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By Author
Published on October 25, 2023
The glitter and grandeur of Kolkata's iconic Durga Puja have reached new heights this year, drawing an unprecedented number of foreign visitors to the city's mesmerizing pandals. The UNESCO's recognition of this grand festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage has not just elevated its global stature but has turned Kolkata into a magnetic hub of cultural tourism.
As one wanders through the beautifully adorned streets of Kolkata, from Hindusthan Park to Ultadanga, the eclectic mix of faces is palpable. Visitors from all corners of the globe are immersing themselves in the fervor of Durga Puja, proving the city's enhanced allure following the UNESCO accolade. State officials are beaming with pride, witnessing an inflow of international tourists like never before.
Italian national Simona Cosentino, a part-time lecturer with a Nottingham university, mirrors the awe and wonder shared by many international guests. "Being here during Durga Puja has made me realize that no amount of online research can ever give you the real feeling of being here," Simona reflects. She, like many, is in Kolkata not just as a spectator but is intimately engaged in studying this grand spectacle.
French tourists David Basetti, Alice Bonevoy, Charles Fauvet, and Juliet Deville are equally enchanted. Every pandal they visited, from Bhowanipore to Salt Lake, unfolded a carnival of creativity, exceeding any street festival they had witnessed elsewhere. Their presence isn’t just that of passive onlookers. Engaged as judges by Durga Puja enthusiast Bodhisatva Banerjee, these international guests are interwoven into the very fabric of the celebrations.
This year, the estimations are staggering. Trade insiders are gearing up to host around 17,000 foreigners during the Puja, while the state is preparing for an influx of 5 lakh visitors from Mahalaya to Diwali. With around 50,000 hotel rooms ready to accommodate this surge, the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India, Sudesh Poddar, is optimistic.
These international guests, predominantly from the US, Canada, Australia, and various European nations, are testimonies to Kolkata’s burgeoning reputation as a global cultural hub. Every corner of the city, pulsating with the rhythms of dhak and adorned with artistic grandeur, is a testament to the transformative power of the UNESCO recognition.
In the radiant light of the artistic pandals, amidst the reverberating chants and the eclectic mix of global faces, Kolkata isn’t just celebrating Durga Puja. The city is weaving a tapestry of global unity, transcending borders, and echoing the universal language of culture and heritage. Each smile, every shared experience, is a step towards turning Kolkata into not just India’s, but one of the world's preferred tourism destinations, where the legacy of cultural magnificence is as universal as the emotions it evokes.
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By Nishang Narayan
Published on May 12, 2025
India and the United Kingdom have officially concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), ushering in a new era of professional mobility and bilateral trade between the two nations. Signed on May 6, 2025, the agreement aims to streamline visa procedures and support Indian professionals looking to work in the UK.
The FTA provides simplified entry routes for a range of professionals, including contractual service providers, business visitors, investors, intra-corporate transferees, and independent professionals like yoga instructors, musicians, and chefs. The UK has expanded the list of eligible occupations, but applicants must meet stringent criteria regarding experience and qualifications.
One of the most notable provisions is the waiver of national insurance contributions for UK-based companies that second Indian employees. This exemption applies for the first three years, reducing costs for employers and encouraging more cross-border professional placements.
While critics in the UK have raised concerns about possible impacts on local jobs and increased immigration, British authorities have clarified that this FTA does not alter the country’s points-based immigration system. According to Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, the agreement strictly pertains to temporary business mobility, not permanent immigration.
The long-term benefits are significant. Bilateral trade is projected to grow by GBP 25.5 billion (approximately USD 34 billion) annually by 2040, signalling stronger economic cooperation between the fifth and sixth largest economies in the world.
Overall, the India–UK FTA is a major step toward mutual economic growth, offering smoother pathways for Indian professionals and fostering deeper trade relationships between the two nations.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 11, 2025
The aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India's military strike on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has sent shockwaves through the domestic tourism industry. With rising uncertainty, flight shutdowns, and safety concerns, Northern India’s tourism has come to a standstill as nearly 90% of bookings have been cancelled.
Peak summer travel plans have been upended, especially in popular destinations across Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Airports in Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Kashmir, all close to the international border, have suspended civilian operations till May 10, severely disrupting travel schedules.
“People who were already vacationing in Himachal Pradesh have cut short their trips. The North is totally out of the question now. Nearly 95% of bookings for northern destinations in May have been called off,” said Virendra Shah, a travel consultant.
The ongoing panic has left tour operators and travel consultants struggling. "This is the worst May we’ve seen in years," one operator said, pointing to widespread refund requests and a sharp drop in new enquiries.
Even tourists currently on vacation are opting to play it safe. Prashant Sharma, vacationing in Uttarakhand, said, “We had a packed itinerary from Nainital, Jim Corbett, and Mussoorie to Rishikesh, but we’ve cancelled everything except Nainital. We are heading back as planned from Dehradun.”
Experts say the mood of the traveller has been shaken. “This conflict has not just disrupted logistics; it has disrupted sentiment. Even journeys planned a month from now are being cancelled out of fear,” said Ankit Bajaj, a travel expert. He added that the industry is facing a 70% revenue loss for existing bookings this season.
The uncertainty is spilling over to international travel as well. While a few tourists are still flying to the UK and Spain, many are cancelling trips to Turkey, Dubai, Bali, Indonesia, and the Maldives at the last minute.
Sanjeev Chhajer, Chairman of GCCI’s tourism committee, added, “Domestic air travel is badly hit due to airport shutdowns. However, international travel is relatively steady, except for a few cancellations by government employees. Turkey and Azerbaijan have seen more cancellations, while others are less affected.”
With no clear timeline on when normalcy will return, the travel industry braces for an extended lull during what was expected to be a high-revenue summer.
Published on May 9, 2025
As part of Operation Sindoor, commercial flights have been suspended at 27 airports across north, west, and central India. The move has led to widespread disruptions in air travel, with over 430 flights cancelled across carriers like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express.
To ensure safety, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued new advisories mandating heightened airport security across the country. All passengers are now required to undergo Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC), and visitor access to airport terminals has been suspended until further notice.
Aviation authorities have also instructed airports to ensure that all CCTV systems are fully functional and have directed the deployment of air marshals based on priority and random selection.
Airlines have issued urgent travel advisories.
Air India posted: Passengers are advised to arrive at airports at least 3 hours before departure.
SpiceJet posted: Check-in closes 75 minutes prior to flight. and Akasa Air urging passengers early arrival and limiting cabin baggage to one handbag up to 7 kg.
All passengers must carry valid government-approved photo ID for airport entry.
List of Airports Closed under Operation Sindoor:
Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar (Rajkot), Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj.
According to flight tracking services like Flightradar24, the airspace over India’s western corridor from Kashmir to Gujarat, currently shows minimal civilian air traffic, highlighting the scale of the shutdown. Airports are expected to resume commercial operations by 5:29 AM on Saturday, May 10, but travelers are urged to stay updated through airline channels.
Passengers are strongly advised to recheck flight schedules, plan ahead, and cooperate with the enhanced security procedures to ensure smooth transit during this sensitive period.
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