Nagaur Fair
12 - 20 February 2013

Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The fair goes on for eight days. Nagaur Fair of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb. It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals. Approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in this fair. The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans and long moustaches. Other trading in the Nagaur Fair in Jodhpur, India consists of sheep to Marwari horses to spices. Some other attractions include the Mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories. Click here to read more...

Kashmir tourism department restore Buddhist sites to promote pilgrimage tourism
In a bid to attract more Buddhist pilgrims, the tourism department in Jammu and Kashmir has decided set to restore Buddhist sites in the state.The department has already sent a plan to the Archaeological Survey of India proposing to install basic facilities at these sites. Places like Parihaspora, Harwan and Kanispura-Ushkura, which still have ruins of Buddhist monasteries, are planned to be included in department's pilgrimage tourism initiative. Director of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism, Talat Parvez, said on Sunday that they would develop the whole circuit of tourism."There are many such ancient places and monuments where we want to promote tourism. We have done a documentation, which we will bring forward in the shape of a coffee table book in the next season. This coffee table book will become a source of promotion and such places will become prominent. We are also promoting circuit tourism," said Parvez. Click here to read more....

Oberoi in collaboration with Lemon Tree to establish hotels in Bhopal
The Oberoi group has disclosed its wish to set up several hotels in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Lemon group. As per the company's release, it is said that Jaideep Kang, Oberoi group and Vikramjit Singh, national director of Lemon Tree Hotels, shared this plan with Minister for Urban administration, Babulal Gaur and Tourism Minister, Tukojirao Puar, in a meeting at New Delhi. The hotel delegates were invited to Bhopal and were guaranteed for complete assistance in setting up the hotels. These two delegates of the concerned organizations were also invited to join in the three-day Investors' meeting that will be held around October 28, 2012, at Indore.

Hyatt enters into deal with IHHR for renaming Ista hotels in India
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into an agreement with IHHR Hospitality Pvt Ltd through an affiliate. The decision to rechristen 5 Ista hotels under the IHHR group in India, as Hyatt Hotels has been arrived at under the agreement. The rechristening would have the Hyatt brand tag attached to the place name wherein the Ista properties are located. The renaming part would be complete by March next year. Ratenesh Verma, Senior VP, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Asia-Pacific Real Estate and Development said, "As a company we see a perfect fit with IHHR's forward-thinking philosophy and vision." Ashok Khanna, MD, IHHR, said, "The time is now right to step back to our role as owners and hand these Ista hotels to a superb brand in Hyatt, which can take the business to the next level, through its marketing and brand strength. We are delighted with this relationship."

'The Lalit Chandigarh' unveiled
Lalit Suri Hospitality Group (enterprise of Bharat Hotels) has unveiled 'The Lalit Chandigarh'. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director stated that the 'The Lalit Chandigarh' will be a luxury property and it will display the Group's brand ethos of 'Traditionally Modern, Subtly Luxurious and Distinctly Lalit'. It is spread over 4 acres and it is situated close to new IT park development in Chandigarh. It has been developed at an investment worth Rs 240 crore and this hotel will provide 200 rooms. It is likely to be completely functional by next year. Suri stated that Chandigarh is a gateway and offers easy access to the prominent tourist destinations of North. The group currently has operating properties in New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Srinagar, Udaipur, Khajuraho, Bekal and Jaipur.

British Airways (BA) has announced to boost its India network
BA will boost India network. The airline will expand its route network from Hyderabad and Chennai from summer 2013 to six flights per-week from the current five times a week operation. Christopher Fordyce, Regional Commercial Manager for British Airways in South Asia said, "We have witnessed tremendous customer response and increase in demand from Hyderabad and Chennai in the last couple of years. To cater to this growing demand, we are pleased to offer enhanced flight frequency to all our customers from these two cities. India continues to be one of the fastest growing markets for British Airways and we are proud to be participating as well as contributing to India's tremendous growth story." The airline has also announced an attractive discount offer, exclusively for its Hyderabad and Chennai customers flying to London. Customers will avail 25% discount on all Club World tickets book before 23 November to London, for travel until 15 December 2012.

Air India revises group booking policy
Air India has revised its domestic group booking policy. Air India has revised its group booking policy The new policy would be applicable with effect from 1 December 2012 for a group of minimum 10 passengers with no maximum limit. Under the new policy, tour operators/travel agents/individual parties will have to send a written request to regional group section or station manager's office. The fare quoted by the group desk will be applicable for the requested itinerary and will be flight, date and sector specific. The airline will consider two child tickets as one adult for the purpose of TCP. No infant discount, FOC's and open dated segments will be permitted for group bookings. The policy will also allow 10% name change prior to ticketing, while no name change will be allowed after ticketing.

Papdi (Papri) Chaat

Indians love their favorite chaat wala and spend many a evening eating their favorite masala puri or pani puri, relishing its magical, addictive flavors like there’s no tomorrow. And why not? Its comforting food that warms the palate, delicious and economical on the wallet.

In the realm of chaat recipes, Papdi Chaat, is a favorite. The green and sweet chutney drizzled on a bed of papdi, lends a sweet, tangy and savory note, further fortified with beaten yogurt and finished with chopped onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves and sev, adding crunch to the hearty chaat. A crowd-pleasing appetizer recipe that is quick to fix provided you have done some preparation work ahead. Wow your guests by artfully arranging the papdi with zesty toppings and vibrant garnishes for an impressive beginning to a dinner

Click here to read the recipe...