CHENNAI : The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced fare-free travel for children within 5 years of age in all kinds of buses operated by all the government-run transport corporations.Making announcements in the Assembly on new initiatives (2022-23) for his department, Transport Minister S S Sivasankar said children within 5 years of age would be allowed to travel without paying fare in all kinds of buses run by government transport corporations.Presently, for children between 3 and 12 years of age, 'half-fare' (half of the fare collected from adult passengers) system is operational.To increase revenue, a portion of the luggage space in long distance buses would be offered for a fee on a trial basis to parcel and courier services, he said.Introducing automated travel ticket system, integrating all public modes of transport, on the lines of the National Common Mobility Card norms, and setting up a centre to redress the grievances of passengers of government transport corporations were among his other announcements—PTI

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced fare-free travel for children within 5 years of age in all kinds of buses operated by all the government-run transport corporations.

TN announces fare-free travel in govt buses for children

&nbsp;New Delhi : Nothing beats packing your bags, planning your itinerary, and giving in to your wanderlust. Travelling to a new place full of endless adventures and possibilities is an unrivalled feeling that should be felt whenever the opportunity arises. While travelling has many advantages, there is one disadvantage that can put a damper on travel plans: the effect it has on the skin. If you frequently return from trips with irritated and flared-up skin, we've got you covered with the best travel skincare routine to follow.It is critical to first understand a problem before attempting to solve it. There are a variety of environmental factors that can cause skin problems when travelling. Changes in humidity, air quality, temperature, and even sun exposure can all have a negative impact on the skin. It can cause it to feel dry, irritated, itchy, red, flaky, or even break outs. Furthermore, factors such as travel stress and aeroplane dehydration can play a significant role in this. Changes in our external environment throw the skin off its usual routine and game, causing it to deviate from its normal health.While the causes, concerns, and treatments for these skin issues vary from case to case, there is a general skincare regimen and hacks that you can use to prevent damage and stay one step ahead. To begin, it is critical to maintain some consistency and familiarity in the midst of a lot of change. Pack one or two of your daily skincare products that your skin is familiar with and responds well to. Obtaining travel-sized versions of them or using mini travel containers and transferring some product into them is an easy way to accomplish this.One important skincare tip for travellers is to keep things simple but effective. Travelling may not be the best time to bring your 12-step skincare routine with you. What you require is a gentle cleanser capable of removing all dirt and excess makeup from your trip adventures. Following that, you'll need a light yet deeply hydrating moisturiser to restore the suppleness of your skin.The skin frequently becomes dehydrated while travelling for a variety of reasons. As a result, a variety of other skin issues arise. Keeping a highly effective moisturiser in your suitcase is the best travel companion you can bring along to maintain your vacation look every day while keeping your skin healthy.It is critical to scale back the regime and eliminate products that serve only a single purpose. The key word here is efficiency. You need products that contain all of the necessary ingredients and can assist you in addressing a variety of skincare concerns with the help of a single formula. This will save you space while also allowing you to maintain a minimalistic skincare routine that works wonders without breaking the bank.To name a few, essential ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid (to smooth and plump the skin), vitamin C (to reduce lines and boost radiance), activated C (to help increase skin clarity), salicylic acid (to visibly reduce discoloration and renew the skin's texture), and peony extract (to prevent oxidative damage). When combined with activated C, the last few ingredients work wonders. This ingredient list is also beneficial for a variety of skincare issues, including dark spots, sallowness, post-acne marks, uneven skin tone, and loss of radiance.Travel is meant to be a blessing that allows you to explore the world and all that it has to offer, and something so wonderful should not come at the expense of your skin's health. Following a minimal yet effective skincare routine while travelling is the key to overcoming these travel skincare issues—IANS

Nothing beats packing your bags, planning your itinerary, and giving in to your wanderlust. Travelling to a new place full of endless adventures and possibilities is an unrivalled feeling that should be felt whenever the opportunity arises.

Travel skincare woes solved with a moisture enriched regime

Delhi (The Hawk): The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India held a press conference with the International Media and Influencers on the 2nd day of the Arabian Travel Market, Dubai -2022 ,The press conference was conducted&nbsp;by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India in the august presence of Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand Mr. Satpal Maharaj. The Press Conference was also attended by Mr. K. Kalimuthu, Counsul, (Economic, Trade, and Commerce), Mr. Prashant Ranjan, Director Tourism, Ministry of Tourism ,Govt of India, Bollywood Celebrity Rakul Preet Singh, and International Singer Shweta Subram.During the press conference, various verticals of tourism potential in India were discussed. Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand Mr Satpal Maharaj discussed the importance of tourist destinations in Uttrakhand that can be leveraged for the promotion of tourism such as adventure tourism, wedding tourism in the State of Uttarakhand. Minister also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Govt of Uttarakhand with regards to increasing the footfall of tourists in the state. He also discussed various infrastructure development projects such as Haridwar International Airport and way forward strategies being undertaken by the Govt. of Uttarakhand.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image002YIVY.jpg">Ms. Rupinder Brar stated that the Ministry has been aggressively promoting different tourism products and destinations. The major focus has been given to the potential of MICE, Film Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Medical Tourism, Luxury Tourism, Wildlife Tourism and Adventure Tourism. She stated that the Middle East has been the major target market for Indian tourism. Large number of tourists from the Middle East visit India for MICE, medical, wellness, luxury&nbsp;&nbsp;tourism etc. Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India has been holistically promoting Indian tourism in the Middle East market. Participation in Arabian Travel Mart has been one such initiative by the Government.During the conference, it was highlighted that India has opened up for the International visitors, for this the Ministry has already undertaken ‘NamasteIndia’ Campaign for encouraging International visitors to travel to India. The Ministry has also been focusing on confidence-building stratégies post-pandemic.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image0034I9S.jpg">Ms. Rakul Preet Singh highlighted the importance of film tourism and the potential of India as an-important destination for film-making, having all physical geographical features and landscape. She further focused on the role of North Eastern States as a potential film shooting destination.Mr. K. Kalimuthu, Counsul,(Economic, Trade, and Commerce) deliberated on the importance of the Indian diaspora for publicity and promotion of India in the overseas market. He also highlighted appeal of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of ‘Chalo India’ thereby urging Indian Diaspora to inspire at least five of their non-Indian friends every year to visit India, calling them 'Rashtradoot'. He emphasized the role of tourism for the overall economic growth of the country.Ms. Shweta Subram also emphasized the role of the Indian diaspora with regard to the promotion of India in the overseas market. She further highlighted that social media promotion shall be the game-changer for the promotion of tourism in India. Lots of millennial tourists use social media looking for promotional content such as travel &amp; tourism. She also spoke about the role of social media influencers in engaging a large number of tourists/followers.The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its “Incredible India” brand line has participated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai -2022 being held from 9th to 12th May 2022 showcasing India’s rich &amp; diversified tourism potential and providing a platform to the tourism stakeholders to showcase the various tourism destinations and products including Niche products. Also, aim is to promote India as a ‘Must See, Must Visit’ destination.During the Mart, the India Pavilion will be showcasing India as a “365 Days Destination” a year-round multi-faceted tourist destination such as Culture, Adventure, Cruise, Golf, MICE, luxury, wildlife, wellness, and medical tourism etc. India Reopening as a theme has been amplified during the mart with the ‘Namaste Campaign’ to welcome International Travellers showcasing must-visit destinations of India.Around 18 Participants from India representing the State Tourism Government of Kerala, Nagaland,and Tour Operators, Travel Agents, and Hoteliers/Resorts, will be present in the India Pavilion showcasing the diverse tourism products and services. Apart from this, the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka are also showcasing the tourism potential that States has to offer.

 The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India held a press conference with the International Media and Influencers on the 2nd day of the Arabian Travel Market, Dubai -2022

Ministry of Tourism highlights the different Tourism products of India at the 2nd day of Arabian Travel Market

 The Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India held a press conference with the International Media and Influencers on the 2nd day of the Arabian Travel Market, Dubai -2022.

Colombo: A Sri Lankan court on Thursday imposed a travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son Namal Rajapaksa and 15 others in view of investigations against them for the deadly attack on anti-government protesters in Colombo this week.The Fort Magistrate's Court barred them from traveling overseas due to the investigations taking place on the attacks on the GotaGoGama and MynaGoGama peaceful protest sites on Monday, News 1st website reported.The order was also imposed on parliamentarians Johnston Fernando, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Sanjeewa Edirimanne, Kanchana Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, C B Ratnayake, Sampath Athukorala, Renuka Perera, Sanath Nishantha, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon among others.The attorney general had requested for a travel ban on the 17 individuals, citing that they need to be present in Sri Lanka for the investigations on the attacks on GotaGoGama and MynaGogama as it appears that they conspired and planned those attacks.Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power.—PTI

A Sri Lankan court on Thursday imposed a travel ban on former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son Namal Rajapaksa and 15 others in view of investigations against them for the deadly attack on anti-government protesters in Colombo this week.

Mahinda, Namal among 16 barred from travelling abroad

New Delhi: &nbsp;We all enjoy travelling, and now that the world has opened up as a result of the pandemic, everyone has a reason to travel even more, almost with a vengeance! However, travel can be very stressful on both the body and the mind. Travelling disrupts our routine, time zone differences can disrupt sleep patterns, and simply being in a new location can push us out of our comfort zone. Anxiety begins to creep in at this point, causing imbalances and disturbances in our physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Jenil Dholakia, Holistic Yoga and Well-being Coach shares five ways in which yoga can help you manage travel anxiety:Take deep breaths:&nbsp;Allow the breath to be your best friend before and during your journey. Simply remember to take deep belly breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed by any situation. Deeply inhale through the nose and slowly exhale through the mouth. After 5-10 breaths, you will be in a much better position to deal with the situation.Yoga on the go:&nbsp;Long flights and car/bus rides can cause stiffness and soreness. Stretches and poses for stress relief include neck rolls to the left and right, shoulder rotations clockwise and anticlockwise, spinal stretches - lateral and twisting, seated marjariasana/cat pose, Uttanasana/standing forward fold, and Adho mukha svanasana/downward facing dog pose. It is critical to restore joint mobility after prolonged sitting.Mindful mornings:&nbsp;Set aside at least ten minutes each morning to sit in silence. Simply close your eyes and bring your attention to the present moment. Beginning the day in this manner will assist you in calming your thoughts, controlling your anxiety, and preparing you to go through the day in a balanced state of mind. You can conclude the meditation by saying aloud, "I am ready to face the day and I choose to go with the flow." This will train your subconscious mind to be mindful all day.Viparaita Karni / Legs up the wall pose:&nbsp;After a long day, this is a great pose to jump into when you're exhausted, especially if your legs are tired from all the walking. Simply lie on your back on the floor and raise your legs to form a capital L shape against the wall. If you hold this pose for 5 minutes before going to bed, you will fall asleep like a baby.Nature connection:&nbsp;Spending time in nature is the most healing thing you can do. Spend some time outside of your daily routine in a park or near a natural body. Turn off your phone and surrender with all of your senses. See the various colours and patterns around you, listen to the sounds of birds, waterfalls, and rivers, smell the various fragrances of flowers and trees, touch the soft grass and leaves, and fully immerse yourself in nature's beauty. Allow nature to heal, recharge, and uplift you.—IANS

 We all enjoy travelling, and now that the world has opened up as a result of the pandemic, everyone has a reason to travel even more, almost with a vengeance!

Say Goodbye to Travel Anxiety

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, being probed in a Rs 200 crore extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, on Wednesday withdrew her application filed before a Delhi court for suspending a lookout circular (LOC) issued against her and permit her to travel abroad. The actor withdrew her application from the court of additional sessions judge Praveen Singh, citing that the dates of the event, 2022 IIFA Weekend &amp; Awards in Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier scheduled from May 17 to 22, were postponed to June. With regards to the travel to Nepal and France, the Enforcement Directorate informed the court that for Nepal, her pass to attend the particular event has been cancelled, and with regards to travel to France, she has not submitted satisfactory documents. Fernandez is being investigated by the ED in Rs 200 crore extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.Fernandez is a Sri Lankan National and is living in India since 2009. The ED had stopped her from flying abroad, saying she may be required to join an ongoing money-laundering investigation. The actor has been questioned by the ED in multiple sessions in connection with the case being probed against Chandrashekar and his actor wife Leena Maria Paul. The agency had earlier filed a charge sheet before a court under the sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and named Chandrashekar, his wife, and six others in it. It had alleged that Chandrashekar had gifted the actor numerous costly gifts, including some Persian cats and a horse.Chandrashekar is accused of cheating various people, including some high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh's wife Aditi Singh. Another Bollywood actor-dancer Nora Fatehi has also been grilled by the ED in this case.—PTI

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, being probed in a Rs 200 crore extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, on Wednesday withdrew her application filed before a Delhi court for suspending a lookout circular (LOC) issued against her and permit her to travel abroad.

Jacqueline Fernandes withdraws court plea seeking permission to travel abroad

Jeddah: Following the re-outbreak of Covid and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India. The sixteen countries where the citizens of Saudi Arabia are banned to travel apart from India include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus, and Venezuela, reported Gulf News.Further, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has assured the public that zero monkeypox cases have been detected in the country. Abdullah Asiri, Deputy Minister of Health for preventive health has said that the Kingdom has the capability to monitor and discover any suspected monkeypox cases and also to fight against the infection if any new case emerges. "Until now, cases of transmission between humans are very limited, and therefore the possibility of any outbreaks occurring from it, even in countries that have detected cases, are very low," he added.Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak.In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers.—ANI

Following the re-outbreak of Covid and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.

Saudi bans travel to 16 countries including India over Covid outbreaks

Jeddah: Following the re-outbreak of Covid-19 and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.The sixteen countries where the citizens of Saudi Arabia are banned to travel apart from India include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus, and Venezuela, reported Gulf News.Further, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has assured the public that zero monkeypox cases have been detected in the country. Abdullah Asiri, Deputy Minister of Health for preventive health has said that the Kingdom has the capability to monitor and discover any suspected monkeypox cases and also to fight against the infection if any new case emerges."Until now, cases of transmission between humans are very limited, and therefore the possibility of any outbreaks occurring from it, even in countries that have detected cases, are very low," he added.Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak.In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers.&nbsp;—ANI

Following the re-outbreak of Covid-19 and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.

Saudi Arabia Bans Travel To 16 Countries Including India Over New Covid Outbreaks

Hyderabad:&nbsp;German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Walter J Lindner on Thursday said the government of the European nation will start recognizing Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine for travel purpose there from June 1. In a tweet, Lindner said, Very happy that GER government just decided to recognize WHO-listed Covaxin for travels to GER, starting June 1! This Embassy has been pushing very actively for such decision (because of Covid-backlogs visa sections have longer waiting periods than normal, please have patience). In November last year, the World Health Organisation recommended Emergency Use Listing (EUL) status for Covaxin. Several countries including Australia, Japan and Canada allow passengers vaccinated with Covaxin into those countries.—PTI

 German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Walter J Lindner on Thursday said the government of the European nation will start recognizing Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine for travel purpose there from June 1.

Germany to recognise Covaxin for travel from June 1

New Delhi: The desire to travel, to explore new landscapes is distinctly 'human'. Travelling not only gives us a break from our fast-paced lives but also helps us learn new things. While traveling may be a rejuvenating experience for your mind and soul, it takes a toll on your body. Long flights, jet lag, disruption in diet and daily routine will have a direct or indirect impact on your health.It's time to get back to healthy living! Here are a few tips on what to do after traveling that will help you stay healthy and relish the sweet memories of your trip.Drink plenty of water:It is said that there is no better medicine than pure drinking water. Dehydration is a common ailment faced by vacationers. Proper hydration will help keep your body healthy and active. Water will also help you in losing excess holiday weight and reduce fatigue. Water-rich fruits and vegetables will also help you maintain H2O balance in your body.Get your sleep cycle back on trackGetting sufficient sleep is important for a healthy lifestyle. Travel can mess up with your normal sleep schedule, which will make you lethargic, less productive and irritable. When you sleep, your brain literally recharges. It will make you feel better and boost your mood.Eat HealthyOverindulging with food and drinks is quite normal when you are traveling but you may pay the price in terms of calories and pounds. Healthy eating will help you in healing your digestive system. Here are some healthy tips you can inculcate in your diet plan:Eat more fiber:Dietary fiber helps in relieving constipation and maintaining a healthy weight. Oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, green beans, and potatoes are some fiber-rich foods you can add in your meal plan.Cut back on sugar:Sugar increases your risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions; avoiding sweetened beverages and sugary snacks will help you stay healthy. Honey is a healthy alternative you can use instead.Eat lots of vegetables:Vegetables are excellent sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E, andEating veggies will boost your immunity and flush out toxins from your body.Eat home-made food:Stop eating out at restaurants as soon as you return home. Eating home-cooked meals will not only save your money but also assure that the food you are eating is hygienic and of good quality.Eat on time:Irregular eating habits can have an adverse effect on our metabolism, blood sugar control and appetite. Hence it is important to eat on time and avoid skipping mealRe-energize yourself through yoga:Crossing time zones, carrying luggage to and from destination can be harsh on your body and leave your muscles tensed and sore. A little bit of stretching and exercise will help you feel refreshed. Yoga is the best form of exercise that not only releases tension in your physical body but also releases the mental stress and emotional strain that long days of travel can inflict. There are many Yoga postures you can try to relieve your body of tension and aches.—IANS

The desire to travel, to explore new landscapes is distinctly 'human'. Travelling not only gives us a break from our fast-paced lives but also helps us learn new things. While traveling may be a rejuvenating experience for your mind and soul, it takes a toll on your body.

Nourish your body after a long trip

Dehradun: A woman from Maharashtra was killed and five others sustained injuries when the vehicle in which they were travelling was hit by a landslide on Kedarnath road on Wednesday, an official said.The incident occurred near Sonprayag on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway around 3 pm, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said.There were 11 people in the vehicle at the time of the accident and they were returning from Kedarnath, he said.The vehicle was engaged in Sonprayag-Gaurikund shuttle service and was hit by huge boulders and debris that suddenly came down from a hillock near Munkatiya, he said.The woman from Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar was identified as 62-year-old Pushpa Mohan Bhonsle. She died on the spot, the official said.On receiving information about the incident, police and State Disaster Response Force personnel reached the spot and started relief and rescue operations, Rajwar said.Uttarakhand was lashed by rain on Wednesday leading to landslides at several places in the state.&nbsp;—PTI&nbsp;&nbsp;

 Maharashtra, travelling, landslide, Kedarnath, Sonprayag, Rudraprayag Gaurikund National Highway, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar

Woman Killed, 5 Injured In Uttarakhand Landslide

: A woman from Maharashtra was killed and five others sustained injuries when the vehicle in which they were travelling was hit by a landslide on Kedarnath road on Wednesday, an official said.The incident occurred near Sonprayag on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway around 3 pm,

The Indian cricket team will travel to Zimbabwe for the first time in six years for a three-match ODI series, next month.The three ODIs will be played on August 18, 20 and 22 in Harare, the Zimbabwe&nbsp;Cricket&nbsp;announced.KL Rahul is expected to lead the Indian side.The series is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, a 13-team competition serving as the main route for direct qualification for the 50-over World Cup to be staged in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news18.com/india/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(225, 38, 28);">India</a>&nbsp;next year.Zimbabwe are currently placed 12th in the 13-team pool, with just three wins in 15 matches.The last time the ‘Men in Blue’ were in Zimbabwe was when a Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side played three ODIs and as many T20Is in June-July 2016.India recently finished their tour of England with series victories in T20Is and ODIs.A young Indian team, under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan, will next play a three-match ODI series against West Indies followed by five T20Is that finish on August 7.Before the series against India, Zimbabwe will host Bangladesh for three T20s from July 30.They will tour Australia ahead of the marquee-event for three ODIs from August 28.

The Indian cricket team will travel to Zimbabwe for the first time in six years for a three-match ODI series, next month.

India to tour Zimbabwe for three-match ODI series in August

New Delhi:&nbsp;Air traffic in the Indian skies has returned to normalcy with airports buzzing with a large number of footfalls in the last couple of months.Air traffic data has rightly shown that passengers carried by domestic airlines saw a growth of 66.73 per cent from 343.37 lakh to 572.49 lakh in the January to June period, as compared to the previous year.However, growth in air traffic has apparently brought a lot of turbulence as planes have witnessed an unusually large number of technical glitches related occurrences and a rising number of such incidents have left the fliers harried.Shockingly, technical glitches in flights are not limited to one or two airlines. Most of the Indian carriers, including the largest player IndiGo, SpiceJet, Go First or Air India Express, have been plagued by technical snags over the last one month.Multiple incidents were reported to have occurred on aircraft operated by Indian carriers over the last few days owing to engine snags, burning smell, pressurisation loss in cabin to a bird entering the airplane cockpit.A top DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) official said that improper identification of cause of a reported defect and non-availability of required certifying staff to cater to multiple arrivals and departure of flights in short intervals are the main reasons behind such snags.Explaining about the procedure, the official said that before every flight takes off, a licenced aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) inspects the aircraft and releases it if everything is in order.There are various categories of AME licences, and the Category A licence is given to technicians who are permitted to maintain the aircraft under certain limits. The Category B licence is more specialised and equip AMEs to deal with intricate components, such as engines, wings, etc."Spot checks disclosed that airlines were not adhering to the laid down standards and they were not posting the relevant qualified engineers at all the stations with the Category A licence holders releasing aircraft at some of the smaller airports," said the official.The official said that shortage of required staff is one of the major reasons and airlines have been accordingly advised to take proper action and deploy the certified staff to conduct checks before departure.Aviation safety experts also pointed towards the same. Aviation safety consultant, Captain Mohan Ranganathan, said, "The string of incidents occurred because airlines are fudging maintenance procedures due to lack of finance, shortage of trained manpower, and fatigue issues of staff not taken care of."Rangnathan also pointed out that failure of DGCA to enforce safety regulations, findings of their own safety and financial audits and covering up accidents and serious incidents as minor occurrences are some other reasons."One cannot let things ride thinking nothing has happened hence we are safe," he said.Ranganathan said that all occurrences are mandatorily reported to the DGCA which are then analysed and the severity of the occurrence is determined."Based on the severity, these occurrences are classified and investigated and safety recommendations emanating from the investigation reports are acted upon by the concerned stakeholders," the official said, adding that proper action have been taken in such cases and scores of flights have been grounded after the incidents.Officials said that the safety audit of all the airlines is regularly undertaken by the DGCA. The audit findings are communicated to the operators for resolution.The deficiencies brought out by the audits have been addressed by the concerned stakeholders and strict enforcement action has been taken by DGCA for serious violations, particularly where passenger safety was involved."In case of any violations/non-compliance to regulations detected during audit/surveillance, enforcement action, including financial penalty, is imposed by the DGCA," added the official.Meanwhile, the major airlines asserted that they are complying with all the procedures and there is hardly any shortage of trained staff.An IndiGo spokesperson said that the aviation industry has undergone a difficult phase over the last 24+ months, now this industry is witnessing a comeback.At least two IndiGo planes were diverted due to technical glitches during the last few days.The airline's spokesperson said: "IndiGo follows the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and adheres to all regulatory norms. We have a fleet of over 280 aircraft with high operational availability, making it one of the safest airlines in the world. We are committed to providing an on-time, affordable, safe, courteous and hassle-free service to all our customers."SpiceJet, which witnessed multiple incidents related to technical snags during the end of June and the first week of July, also shared similar views, saying that most of these recent incidents were isolated in nature, which do not indicate a specific maintenance issue within the fleet."We are committed to ensuring a safe flight for our passengers and crew. All our aircraft were audited a month ago by the regulator and were found to be safe. Preventive actions are formulated, implemented and audited frequently to ensure no recurrence of a similar nature occurs in the future," said a SpiceJet spokesperson.Similarly, Go First airline, which recorded three incidents involving technical glitches in planes in the last few days, said "Go First is adequately staffed with experienced employees at all service departments including pilots, engineers, inflight crew, airport services and all other operational functions.""It accords highest priority to the safety of passengers and as per the standard procedures, all necessary preventive maintenance checks are carried out at periodic intervals. The aircraft inspection and maintenance practices are in line with the DGCA and all international and national aviation norms," added the spokesperson.—IANS

Air traffic in the Indian skies has returned to normalcy with airports buzzing with a large number of footfalls in the last couple of months.

Surge in air travel, staff issues spur epidemic of technical snags

New Delhi:&nbsp;Immigration authorities at the airport here stopped yet another Kashmiri journalist from travelling abroad, citing restrictions imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, officials said on Wednesday.Akash Hassan, who hails from Anantnag district of South Kashmir, was on his way to Sri Lanka on Tuesday evening when his boarding pass was cancelled and he was offloaded from the aircraft.Hassan is the second Kashmiri journalist barred from travelling abroad this month. On July 2, Pulitzer-winning Kashmiri photojournalist Sanna Irshad Mattoo was stopped when she was on her way to Paris to attend a book launch event and participate in a photography exhibition.Hassan informed on his unverified Twitter handle that immigration officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport had barred him from boarding his flight to Colombo."I was headed to report on the current crises in the country," Hassan, who writes for the UK-based The Guardian newspaper, said.He said immigration officials took his passport, boarding pass and made him sit in a room for nearly four hours before an airline official informed him that his luggage had been offloaded on directions from the department."I was questioned by two officials about my background, travel purpose," Hassan said, adding after nearly five hours, he was handed his passport and boarding pass with a red rejection stamp that read "cancelled without prejudice".Hassan, whose father is a teacher, completed his post-graduation from Turkey.People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said stopping Hassan from travelling abroad came at a time when Chief Justice of India N V Ramana stated that independent journalism was the backbone of democracy."It's no secret that GOI wants to crush the very backbone and fourth pillar of our democracy because of its intolerance to the truth," she said in a tweet.Officials in the Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed that Hassan had been placed on a no-fly list.Earlier, some Kashmir journalists, activists and academicians were stopped at the airport too.—PTI

Immigration authorities at the airport here stopped yet another Kashmiri journalist from travelling abroad, citing restrictions imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, officials said on Wednesday

Kashmiri journalist stopped from flying to Sri Lanka

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that his government will provide free travel to women above 60 years of age in the government buses.
In a tweet, the chief minister made this announcement on Wednesday.&nbsp;
Free bus travel for senior women citizens was one of the promises made by the BJP in its manifesto.
The chief minister has also announced free bus rides for women for 48 hours in the state on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Yogi Adityanath said that women can travel for free in government buses between August 10 (12 a.m.) to August 12 (12 a.m.).
He tweeted, “On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in Uttar Pradesh, all mothers, sisters and daughters will be provided free travel facility for the next 48 hours in government buses from 12 midnight to 12 midnight on 12th August.”
“Very soon in Uttar Pradesh we are going to introduce free travel for and above 60 years of age in government buses, “he added.&nbsp;
—IANS

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that his government will provide free travel to women above 60 years of age in the government buses.

 Free bus travel in UP for women above 60 years

Veraval (Gujarat): Congress MLA Vimal Chudasama has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to travel from Bhavnagar to Somnath by road in a bid to draw attention to the potholed highway. Chudasama, MLA from the Somnath constituency, in the letter has stated, "The coastal highway was approved by the Central government seven years ago, the highway is incomplete and construction work is going on at snail's pace, but on rest of the road, at many places there are plenty of potholes, which have caused many fatal accidents. Though I had written to the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, no action has been taken."
He said that he believed that only if the Prime Minister travels by road on this highway and experiences the plight that people are facing, problems can be addressed. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Gujarat from August 27. And, Chudasama wishes the PM to visit Somnath by road during this visit. He even said the Prime Minister is the chairman of the Somnath Temple Trust, and lakhs of devotees travel on this highway during the holy month Shravan. "He should understand the problem faced by devotees," said Chudasama.
Gir Somnath, BJP district committee president Mansinh Parmar said he has no idea about the Congress MLA's letter to the PM, but said, 'I will look into the issue." BJP Chief spokesman Yamal Vyas termed the letter a political stunt to gain publicity and political mileage. He questioned the MLA's intentions. Vyas said if he was seriously interested in solving the problem, he would have taken up the matter with the National Highways Authority of India officers instead of writing a letter to the Prime Minister. —IANS&nbsp;

Congress MLA Vimal Chudasama has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to travel from Bhavnagar to Somnath by road in a bid to draw attention to the potholed highway. 

Gujarat Cong MLA invites PM to Somnath with request to travel by road

Samarkand: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday batted for a visa-free travel deal between India and Russia during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in this Silk Road city in Uzbekistan, the Russian president underlined that India's rich history and ancient culture are traditionally of great interest to the Russian people.
Against this backdrop, 'we propose accelerating the process of negotiations towards an agreement on visa-free tourist travel', Putin was quoted as saying by Russia's official news agency TASS.
During the talks, Modi noted that Moscow and New Delhi have been together for several decades and thanked Putin for assistance in evacuation of thousands of Indian students from Ukraine after Russian troops launched a 'special military operation' against the neighbouring country in February.&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- PTI

 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday batted for a visa-free travel deal between India and Russia during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Putin Bats For Visa-Free Travel With India

Nashik: At least 11 persons were killed and 38 others injured as a private bus travelling to Mumbai caught fire after hitting a trailer truck in Nashik city of Maharashtra early on Saturday, officials said.
The accident took place at Nandur Naka on Nashik-Aurangabad highway around 5.15 am when the ‘sleeper’ bus was coming from Yavat-mal in eastern Maha-rashtra, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the bus tragedy and said ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs 50,000 each. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead and said the medical expenses of the injured would be borne by the state government.
“A luxury bus travelling to Mumbai from Yavatmal hit a trailer truck going to Pune at an intersection near Mirchi Hotel on Nashik-Aurangabad highway. Soon after ramming into the truck, the bus caught fire in which 11 passengers died,” Nashik Police Commissioner Jayant Naiknavare said.
The injured persons were admitted to the District Civil Hospital and another private medical facility in Nashik, he said.
Before catching fire, the bus also hit a mini cargo van, due to which it got overturned, the commissioner added.
Another police official said 38 persons were injured in the incident.
On being alerted, the police, fire brigade and other agencies reached the spot and launched a rescue operation and the fire was doused off. However, the bus was completely gutted in the incident, he said. Some eyewitnesses said the fire was so intense that they could not do anything to save the passengers for some time and had to stand there helplessly.
The death toll in the accident may go up as the condition of some of the injured persons is serious, the officials added.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, “Anguished by the bus tragedy in Nashik. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.” “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased due to the bus fire in Nashik. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he added.
—PTI

At least 11 persons were killed and 38 others injured as a private bus travelling to Mumbai caught fire after hitting a trailer truck in Nashik city of Maharashtra early on Saturday, officials said.

11 Killed, 38 Hurt After  Bus Catches Fire In Nashik

Washington: According to the findings of recent research, older people exposed to food flavours from their youth were able to "time travel" back to the past with an enhanced memory of the event.
The research entitled 'It took me back 25 years in one bound': self-generated flavour-based cues for self-defining memories in later life" was published in Human-Computer Interaction by Professor Corina Sas of Lancaster University, Dr Tom Gayler, formerly of Lancaster University and Vaiva Kalnikaite of Dovetailed Ltd. Their work explored the feasibility of 3D printed flavour-based cues for the recall of memories in old age.
Working with 12 older adults, they collected 72 memories, half involving food and half not involving food, each recalled twice. This ranged from barbecued mackerel at a golden wedding to eating strawberries in a hospital after giving birth.
For food memory, the researchers worked with the participants to create bespoke flavour-based cues for each one. The 3D printed flavour-based cues are small, gel-like, edible balls, modelling the original food, which is easier to swallow with more intense flavours, without requiring all the ingredients and preparation.
Professor Sas said: "Our outcomes indicated that personalized 3D printed flavour-based cues have rich sensorial and emotional qualities supporting strong recollective retrieval, especially when they distinctively match the food in the original experience and prompt emotionally positive self-defining memories."
All the participants were able to provide rich sensory accounts when prompted by flavour-based cues, with most of the details not being present in the earlier free recall.
Remembering a Green Thai curry dinner in Cambodia, one participant remembered: We went into the kitchen area, which was very basic and prepared all sorts of types of green vegetables, which I have no idea what they were, sitting on the floor. And then we would help cook them, stir fry them, and then we would help dish them up..."
But after being exposed to the 3D printed flavour-based cue of the Green Thai curry, the participant gave a more detailed memory of "the chopping noises of cutting up the vegetables, me sitting on the floor cross-legged with my friend, chatting together. And then when we went out, put stuff on the tables, the rest of the group coming out and we sit on long tables outside, the front of the school, so it's outside in the open air to eat."
A striking outcome was the large number of memories cued by flavours that were recalled with strong feelings of being brought back in time.
Participants said: "The roast beef and horseradish cue took me back 25 years in one bound . . .I could place myself at the table in the room . . .I ate that, and that actually provoked out of all the memories, quite a strong reaction actually. Just suddenly I was back."
Interestingly, the mere act of eating the cue was seen as a bodily re-enactment of the original event: "It just kind of triggers a few more sensations. Perhaps when you're tasting it, you imagine yourself there."
The researchers say their research has particular relevance for dementia. Participants talked about the importance of food memories based on their own experiences of caring for their loved ones.
One participant whose mother has Alzheimer's said: "As soon as she smelled and tasted the food, she would say something like, 'Oh, this is like old fashioned food. This takes me back'. She felt that it was something that she had had a long time ago."
Another participant suggested a scrapbook of food memories to trigger recollections of past events in people with dementia.
Professor Sas said: "The 3D printed flavours cued recollective retrieval, eliciting sensorially rich and strong positive emotional experiences that participants deeply enjoyed."
Dr Gayler said: "Working alongside people to create flavour-based cues highlighted how powerful but underused this connection is. Our design approach helped bridge this gap and showed the potential for future applications to create rich, multi-sensory memory aides."
Dr Vaiva Kalnikait said: "We finally have technology that can help re-construct memories using the flavour and scent of different foods in very compact shapes. These are the strongest cues to help us remember." —ANI

According to the findings of recent research, older people exposed to food flavours from their youth were able to "time travel" back to the past with an enhanced memory of the event.

Research Explores How Food's Smell Can Trigger Time Travel

Mumbai (The Hawk): Officials claimed on Thursday that the Mumbai Airport customs recovered USD 497,000 worth roughly Rs 4.10 crore hidden in the saree, shoes, and bags of a family arriving from Dubai.
The three-member family arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport late on November 2 aboard FlyDubai flight FZ-446.
Following a tip, the Air Intelligence Unit conducted a targeted operation, and the family, which included two senior people, was intercepted.
The sleuths conducted a thorough examination of the luggage as well as a physical frisking.
The AIU discovered and seized the USD bundles hidden in one of the passenger's saree folds, the inner sole of the shoes, and one of the suitcases the family was carrying.
The three people were detained and brought before a Magistrate Court, which put them in judicial prison for 14 days.
A second investigation was ongoing.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Officials claimed on Thursday that the Mumbai Airport customs recovered USD 497,000 worth roughly Rs 4.10 crore hidden in the saree, shoes, and bags of a family arriving from Dubai.

The Hawk

Tag : Travel

TN announces fare-free travel in govt buses for children

Sunil Aswal

Tag : Travel

TN announces fare-free travel in govt buses for children

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