Travel Lakshadweep
Hundred Thousand Islands
New Earthworm found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands
Jan 15th
The new species of earthworm found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands has been named Moniligaster ivaniosi, after the name of the college where the researchers are from – Mar Ivanios, in Thiruvananthapuram. Samples collected from Port Blair by CSIR Emeritus scientist Oommen V. Oommen and Assistant Professor K. Ramachandran were identified by Jaya Manazhy and Aja Manazhy, senior research scholars in the Department of Zoology of the college, under the guidance of K. Vijayakumaran Nair.
More than 15 species of Moniligaster have been reported from India. Right now, the specimen of the new species has been deposited at the Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode. It has special characteristics such as a black line running along the middle region and three pairs of genital apertures. The species is most probably endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Island Tourism Festival 2012 – Andaman and Nicobar
Jan 8th
The Island Tourism Festival 2012 hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands was kick-started on January 5th, inaugurated by Andaman and Nicobar Governor Lt Gen. (Retd) Bhopinder Singh. There is participation from Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, Karnataka and Meghalaya are also participating in the festival.
The main venue for the cultural and other programmes is the capital – Port Blair. Others are Diglipur, Long Island in North and Middle Andaman, Neil Island, Havelock Island, Wimberleygunj, Bathubasti in South Andaman, Wandoor, Amphitheatre at Anarkali Basti and Netaji Stadium in Port Blair Municipal Area and Car Nicobar in Nicobar District. There will be a showcasing of the islands’ lifestyle, languages, tribes, cuisine and other island traits.
All tourism agencies will be up and offering all their services – those who love adventure tourism will have a whale of a time. Water sports, Scuba diving, parasailing, surfing and others will be popular. There will be magic shows and puppet shows for children. Other attractions are the Canoe Race, Nicobari Hodi race or Dog shows. Restaurants, hotels and resorts will be serving the best dishes on the islands.
New Year’s Aboard Luxury Liner Queen Elizabeth 2
Dec 16th
How about New Year’s dinner on the cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2, at Dubai’s Port Rashid? Music, fireworks and laser shows will be the highlight. The black-tie evening will see celebrities, royals and VIP’s walk down the red carpet…
The cruise vessel originally belonged to the Cunard cruise line. In 2007, Dubai’s Istithmar World bought it. There were plans for making it a floating hotel, but that hasn’t taken off yet. This will be a great boost for the cruise vessel which hasn’t seen any activity for the last two years. It has been serving passengers for 40 years since its launch by Queen Elizabeth II, in 1967.
Titanic Captain’s Cigar Box Found in the UK
May 19th
A Merseyside home in the UK has become famous for having housed the mighty Titanic’s captain’s cigar box. While valuing some antiques at the Merseyside home, auctioneer John Crane came upon the cigar box atop a cabinet. The item had been lying in the home for more than 20 years now, but the owner had no clue as to its origin!
The cigar box which can hold up to 40 Havanas has the name of the master of Titanic as well as its shipping company, White Star Line, on it. It is believed to have been given to the owner’s father by relatives of Edward John Smith’s widow Sarah. The Titanic sunk in the North Atlantic, after the ill-fated accident on her very first voyage in 1912, from Southampton to New York.
Miss Bikini International World 2011 in China
May 17th
Thai bikini beauties are damn excited! For the first time in its 36-year history, the Miss Bikini International World pageant will have a Thai contestant in it. The final round will be held in in July, Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, with a participation of 80 countries.
In order to choose the contestant from Thailand, the different rounds of the first Miss Thailand Beach International 2011 beauty pageant will be conducted in Bangkok, and the finals will be held in Phuket, on June 5.
Phuket is a major beach destination of the world. Such an event will surely boost the tourism appeal of the place.
Football Stadium In The Andamans
Mar 25th
Something that the Andamans have been missing till now – a football stadium – is gonna be soon a dream come true. The proposed stadium will have a seating capacity of 4,000 and is hoped to be completed by the middle of this year. The Andamans are known for adventure sports and seaside activities such as Scuba diving, rafting, boating and angling. This new venture will add another feature to Andamans tourism.
The football stadium will be located near Jawaharlal Nehru college complex and the building project is being funded by games international body (FIFA) through its Indian counterparts, All India Football Federation.
Indian Americans From Kerala To Be Honoured In NY
Nov 8th
A New York-based community organisation, Kerala Centre, will honour five Indian Americans from Kerala will be honoured for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.
On November 13, Dr Madhu Bhaskaran, Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Programme at North Shore University Hospital (New York); Captain Stanley George, New York City Police Department (NYPD); Ragy Thomas, Founder and CEO of Sprinklr (New Jersey) and Dr Vinod M. Menon, Associate Professor of Physics at Queens College and Graduate Centre of the City University of New York (CUNY) will be awarded at the special banquet.
This is an annual program that appreciates and honours American Keralites to their service to society and outstandign performances in their fields.
A Dog’s Day Out – Concert For The Canine Friends
Jun 18th
Last week, the Sydney Opera House was hounded by hounds. Literally. The event was the world’s first concert performed for dogs. Well, they were accompanied by their owners, too.
US musician Laurie Anderson and rock legend husband Lou Reed came up with this brilliant idea. They executed it with Anderson’s 20-minute piece ‘Music for Dogs’. There were many varieties of dogs attending the concert.
The first-of-its-kind concert attracted quite a number of musicians and fans. Sure it’ll spur a few such concerts in future.
Free Travel For Indians!
Mar 16th
Planning to visit Ireland dear Indians? And are you above 66? Here’s some interesting news for ya folks. Take the Irish rail, and you can go free on it! Yes, free.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced that this scheme commences from 17 March on St Patrick’s Day. It will be on until 31 December 2010. This offer is only for those travelling within the Republic of Ireland. It could later be extended to Northern Ireland, too.
Giant Leap For Women!
Mar 9th
Kathyrn Bigelow made history this International Women’s day by becoming the first woman to win an Oscar for ‘Best Director’ for her movie The Hurt Locker. And the fact that she beat her ex-husband James Cameron and his movie Avatar is even better news as Cameron is a well-known director and seems invincible! Her movie won six Oscars, including the ‘Best Picture’.
Since the Oscars started 82 years ago, women directors were nominated four times but never won an award. This year is special!