Varanasi's LBSI Airport Gets India's First Reading Lounge
The Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh became the first in India to have a reading lounge. Apart from books on Kashi, the lounge`s library has a collection of literature and books in many international languages besides books of youth authors published under Prime Minister Yuva Yojana. The lounge has been established with the assistance of National Book Trust (NBT), an Indian publishing house and autonomous body under the ministry of education of the Union Government.
May 10, 2023
MakeMyTrip Collaborates with Microsoft to Introduce Voice Assisted Booking in Indian Languages
MakeMyTrip, leading travel portal collaborated with Microsoft to bring travel planning to a wider audience through the introduction of voice-assisted booking in Indian languages. The new technology stack incorporates Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Azure Cognitive Services to enable personalised travel recommendations for users based on their preferences.
Currently, the beta version of this integration has been introduced in English and Hindi for flights and holidays customers.
May 09, 2023
Delhi Metro Introduces QR Code-based Paper Tickets for Travel on All Corridors
Delhi Metro passengers will now be able to buy QR code-based paper tickets for travel on all its lines, the DMRC said, describing it a move towards a more transparent and human intervention-free mechanism.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will gradually phase out the concept of physical tokens.
At present, in addition to a token, the commuters will be able to buy a QR code-based paper ticket from the station counter. The DMRC has upgraded its AFC (automatic fare collection) gates, and token or customer care counters, to support the new feature.
By the end of May, the transporter is also targeting to introduce mobile-based QR tickets to make travel in Delhi Metro more seamless, easy, and time-saving, eliminating the need for queuing up for tickets at stations' counters.
May 08, 2023
Delhi's 'Haunted Heritage Walk' Kicks off from Malcha Mahal
Delhi's first 'Haunted Heritage Walk', organised by the city government's Tourism department, started with a guided tour of Malcha Mahal.
Located inside the Ridge forest near Chanakyapuri in the heart of the national capital, Malcha Mahal was built by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq and used as a hunting lodge.
Among the other sites that the walk will cover include Bhooli Bhatiyari ka Mahal, Feroze Shah Kotla and the Tughlaqabad Fort.
The Tourism department is identifying "haunted" sites in the national capital to conduct heritage walks.
A detailed plan on the "hidden and unexplored" historical places in the city is being prepared.
Heritage walks create a positive impact on tourism, enhance the brand value of the city and project its culture.
May 06, 2023
Uttar Pradesh Govt. Plans 'Ramaland' in Ayodhya Modelled on Disneyland
Ayodhya as a global tourism hotspot, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to develop a theme park 'Ramaland' modelled on Disneyland to narrate the story of Lord Ram. With Ramaland, the tourism department is looking to attract children and adults alike to showcase the legendary tales from Ramayan in the template of 'learning with entertainment'.
The deliberate transformation of Ayodhya is estimated to value Rs. 30,000 crore to the exchequer below 'Ayodhya Imaginative and prescient 2047' theme. These funds are targetted to be invested in about 260 initiatives pertaining to tourism, aviation, infrastructure, housing, medical, vitality, tradition, city improvement, transport and so on.
The expenditure will likely be incurred collectively by the central and the UP governments. These initiatives embrace Sensible Metropolis Mission, widening of roads, fashionable bus terminals, unclogging the overhead electrical energy provide cables, beautification of ghats, cultural centres and so on.