UTTARAKHAND

Assocham Suggests Govt To Develop Tourist Spots

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) have suggested that the Uttarakhand Government to develop three tourist spots in the mountain State on the lines of Switzerland for adventure tourism.

ASSOCHAM has suggested that the Uttarakhand government should frame a policy on adventure tourism thereby roping in experts and prepare a master plan after conducting surveys in this regard. While river rafting and other water-based adventure activities are possible in many rivers, trekking, rock climbing, camping in hills and others can bring dividends in form of increased tourist in-flow and more employment opportunities.

There is a huge demand for activity-based tourism both in India and across the globe and for a state like Uttarakhand dotted with hills, rivers, wide and interesting variety of flora and fauna, there is a huge scope for adventure tourism offering rare and incomparable experiences.

According to ASSOCHAM, there was a drop of about 26 per cent and about 22 per cent in Indian and foreign tourist arrival in Uttarakhand after the devastating flash floods of June 2013 that triggered intense rainfall which swept away almost everything that stood in the way – agricultural fields, bridges, buildings, dams, livestock, people, roads, entire towns and villages.

Though Uttarakhand is world-renowned for plethora of pilgrimage destinations, temples and spiritualism but the state government must now also focus on attracting different types of tourists which would help promote its rich cultural heritage.

As a leading industry body, ASSOCHAM has recommended the state government to conduct tourism sector specific road shows and exhibitions both in the country and abroad thereby showcasing various aspects of the state through new destinations offering special packages.

INTERNATIONAL

· Air New Zealand wins Airline Excellence Award for the 5th time

Air New Zealand has been crowned “2018 Airline of the Year” by leading international aviation.

The award marks the 5thconsecutive year Air New Zealand has received the top honour in its Airline Excellence Awards.

It is followed by Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines are also featured on the list.

Kenneth Juster Confirmed as the Next US Ambassador to India

The US Senate confirmed by a voice vote the nomination of Kenneth Juster as the next US Ambassador to India.
Juster, 62, has played a key role in the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
He will replace Richard Vermaas the top American diplomat to India.

Juster is soon expected to be headed to India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad.

The annual summit is being co-hosted by India and the United States.

Kazakhstan to change its name by 2025

The central Asian country of Kazakhstan is changing its name to Qazaqstan in a challenge to Russian influence over the country.
The former Soviet state announced that it will appoint a national committee to oversee the country’s transition from Russian Cyrillic to a Latin-based alphabet by 2025.
As a result, the name of the country will be changed to the Latin equivalent ‘Qazaqstan.’

NATIONAL

· Tamil Nadu’s Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple wins UNESCO award

The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu won UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for cultural heritage conservation programme in the Awards of Merit category.
It is first temple from Tamil Nadu to grab the prestigious honour from the UN body.

· Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi will get 55 additional counters by January 2018

The Home Ministry approved the addition of 55 counters at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and 1,800 more personnel will be deployed by January 2018 to deal with rising passenger traffic.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) will provide space for at least 10 more immigration counters at departure area byNovember 15while additional space will be provided for another 10 immigration counters to be functional by January 2018.

· BRO Builds World’s Highest Motorable Road in Ladakh

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) built the world’s highest motorable road at a height of over 19,300 feet.
The road has been constructed in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 86-kilometre long strategic road has been constructedunder ‘Project Himank’ of the BRO.

It connects Chisumle and Demchok villages.

The road passes through Umlingla Top at a height of over 19,300 feet.

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana launched to promote philately

Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha launched a Pan India scholarship program for school children called Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana to increase the reach of Philately.
Under the scheme of SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby), it is proposed to award annual scholarships to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a competitive selection process in all postal circles.
Briefing the media after the launch of the scheme, Shri Sinha said that under the scheme, it is proposed to award 920 scholarships to students pursuing Philately as a hobby.
Every Postal Circle will select a maximum of 40 scholarships representing 10 students each from Standard VI, VII, VIII & IX.
The amount of Scholarship will be Rs. 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month.

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