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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on August 15, 2024
With India’s Independence Day falling on a long weekend this year, it's the perfect time for an extended getaway. Whether you're seeking luxury, adventure, or relaxation, these destinations offer something special for every type of traveler.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore - A Luxurious Urban Retreat
In the heart of Bangalore, The Ritz-Carlton invites guests to indulge in a world of elegance and serenity. The hotel offers unique experiences like an art walk showcasing over 1,200 installations, a traditional Yakshagana dance, and a private poolside cabana dinner. Families can enjoy a fun-filled weekend creating lasting memories at this opulent retreat.
Reservations: 080 49148000
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai - A Culinary and Spa Escape
Experience the new Opus at Four Seasons Mumbai, an all-day lobby restaurant that offers a diverse European-led menu. Guests can enjoy everything from gourmet coffee to fine wines, all in a beautifully designed space. To complete the experience, indulge in a luxurious spa treatment and enjoy special staycation rates for the long weekend.
Dates: August 13-20
Price: Starting at Rs. 12,000 plus taxes per night
Reservations: +91 22 6982 8000
Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru - Celebrate with Desi Chaat
The Four Seasons Bengaluru offers a "Joy of Celebration" package that includes a relaxing staycation with access to their Infuse Spa and a special Desi Chaat menu at CUR8, their all-day dining restaurant. The menu celebrates street food from across India in a luxurious setting.
Desi Chaat Price: Rs. 3,200 plus taxes
Reservations: +91 76191 46004
Four Seasons Maldives - Monsoon with the Mantas
Spend your long weekend at Four Seasons Maldives, where you can swim with manta rays during the prime season at the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort offers a unique "Manta-on-Call" service, alerting guests when manta rays are nearby for an unforgettable experience.
Reservations: +960 66 00 888
Four Seasons Dubai - Rejuvenate with Wellness Retreats
Prioritize your health and well-being at Four Seasons Dubai with their Sky Bliss package. Enjoy spa treatments, dining, and refreshing dips in the pool, all while soaking in stunning skyline views. The Pearl Spa and Wellness offer meditation and art therapy for a holistic retreat.
Price: AED 650
Reservations: +971 4 270 7732
Four Seasons Riyadh - A Tea Journey
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh invites you to an afternoon tea experience featuring a selection of JING Teas. This exclusive menu takes guests on a Silk Road journey through Asia, offering a taste of the region’s finest single-garden teas paired with delicious pastries and sandwiches.
Reservations: +966 11 2115000
The OZEN COLLECTION, Maldives - Crafting Memories
Escape to The OZEN COLLECTION in the Maldives for an ultra-luxurious experience. Choose between OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI for exclusivity with private villas and personalized butler service, or OZEN LIFE MAADHOO for a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Both properties offer a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and relaxation.
Reservations: reservations@ozenreserve-bolifushi.com | reservations@ozen-maadhoo.com
Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa - The Freedom Buffet
Celebrate Independence Day at Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa with the largest buffet in town. The Freedom Buffet at The Jaisalmer Kitchen offers a culinary journey through India with dishes curated by Executive Chef Jamal. The resort is also offering a 25% discount for service personnel.
When: August 15
Price: INR 2,000 plus taxes
Reservations: 9027307405, 8273678273
This long weekend offers the perfect opportunity to explore these luxurious destinations and create unforgettable memories.
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By Hariharan U
Published on September 15, 2025
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is moving closer to a major transformation, with the Union environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) recommending environmental clearance for a ₹136 crore city-side development project. The initiative, planned by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) at Chackai within the airport grounds, aims to reshape the capital city’s gateway into a modern hospitality and commercial hub.
The project will feature a 240-room luxury hotel, expansive food and beverage areas with over 600 seats, and world-class infrastructure across nearly 34,000 sq. m. Spread over two basements, a ground floor and four upper floors, the complex will rise up to 23 metres. Once clearances are finalized, the hotel is expected to come under a global five-star brand such as Marriott, Hilton or Intercontinental.
This city-side facility is part of the larger terminal expansion plan, "Project Anantha" The project faced delays after the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) sought changes in the basement design, citing environmental risks. The revised proposal has now cleared hurdles, and with pending cases moved to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the project is finally back on track.
Construction could begin within three months. Alongside enhancing airport facilities, the project is expected to generate around 300 direct jobs and nearly 900 indirect employment opportunities. “The project will not just address rising accommodation needs but also give a strong push to Kerala’s hospitality sector,” said a source close to the airport.
The EAC has attached strict environmental safeguards. Construction will rely on recycled water and rainwater harvesting. Once operational, the complex will need 318 KLD of water, with nearly half supplied by an in-house sewage treatment plant. Solid waste, expected at 418 kg daily, will be processed sustainably—biodegradable waste will be converted on-site while non-biodegradable material will be handed over to authorized vendors.
Other eco-measures include rooftop rainwater harvesting tanks, a 20% reduction target in energy use, and transplantation of 40 trees within the airport boundary. The land, currently serving as open parking, was allocated to AAHL under a 50-year concession agreement signed in 2021 with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The EAC has clarified that the site is free from ecologically sensitive zones, coastal regulation restrictions or protected habitats.
Thiruvananthapuram airport is already handling record traffic, with nearly 4.9 million passengers between April 2024 and March 2025, and this new city-side development is expected to further elevate the airport’s standing as a gateway to Kerala.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Air India Group has taken a major step in its modernization journey by deploying SITA OptiFlight and eWAS, two advanced data-driven digital solutions designed to improve flight efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The rollout is aimed at tackling rising fuel costs and the growing need to reduce carbon emissions, challenges faced by airlines worldwide.
The new technology is now active across the Air India Airbus A320 fleet and the Air India Express Boeing 737 fleet, covering both domestic and international routes. Deployment on Air India’s widebody fleet is set to follow. Together, the solutions are expected to help the group cut carbon emissions by 35,000 tons annually.
“As the aviation industry navigates growing regulatory and environmental pressure, the need for intelligent, predictive solutions has never been more critical,” said Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “Air India’s deployment of SITA OptiFlight® and eWAS is a strong example of how smart digital technologies can cut emissions, save fuel, and unlock real operational value across every flight.”
Basil Kwauk, Chief Operations Officer, Air India, added: “Sustainability and efficiency are core to our transformation into a world-class airline. With SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS, we’re taking meaningful steps to modernize our operations, reduce our carbon footprint.”
SITA OptiFlight® uses historical flight data, aircraft-specific performance models, and 4D weather forecasts to optimize key flight phases. At its core is OptiClimb, which provides pilots with customized climb-out schedules tailored to each aircraft. This reduces fuel burn during one of the most energy-intensive stages of flight while maintaining safety and performance.
SITA eWAS complements this by providing real-time weather updates and predictive forecasting, enabling pilots to avoid turbulence, reroute efficiently, and make informed in-flight decisions. Together, these solutions strengthen operational performance while supporting Air India’s sustainability goals.
With these tools, SITA continues to expand its footprint in Indian aviation, helping carriers achieve operational resilience, cost efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.
Published on September 13, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 51.28 km-long Bairabi–Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13, marking a historic moment for the northeastern state. With this, Mizoram will be connected to Kolkata by train for the first time, significantly improving accessibility and connectivity.
The Kolkata–Sairang–Kolkata express train will operate three times a week, providing a vital link between the state capital and West Bengal. In addition, the Prime Minister will also flag off two more services, a weekly Rajdhani Express to Anand Vihar and a daily express train to Guwahati, officially bringing Aizawl onto the Indian railway map through its nearest station, Sairang.
Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹8,071 crore, the Bairabi–Sairang rail line is a feat of engineering that navigates Mizoram’s challenging hilly terrain. The route passes through 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six road underbridges. Among the engineering highlights is a bridge that rises to a height of 114 metres, taller than Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar by 42 metres. Adding cultural significance, the tunnels are adorned with local artworks that reflect Mizo heritage and traditions.
Officials emphasized that the project, part of the Central government’s Act East policy, is more than just an infrastructure development. It is expected to bring multiple benefits, including enhanced trade opportunities, improved inter-state travel, and a major boost to tourism in the region. “Through this project, Mizoram, long deprived of railway service due to its difficult geographical conditions, has now been gifted with direct connectivity close to Aizawl,” a railway official said.
Experts believe that this rail link will not only make travel easier but also spur socio-economic development. Raj Basu, convenor of the Association for Conservation of Tourism, noted that increased accessibility will attract more visitors from West Bengal and beyond. He highlighted Mizoram’s reputation as a safe, welcoming destination with strong women-led entrepreneurship, especially in homestays, which is drawing all-women tourist groups to the state.
Currently, Mizoram is connected to Kolkata only by air and road. With this new railway line, the “Land of Blue Mountains” is poised to emerge as a more accessible and attractive destination, paving the way for stronger tourism and cross-border opportunities.
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