A wildlife corridor connecting Ranthambore to Panna and more

 A wildlife corridor is all set to be developed, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The idea is to create a wildlife corridor that starts from Ranthambore in Rajasthan, covering national parks in Madhya Pradesh. The wildlife corridor will uplift tourism in the state, and also help in development activities.

The corridor will cover Madhya Pradesh’s Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district, Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Sheopur district, and Panna Tiger Reserve in Panna district.

Scindia said in a statement, "There is a plan to make a wildlife corridor connecting Ranthambore (which houses a national park), Kuno-Palpur (Sheopur), the Madhav National Park (Shivpuri) and the Panna Tiger Reserve. This will result in economic and tourism development of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and also MP's Bundelkhand region."

There is however a delay in bringing cheetahs from South Africa to the Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary due to the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier the cheetahs were supposed to reach in the month of March, but now there is a delay of about four weeks.

The minister also chaired a meeting to review the situation of coronavirus. The effect of the Omicron variant has been limited due to rapid vaccination. However, people have been asked not to lower their guard against the pandemic.

Madhya Pradesh is a wonderful wildlife destination with some of the best national parks and sanctuaries in the country. Connecting these destinations with Rajasthan’s famed Ranthambore National Park is a great move to create a wholesome wildlife travel experience.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3512/A-wildlife-corridor-connecting-Ranthambore-to-Panna-and-more

Iran foreign minister to travel to Hyderabad during India visit

 Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will be travelling to the southern Indian city of Hyderabad during his India visit on Tuesday. Iran has a consulate in Hyderabad.

It will be his first visit to India after taking charge last year. The Iranian foreign minister will hold talks with Indian external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday in Delhi after arriving on Sunday. On the table will be a number of issues on connectivity, trade and Afghanistan.

Both the ministers spoke on January 8 on a number of issues including Afghanistan. The Iranian side offered to transfer India's humanitarian aid to Afghanistan including wheat, medicine to the country.

India is developing the first phase of Shahid Beheshti port at Chabahar. After operations began at the Chabahar port in December 2018, the port has handled more than 8,200 TEUs and 1.28 million tonnes of bulk cargo. The port also provides Central Asia connectivity with India.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, regular exchanges have been taking place with New Delhi sending out supplies of Covaxin to the country. Ahead of the visit, Iran's FM had extended his greetings on India's Republic day. He said, "Will continue to work towards further expansion of all-out relations, bilaterally, regionally and at international fora."

After his India visit, Iran's FM will travel to Sri Lanka. The Iranian foreign minister's visit to Colombo comes a month after both sides concluded an agreement under which Sri Lanka will pay off its oil import bill with tea, a deal dubbed as tea-for-oil pact.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3514/Iran-foreign-minister-to-travel-to-Hyderabad-during-India-visit

Trans Bhutan Trail is reopening for travellers after 60 years

 For the first time in 60 years, the Trans Bhutan Trail is reopening to travellers. The 402 km trail connects 9 districts, 28 local governments, 2 municipalities, one national park, and 400 historic and cultural sites.

The trail is opening from April 2022, and will allow travellers from across the world to walk this breathtaking trail. The restoration work of the Trans Bhutan Trail has been funded by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, which is the principal donor of this project.

Travellers will be able to explore 18 major bridges, and even climb 10000 stairs, besides being able to take mountain bikes through the route.

The trail will take you through the incredible eastern Himalayan region. It is an opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of Bhutan, something that not travellers don't get to explore in their Bhutan trips. The trail has a 500-year old history, with historic and cultural sites all along the route. It used to serve as a pilgrimage route for Buddhists who were looking to explore sacred destinations in Tibet and the western part of Bhutan.

Tourists can take guided walking and biking tours on the trail, the proceedings for which will go to the communities here. You could explore the entire trail by foot, which will take over a month's time. For adventurers, photographers, and birdwatchers, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Moreover, the trail is going to be a major hit among pilgrims, and travellers who are looking for spiritual and wellness experiences.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3517/Trans-Bhutan-Trail-is-reopening-for-travellers-after-60-years

Camper vans to get tax relief in Maharashtra

 Camper vans to get tax relief in Maharashtra To boost campervan tourism, the state transport department has decided to grant exemption from tax imposed under Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax Act (LXV of 1958) to all caravans or camper vans, registered with the Directorate of Tourism. “Many people prefe to travel alone and caravans provide safety during pandemic,” said an official.

The Maharashtra government also plans to deploy electric vehicles (EV) to transport tourists in the renowned world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, state tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray said in Aurangabad on Thursday. He was speaking to media after visiting Ellora and Ajanta tourist centres that have been shut for a long time due to non availability of electricity.

He also said centres will be started here so that scholars can come and study the region, which is replete with history. On people lining up along the roads on some stretches to welcome him, the minister said he might get a call from the chief minister as the state government is very strict about not allowing over-crowding amid the coronavirus pandemic.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3518/Camper-vans-to-get-tax-relief-in-Maharashtra

Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort reopens after renovations

 Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort & Offshore Island has welcomed its first guests following a $55 million dollar renovation.

The reopening is the first of a series of milestones in this commemorative 40th anniversary year for the Sandals Resorts brand.

Situated on 15 sprawling acres, the 404-room Sandals Royal Bahamian embraces the easy-going spirit of the Bahamas from the pastel pink of the flamingo to the vibes of traditional Junkanoo.

From basking in new beachfront swim-up butler and club level suites to trying new culinary concepts at a choice of 13 restaurants, guests can enjoy a combination of authenticity and luxury at Sandals Royal Bahamian.

“The new Sandals Royal Bahamian encompasses a new era in travel, inviting our guests in love to connect with the vibrant culture, natural wonders and authentic traditions of the beautiful Bahamas — and in turn, reconnect with each other,” said Sandals Resorts executive chairman, Adam Stewart.

The new Island Village is comprised of standalone villas named after remote Bahamian cays, which represent the provincial Bahamas in pink, blue and white accents with striped awnings.

Butler villa suites each have private pools and outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs.

The refreshed East and West Bay accommodations offer a dynamic array of room and suite categories, including beachfront butler suites in the east bay, where a new infinity swim-up pool ends where the sand begins.

Deserted beaches and colourful coral reefs await guests at the resort’s secluded private island, Sandals Barefoot Cay, located just one mile from the shore.

Couples can sail aboard the resort’s new Love Runner boat and spend the day reconnecting on the quiet shores featuring a pool bar with swings, an infinity-edge jacuzzi, outdoor shower and new restaurant, Aralia House - serving up fresh seafood and authentic Caribbean delicacies.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3504/Sandals-Royal-Bahamian-Resort-reopens-after-renovations

AirAsia changes name to Capital A as it grows beyond an airline

 Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd said on Friday it had finalised the name change of its listed holding company to Capital A Bhd as it seeks market recognition of its growing portfolio of businesses beyond the core budget airline.

The company's airline business has been hard-hit during the pandemic due to strict travel rules in Asia, leading Malaysia's stock exchange to this month classify the firm as financially distressed though it has been raising funds to bolster its balance sheet.

Capital A has been investing heavily in payments business BigPay, logistics arm Teleport and its mobile Super App to gain other sources of revenue, though they remain in growth phases and were loss-making in the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2021.

"Over the past two years we have spent the downturn in flying building a solid foundation for a viable and successful future, which is not solely reliant on airfares alone," Capital A Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement. The airline business will retain the AirAsia brand, which is well known in Asia, he added.

The carrier on Thursday reported it filled 80 per cent of seats on offer in the fourth quarter of 2021 and had the highest number of passengers since the start of the pandemic as travel rules began to ease. "Domestic travel has already started to rebound in our key markets," Fernandes said. "I am hopeful borders will reopen gradually throughout 2022 and we will see a return to normal capacity for our international services by the middle to third quarter of this year."

https://www.rehanshienterprises.com/news/3508/AirAsia-changes-name-to-Capital-A-as-it-grows-beyond-an-airline

Unexplored destinations of Central India to fuel your wanderlust

 When planning a holiday, we usually think about going to those places that we have heard of often or have been to before. Popular tourist destinations like Munnar, Goa, Pondicherry and Coorg are the places we tend to head to time and time again instead of trying out the road less travelled.

Our country has a lot more to offer in terms of a fulfilling holiday than what we are aware of. Many undiscovered destinations and lesser-known jewels are just waiting to be explored! Read on to know about some of the relatively unknown and unexplored travel jewels in Central India.

1. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Madhya Pradesh

Interested in learning about human life in India from the Stone Ages? Head to Bhimbetka. Located 45 kms away from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Bhimbetka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters for 10 kms inhabited more than 100,000 years ago! Some of the rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings about 30,000 years old.

These cave paintings show animals, early evidence of dance and hunting. The Bhimbetka site has the oldestknown rock art in India, considered the oldest petroglyphs in the world. Interestingly, Bhimbetka gets its name from Bhima (the second Pandava brother) and Baithaka, meaning seat or lounge – Bhimbetka meaning Bhima’s resting place or Bhima’s Lounge.

2. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh

Located in the Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, Gandikota is a small village and a historical fort situated on the right bank of the Penna River, which used to be the seat of power for many rulers like the Kalyani Chalukyas, the Pemmasani Nayakas and the Golconda sultanate. The fort was initially made of sand by the Kakatiya Raja in 1123 and later was transformed into a major fort with 101 towers by the Nayakas.

Gandikota is also known for the Gandikota Canyon – a 300-foot-deep gorge that is said to be carved by the Penna River. The top of the gorge gives a breathtaking view of the fort, the surrounding forests and the Penna River.

3. Patan, Gujarat

Once the capital of Gujarat for 650 years, Patan (108 kms away from Ahmedabad) was founded by Vanraj Chavda - the first of the Chavda kings in the 8th century. It was considered to be the world’s tenth largest city at the beginning of the 11th century.

Patan is a city that overflows with a rich historical past and legacy. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rani Ki Vav, an 11th century, 7-storey step-well that boasts of more than 500 intricately carved sculptures and the Mara-Gurjara style of architecture.

What’s more? Patan is located on the banks of the Saraswati River (of what probably remains of the ancient extinct river) and is also famous for the finest hand-woven Patola sarees produced here to date.

4. Tarkali, Maharashtra

Known for its beautiful Tarkali beach, this small village is located in Malvan in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, 410 km away from Pune, at the confluence of the Karli River. The Tarkali beach has recently been declared the ‘Queen Beach’ of the Konkan region. It offers several water sports options and activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing and dolphin spotting – all following the international standards of safety and guidance.

Tarkali is one of the best places to come and learn scuba diving under the guidance of some of the best trainers. The Sindhudurg Fort stands on a small island on the Arabian Sea, just a few metres away from the Tarkali beach and is a great place to reminisce about the Maratha Empire and the valour of the great King Shivaji Bhonsle. And that’s not all!

You can even stay in a houseboat on the backwaters of the Karli River, much like in Alleppey in Kerala and also satiate your taste buds to your heart’s content with some delicious, finger-licking local Malvani cuisine. So, step aside Goa and Kerala… Here comes Tarkali!

5. Sirpur, Chhattisgarh

Located on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, Sirpur was the capital of the Panduvanshi dynasty in ancient times. Sirpur (78kms away from Raipur), also referred to as Shripur, is a major archaeological site known for its temple ruins related to Shaivism, Shaktism, Buddhism and Jainism. There are currently 22 Shiva temples, 5 Vishnu temples, 10 Buddhist viharas and 3 Jain viharas. The archaeological site containing these monuments is known as the Sirpur Group of Monuments.

Interestingly Sirpur, or Shripur as it was known in ancient texts, was also visited by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Hieun Tsang in the 7th century. According to his memoir, some 10,000 Mahayana Buddhist bhikshus (monks) lived in Shripur in some 100 monasteries, and there were over 100 temples.

6. Konark, Orissa

Konark, located 22kms away from Puri and 35 km away from Bhubaneswar in Orissa, is famous for the Konark Sun Temple, dedicated to the Sun God, built by Narasimhadeva I in the 13th century. The temple has been built to resemble a 100 ft high chariot with massive wheels – all built out of stone.

Also known as Surya Devalaya, the temple is a classic example of the Kalinga style of architecture. The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus who gather here for the Chandrabhaga Mela in February.

7. Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh is a town that speaks of a rich past, heritage and culture. Mainly known for hand-woven Chanderi sarees, this 11th-century town is also quite famous for its fort, temples and the surrounding hills. The Chanderi Fort dates back to the famous Battle of Chanderi in 1528, whereby the Mughal emperor Babur defeated the then ruler Medini Rai and took over the city.

Chanderi is also famous for its ancient Jain temples like the Shri Choubeesee Bara Mandir, built in the 11th century. The temple has 24 idols for the 24 Tirthankaras, the Parasnath Digamber Jain temple built in the 7th century and many others.

We hope that this list of undiscovered and lesser-known places has left you excited enough to visit them soon. Do include some of these places in your itinerary the next time you plan for a trip. We assure you; you will be amazed at what you discover!

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3492/Unexplored-destinations-of-Central-India-to-fuel-your-wanderlust

Air India officially handed over to Tatas as disinvestment process completes, new board takes charge

 Amidst anticipation of likely handover by weekend, the government has announced that national carrier Air India has been officially handed over to the TATA Group of Companies with the strategic disinvestment process concluding on Thursday afternoon it received INR 2,700 crore Talace Pvt Ltd. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) under the Ministry of Finance announcing the development said that 100 per cent shares of Air India are now transferred to Talace, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TATA Sons.

With this, Talace also gets full management control as the new board of Air India, led by the strategic partner takes charge of the airline. The ailing, debtridden carrier has received INR 1.10 lakh crore by way of cash support and loan guarantees by the government to keep it afloat.

TATAs on October 8, 2021 had won the bid to acquire the national carrier with the winning bid of INR 18,000 crore - out of which INR 15,300 crore are for Air India's existing debt and INR 2,700 crore to be paid as cash to the government. On October 11, 2021, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued to the Tata Group confirming the government's willingness to sell its 100 per cent stake in the airline. On October 25, the Centre signed the share purchase agreement for the deal.

With the acquisition process now complete, the Tata Group has got access to a fleet of 117 wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, and 24 narrow-body aircraft of Air India Express. Besides, it will get control of 4,400 domestic and 1,800 international landing, and parking slots at domestic airports. While this is Centre's first privatisation since 2003-04, Air India has now got three airlines in its kitty, with majority share in Air India India and a joint venture with Singapore Airlines for another full-service carrier Vistara.

Out of the total debt of Air India, a majority portion has been transferred to a special purpose vehicle, AIAHL, which will also manage all the land and buildings belonging to the airline, which are not part of the deal with TATAs. The airline started suffering heavy losses every year, close to INR 20 crore a day, post its merger with Indian Airlines in 2007-08.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3491/Air-India-officially-handed-over-to-Tatas-as-disinvestment-process-completes-new-board-takes-charge

Thailand plans to impose tourist fee from April

 Bangkok: Thailand is planning to collect a 300 baht ($9) fee from foreign tourist from April to develop attractions and cover accident insurance for foreigners unable to pay costs themselves, senior officials said on Wednesday.

Thailand, one of Asia's most popular travel destinations, has been badly hit by a pandemic-induced tourism slump, with about 200,000 arrivals last year, compared to nearly 40 million in 2019.

Recent efforts to revive the sector have been complicated by the rapid global spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

"Part of the fee will be used to take care of tourists," Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters.

"We've encountered times when insurance didn't have coverage for tourists ... which became our burden to take care of them," he said, adding that funds would also be used to upgrade tourism infrastructure.

The fee adds to a list of requirements for foreign tourists seeking entry to Thailand, which include pre-payment for COVID-19 tests, hotel accommodation or quarantine, and having insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least $50,000.

Thailand waived its strict quarantine measures in November in place of a "Test & Go" scheme for vaccinated visitors, but suspended that late last month over concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant.

The new fee will be priced in with airline tickets and is part of the government's sustainable tourism plans, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said.

Thailand expects between 5 and 15 million foreign arrivals this year, depending on policies in place in its main tourism markets, Thanakorn said.

Foreign tourists are expected to generate 800 billion Thai baht ($23.97 billion) this year, he said.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3494/Thailand-plans-to-impose-tourist-fee-from-April

Museum in memory of Netaji opens in Madhya Pradesh

 Visitors to Madhya Pradesh will now get a chance to visit Central Jail Jabalpur where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had once been imprisoned. On the occasion of Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary, his barracks at Jabalpur jail were opened for public viewing.

About the museum in Jabalpur, MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said that two days a week – on Saturdays and Sundays - from 10 am to 2.30 pm, the general public would be able to visit the chamber of Subhash Chandra Bose, where he was imprisoned.

Visitors would be allowed to enter the museum and the prison cell of Netaji free of charge. Just as the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar has been developed as a Veer Savarkar Memorial, similarly the museum of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jail of Jabalpur would be developed as a Prerak Sthal. Among these, items such as Netaji’s clothes, shackles worn by him, his handwritten letters and inscriptions related to his jail visit have been given the form of a museum.

A passage has been constructed to reach the barracks of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The facility to access this room has been developed by making a new route other than the main gate in the prison. In this passage, colorful flowers have been planted on both sides. In this regard, with the initiative of the Madhya Pradesh government, this will be the first Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose museum in the state and the second in the country.

A museum has been established in New Delhi in the memory of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose since 2019. There will also be a reception room for visitors in the Subhash Ward. The jail administration has prepared a documentary film, which focuses on Netaji’s sacrifice and life’s struggle. In collaboration with the Public Works Department, the artists and laborers in the prison have done the renovation work of Subhash Ward and the decoration of the premises.

At present, in view of Covid infection, the visitors have been instructed to bring their IDs along with following the necessary protocol. Along with this, they have been requested to follow the necessary safety rules.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3481/Museum-in-memory-of-Netaji-opens-in-Madhya-Pradesh

Wagah-Attari like beating retreat ceremony to start at 3 border posts in Rajasthan: BSF

 Tourists visiting the Indo-Pak border districts Jaisalmer and Bikaner in Rajasthan will soon be able to watch the Wagha-Attari border like a beating retreat without the participation of Pakistani soldiers. The initiative will commence in the form of Beating the Retreat ceremony at BSF's IB post at Babliyan from next month and would then be extended to Bikaner's Sanchu and Khajuwala border posts, BSF IG (Rajasthan Frontier) Pankaj Goomar said on Tuesday.

He said every citizen of the country wishes to visit the international border and keeping this in mind, the BSF has been working on a model to develop tourism at the border posts.

"For this, a stadium with a seating capacity of 2,000 visitors has already been built at Babliyan post. In the beginning, we would start holding a Beating the Retreat event like Atari border here from next month," he said.

Pakistan, however, will not have any participation in the event like the WagahAttari border for now as the Pakistani post is two km away from the border in Jaisalmer. The BSF has taken this initiative in association with the state government. While fulfilling the wishes of the citizens to have a glimpse like the Wagah-Attari Indo-Pak border, this initiative is also aimed at instilling a sense of patriotism in the visitors

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3482/Wagah-Attari-like-beating-retreat-ceremony-to-start-at-3-border-posts-in-Rajasthan-BSF

Choice Hotels Opens Comfort Inn Kaikaluru

 Choice Hotels India has announced the opening of the Comfort Inn Kaikaluru in Andhra Pradesh. This is the first internationally branded hotel in the city of Kaikaluru. The city is famed for aquaculture and offers a range of tourist attractions including a bird sanctuary, Kolleru Lake, temples, and other places of religious significance.

Vilas Pawar, CEO, Choice Hotels India, said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of Comfort Inn Kailaluru – the first internationally branded hotel in the city. Our brand has the endeavor of offering an international experience with world-class facilities at the best value proposition. Ideal location and unmatched facilities make it a vital asset in our portfolio”.

Bala Murali Krishna Kamineni, Promoter of Comfort Inn Kaikaluru, a proprietor in aquaculture & aquafeed manufacturing under Deepak Nexgen Feeds Pvt. Ltd., and handling real estate projects in Vijaywada, said “We are proud to associate with Choice Hotels India. Being the first branded hotel in the city, we have got the opportunity to offer an international experience to the people of Kaikaluru. The hotel has received a warm response from the locals and is the preferred address for social gatherings and business meetings for people in and around the city”.

Comfort Inn Kaikaluru also features modern banqueting facilities to hold extensive meetings & conferences facilities and cater to intimate social gatherings.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3489/Choice-Hotels-Opens-Comfort-Inn-Kaikaluru

Jammu-Srinagar NH reopens for vehicles after remaining closed for 30 hours

 Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopened on Sunday after remaining closed for over 30 hours due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rains, officials said.

Even as the weather improved since Sunday evening, the highway restoration was delayed after a loaded truck was stuck in a heavy mudslide at Pantihal area of Ramban district. The thoroughfare remained shut on Sunday after wet weather triggered mudslides and shooting stones at several places.

The highway was closed early Saturday after a massive landslide blocked the highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, near Cafetaria Morh besides shooting stones from the hillocks overlooking the arterial road between Maroog and Ramsu in Ramban district.

Dozens of stranded trucks were also allowed to move from Kashmir to Jammu," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Traffic, Shabir Ahmad Malik told PTI.

rehanshienterprises.com/news/3464/Jammu-Srinagar-NH-reopens-for-vehicles-after-remaining-closed-for-30-hours