade and mercantile interests. Culture, diversity and tolerance anchor this bond. This festival celebrates that spirit. I am fortunate to see the first edition being staged. This is just the beginning; many more such exchanges are in the offing.” Over the course of three days, Dubai Creek will come alive with collaborative artistic performances by artists from India and the UAE. Distinguished figures and performers from India, including academics, writers, vocalists, musicians, diplomats, and bands such as Indian Ocean, will grace the event with their presence and talent. The festival, organized by Teamwork Arts, draws on their extensive experience in curating cultural events worldwide. With a history spanning three decades and having organized over 33 festivals in 72 cities across 26 countries, Teamwork Arts aims to deepen the cultural connections between India and Dubai through 'India by the Creek'.

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New initiatives unveiled by Transport Minister to enhance connectivity

In a bid to improve transportation options and streamline travel for residents of Chennai, Transport Minister S.C. Sivasankar introduced two groundbreaking initiatives during a ceremony at the Chief Secretariat. These initiatives promise to enhance connectivity within the city and facilitate smoother commuting experiences for passengers. The first initiative aims to facilitate travel between Chennai and Kilambakkam, offering greater convenience to commuters. Passengers booking express bus tickets now have the option to include a supplementary payment of Rs. 40, enabling them to travel to Kilambakkam via city bus. Similarly, travelers originating from Kilambakkam can access various parts of Chennai by paying an additional Rs. 40 when booking express buses. This initiative not only expands travel possibilities but also ensures seamless connectivity between Chennai and Kilambakkam, catering to the diverse needs of commuters. Under the second initiative, passengers booking tickets with the Government Rapid Transport Corporation can enjoy expedited travel between Chennai and Kilambakkam. This service guarantees efficient transportation, with city buses arranged to complete the journey within four hours. By reducing travel time and improving accessibility, this initiative aims to enhance the overall commuting experience for passengers traveling to and from Kilambakkam. Both initiatives came into effect on March 1, signaling the government’s commitment to enhancing public transportation infrastructure and addressing the evolving needs of commuters in Chennai. In addition, Sivasankar introduced a mobile application tailored specifically for Metropolitan Transport Corporation employees. This innovative app provides employees with access to administrative circulars, messages, and streamlined leave application processes. By leveraging technology, the app aims to improve communication and administrative efficiency within the transport corporation, ultimately benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

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You can travel in AC coach on sleeper ticket

Indian Railways has now announced good news for train passengers. Accordingly, this special facility will now be available to all passengers. Train Ac Coach Many people prefer to travel by train. In such a situation, indian Railways provides many types of facilities to the passengers. Whenever passengers book train tickets, they get auto upgrade option. Train In this service, passengers can upgrade their ticket class. That means if a passenger takes a sleeper class ticket, he can upgrade his ticket to 3rd AC for free. Passengers can opt for auto-upgrade option while booking tickets online and offline. AC Coach In auto upgrade, if there is a seat in third AC, second AC and first AC compartment, passengers can upgrade it according to their ticket. Passengers can get this facility either free of cost or for a fee. You can upgrade your ticket before or during the journey. Sleeper ticket If passengers upgrade their tickets during the journey, they will have to pay extra. Whereas, if the passenger chooses the auto-upgrade option while booking the ticket, he can upgrade the ticket for free. Indian Railways Seat upgrade can be done only if there is a seat in the train. indian Railways started the auto Upgradation Program in 2006. Passengers are given an auto upgrade option at the top of the booking form. Passengers This option is also offered in the irctc app and online portal. After the chart is prepared, railways consider upgrading the ticket. The update is done automatically by PRS (Passenger Reservation System) while preparing the map

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Crisp whites and bold reds in Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region

Hunter Valley, Australia's oldest wine region, is home to 150 wineries, award-winning restaurants, and beautiful hotels. The first grape vines were planted in the fertile soil of the Hunter Valley in the 1820s and it has since become the largest wine region in New South Wales. Semillon stands out as the signature variety of the Hunter Valley, characterised by its classic white profile featuring intense yet refined flavours, crisp acidity, and notes of citrus and apple. The region is equally celebrated for its bold and robust Shiraz, crafted from some of the globe's oldest vines. Mark your calendars for the 12th annual Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday July 13, 2024, within the grounds of the picturesque Rydges Resort Hunter Valley. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Wine regions of Hunter Valley: Pokolbin, Lovedale, and Broke-Fordwich are the three wine-growing regions in Hunter Valley. Due to differing soil and microclimates, all of these regions produce their own unique wine, and all offer different cellar-door experiences. By the end of the 19th century, notable wine families, including Tyrell, Tulloch, Drayton, Wilkinson, and Lindeman, had planted their vineyards in this locale. To this day, Pokolbin maintains the highest density of wineries in the valley, complemented by a selection of hotels, restaurants, and cafes. • Lovedale: Lovedale offers an opportunity to explore small, family-operated wineries in a tranquil setting, away from large crowds. The intimate cellar doors provide a chance to engage in conversations with winemakers or growers, gaining insights into their latest vintages. Wines in this region are typically named after family members. Broke-Fordwich: Broke-Fordwich is renowned for hosting top-notch boutique and sustainable wineries, along with highly praised fine dining options, a World Heritage-listed wilderness, and ancient Aboriginal rock art. The area has a dozen wineries, all conveniently located within a few kilometres of each other. Best vineyards of Hunter Valley • Scarborough Wine: Scarborough Wine Co. is a family-operated vineyard celebrated for its outstanding wines and hospitable atmosphere. The estate provides a journey from soil to cellar, allowing guests to gain insights into the entire winemaking process, spanning from the vineyard to the bottling stage. • Tyrrell’s Wines: Tyrrell's Wines is a must-visit for wine lovers. With a history dating back to 1858, this family-owned establishment has consistently produced high-quality wines for over 160 years, making it an essential destination for those passionate about wine.

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Dubai to host ‘India by the Creek’, a three-day cultural extravaganza from March 8

The inaugural 'India by the Creek' festival, offering free admission to all, is set to take place at Al Seef Park in Dubai from March 8-10. This event promises to be a vibrant celebration of the longstanding historical ties between India and the emirate of Dubai. Organized by Dubai Duty Free in partnership with the Consulate General of India, Dubai, and Teamwork Arts, with the backing of Dubai Economy and Tourism, and Khaleej Times, this festival represents a significant cultural milestone for both nations. Satish Kumar Sivan, the Consul General of India in Dubai, shared his excitement about the event's conception and highlighted the rich cultural heritage it aims to showcase. He emphasized that the relationship between the UAE and India goes beyond mere economic interests, rooted in shared values of culture, diversity, and tolerance. He added, “The UAE and India share a very special relationship that transcends trade and mercantile interests. Culture, diversity and tolerance anchor this bond. This festival celebrates that spirit. I am fortunate to see the first edition being staged. This is just the beginning; many more such exchanges are in the offing.” Over the course of three days, Dubai Creek will come alive with collaborative artistic performances by artists from India and the UAE. Distinguished figures and performers from India, including academics, writers, vocalists, musicians, diplomats, and bands such as Indian Ocean, will grace the event with their presence and talent. The festival, organized by Teamwork Arts, draws on their extensive experience in curating cultural events worldwide. With a history spanning three decades and having organized over 33 festivals in 72 cities across 26 countries, Teamwork Arts aims to deepen the cultural connections between India and Dubai through 'India by the Creek'. Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, expressed his vision for the festival to become an annual highlight on Dubai's cultural calendar, offering a diverse range of activities, workshops, and performances for people of all ages. Ramesh Cidambi, COO of Dubai Duty Free, underscored the importance of India as a key market and expressed excitement about sponsoring the festival, which blends Indian and Emirati cultures in a unique and vibrant setting. Ravi Menon, representing the festival's local partner, reflected on the journey to bring 'India by the Creek' to life, acknowledging the collaborative efforts that have made this cultural extravaganza possible.

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Here's how tech, AI are transforming travel insurance

Half a decade back, travel insurance was taken mainly against loss of baggage or to compensate for trip cancellation expenses. But with marketplaces and travel aggregators providing comprehensive and competitive offers, insurance packages can now be compared, chosen and bought online. The flexibility and accessibility is expected to bring more takers and a rapid market expansion and growth. "As per the General Insurance Council report, last year, it was a 950-crore industry for overseas travel insurance and this year, three years after the pandemic, the expected growth is between 15-20 pc," says Manas Kapoor, Business Head - Travel Insurance, Policybazaar.com, a leading insurance aggregator. With InsurTech booming, and Bima Sugam, a digital platform accelerating the awareness and demand, says Sanjiv Bajaj, Jt. Chairman & MD, BajajCapital Insurance Broking Ltd. "By 2025, the market could reach an estimated ₹40,000 crore, and in 2030, forecasts anticipate a staggering ₹1,25,000 crore market," he shares the projection. The industry is largely around individual/family users who travel internationally once a year, prefer multi-trip insurance for cost savings and convenience. They combine floater plans with benefits that are mostly medical-related, and others like travel cancellations and loss of personal belongings. Single trips that come with flexibility and customisation are for millennials and Gen-Z cohorts and the senior citizen plans with higher pre-existing diseases (PED) coverage and lastly student-specific plans. There has been a significant drop in frequent flyers after the pandemic who opt for higher coverage. But domestic travel is picking up along with staycations and workcation plans. Especially after the IRDAI introduced new travel insurance guidelines, standardising coverage options and promoting transparency. Micro-insurance plans and pay-as-you-go options that cater to budget-conscious travelers, cancel-for-any-reason coverage and additional add-ons are some of the emerging, popular trends in travel insurance. Post-pandemic, consumer behavior has changed from traditional saver to spender, says Abraham Alapatt, President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel, "Our business split is 70% FIT (individual travel) and 30% GIT (group travel) for domestic, for long haul 75(GIT):25(FIT) and short haul: 50:50. Our individual travel/FIT segment is witnessing a steady growth in domestic and short haul compared to pre pandemic levels. The trending "YOLO" (You Only Live Once) mindset has been fueling the desire for experience/bucket list-led travel too." Of all the pandemic outcomes, heightened risk perception has worked in favour of the insurance industry. "Over 90% of Indians now prioritise travel insurance," says Sanjiv Bajaj. The challenges are still many and manifold. When it comes to insurance, people fail to read the 'deductibles' in fine print. As a result, there is an expectation mismatch; this leads to overconsumption too. Reading 600 pages of insurance document is impossible. Though service providers have dedicated domestic and global service providers to assist and chatbots to address the FAQs, transparency is considered to be a must-have for providers. "Unlike health, travel is a pull product. Complications might not result in good results," says Kapoor. Customer service, especially during the post sales journey is really important, he adds as much as tailoring the protection based on changing circumstances. "For example, in the last one and a half years, around Paris there are a lot of thefts reported and loss of personal belongings. Our recommendations prioritised this. Going ahead, in the pipeline is addition of a no-charge global call over the Internet to help. We are also trying to build a tech channel with responses for policy choices based on segmentation and deep-dive data," explains Kapoor. Technology indeed has given the insurance brands a progressive path to follow. For brands, it has resulted in a significant drop of approximately ten years in the average age of customers, says Alapatt. "Our live video connect platform has witnessed a growth of 2.5x compared to last year for seamless connectivity," he adds. Most of the brands use the tech leverage to analyse real-time market trends and customer preferences and reach them too. "Especially, since competition is increasing with D2C platforms and travel aggregators offering bundled travel insurance options and competitive pricing," points out Sanjiv. From Google search campaigns, influencer marketing to YouTube, brands are focused on getting the most out of the burgeoning market. In the last four years, the market has undergone a swift evolution and the take-aways are many. COVID is no longer a roadblock to the travelers. In fact, the post-pandemic time peaked last year with revenge-travels. From primary coverage, COVID now comes only as an add-on benefit in the claims. "Historically, product construct in insurance used to be very static. But now there is an element of modularity. We see this in both travel and health insurance. Customers can plug and play and create the product themselves. It is a new move but we have yet to see how it will impact the industry," says Kapoor. "Government of India's UDAAN scheme strengthening domestic connectivity from various hubs, also connectivity to offbeat international destinations from India has expanded the gamut and scope," says Alapatt. But in order to boost adoption and experience pronounced growth, similar to motor and two-wheeler insurances that are mandated, the industry consensus is for travel insurance to be made mandatory, especially for international travel.

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