Japan and Google all set to revamp Indian Railways | Google is planning to set up free WiFi across 400 railway stations in India

Japan is gearing up for a billion dollar investment in Indian Railways Networks and Google is planning to set up free WiFi across 400 railway stations in India. 

 Japan gears up for a billion dollar investment in Indian Railways Networks:

The Indian railways is all set for a complete transformation in the next five years.

Japan the country known for its immense technological strides has set the ball rolling for revamping the Indian Railways network with a whooping 140 billion dollar investment to improvise the existing infrastructure. Nearly 400 stations have been listed in the modernisation project of the Indian public transporter network.

Japan will provide its expertise in solving problems of sanitation including the development of waterless, odourless toilets in trains and stations. Japanese officials have also agreed to assist Indian Railways in the zero-accident mission and development of a legal and regulatory framework on high speed railway.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu is in Japan to discuss the modernisation and technology upgrade project with the Japanese Prime Miniter Shinzo Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso. Prabhu also held meetings with heads of leading financial institutions  to highlight the investment prospects in railways in the coming years.Prabhu is on a two-nation visit to Japan and Korea since September 7.

A Japanese delegation will soon visit India to study the opportunities for industries in the railway station development.  The Railways research wing - Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), will sign an MoU with Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan to carry out research work on acquiring modern technology for the public transporter.

Google to provide free Wifi access to Indian railways

The tech giant Google recently decided to partner with the Indian Railways for 'Project Nilgiri' and is set to bring in free Wifi access across 400 stations in India.

For this service Google Fiber will be making its way to India. The Google Fiber is popularly known to provide fast broadband in the USA. The services aims at providing seamless network connectivity in select railway Stations across India.

In the first phase of the project WiFi hotspots will be set up  across India over a span of 4 months.

Passengers will be able to access the WiFi after a mobile verification and a one-time password sent over SMS. There will be 34 minutes of uninterrupted service after which the speed will reduce but the connectivity will remain.

The future of the Indian railways infrastructure looks rosy with the current plans of technological advancement. For any of this to be a reality we need to be more conscious about indiscriminately littering railway tracks and stations.                                                   (Sources: PTI, telecomtalk.info )

Czech Republic opens VACs (Visa Application Centrer) in Mumbai and Delhi

The Czech Republic has outsourced its visa application process to VFS Global and has opened two Visa Application Centres (VAC) – one each in Mumbai and New Delhi. Milan Hovorka, Ambassador Designate of the Czech Republic to India and Bhutan, was in Mumbai to inaugurate the VFS Global visa centre in Bandra-Kurla Complex. 

He said, “We have been recording a growing number of applications for short-term visas from India. In 2014, we received 9,000 applications, which was a 20 per cent increase from 2013. In the first six months of 2015 alone, we processed 7,500 visas.” 

He revealed that Czech Republic will be part of the annual roadshow that takes place in December. The roadshow is conducted by the European Quartet, comprising countries of the Visegrád Group, namely Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.

Simplified procedures for minors to get passport

A simplified procedure has been introduced based on large number of representations from parents who are facing difficulties while submitting applications for their children. “The matter has been examined considering all relevant aspects,” says a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. 

Government of India has given various options with regard to ‘presence of parents while applying for passports for minor children’. The statement says only copies of passport of the parents of the minor has to be submitted.

The genuineness of the passports can be checked at the system. The Ministry has also given out information on the annexures required during the submisison of documents.

A Brief Sojourn to Bandhavgarh

5 hours sleepeth a traveler, 7, a scholar, 8, a merchant and 11 every knave - says an old English proverb. In my city life you can categorize me with the knave as even 11 hours of sleep sometimes seems inadequate. My body clock changes when I am in the jungle though. There I am the traveler and sometimes can even manage with less hours of sleep than him. It is not the excitement of seeing the big mammals but the entire rhapsody, which captivates me. The air, the smell, the rumbling of dry leaves ET all. They say you need to visit the jungle thrice in a year to witness the change of colours and rhythm. Here I was visiting Bandhavgarh for the second time in six months.

Located in the Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is the most sought after wildlife destinations in India. The Tiger density in this National Park is one of the highest in India.

The unrelenting heat could not hold me back and after generous application of suntan (why are we city dwellers so delicate?), set off for my afternoon drive. Within a few minutes, the Paradise flycatcher welcomed me. What a welcome by this gorgeous bird. The Indian Roller, in its breeding plumage made the woods even more vibrant. After an hour's drive, punctuated with the occasional Golden orioles and a gorgeous pair of Brown fish Owl, we had to stop our vehicle as the other jeeps in the front had spotted 'Him' a few meters away. Let me be honest, it was that kind of a sighting where your eyes do see the stripes but the heart is adamant. It is not convinced. It wants to see more, see again. I kept changing my position to get a better glimpse. Suddenly, on my right, a little uproar and there was a tigress, walking on a stagnant log, heralding towards us. What a walk! She jumped off the log a few feet before its edge and quietly crossed the road right in front of us, completely ignoring all other vehicles and all its astounded occupants.

'There is nothing in the caterpillar that tells us that it will turn into a butterfly'. We hope all secrets in our lives reveal so beautifully. There was nothing special in the air that could forewarn me about the spectacle I was about to witness. Doing justice to the typical Homo sapiens trait was hoping to see something unusual with the tigers. Pushing my luck too far I guess. Just a mere glimpse was not enough. Around 7 a.m. near the ghodadaman tiraha, we first got the smell of the kill. Our experienced guide Ajit told us it seems to be 3-4 days old. At the next bend we saw her, the reigning queen, resting, after a heavy meal. She was trying to sleep along with her three cubs who were five months old! For the first time I saw the cubs suckling. What a sight! I had earlier seen cubs, which were approx. 10-11 months old. It was hard to differentiate for my ignorant eyes between cubs, sub-adult and an actual adult. I had never seen them so small, so adorable yet, fierce. The tigress was trying to get some rest but the cubs kept jumping all over her. It was interesting to note that an adult tigress whose one roar can freeze the blood in your veins was being so docile with her cubs. Is indulgence synonymous with motherhood? I would like to believe it is. An iota of my luck was still floating. After about half an hour near Andhyari jhiria, saw a cub (14months) chase away a chital twenty feet away from my jeep!! He came and stopped near our jeep, giving up the chase, breathing heavily. I understand it was a mere playful exercise and not the dramatic 'hunt'. The entire momentum of the event sent my heart to a complete frenzy. There was nothing else I could ask for.

Bandhavgarh can be approached by rail, road and air transport. It is approx. 37 kms from the Umaria railway station. It takes about 4 hours to reach Bandhavgarh from the Jabalpur Airport. Driving through the Maikal range is a difference experience altogether.

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Tony Tyler to retire as IATA DG & CEO in June 2016

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has decided that its Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tony Tyler, will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. “Tony Tyler is a very effective leader of IATA, who is achieving much in his role as Director General and CEO. I regret that he will be leaving the Association, but respect his decision to retire next year after a long and successful career in aviation. The search will now start for a successor to be appointed at the next IATA Annual General Meeting in Dublin in June 2016. In the meantime the Board will continue to guide and support Tony and his team in their mission to deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable airline industry,” said Andrés Conesa, Chief Executive Officer of Aeroméxico and Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors since June this year.

“After five years as Director General and CEO of IATA, I believe it will be time for me to retire and leave the organisation. It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead IATA, and I am proud of what the IATA team is achieving during my term of office. I greatly appreciate the support I receive from the Board of Governors and the membership at large, and from my colleagues. I remain fully committed to leading IATA until my successor is appointed in June next year,” said Tyler.

Before joining IATA in 2011, Tyler was Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong, in which capacity he also served on the IATA Board of Governors including as its Chairman from June 2009 to June 2010.

Experience the Beautiful, Blossoming, Burma (Myanmar)

For many years, Burma now known as Myanmar remained an outcast state. Post the British rule, its neighboring countries thrived, but Myanmar remained isolated from the rest of the world. Myanmar's wealth of Buddhist Pagodas and ancient temples has now boosted the tourism industry.

Myanmar's culture is a result of heavy Indian influences sublimely woven with local traditions. It feels like visiting a page in history, which got warped in time. It gives you a taste of the fascinating and distinct ways of life of the locals who live on the edge of the modern world. It is now opening up to the modern world as sanctions are disappearing and more gateways are opening up. Tourism has wised up to the potential of the minority peoples and is creating a niche market for itself.

Along with ancient pagodas and monasteries, Myanmar also boasts of almost 2000 meters of coastline. It has some of the finest stretches of beach in Asia, undiscovered by tourists, unspoiled by development. Most of these beaches face west hence is idyllic for viewing sunrises and sunsets.

Compass Tours, a well know luxury Travel Company in the Indian Subcontinent, has now expanded its operations and network and are providing Myanmar tour packages from India.

"On the insistence of our clients, we decided to include tours to Myanmar to our repertoire. Having travelled half across the globe, our clients wanted to experience a little more of The Orient. Since Burma is linked, both geographically and culturally to India, it blended naturally and beautifully into our efforts in giving our esteemed clients an added flavor to explore." – says Durjay Sengupta, the CEO of Compass Holidays Pvt. Ltd.

Since Myanmar is taking its baby steps into the world of tourism, its infrastructure is still nascent. Compass with its vast experience in handling discerning travellers for 15 years serves as the perfect foil. Our escorts and guides are well trained and will take your likes and dislikes into account. From domestic flights to boats rides, attending local rituals to giving a deep insight into the daily lives of the tribal people, Compass handles the smallest details of the journey with utmost efficiency.

Myanmar has 3 specific seasons. The hot and dry season starts from March till May. The rains come and bring the temperatures down during June to October. The rains also bring in humidity. On a hot afternoon with temperatures touching 40 degrees, and a relative humidity of almost 90 pct., it tends to get a little uncomfortable. The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February.

People of this warm and hospitable country are quite friendly and polite. The influence of Buddhism is one of the reasons. As modernism is creeping in, the internet is slow and may not have an easy access. You will need to carry plenty of cash. There are few ATMs around and credit cards are accepted only in 5Star establishments and upmarket stores. Make sure the dollar bills you carry are new, fresh and unfolded bills. Creased, folded and weary bills have no value in Myanmar. Do not worry about carrying large amounts of cash with you as the crime against foreigners is rare and not unheard of. A vast majority of the population is Buddhist; hence people are by and large honest.

Most of our Tour packages to Myanmar start at Yangon.

Upon arriving at Yangon International Airport, You will be greeted by our local guide and transfer to the Hotel.

Yangon is a large yet not modernized city. There is a distinct old world charm to it. It has Victorian buildings, long boulevards, lush green parks and soothing lakes. It also boasts of a throbbing and bustling city center.

All tours and itineraries are personalized and destinations and duration can be according to the client's preferences, time and budget.

The internet is still crawling and making travel arrangements including boat rides may seem like an uphill task. Myanmar Tour packages with Compass will ensure a smooth sail into imparting an everlasting impact.

This 80 Year Old Retired Postmaster Builds Taj Mahal for His Late Wife - Must Read

World’s famous monument, Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal as he loved her so much over three century ago. Since then, Taj Mahal has become a symbol of love. Just like the saying that history repeats itself, a retired postmaster is building another Taj Mahal in the memory of his late wife.

Faizul Hasan Qadri, an 80-year old man from Bulandshahr, is building a ‘mini Taj Mahal’ for his late wife Tajamulli Begum, Hindustan Times reported. Qadri had married Tajamulli in 1953. After Tajamulli died due to throat cancer in 2011, Qadri decided to devote all his money for constructing a mini Taj Mahal to express his love for his late wife. Qadri buried her on his agricultural land, and then later began the construction.

Building a new Taj Mahal wasn’t an easy task for Qadri. Many times the construction work came to halt due to lack of money. “Initially, I sold a piece of land for Rs 6 lakh and my wife’s gold and silver jewellery for Rs 1.5 lakh and got the ‘makbara’ (mausoleum) constructed with the help of a local mason named Asgar. A total of Rs 11 lakh was spent,” Qadri told to HT.

However, Qadri needs financial help to get marble studded on the monument and also to build a lush green park around the construction but he refused to take any help from others. “This is my personal endeavour for my late wife and embodies my love for her. So I should do this on my own,” said Qadri.

Qadri’s half finished Taj Mahal has become acentre of attraction among locals and people are visiting the place to witness the beauty of mini Taj Mahal. Impressed by his work, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has called Qadri for a meet and is likely to help him to complete the remaining work. But Qadri has some other plans ahead of the meet. “I will request the CM to get my village school recognized by the education board rather,” said Qadri.

Photo and NEWS credit: Hindustan Times