Aranmula Boat Race on Sep 2
Thiruvananthapuram | Friday, Aug 31 2012 IST

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate Aranmula Uthrittathi Boat Race, the annual snake boat water sports festival celebrated in Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple situated on the banks of Pamba River in Pathanamthitta district, at 1300 hrs on September 2. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien would deliver the key note address at the public function in which State Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash would preside over. Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Manjula Chellur would inaugurate the procession of Palliyodams (snakeboats). Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar would release a souvenir on boat race during the occasion.

State Home Minister would inaugurate the boat race of snake boats as part of the festival. The annual festival attracts tourists from all over the world. Forty-eight snake boats (Palliyodams), which can easily accommodate 100 to 120 people each including oarsmen, singers and helmsmen, would participate the festival this time. The participants, who are trained to row these boats, compete not merely for winning the competition but to celebrate the anniversary of the Sri Krishna idol installation, the main deity at the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple. According to history, Lord Krishna crossed River Pamba, the race is conducted in the Pamba River in front of the temple to commemorate the crossing of the river by Lord Krishna. A series of songs called 'Vanchipattu' are sung throughout the races, while group of men row up and down the River. Decorated silk banners and golden umbrellas are carries along with the participants that provide a mystical environment to the festival. Palliyoda Seva Sangam is the main organizer behind the annual water festival. 

Narmada Mahotsav from Oct 28
Jabalpur | Friday, Aug 31 2012 IST

The two-day Narmada Mahotsav will get underway in this district's famous tourist spot Bhedaghat on the occasion of Sharad Poornima on October 28. A review meeting for preparations for the Narmada Mahotsav was held here yesterday. Collector Gulashan Bamra issued directives for beginning the preparations and publicity from now itself.

Pak Expo 2012 in Mumbai from Aug 31- Sep 5
Mumbai | Friday, Aug 31 2012 IST

An exhibition displaying Pakistan's finest textiles, marble, herbs and medicines, plastics and variety of dry fruits products 'Made in Pakistan Expo 2012' was inaugurated here today. The expo to be on upto Sep 5, is organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) with support of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Pakistan's leading textile houses are participating in the event, placing their full confidence in FPCCI to carry out its first expedition into Mumbai.

Products on display include designers' collections, showcasing prominent and top brand companies like Gul Ahmed, Signatures by Five Star, Nisha Summer Lines, Al Karam, Portia, Bareeze, Lala Textiles, Mausummery, Diners and Ittehad. FPCCI has over the years been involved in trade promotion activities as India constitutes the most natural market for many of Pakistan's core products. FPCCI believes that the exhibition will certainly supplement the process of dialogue between India and Pakistan. In the past it has held successful and widely attended fairs and exhibitions in other Indian cities.
FPCCI plans to hold exhibitions in other Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.

Delhi Book Fair from Sep 1
New Delhi |Thursday, 2012 4:06:05 PM IST

The 18th Delhi Book Fair would be held at Pragati Maidan here Sep 1-9. The annual event will include seminars and book reading sessions. The central theme of the fair this year will be e-books. The central theme of the fair is e-books. It will bring together technology and literature. The ITPO is the organizer of the event. The nine-day fair will showcase publishers from Pakistan, the United States, Britain, France and Germany among 230 participants. The fair will be inaugurated by Delhi Lt. Governor Tejendra Khanna. Other than the theme of e-books, the fair will screen adaptations of popular novels in diverse languages. There are seminars, book reading sessions and regional presentations slated. The entry tickets are priced at Rs.20. Students with identity cards can avail 50 percent off on the tickets. Vernacular languages and literature on the centenary year of Indian cinema is also in focus.

'Indian Panorama-2012' film fest from August 30
Puducherry | Thursday, Aug 30 2012 IST

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy inaugurated 'Indian Panorama-2012' Film Festival here last evening. The government would enhance the cash component in the Sankardas Swamigal Award for the best film from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh from next year onwards. This year, Malayalam film 'Adaminte Magan Abu,' directed by Salim Ahamed, was adjudged the best film and Ahamed was given the award by Mr Rangasamy. He also underscored the need for producing value-based films. 'Adaminte Magan Abu' was screened as the inaugural film in the five-day long event in which six films from differentlanguages will be screened.

Velankanni festival begins from August 29
Nagapattinam | Wednesday, Aug 29 2012 IST

The 11-day annual festival at the famous pilgrim center at Veilankanni, near here began today with the hoisting of the holy flag. According to church sources, the Bishop of Thanjavur Rev. Fr.Devadoss Amburose conducted special prayers before it was hoisted. The procession of the Lady of Good Health was also taken around the church, before the flag hoisting ceremony. The devotees came from different parts of the country to attend the annual festival to thank the Lady of Good health for having made their dreams come true. The history of this holy shrine dates back to the 16th century. The shrine has become a time-tested way from being a temple of gratitude - left behind by ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors after they were rescued by the apparition of Mother Mary and her son - to a Basilica thronged by millions of pilgrims, each seeking good health and well-being every annual season. 

The sculpted Our Lady of Health with her son Jesus mounted on a globe was believed to have been brought by the Portuguese sailors, who were believed to have been secured to safety after they were stranded in rough sea. For the pilgrims who frequent the Velankanni Basilica, year after year, 2012 holds out the promise of a cherished spiritual experience for it also marks the golden jubilee year of the ordaining of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health as a Basilica. The shrine was ordained Basilica status under the benediction of Pope John Paul XXIII in 1962. For the Church and the millions of its pilgrims, the celebrations are bound to spill over until 2013. Velankanni was accorded the status of Parish in the 18th century. 

113th Thazhangadi boat race on September 1
Kottayam | Wednesday, Aug 29 2012 IST

The 113th Thazhangadi boat race will be held in the Thazhangadi river here on September 1. Seven prominent snake boats and other boats would participate in the competition. Wital See, GAIL India Ltd and Petronet LNG Ltd are the main sponsors of the race. Kerala Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan would inaugurate the boat race. Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar would present the trophies. Doordarshan would conduct the live telecast of the boat race for the 6th consecutive year from 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs. Kottayam mini marathon as part of the boat race would be held on August 30. More than 60 athletes would participate in marathon.

24th Kavanattinkara Boat Race on Aug 30
Kottayam | Monday, Aug 27 2012 IST

The 24th Kavanattinkara boat race under the auspices of the Sreenarayana Boat Club, Virippukala and with the cooperation of the District Tourism Promotion Council and Kumarakom and Aymanam Grama Panchayats will be held on August 30. At a news conference here today, Boat Club President M K Ponnappan said some 30 boats, including Snake Boats, would feature in the boat race. State Rural Development Minister K.C. Joseph would inaugurate the conference and Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan the boat race. Jose K Mani, M P, MLAs, K Suresh Kurup and Joseph Vazhackan and other leaders would participate.

Diamond Jewellery exhibition in Mumbai on August 24
Bhopal | Wednesday, Aug 22 2012 IST

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will inaugurate the maiden exhibition of diamond jewellery 'Courageous Spirit'-- mined from Madhya Pradesh's Bunder in Chhatarpur district -- in Mumbai on August 24. Over 500 companies from within and outside the country would participate in the exhibition. Ms Rina Ahaluwalia from Madhya Pradesh has designed these jewellery from the Bunder diamond, mined by Rio Tinto Exploration. The exhibition has been dedicated to women of Madhya Pradesh by Rio Tinto. The exhibition comprises a statement necklace and a set of earrings with a total of 25.34 carats of polished Bunder diamonds and 2.8 carats of rough Bunder. Rio Tinto -- a major company in the field of mining -- started diamond exploration in Baxawaha in Chhatarpur district. The quality of Bunder's diamond is better than that of Panna diamond and its production rate is also twenty time high. The company was given the prospecting licence for diamond prospecting in September 2006.

Haryana Youth Festival at Sirsa from August 30
Chandigarh | Thursday, Aug 16 2012 IST

The Haryana Sports and Youth Affairs department will organize 19th State Level Youth Festival from August 30 to September 1 at Sirsa. Stating this today, a spokesperson for the department said that during this festival, competitions in solo vocal classical music, solo classical recital, harmonium light, guitar, folk song, classical and folk dance, one act play and declamation contest would be held. Also, a contest in martial arts would be held as per the guidelines issued by the Central Government. Only those participants would be invited, who had not participated in National Youth Festival in the last three years. In this State level Youth Festival, the participants who had bagged first position in district level Youth Festival could only participate.

District Sports and Youth Affairs Officer, Sirsa would be responsible for food, accommodation and other arrangements of the participants. The participants getting first, second and third position in their respective competitions would be honored with cash prize of Rs 1,000, Rs 800 and Rs 600 respectively along with certificate. District level youth festivals were being organized in all the districts of the State and on August 18, youth festival of district Sirsa would be held at Chaudhary Dalbir Singh Stadium. In this festival, teams from whole of the district would participate in various cultural programmes and the teams bagging first position in this festival would participate in State level youth festival.

Education fair in Delhi on Aug 30, Bangalore on Sep 1
New Delhi |Friday, 2012 6:36:06 PM IST

In a bid to enhance educational ties and to attract Indian students, Japan will soon be organizing a special education fair in Delhi and Bangalore. The education fair, which is part of the Indian and Japanese government's programme of building people-to-people ties, will be held in Delhi on Aug 30, and in Bangalore Sep 1. A total of 11 key universities from Japan will attend the exhibition. During the Japan-India Annual Summit Meeting held Dec 28, 2011, prime ministers of the two countries expressed their resolve to continue efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India.

Japan Education Fair will be organized Aug 30 from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at Delhi Public School (DPS) R.K. Puram and Sep 1 from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., at Vivanta by Taj, M.G. Road, Bangalore. The universities from Japan, which will be present in the fair, are Doshisha University, Kyushu University, Meiji University, Nagoya University, Osaka University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Ritsumeikan University, The University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, University of Tsukuba, and Waseda University. While no registration is required for the Delhi fair, students in Bangalore can register at http://www.uni.international.mext.go.jp. 
India, with its huge pool of young population, has become one of the most sought after destinations for foreign universities with large number of students opting to go abroad for studies. Though the US, Britain and Australia remain the most popular destinations, more and more students are also looking for an alternative in other Asian and European countries. According to rough estimates, more than 2.6 lakh Indian students are currently studying abroad, while more than one lakh students are pursuing higher studies in the US, followed by the UK and Australia.

Vision India to hold novel expo for senior citizens from October 13
Hyderabad | Thursday, Aug 9 2012 IST

A novel exposition on products, services, second career and recruitment, friendly homes and activities for senior citizens is to be held in city from October 13. By 2050, India would have the highest number of people in the age group of 50 years and above overtaking China's current primary status. Vision India, in association with the International Longevity Centre India Chapter and supported by the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the Silver Innings Foundation and the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) would bring the six- city two-day 'Celebrating Age Expo on Active Retirement' to city on October 13 and 14. The first of the expo series is in Bangalore on September 1 and 2 followed by one at Pune on September 7 and 8 and later on at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai on September 15 and 16.The same expo continues at Ahmedabad on September 22 and 23 and in Goa on September 29 and 30. Chennai follows with the expo to be held on October 6 and 7, at Hyderabad on October 13 and 14 and the last one in Delhi on October 20 and 21. The expo will showcase goods and products for the 50 plus, activities and events as well as a live performance festival. There will be a senior officials meeting on qualitative and healthy ageing trends, recruitment desks and second career opportunities, workshops on insurance and banking. Dr Masehlkar renowned scientist and president of the International Longevity Centre India and Dr Gokhale, Dr K R Gangadharan, IFA President and Ms Monica Ferreira, ILC GA and Ms Jane Barrat, DG of the IFA will be participating.

Aranmula Vallasadya from July 29
Aranmula | Sunday, Jul 29 2012 IST

Head of the erstwhile Royal family of Travancore, Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, will inaugurate Aranmula Vallasadya, a feast to be held at Sree Parthasarathy Temple here tomorrow. Preparations for Vallasadya during Onam festival was inaugurated by Aranmula MLA K Sivadan Nair by lighting a lamp with the fire brought from the sanctum sanctorum here this morning. The fire from the lamp was then transferred to the hearths prepared at the temple Oottupura (kitchen complex). The annual ritualistic feast, Vallasadya, is an important ritualistic offering of a sumptuous feast by the devotees to the presiding deity at the Aranmula temple during the annual Onam festival.

Fifth India Art Fair from Jan 31
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 7:06:05 PM IST

The fifth edition of the India Art Fair, showcasing 1,000 established and emerging artists from across the world, will be held Jan 31 to Feb 3, 2013 here, the organizers announced Wednesday. The 2013 edition of the India Art Fair, described as one of the biggest in the country, will showcase 100 galleries showcasing 1,000 established and emerging artists. The focus of the fair next year will be Asia. The event will take place at National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) ground in Okhla. The fair will also see a larger and broader representation of Indian art with Indian galleries taking up bigger spaces. The fifth edition of the fair will have "highly tailored VIP programme for collectors and museums from around the world and daily business hours which were introduced at the fair last year". This edition of the India Art Fair will also unveil exciting "curated art projects in public spaces on the fair's premises and around the capital. As in previous years, the fair will be held for four days with VIP preview Jan 31.

Visitors will also have access to speakers' forum, curated walks, video lounge and book launches". "This year, we have been focused on sustaining scale, as well as quality of art being shown at the fair. We have seen a significant increase of interest from Asia, which includes galleries, museums and individual collectors from China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore". "This development will be an important contributor to the global market for Indian art. Collectors can also look forward to the strongest presentation of South Asian art shown to date at the fair, particularly with Indian galleries showing some of their best works of both modern and contemporary artists". Sandy Angus, co-founder of the fair "truly believed in the potential of India as one of the most promising art markets in the world". Established in 2008 at the beginning of the global economic meltdown, the art fair has sustained a three-fold growth. It has drawn 260,000 visitors from 67 cities around the world for four years. The participation of foreign galleries grew from three in 2008 to 44 in 2012 while the total number of exhibitors grew from 34 to 91.

Beach festival to be held at Kakinada in November
Kakinada | Monday, Jul 2 2012 IST

A three-day beach festival would be organized at Kakinada Beach during the last week of November. The government had approved for holding the beach festival in November and accorded financial sanction. The secretary has also instructed the AP tourism officials to submit a detailed project report on the proposed Beach festival. RDO Kishore Kumar, AP Tourism SE Sudersan reddy, Kakinada rural Tahasildar P Srinivasarao accompanied the secretary during the visit.

Kumbh Mela at Allahabad from January 14
Lucknow | Tuesday, Jun 12 2012 IST 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today directed the officials to make grand arrangements for the 2013 Kumbh Mela at Allahabad. The pilgrims and tourists visiting Kumbh Mela should not have any trouble besides law and order should remain under control. There should be no shortage of water for bathing at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati commonally known as Sangam.There should be no complaint of sewage problem in the mela area while the industrial units should be closed during the fair, which remains may cause the risk of water contamination. During previous Ardh Kumbh mela, 49,000 cusecs of water was released in the Ganga. The previous Kumbh Mela was for 44 days, but this time it will go on for 55 days. All arrangements should be completed before January 14, when the Mela starts.

Three day Sindhu festival begins in Leh from January 12
Leh | June 12, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST

The annual three-day Sindhu festival begins here today. Jammu and Kashmir's Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora will inaugurate the festival. The festival will be celebrated on the bank of the River Indus. The Sindhu festival attracts tourists to Ladakh. The state's Department of Tourism is the organizer of the event and is fully prepared to showcase every aspect of Ladakhi folk culture to the visitors, who in turn, will take good memories back to home. The main attraction of this festival is Ladakh's folk culture, a polo match, Ladakhi Archery and Dogri dances.