News

Mark the date! Hornbill Festival 2023 to begin from Dec 1 in Nagaland

Hornbill is one of the most-awaited festivals of the year. This colourful festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland and is attended by thousands of curious travellers from around the world. This year, the festival will begin from December 1 and end on December 10, 2023. Nagaland is a beautiful state in the northeast region of India. The state is famous as the 'Land of Festivals' and Hornbill is one of the grandest celebrations that is organised by the State Tourism of Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland every year. For those who don’t know, Hornbill is named after a bird, which is a symbol of respect among the Naga tribe. Hornbill is also known as the Festival of Festivals wherein a traditional cluster of 17 Naga tribes come together to promote intercultural harmony. There’s hardly a dull moment during this festival. And for those interested in knowing about the age-old traditions and celebrations of tribals, Hornbill is a perfect time and a lifetime opportunity. Visitors can explore the structure of tribal huts and go back in time. They can also see drums, gongs, costumes and wooden carvings in these traditional Naga homes. All the events are held in the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, which is some 10 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Today, the festival has become so famous that it has become a symbol of brotherhood in Nagaland. One of the main highlights of the festival is the Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition wherein flowers are put on display. Important info: 1) Hornbill Festival Tickets: Passes worth INR 20- INR 30 have to be purchased every day 2) Camera: INR 50 (addition) 3) Domestic tourists must get the inner line permit from the local government to attend the festival 4) Foreign tourists need to register at the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 24 hours of arrival.

Read more

India resumes visa services in Canada, excluding tourist & e-visa service for Canadians

The resumed visa services will include the issuance of entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas for Canadian nationals. Entry visas are granted to people of Indian origin and to those who are dependent family members of employment visa holders. However, it's important to note that tourist and e-visa services for Canadians will remain temporarily suspended. Sharing the announcement in a statement on X (Formerly Twitter), the High Commission of India in Ottawa announced the resumption of visa services through its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, effective October 26, 2023. This significant development comes after the temporary suspension of various visa services, reflecting a careful review of the security situation that also considered recent Canadian measures. "After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories with effect from October 26. Emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the High Commission and the Consulate General as it is being done currently," the Indian High Commission said in its statement. The resumed visa services will include the issuance of entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas for Canadian nationals. Entry visas are granted to people of Indian origin and to those who are dependent family members of employment visa holders. However, it's important to note that tourist and e-visa services for Canadians will remain temporarily suspended. The hiatus in visa services, which began on September 21, had broader diplomatic implications. In response, Canada had withdrawn 41 diplomats from India last week and temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in specific Indian cities, namely Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. These services will now be exclusively available at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. While the resumption of services is undoubtedly a positive development, the reduced staffing levels may lead to some processing delays. The impact could affect Indian citizens by prolonging processing times, responses to inquiries, and the issuance of visas and passports. It remains to be seen whether the number of visas issued to Indian nationals will be significantly affected due to the limited staffing capacity. Prior to the disruption caused by the diplomatic dispute, Canada was issuing approximately 15,000 visas to Indian nationals each week. As the situation continues to evolve, travellers and applicants are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to anticipate potential processing delays when applying for Indian visas through the reopened services. India's decision to reinstate these visa categories is expected to facilitate essential travel and business engagements.

Read more

Govt says UDAN generating demand for new aircraft; 499 routes operationalised so far

The government on Thursday said 499 routes have been operationalised so far under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN, which was launched six years ago, and has facilitated the travel of more than 1.3 crore people. The scheme, also known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), is contributing to the growth of the civil aviation industry, as four new airlines have come up in the last six years and has generated demand for new aircraft, an official release said. It is providing opportunities to small regional airlines -- FlyBig, Star Air, and IndiaOne Air -- to scale up their businesses and is also creating an amiable ecosystem conducive to airline business, the release added. The first UDAN flight was on April 27, 2017, connecting Shimla and Delhi. According to the release issued by the civil aviation ministry, 499 routes have been operationalised under UDAN, which has also facilitated the travel of more than 1.3 crore people. Further, it said the scheme's incremental expansion has generated an escalating demand for new aircraft. "This augmentation encompasses a comprehensive range of aircraft and encompasses helicopters, seaplanes, 3-seat propeller planes, and jet planes. "Presently, a diversified fleet, including Airbus 320/321, Boeing 737, ATR 42 and 72, DHC Q400 and Twin Otter, Embraer 145 and 175, and Tecnam P2006T, is actively serving on the RCS routes," the release said. Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said UDAN has unlocked the country's true potential by promoting tourism, boosting trade, and empowering local economies. India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world.

Read more

Dehradun to Mussoorie in just 15 minutes! Uttarakhand plans India's longest ropeway connectivity for two cities

Dehradun and Mussoorie are set to be connected by India's longest ropeway, measuring 5.5 km, within the next three years. The Dehradun Mussoorie Ropeway Project (DMRP), led by FIL Industries, has commenced its construction, with phase-I expected to be completed by September 2026, a TOI report stated. The Mussoorie Sky Car Company, a consortium led by FIL Industries, along with SRM Engineering LLP and technology partner POMA SAS France, is responsible for building the 5.5-km ropeway. This ropeway will reduce travel time between the two cities from 1.5 hours to just 15 minutes, with 10-seater diamond cabins accommodating 1,300 passengers per hour in each direction. The estimated cost of the mono-cable ropeway is Rs 300 crore and it will significantly shorten the 33 km driving distance between Dehradun and Mussoorie. The journey, which usually takes between 1.5 to 3 hours due to traffic, will now be completed in a fraction of the time. Owais Altaf Syed, the group director of FIL Industries, expressed excitement about launching this mega ropeway project in Uttarakhand. This is FIL Industries' second ropeway project in India, following the Skyview by Empyrean project in Patnitop, Jammu. The Mussoorie-Dehradun sustainable ropeway project is being built with state-of-the-art technology and is expected to provide employment opportunities, generate revenue, and boost the state's GDP by attracting tourists from around the world. This ropeway will consist of 10-seater cabins and will operate throughout the year, making it the first ropeway in India designed for both tourism and urban mobility purposes.

Read more

Every seat can’t be shown as paid during web check-in: Centre warns airlines

The Centre has asked airlines to not show every flight seat as paid during web check-in. Here is a lowdown on what led to the warning. Do you always have to pay a little extra amount while doing the mandatory “free” web check-in every time you fly somewhere? This is a recurring problem, and more often than not, we are left confused as to why we are paying extra on a ticket that’s already purchased and is a confirmed one. There was once a time when we used to pay extra for the seats with extra legroom. But now, you’d be lucky to catch the green “free” spot on your web check-in screen. The amount can range anywhere from INR 100-500. Is this fare to the customers? The Centre definitely didn’t think so. Calling it “unfair trade practices” and “misleading”, the Centre has warned airlines that not every seat can be shown as paid seats during web check-in. Web check-in for any airlines these days open two days prior to departure. Flyers often do web check-in during that time period but no matter when you do, one always finds nearly all seats marked as paid. However, some airlines do allow very few free seats towards the rear end of the aircraft. What can a flyer do when web check-in is made mandatory for all domestic flights? This matter came under the radar of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) back in November 2018. Generally, a web check-in is free of cost. The extra charges are incurred only when passengers opt for facilities such as seats with more leg room, airlines’ add-on services like in-flight meals or sometimes for a window seat. It is important to note that there are some routes where not all seats are paid seats. However, it's unfortunate that a majority of the routes come with mandatory purchase of seats apart from the ticket which one has already purchased.

Read more

Sri Lanka approves visa-free travel for Indians

Sri Lanka has recently announced visa-free access for Indian passport holders. Let's explore some of the other stunning visa-free locations for Indian tourists.Do you wish to embark on an international holiday but don't have a visa? Well don't worry, here's some good news. Recently, Sri Lanka has announced a visa-free entry initiative for visitors from India and six other countries including China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand. This move opens up exciting possibilities for seamless travel between the two neighbouring countries. While this is a notable update, it's worth exploring the wider landscape of visa-free travel options for Indian citizens worldwide. The first thing that comes to mind when making plans to travel abroad is obtaining a visa. However, there are a few countries where Indian citizens do not require a visa and a few where they can obtain a visa on arrival. According to the Passport Index by Henley and Partners 2023, Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries without a visa. Indian citizens can also visit the countries on the list below with an e-visa or entry authorisation. But which countries allow visa-free travel for Indian passport holders? The list is below, have a look Top Visa-Free Travel Destinations for Indian Passport Holders Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries without a visa. For your next International vacay here are the top 10 most exotic visa-free countries for Indian citizens who hold a valid passport. 1. Barbados Known as the 'Jewel of the Caribbean', Barbados is renowned for having some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Rockley Beach is considered to be Barbados' most stunning beach. This long stretch of sand is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the warm weather without the crowds. To secure a visa on arrival in Barbados, all you need to do is obtain prior confirmation. 2. Dominica Dominica, a mountainous Caribbean island nation, enjoys warm, tropical weather. All you have to do is book your flights to Dominica from India to visit this stunning nation. Indian nationals visiting Dominica for business or pleasure for a period of six months are exempt from the visa requirement. 3. Haiti The Dominican Republic shares borders with this Caribbean nation. Therefore, if you hold an Indian passport, you may enter the country and remain for up to 90 days without a visa. 4. Mauritius Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is famous for its white sand beaches, stunning lagoons and coral reefs. Indian passport holders can stay in Mauritius for 90 days without a visa. 5. Nepal Nepal, one of the most revered nations in the world, is known for its stunning farmlands, picturesque villages, vibrant cities and a number of mountaineering sites. Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal; however, those from other countries require a visa that is valid for six months from the date of issue. 6. Maldives The Maldives is a South Asian country that is one of the many island destinations where you can soak up the sun, enjoy balmy weather and spend quality time in luxury resorts. Indian passport holders do not require any form of visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days for the purpose of tourism. 7. Bhutan Due to Bhutan's proximity to India, entry into the country is not too difficult. Best of all, you don't need a visa to enter Bhutan from India. All you need is a valid passport or other form of identification. If your visit to Bhutan is for seven days or less, you do not need a visa. 8. Hong Kong Hong Kong, arguably one of the most famous regions in China, offers a blend of stunning natural and architectural features. Indian passport holders do not require an Indian visa to enter Hong Kong. An individual may enter Hong Kong without a visa for a maximum of 14 days. 9. Seychelles An archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is an ideal location for eco-friendly travel. It is a visa-free country, but a permit must be obtained on arrival from the Seychelles Immigration Department. This permit is valid for 30 days. 10. Cook Islands The Cook Islands is New Zealand's beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean, with pleasant weather, stunning beaches and a welcoming and friendly culture. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. Although a visa is not required, the following requirements must be met: Possess a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of departure and has an empty page for visas. Several other countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangements for Indian visitors, such as Bolivia, British Virgin Islands, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, El Salvador, Fiji, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar and many more. Although the visa is free, it is important to remember to check the instructions and requirements for your trip, including the duration of your visa-free stay, before purchasing your tickets. A traveller must be aware of certain regulations.

Read more