1. MRS AMBIKA SONI TAKES OVER AS NEW MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE

New Delhi: Mrs. Ambika Soni is the new Tourism and Culture Minister. She has taken over the Tourism portfolio from Mrs. Renuka Chowdhury.

2. DELHI, BOMBAY AIRPORTS PRIVATISATION BIDS CLEARED

New Delhi: The first step for privatization of Bombay and Delhi airports has been taken by Government of India by selecting two bids from GVK -- South Africa and GMR Frankfurt groups. This resulted in a strike by airport employees which was later withdrawn after assurances that there would be no layoffs. At present the airports are run by Airports Authority of India, a public sector undertaking.

3. INDIA CELEBRATES REPUBLIC DAY

New Delhi: India was showcased at the Republic Day on 26 January, with a parade marching down Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's Residence) to India Gate and Red Fort. Folk dancers regaled audience for several days. The celebrations came to a colourful end on 29 January with the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony.

Caparisoned camels standing on the ramparts at North and South Block, and marching bands playing all made for a grand finale. As the sun set to the lilting strains of "Abide with me", the illuminations on the building (including Parliament House), came on to enthusiastic applause from the watching public. Similar parades were held in all state capitals.

4. BOEING PLANS $ 185 MILLION MRO FACILITY IN INDIA

New Delhi: Boeing of USA has announced plans to invest $185 million in maintenance repair and overhaul facility (MRO) as well as pilot training and engineering support services in India. This is to service not only the 68 planes booked by Air India but the 98 booked by other private airlines. $ 100 million would be spent on MRO, $75 million on regular pilot training and $10 million for advance training of pilots.

5. IT WAS COLOURS, SOUNDS AND TASTES OF INDIA AT WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM DAVOS THIS YEAR

Davos: The World Economic Forum took notice of the "India Everywhere" theme this. Tricolour bangles, delegates sporting "Bindis" (dots on foreheads) and tie-dye dupattas (scarves) and shuttle busses with the tagline "India Everywhere" painted on them, tie and certainly made it known that India meant business. The grand evening soiree however had fun and food for delegates with a definite India flavour, from the Shiamak Davar choreographed "Sub se Pehle Hindustani" (Indian's will be first) to the DJ playing Indian movie music as world corporate directors danced. The food table found many enjoying the flavours and tastes of India. India was certainly the talk of the alpine town and the world.

Davos still has its mega-stars. Angelina Jolie attended, except it was hard to spot her among the scrum of television cameras. As well, Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, looking like the PhD candidate that he still claims to be was there, but he could barely move, as he was stopped every couple of feet by yet another businessman in immaculate attire, hoping for a brief chat.

6. 145 YEAR OLD COLONIAL BUNGALOW RESTORED IN BANGALORE

Bangalore: The 145 year old colonial bungalow on Bangalore's Cunningham Road seems frozen in time. Remodelled by the owners, "Hatworks Boulevard" now houses a café, boutiques, art gallery and even a spa. You can eat al fresco at the café and while away a lazy Sunday at the spa.

7. KERALA'S HOTEL MANAGEMENT STUDENTS COOK UP WORLD RECORD "PUTTU"

Trivandrum: Students of the Oriental school of Hotel Management in Wayanad (north Kerala) have made a 10 feet long "puttu" -- a cylindrical steamed rice treat. They are set to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records.

The final-year students of the Oriental School of Hotel Management here are all set to write a new leaf in the history of the institution by finding a place in the Limca Book of World Records and the Guinness Book of World Records.

As part of their annual food festival -- held here on Saturday -- they cooked a gigantic "puttu" (steam cake) with ten-feet height and six-inch width, steamed in a specially designed 12 feet long aluminium mould.

According to Sobi Devadas, faculty coordinator, as many as 20 coconuts and 26 kg of powdered rice were used for its preparation, which took about one-and-a-half hours to complete.

For the cooking purpose, a special "puttukutti" and a boiling vessel were made with the assistance of the Bright Engineering Works, Vythiri.

Ajin Pisharody, one of the architects of the gigantic "puttu," said they got their inspiration from Tamil Nadu. "We had heard of a 60-feet dosa. That's where we got this idea. Of course, our faculty members and principal guided us."

Pisharody quickly adds that the apart from the size, their puttu is as good as the real one. "We got a few suggestions, asking us to add spices and other ingredients, which we politely turned down. We stuck to the traditional cooking method."

A ladder was used to fill the steam chamber with the powdered rice. The CDs, photographs and other necessary records regarding the cooking process will be submitted to the respective award committees.

Various culinary competitions and entertainment shows were also held in connection with the festival.

8. PATIALA HERITAGE FESTIVAL 11--19 FEBRUARY

Patiala: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Punjab Government will once again hold the annual Patiala Heritage Festival 11-19 February. The inaugural ceremony will feature the Swan Lake Ballet in Kerala's Mohiniattam style by Bharat Shivaji and her troupe. A Crafts Mela and seminars and painting workshops will add to the excitement.

9. INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE SHOW SPONSORED BY CORDON BLUE IN DELHI

New Delhi: 55 Chefs competed for 6 titles in the International Food and Wine show (IFOWS) 19-21 January held at New Delhi. It was sponsored by Cordon Blue and David Bilsland its chef instructor from its London School was one of the judges. IFOWS also hosted "Vinitaly India", the Indian edition of the wine fair from Veriona the city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The award ceremony for the winners of the Culinary Cup was attended by some of the finest chefs and celebrities of the food and beverage world. Avinash Handu of Le Meridien won the Culinary Cup with Nazneen Nikhat of the Marriott Welcom Hotel the 1st runner up and winner of the best desert award. Deepak Bhist of the Taj Palace was the Second runner up and winner of the best main course award.

10. ASIA SOCIETY TO OPEN INDIA CENTER IN BOMBAY

New York: On 18 March Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh will give the keynote address at the Asia Society's 16th Asian Corporate Conference in New York. Founded in 1956 by John D Rockefeller III, the New York based society has promoted a deeper understanding between Asia and America. On 18 March the society will open its first India center in Bombay.

11. RAJASTHAN'S NAGAUR FAIR HELD

Jaipur: The town of Nagaur comes alive during its annual cattle fair, one of the largest in the country (February 4 to 7, 2006). Women dressed in Silver jewellery and colourful costumes add to the flavour of the Fair as do games like tug of war, camel races, cock fights and Bull fights.

12. UNUSUAL ASSAM TRIBAL FAIR USES ONLY BARTER, NO CURRENCY

Guwahati: Over 1500 tribals from distant locations in he northeast of the country thronged to a sprawling meadow at a roadside village, Jonbeel, about 60 km/38 miles east of Guwahati for an exotic fair. Villagers clad in traditional costumes set up makeshift stalls at the Jonbeel annual bazaar mid January. Dipsing Deo Raja, the 14 year old "king" of the Tiwa tribe in Assam, inaugurated the fair where barter is the rule and cash transactions a crime.

13. BHARATPUR BIRD SANTURY AWAKENS TO SOUND OF MUSIC FROM SWAROVSKI ORCHESTRA

Bharatpur: The Keoladeo Bird sanctuary is visited by over 100,000 bird watchers every year. The Rajasthan Government, WWF India and Swarovski (of crystal fame) of Austria have developed an interpretation center in the park and named it after renowned ornithologist Salim Ali. The Swarovski Musik Wattens, an 80 member symphonic wind orchestra, performed at Bharatpur sanctuary. The celebrations also coincided with the 250th birth anniversary of Mozart, Austria's most illustrious musician.

14. CANADA'S CAE PLANS PILOT TRANING UNIT IN NIDIA

Bangalore: Montreal based aircraft simulator maker CAE is considering setting up a pilot training facility in India. This is spurred by a shortage of pilots in India, which will continue as new airlines take to the skies. At present pilots from some Indian carriers are being trained at the CAE -- Emirates facility in Dubai.

15. FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL FEBURARY GOA

Panjim: Acclaimed Italian classical guitarist Piero Bonaguri, a former student of Andres Segovia, will give a concert in Goa on 20 February. The International festival at the 1000 seater State Kala Academy will also have German guitarist Roger Zimmerman performing. He will also tour Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore. 30 competitors have also enrolled from all over the country.

16. CHINESE BUDDHIST PRIESTS TO RETRACE 628 AD MONK'S JOURNEY TO NALANDA

Beijing: In May, four Chinese Buddhist priests hope to retrace the journey taken to India over 1300 years ago by a monk Xuan Zang, who studied in a monastery at Nalanda (now in Bihar). The four monks selected, one each from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan will set out from Xian in the Shaanxi province and retrace the journey (partly on foot partly in vehicles) of Xuan Zang who walked 25,000 km and spent 19 years learning Indian approaches to Buddhism at Nalanda, an ancient center of learning. The four monks will present the Buddha Temple in Nalanda with a Chinese Buddhist book sown into a 32 meter silk scroll in the form of Chinese calligraphy, a sculpture of Sakyamuni Buddha and a book written by Xian's follower Monk Bian ji.

17. ZAGAT SURVEY 2005 NAMES OBEROI GRAND CALCUTTA TOP CITY HOTEL IN INDIA

Calcutta: The Zagat Survey 2005 often referred to as the "Oscars" of the global hospitality industry has put the Oberoi Grand Calcutta at the top among all city Hotels in India. The "Queen of Chowringhee" is bent upon reaching out for more. The Oberoi Group will spend Rs 40 Crore to refurbish and create a brand new heritage wing consisting of 30 premium suites (nine at present) in the Chowringhee wing of the hotel which had been closed for a while. The Grand was once known as one of the four jewels of the East, along with Raffles Singapore, Oriental Bangkok and Strand Rangoon.

18. WORLD BOOK FAIR IN DELHI

New Delhi: The World Book fair drew crowds with the International stalls seeing a record number of visitors. Director Frankfurt Book Fair, Juergen Boss, said that India would be the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. India is the only country to have this honour twice, last time being in 1986. The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest book fair in the world with 110 countries participating and 7500 stalls.

Kevin Fitzgreald of "Rough Guides" was amongst the luminaries who attended the Book Fair.

19. NEW TRAIN HERITAGE ON WHEELS BEING INTRODUCED IN RAJASTHAN

Jaipur: Designed on the lines of "Palace on Wheels", a new train "Heritage on Wheels" is being introduced in Rajasthan. It will go to Bikaner, Gajner and Nawalgarh, Mandawa and Ramgarh is Shekhawati twice a week from Jaipur. It will have a 3 night 4 day itininery with rates; single occupancy $ 300 and double $ 200 per person per night. It is a joint project of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways.

20. TAJ REPLICA UNVEILED AT DUBAI GLOBAL VILLAGE

Dubai: As part of the Dubai shopping festival, (on at the moment), a $ 4 million replica of the Taj Mahal was opened at the Global Village. It has turned out to be a great crowed puller. It took 600 people, including 270 Indian artists, to complete the project in 3 months.

21. AIR INDIA EXPRESS TO FLY TO DOHA IN APRIL

Bombay: Air India Express will take over Air India's Doha service in April. Air India now operates 6 flights a week. The number will double to 12 with Air India Express operating 7 flights a week from Cochin, 3 a week from Bombay and 2 a week from Delhi, all using Boeing 737-800s.

22. KINGFISHER AIRLINES ANNOUNCES "SCENT OF GOOD TIMES" OFFER

Bangalore: On 23 January Kingfisher Airlines announced a unique "Scent of Good Times" offer. All you need to do is buy a Kingfisher Airlines ticket coupon booklet worth Rs 10,000 containing 2 flight coupons and get free perfumes and cosmetics worth Rs 4000 of international brands like Pierre Cardin, Paul Smith and Kenzo.

23. INDIGO GETS STEVEN HARFST AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

New Delhi: Indigo has appointed Steven Harfst as its Chief Operating Officer. John Leahy is the Chief Commercial officer. The Airline is looking at a Dubai based aviation professional as its CFO Chairman Rahul Bhatia hopes to make a final announcement on the CFO soon. Last year Indigo created a stir with a 100 Airbus purchase order. The airline hopes to be airborne in July this year.

24. JETSTAR ASIA TO FLY SINGAPORE-BANGALORE

Bangalore: Budget airline Jetstar Asia will fly 5 days a week between Bangalore and Singapore. The fares begin at an attractive low figure of Rs 6,000.

25. AIR ITALY NOW FLIES VERONA TO AMRITSAR

VERONA: Air Italy launched its North India operations this winter. It now operates Verona to Amritsar every Wednesday. It uses a Boeing 757 with a capacity of 220 seats.

26. EMIRATES STARTS DUBAI-TRIVANDRUM SERVICES

Trivandrum: Emirates inaugurated its non-stop service Dubai to Trivandrum on 1 February. The airline will operate 8 flights a week, seven with an A 330-200 and one with a Boeing 777-200.

27. MELBOURNE BOUND TIGER CUB HUNTS FOR A NAME

New Delhi: A one year old Tiger cub clad in a vest and blue shorts is the mascot for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi. He needs to be christened and the sports Branch of the Department of Education of New Delhi Government has announced a contest. The cub, till now referred to as Sheroo, (inspired by Sher Khan of Kipling's Jungle Book) needs an exciting name before he is formally introduced to the world at the end of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March. So give the Mascot an unusual name by 6 February and win an all expense paid trip to the Melbourne Games.

28. PICASSO'S WORKS DISPLAYED IN DELHI 8 FEBAUARY

NEW DELHI: More than 40 works by Picasso from his coloured drawings, etchings, lithos, linocuts to ceramics will be on view at the Vadehra Art Gallery in Delhi in collaboration with London's Grosvenor Gallery. This is the first time that a Picasso show will be undertaken by a private art gallery. Catalogues will be sent to 500 top International art collectors to ensure that India stays in the collector's mind.

29. PARK PLAZA ROYAL PALMS OPENS IN BOMBAY

Bombay: The Park Plaza Royal Palms, has opened it's doors to customers in Bombay. The 223 rooms and suites hotel is set amidst 240 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery, in north Bombay. The hotel complex is part of the Royal Palms Estate, not far from the Aarey Milk Colony, in Goregaon (East). The Carlson Hospitality Group venture also has a Health Spa, and wellness center, "Jasmine", offering treatments and massages by Thai, Swedish and, of course, Ayurvedic masseurs,

30. SWISS TOUR MAJOR GVI TO OFFER LOCAL EXPERIENCE TO TOURISTS

Bangalore: Swiss tour Company Group Voyages Inc (GVI) which is known for it's brands Globus, Cosmos, Monograms etc is now focusing on India in a big way, GVI is entering India with an initial investment of $ 500,000 and an office in Bangalore. It will continue selling its packages through its general sales agents like, Thomas Cook, Cox and Kings and TCI but will also directly build its brand in the market by targeting tourists in the young to middle age executive category.

31. CRUISE SHIP ORIANA DOCKS AT MADRAS 31 JANUARY

Madras: Luxury Cruise Ship Oriana docked at Madras on 31 January. It has 1707 passengers and 823 crew on board and is on a 100 day world tour. It's next halt is Singapore.

32. HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGHWAYS TO WELCOME TOURISTS WITH FLOWERS AND HERBS

Simla: Those traveling on the National Highway connecting Chandigarh with Kulu-Manali will now be greeted with flowers and aromatic plants. Under a 2 year eco-tourism project, over 60,000 saplings will be planted to be maintained by the villages en route. Wildlife related activities will also be taken up.

33. WELCOMHERITAGE SIGNS ON 100 YEAR OLD GRAND IMPERIAL AGRA

Agra: The 100 year old Grand Imperial Agra will soon be restored to it's old glory. Once a leading hotel in Agra it fell into disuse. After renovation, it plans to welcome guests at the end of the year, according to Mr. Rakesh Mathur, Chief Executive Officer of WelcomHeritage (a unit of ITC Ltd).

34. MR UDAYAN BOSE TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THOMAS COOK INDIA

Bombay: Thomas Cook India has reconstituted its board with Mr. Udayan Bose as non-executive Chairman. This follows the acquisition of Thomas Cook International Markets Ltd UK by Dubai Financial LLC. Mr. Ashwini Kakkar has stepped down as CEO and Managing Director but will remain advisor to the board for at least 6 months. He continues to be the official accredited representative of Thomas Cook for TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India) and continues to be the President of TAAI

35. TAAI PRESIDENT ASHWINI KAKKAR TO CONTINUE

Bombay: Mr. Ashwini Kakkar, who stepped down a CEO Thomas Cook India Ltd (after the purchase of the group by a Dubai based company), will continue as the President of Travel Agents Association of India, according to Mr. Rajji Rai, Secretary General, Mr. Kakkar continues to be adviser to Thomas Cook.

36. ANURADHA KAPOOR'S BOOK ON HERITAGE HOTELS UNVEILED

New Delhi: Shriji Arvind Singhji of Mewar was the guest of honour at the launch of media consultant Anuradha Kapoor's book "Indian Heritage Hotels: Legacy of Splendour". This Coffee table book is a compilation of the best heritage hotels in India. The book has received rare reviews.

37. HEIDELBERG PROMOTION IN INDIA

New Delhi: Mr. Nils Kroesen, Managing Director, Heidelberg Kongress und Tourismus GmbH Convention and Visitors Bureau was in New Delhi to promote Heidelberg. He gives an audio visual presentation to a select gathering of travel trade professionals and media on this attractive German city.

38. DESTINATION OF THE WEEK --VRINDAVAN: WHERE KRISHNA PLAYED AND DANCED THE RAAS

Vrindavan -- closely associated with Krishna, the Divine Cowherd -- is a town that exists more in mythology and legend and in the popular imagination of the people. It is the place where Lord Krishna spent his early childhood, where he cavorted with the gopis (milkmaids) in the forests. The forests are gone and the river has shifted its course but Krishna lives on.

Of Vrindavan's over 4000 temples, the most important and oldest is the Govind Dev Temple built in 1590 by Mughal Emperor Akbar's General, Raja Man Singh of Jaipur. Once seven stories high (the upper 4 destroyed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb) it combines western Hindu and Muslim architectural features. The Krishna idol was moved to Jaipur.

Each of the other temples has a unique feature. The Shahji Temple is famous for its sculpture and twelve single piece 15 feet spiral marble columns. The "Basanti Kamra" in it's eastern wing has spectacular Belgian glass chandeliers and rare paintings.

Vrindavan's longest temple, the Rangaji Temple has a main gate in the Rajput style and a 500 feet tall gold plated "Dhwaja Stambha" (flag pole). This temple is built in the South Indian style. In March/April the Brahmotsav is celebrated with the pulling of the Rath (chariot) from the temple to the gardens near by.

The Madan Mohan Temple near the Kali Ghat is the oldest temple in Vrindavan. The Banke Bihari temple is the most popular. The image of Banke Bihari was found in the Nidhi Van nearby and installed in the temple.

The Radha Vallab Temple has the crown of Radha (Krishna's friend) placed next to Krishna's Idol in the sanctum santorum. The Jaipur Temple has fine carvings in sandstone and is dedicated to Radha-Madhav.

The Sri Krishna-Balram Temple built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a beautiful new temple. The other Temples are the Jugal Kishore, the Shrji, the Meerabai and the Lal Babu. The ghats like Kesighat, Rajghat, Kaliya Ghat and Varah and Chir Ghat are also visited by pilgrims. As per legend Krishna danced the Raas with Radha and the Gopis on the banks of the River Jumna at Vrindavan and it came to be known as Raaslila (divine episodes of his life) The Raaslila is of particular significance during festival of which there are many in Vrindavan. In fact every day is a festival, when chanting and dancing and singing is heard everywhere. Some festivals are more important like Janamashtmi (Krishna's birth) Holi and Basant.

Basant is the festival of spring (2 February this year) when yellow flowers are abloom in the fields and there is a new awaking and a new energy everywhere. The festival is celebrated with song and dance and flying of kites. People wear yellow clothes and yellow coloured food is cooked and eaten. In Vrindavan, Basant is celebrated with great enthusiasm and with sanjhee, the colourful art of decorating the ground with flowers as Krishna once did to please Radha. Rasiyas (folk songs) ring out describing the love of the divine couple, Radha and Krishna and become an inseparable part of Basant in Vrindavan.

Vrindavan lies 15km/10miles from Mathura and 150km/100 miles from Delhi.

For more information about Vrindavan, contact Department of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, Directorate General, Rajarshi Purshottam Das Tandon Paryatan Bhavan, C-13, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, U.P. Ph : 91-522-2308916, 2308017 Fax : 91-522-2308937, Email : upstdc@up-tourism.com yatrup@sancharnet.in

FOR MORE GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

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Toronto, Ontario
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Phone: 1-416-962-3787; fax: 1-416-962-6279
and Email: indiatourism@bellnet.ca