How Indian Ecologists Are Finding Secret Treasures Hidden In The Canopies Of Trees In Western Ghats?

By NEWSCOP | INNLIVE

In the Western Ghats, a bunch of intrepid researchers are climbing up trees to peek into an unexplored world. Walking into a forest is probably one of the most immersive ecological experiences. It isn’t like walking into any other landscape like a mountain or a desert, both of which introduce their marvels at a deliberate pace. When you step into a forest, it is almost as if the edge zips shut behind you. The trees sieve the bright sunlight into twinkling stars, the soggy ground softens your step and the foliage pushes against the world outside.

Travel Destination: Plan A Vacation To 'Bamiyan Buddhas' In Afghanistan, A Beautiful Tourist Haven!

By LIKHA VEER | INNLIVE

Ali Mohammad has a little cart near the giant gaps in the mountain that once held the mighty Buddha statues in the Bamiyan province of Afghanistan. He sells piping hot chicken soup to the several tourists that visit the historical site every year. “Many foreigners come here to see what’s left of the Buddhas; especially a lot of Chinese tourists,” informs the 19-year-old.

While tourism may not be the first thing you associate with Afghanistan, the country does have much to offer to an avid traveller. And for those who call this country their home, have to often meet the contradictions of common stereotypes with the famous Afghan hospitality.

Are Travel Philanthropists Doing More Harm Than Good?

Tourists seeking to make voluntary work part of their holidays have helped build a sizeable industry which is now open to sharp criticism.

It seems like the best of both worlds. People using their hard-earned vacation time to give something back to those worse off than themselves. At its finest, travel philanthropy is seen as a form of direct development assistance – a benign initiative flowing from the travel industry and travellers into conservation initiatives, community projects and philanthropic organisations.

The 'High Stakes' War Of 'Executive Jets' In Gulf Countries

By Mohammed Ahsanuddin Haseeb
Principal Editor - Gulf Region

REVEALED: There is one thing money can buy: convenience. Such as the luxury of flying almost anywhere in the world, at any time. And as people and businesses grow richer, so too is the executive jet industry.

In response, Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), the largest executive jet manufacturer, last month launched its new ACJneo collection, which has already taken one order.

Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) also last month announced orders for two of its business aircraft and Gulfstream revealed an agreement with Qatar Executive, the charter arm of Qatar Airways, to purchase up to 30 of its executive jets.

'Firoz Merchant', A Businessman In Dubai: Why He Is Rescuing Thousands Of Debtors From UAE Prisons?

By Mohd Ahsanuddin Haseeb
Principal Gulf Editor in Dubai, UAE

Softly-spoken Indian businessman Firoz Merchant is a self-made millionaire, ranked number 30 on the recent '50 Richest Indians List', with a wealth estimated at around $440m. This is a far cry from having to leave school at the age of 11 because his parents could not afford the fees and living in a cramped Mumbai bedroom with his eight siblings.

Fast forward to Dubai and he now owns a gold retail conglomerate that is one of the biggest names in the industry and, in the midst of a challenging retail sector, has just announced multi-million-dollar expansion plans, is set to create 2,000 new jobs and is aiming to enter the hospitality sector.

Playing Dirty 'Garbage Politics': BJP, AAP, Congress Risk Making Delhi Laughing Stock For The World

Politics is dirty. But what kind of people indulge in politics of dirt? Over the past week, the proponents of Swacch Bharat tried it in Delhi, the symbols of ‘clean politics’ also raked muck on the issue; and even Rahul Gandhi stepped into the cess pool. In the end, by poking their nose in the garbage of Delhi, everybody ended up showing the ugly face of politics in India.

Langza Village In Spiti Valley – Life Above 14,000 Feet!

How is it to live in a village at the base of a 20,000 feet high mountain forever covered in snow? How does one endure winter temperatures that can go down to -20C or lower? What is like to be in the company of yaks in summer and snow-leopards in winter? What does it take to survive in such a place for centuries, when modern facilities did not exist? INNLIVE visited Langza for explore answers.

Special Report: India’s 'Luxury Hospitals' Offer Shopping, Cinemas, Coffee Shops, Spas, Wifi Zone And Joyrides

A new set of luxury hospitals in India is redefining the segment with cinema halls, cafes, fancy waiting rooms and grand architecture. And these aren’t just for India’s super-rich, who seek fine medical care in even finer surroundings, but also for well-heeled medical tourists from all around the world.

The opulence is almost unbecoming for a country where millions have little, or no, access to quality health care. For instance, the Dubai-based ABV group, which is opening a luxury hospital in Mumbai in the next two years, plans to bring in its patients by Rolls-Royce cars.

Telangana Govt Is Neglecting Hyd's 'Heritage in Hospitals'

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which came to power on the separate statehood sentiment by promising to protect the rich culture and heritage of Telangana, now appears to be hellbent on demolishing some of the historical structures in Hyderabad only to give way to swanky buildings and new infrastructures.

After deciding to demolish the Chest Hospital, a heritage building at Erragadda, to relocate the state secretariat, the state government appears to be contemplating pulling down the in-patient (IP) block of the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) at Afzalgunj, which was built in the early 1900s by Mir Osman Ali Khan.

Special Report: India's Tourism Policy Ridden With Loopholes, Falls Short Of Global Standards

The last National Tourism Policy came 13 years ago. The new draft is being pushed out in barely two weeks.

The Union government is increasingly bulldozing through policies and bills in a tearing hurry. The latest, following on the heels of the child labour and juvenile justice bills, is the National Tourism Policy.

The Union tourism ministry put up a draft of the policy on its website on April 30 and gave the general public only 10 days to respond.

Visit Bangalore: A Green Gardens City With A Green Peace

In India, one of the businest cities, Bangalore (aka Bengaluru) is not usually on the tourist trail as it does not contain any real “attractions,” but it’s nevertheless a pleasant city and I spent five days there relaxing after my tiring South India tour. Long known as “Garden City,” Bangalore probably has the best climate in India and is no doubt one of the greenest cities. (GREEN BANGALORE VIDEO LINK)

But perhaps best of all, there is a casual vibe that effortlessly mixes the colonial past, traditional culture and modern life.

Why 'Salman Khan' Stopped Taking New Films Projects?

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan suddenly stopped all film projects till the verdict of his legal cases and its consequenses. According to sources, all the new films, commercials and other endorsements have been stopped by the actor.

Salman Khan is a top draw at the box office, so it’s no surprise that he always has a number of film offers lined up. But even as the two projects he has in hand — Bajrangi Bhaijaan (BB) and Sooraj Barjatya’s next Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo — near completion, there is no news regarding what he will work on next.

Earthquake Have Pushed Nepal’s Economy Back 20-Years!

Over the last days, Nepal has been rattled by its worst earthquakes since 1934. More than 3,000 people have lost their lives, and villages, roads, highways and ancient buildings have been devastated. The total economic losses from the damage could be between $1 billion and $10 billion, according to the US Geological Survey’s best estimate.

In all, the destruction could push the economy of Nepal—already one of the world’s poorest countries—back by a decade or more, significantly hurting the small Himalayan nation’s efforts to move from a “Least Developed Country” to a “Developing Country” by 2022.

Nepal LIVE: Billions Of Dollars From Overseas Workers Will Be Key To Rebuilding Nepal’s Ravaged Economy

When it comes to remittances received as a proportion of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP), Nepal is among the best in the world.

In 2014, the 2.2 million Nepalese who work overseas sent remittances that amount to about 25% of the small Himalayan country’s GDP. On GDP terms, Nepal’s remittance inflow lagged only Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, sharing the third place with Moldova. Estimated at over $4 billion annually, remittances were nearly double the country’s revenues from exports of goods and services.

More Than 2000 Dead After Massive Earthquake In Nepal

A little before noon local time, a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit 77km (48 miles) northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, sending strong tremors through the landlocked Himalayan nation and across northern India. According to INNLIVE reports more than 2000 people have been killed.

A police official said the death toll in Nepal alone had reached 876, more than half of them in the Kathmandu Valley. A further 34 fatalities were reported in northern India and one in Bangladesh.

Analysis: Kerala Politics - Emerging Political Realignment

The UDF needs an urgent re-working of its strategies with regard to the state’s economic development, entrepreneurship development and bettering of public perception about minority appeasement. 

An emergency cabinet reshuffling to save the disintegration of the UDF and further shrinking of its vote base is needed. The Congress should strongly assert its position regarding economy, finance, education and industrial development including taxation policy.

Delhi Foodies Have Found A New Trend Of 'Food Festivals'

Delhi foodies makes a new trend called 'food festivals' where they will invite all types of food makers and spread the food across to select, pay and eat as they like. This trewnd is catching up in Delhi and NCR areas.

Delhi foodies have found a new fad — alfresco food festivals. The latest one, called 'The Grub Fest', was a three-day gala at the Nehru Stadium that brought together home-grown favourites like Karims, Khan Chacha and United Coffee House with newer, multi-cuisine entrants such as Ploof, Fio, Town Hall, En and Saraya and absolute newbies like Ghaas Foos, a vegetarian, fusion, home-catering service. 

Indian 'Railway Travel Insurance' For A Premium Of Rs.25

In possibly the most ambitious plan to give insurance to railway travellers, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has taken the first step towards what the railway firm calls ‘travel insurance services’.

Imagine paying Rs.22 for a 24-hour train journey (apart from the ticket fare, of course) and getting Rs.5 lakh as accident compensation, Rs.5 lakh in case of hospitalisation arising out of a train accident and Rs.50,000 for baggage loss?

Oman’s Luxurious Residential Property Sales At 'Saraya Bandar Jissah' Off To Start Despite High Demand

PREE RELEASE: As the first integrated tourism complex to launch in seven years Saraya Bandar Jissah, Oman’s most luxurious development project, entered the market last week with an uncertainty to how the market would react.

Commenting on the successful response received from prospective buyers, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah noted, "We at Saraya Bandar Jissah have been pleasantly surprised by the huge demand for properties and interest in the project.

Andhra Pradesh's New Capital Amaravati's Old Heritage: Can Ancient Be Turned Into Contemporary?

Andhra Pradesh's new capital has an old heritage of co-existence but can ancient be turned into contemporary?

When Andhra Pradesh parted with its discontented districts in June 2014, the big question was which of its cities would inherit the hallowed place that was once reserved for Hyderabad. Last week, top guesses such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati were brushed aside for a small temple village on the banks of the river Krishna. Amaravathi, it was revealed, will be the truncated state’s capital city.