Un pomeriggio insieme tutto d’oro,Sull’acqua mollemente,Mentre delle piccole inesperte bracciaLa barca ne risente,E il destino è nelle piccole maniRiposto vanamente.Come potete, voi tre, Grazie crudeli,In quest’ora di languorPretendere il racconto da un respiroDi tanto scarso vigor?Che può una voce sola contro tre?Si nega e si nega ancor?Che «si cominci».Prima esigeContinue Reading

Uttarakhand hosts a myriad number of quaint, serene, and inexpensive destinations that would be a certain help in getting over the gloomy distress. Moreover, many hotspots in Uttarkhand are unexplored, they seem wholesome and won’t cease to surprise you. Have a look at some of the most fascinating places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. 1. Chamoli Also known as the ‘abode of Gods’, Chamoli is among the important places to visit in Uttarakhand in monsoon. It is the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and sightseeing. The dramatic landscapes along with cold, make Chamoli a haven for backpackers. 2. Chamba-Kanatal-Dhanaulti Tiny outskirts located near Mussoorie, Chamba-Kanatal-Dhanaulti are exceptional places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. Small hikes, picturesque drives, casual strolls, and umpteen adventure options make a vacation to these pockets in Uttarakhand memorable. 3. Auli A favourite skiing destination and one of the best snow places in Uttarakhand, Auli is among the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September as well as one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. Of all the snow places in Uttarakhand, skiing is best enjoyed here as it is one of the best things to do in Auli in September. The ski slopes of Auli rise from 2,500 to 3,050 meters above sea level and both amateur and professional ski enthusiasts head to Auli for a rejuvenating holiday experience. The awe-inspiring & panoramic views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks – Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat, and Dunagiri – make Auli a much sought after destination in India. 4. Khirsu Relatively unexplored, Khirsu presents an old-world charm. It is among prime monsoon destinations in Uttarakhand and holds a lot of potential for tourism and development. Situated in the Pauri Garhwal district in between deodar, oak, and apple orchards, Khirsu is excellent for solo trips as well as passionate getaways. 5. Chaukori Famous for its tea gardens, diverse flora & fauna, and lofty peaks, Chaukori is one of the underrated yet best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. The mighty peaks of Nanda Devi, Panchachuli, Nanda Kot, Trishul, and Chaukhamba are distinctly visible from this tiny hamlet. Renowned for its captivating sunrise and sunset, Chaukori is among the essential places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. 6. Jim Corbett National Park Changing with seasons, terrain, and time of the day, Jim Corbett National Park is among the foremost places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. The reserve is split into various zones and tourists can decide which zone to visit based on their interests. Where Dhikala is the largest and is known for its vast grasslands, Durgadevi and Sonanadi engage tourists with jeep safaris. The Jhirna zone is preferred by birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts that makes Jim Corbett one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September 2021. 7. Chopta Among the unexplored monsoon destinations in Uttarakhand, Chopta Valley is the starting point for treks to Tungnath and Chandrashila and one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. This tiny abode is an ideal getaway and one of the places to visit in Uttarakhand in the monsoon for those wishing to travel on the road less taken and escape the hustle-bustle of city life. 8. Dehradun In between the Himalayas and the thick Doon valley are these quintessential hill stations that make it to every list mentioning the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September, especially for those who are looking forward to the best snow places in Uttarakhand. Breathtaking places to witness snowfall in India, Dehradun and Mussoorie are known for their heritage charm, snow-capped mountains, and lush greenery that makes it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in September as well. 9. Binsar A trekker’s paradise, Binsar is among the famous places to visit in Uttarakhand in September. With undulating walking trails, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and picturesque valleys, Binsar is an oyster for those seeking solitude and peace. 10. Ranikhet A cantonment town in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, Ranikhet is a popular getaway for couples and families. The scenic walking trails, coupled with local sightseeing and adventure sports, make Ranikhet one of the prime destinations in Uttarakhand.Continue Reading

This year, eight mosques in northern Ivory Coast and Ivindo National Park in Gabon have landed one of the coveted places on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. In addition to the two sites in Africa, the responsible committee at its 44th session in the Chinese port city of Fuzhou named 16 candidates from Europe and another 16 from other world regions as new World Heritage Sites. The geographic imbalance in UNESCO’s awarding of titles is not new. Almost half of the 1154 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Europe, fewer than 100 in Africa. Kenyan George Abungu has a simple explanation for this: “The process is too Eurocentric.” UNESCO Convention too Eurocentric George Abungu is an archaeologist who served as director of the National Museum in Kenya. He has a clear view of the work of UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural and Communication Organization – and points to the founding year of 1972, when “mainly white men” launched the convention. “Naturally, it’s Eurocentric, and African countries have to prove the extraordinary value of their sites to humanity through a Western perspective in order to make it onto the list,” Abungu said in an interview with DW. Christoph Brumann of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle takes a similar view: “Initially, World Heritage was more or less tacitly conceived around Europe’s elite and monumental heritage. The focus was on cathedrals, palaces, temples, historic old towns,” said Brumann in an interview with DW. Lack of experience and finances for applications Criticism of this had already been voiced around 30 years ago, said Brumann, which then led to reforms. Today, common heritage and cultural landscapes, where the human-environment interaction is particularly interesting, could also make it onto the official list. That could help African nominations. But the problem, Brumann said, as does Abungu, is that “there are too few applications from African countries.” This is also due to the complicated application requirements: Dossiers with hundreds and thousands of pages have to be compiled for an application. “This is simply much easier to manage for countries with better know-how, more experience with monuments and nature conservation, and more money than for many African countries,” said Brumann. UNESCO intends to do more for Africa Capacities are indeed low, Mechtild Rössler also acknowledged. She has been director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Center in Paris since 2015. “Nevertheless, we have made progress,” Rössler emphasized. UNESCO supports African countries with donations from the “African World Heritage Fund.” Intense discussions at the summit, however, revealed further need for action, Rössler said: “We see that we need to do much more in certain regions to prepare solid nominations and increase the capacity building with regard to conservation, on-the-ground management and risk preparation, because many World Heritage Sites are endangered – that’s a huge task to accomplish.” Spread the responsibility over many shoulders Universities should play a more important role in this, according to Rössler, and become more involved in the protection of cultural heritage in particular. Their experts could help assemble studies and documents for a country’s application. But governments also have a duty, she added. Kenyan archaeologist Abungu also criticized the fact that universities have for a long time been reluctant, but many of them are also struggling to survive. The African World Heritage Fund has to serve 54 countries with scarce resources, he said, and that is not possible. UNESCO’s strategy to create more balance in nominations worldwide, he argued, has failed. Economic interests take precedence Governments in Africa face other problems: they need to boost the economy, buy vaccines and create work for people to eat. “The main reason why African governments haven’t been pushing for the listing of their territories lately is the fear that they won’t be able to run development projects afterwards,” Abungu explained in an interview with DW. National parks, for example: communities were displaced there in colonial times and now they want their land back, but often there are valuable minerals or other resources there. In the Tanzanian nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site Selous, for example, the construction of a mega-dam is planned despite fierce criticism. To remain a natural heritage site, the landscape would have to remain untouched. So for similar reasons, a particularly large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa are considered endangered, Abungu said. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an armed conflict is raging over raw materials, among other things, sites have already been removed from the list. Collectively safeguarding our shared heritage The much-touted tourism sector also offers little incentive for states, municipalities or other investors to put money and work into an application for the UNESCO designation, explained Abungu. Tourism is far too underdeveloped in the majority of areas for a UNESCO World Heritage Site to attract large numbers of visitors. Text and Photos by DW. “African governments need to understand that the convention is a vehicle to help them conserve valuable sites,” Abungu said. But politicians have their own interests, they want to exploit resources, create jobs and make profits. That’s why the only way to preserve these sites would be with the help of the global north: “We should change the strategy, invest more from the north to the south to protect humanity’s common heritage.”Continue Reading

September is one of those months when we find ourselves delighted more than ever. We embrace the change in seasons with hope and look forward to new possibilities and experiences. And more importantly, in spite of all these feelings, arises the main question, where to travel this late monsoon to make it worthwhile? If that’s exactly what you thinking? Then fret not! Let us assist you with this specially curated list of best places to visit in South India in September to satisfy all your travel wishes. From lesser-known places to hill-stations and laid back beaches, we have pretty much covered every nook of south India for you. Have a look! Ooty No matter how many times you go to Ooty, it never fails to surprise you. Ooty, an enchanting place in South India, is a complete package that is certain to please your senses. Also, offering an amorous ambience, Ooty is one of the most sought-after honeymoon destinations in South India. There are numerous things to do here as well; you can go boating, take a toy train from Mettupalayam, and watch the daybreak in the Nilgiri hills after trekking to the summit Dodabetta peak. Gokarna A small hamlet located on the Western Coast of India, Gokarna is known for its pristine beaches and is excellent for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. If your idea of a vacation is to sunbathe on the beaches while sipping a cooler or to simply take a break from the cacophony of the city life, then Gokarna is the place to be! A miniature version of Goa, Gokarna is a must-visit this September! Alappuzha Alleppey with its breathtaking backwaters and floating houseboats is one of the most impressive places to visit in South India in September. The backwaters of Kerala are an enthralling sight, especially during twilight. Surf on its pristine waters, or spend a day or two in one of the houseboats. Or maybe just let relax on one of the swings tied to the coconut trees. Goa Goa is one of the most visited tourist places in South India in September. Moreover, it is an ideal place to go-to when you want that fine balance of entertainment, adventure and a laid-back environment. With various beaches and an unlimited number of eateries serving the freshest of seafood, could your holiday get any better? Also, Goa is always on a roll with food carnivals, regular gigs at the local bars and the most-awaited, Sunburn music festival. Munnar Located in Kerala, Munnar is unquestionably one of the most serene hill stations in South India. You would know you’ve arrived in Munnar when you sense the smell of tea in the air. It’s omnipresent, and you will go back scented like a teabag. The entire area is a collection of small hamlets that are trek friendly peaks, with pools, and cascades and large areas of thick, lush forests managed by the forest department. Also, The flourishing countryside is bound to take your breath away! Thekkady Abode to the extensive Periyar National Park, the picturesque village of Thekkady is sure to win your heart with its natural charm and abundance of verdant beauty. Find tigers, as well as other wild beasts, frolic at the country’s most comprehensive tiger reserve; indulge in the adventuresome sport of Bamboo rafting; marvel at the fascinating ecology of the Periyar lake and its encircling greenery. Varkala A delightful experience in itself, you savour the food even better when all your other senses are treated to the cool sea breeze and the view of the endless ocean. A perfect and an excellent tourist destination in South India, Varkala is known for its fisheries, springs, lighthouses, seashores, lake and much more. Also, Vishnu temple recognised as the Janardhanaswamy Temple is found here which is said to be more than two millennia old. Wayanad A pictorial plateau snuggled in the hills of the Western Ghats, Wayanad is one of the most beautiful areas of Kerala. Part of the large Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, this beautiful town is packed with enchanting cascades, vast spice ranches, historical caves, and fascinating wildlife, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to traverse the unscathed beauty of the bewitched Western Ghats. Kodaikanal Lose yourself in the natural beauty of the rolling hills shrouded in the alluring clouds and thick forest of Kodaikanal. Be it the cascades, the pools, the verdant greenery or the beautiful view of the Palani hills. Enjoy the comfortable weather of the area as you trek to Dolphin’s Nose or Green Valley View, where you can appreciate the scenic prospects of this true wonderland, or involve yourself in the tranquillity of Berjarim Lake or Kodai Lake. Coorg Coorg is a captivating hill station located about 260 Km away from Bangalore. The picture of the silvery clouds subtly mingling with the greenery of the mountain slopes is worth the view. Ever partaken in waterfall rappelling? If not, now is the time! An impressive challenge to overcome, with the water streaming down with force, in a wet climate, hear your heartbeat in your ears.Continue Reading

At Jacob’s Pillow, with all shows outdoors, a new uncontrollable element emerged: weather. That’s where Paul Caiano comes in.BECKET, Mass. — A week after the Jacob’s Pillow season opened here, five dancers were rehearsing in the vegetable garden for a site-specific work, “Tillers of the Soil.” They tied up tomato plants, practiced wielding a machete and learned about the Native planting practice known as three sisters — growing corn, beans and squash together. The sky was clear.“Paul said it’s going to rain at 3:30 p.m.,” said the choreographer Adam Weinert — and at almost exactly that moment, a balmy afternoon erupted into showers. The dancers fled the garden, laughing, wheelbarrow in tow.Paul is Paul Caiano, an affable Albany, Mass., weatherman who this summer took on the role of first-ever resident meteorologist for the Pillow.Ching Ching Wong and Cynthia Koppe in “Tillers of the Soil” at Jacob’s Pillow.Christopher DugganAfter last year’s festival was canceled because of the pandemic, Jacob’s Pillow moved its summer dance festival totally outdoors this year. But that has posed a new set of worries from an uncontrollable factor, namely the weather.Even festivals and theaters that have had outdoor performances for years have found this summer singular thanks to extreme weather paired with Covid-19 precautions. Events outside in the elements have proliferated alongside record-breaking heat waves, sudden storms and flash floods.At Jacob’s Pillow, that’s where Caiano, 50, comes in. He’s been a weatherman for almost three decades, delivering spirited daily reports for NewsChannel 13 and WAMC public radio. “I thrive from trying to give people the information they need to make decisions,” he said, “whether it be just to go golfing, or a bigger thing like having 10,000 people at their performance.”Before this summer at Jacob’s Pillow, Vinny Vigilante, director of technical production, made weather calls on his own. It was lower stakes because there were fewer outdoor productions and less equipment involved. “This year, because we moved outside, I definitely was like, ‘I need help,’” he said. He’d heard that the Tanglewood Music Center nearby worked with a meteorologist. “And that turned out to be Paul,” he said.“I thrive from trying to give people the information they need to make decisions,” Caiano said.John Francis Peters for The New York TimesIn 2012, Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, invested in state-of-the-art weather-tracking software. It even installed a Thor Guard device, which the Coast Guard and NASA use to measure electrostatic energy in the atmosphere and to predict when lightning is likely to strike. Still, help was needed to interpret the complicated data, so the facilities manager Bobby Lahart began searching for a meteorologist. When Lahart cold-called WAMC, Caiano picked up. He’s been forecasting severe weather for Tanglewood’s outdoor stages since then.Becket, the Western Massachusetts town that Jacob’s Pillow calls home, is a microclimate that’s difficult to accurately forecast. The grounds are surrounded by mountains, valleys and ocean winds. Caiano says the landscape is like a moisture-trapping bowl that wind blows right over, leaving foggy, wet conditions within. The grounds might be experiencing sudden showers, as on the day Weinert and his dancers had to cut their rehearsal short, while just 20 minutes away, the town of Lee is sunny, dry and clear.That variability is an enjoyable challenge to Caiano, a lifelong weather nerd who idolized the meteorologists on the Weather Channel when young. But it’s been tough for the festival, which has had a 44 percent cancellation rate of performances so far this summer. (The festival continues through Aug. 29.) When there’s a rainout, ticket holders can either receive a full refund, rebook for another show or donate the ticket amount.Every morning, Caiano checks his computer models first thing. He evaluates whether the predictions he made before going to sleep the night before have panned out and makes any necessary adjustments to his forecast. He then writes a detailed synopsis of the day’s weather for both Jacob’s Pillow and Tanglewood, including precise information about jet streams and wind shear. He also boils it down into layman’s terms: “If it comes right down to it, there’s only a 30 percent chance” of rain, reads one. “Let’s do this.”A sunny day at Tanglewood in July for the Boston Symphony’s first in-person concert since March 2020. Caiano gives a detailed description of the weather each day to Jacob’s Pillow and Tanglewood.Jillian Freyer for The New York TimesA cancellation is not something Caiano takes lightly. Every show the weather disrupts means lost revenue, disappointed ticket holders and artists who don’t get to perform. It’s a difficult balance to strike. Be overcautious and a perfectly clear day goes to waste; be too bold and put the performers, audience and equipment at risk.The final decision about whether a performance will proceed must be made four hours before showtime, to give ticket holders fair warning if it’s canceled. Once that call is made, Vigilante tells patron services, which emails ticket holders three hours in advance.“They send you a nice email during the day,” said Enid Hoffman, who had tickets to see a performance by the Latin dance group Contra-Tiempo that was canceled because of rain. “They handled it beautifully, but we were looking forward to it. It’s like, you look forward to Christmas and then somebody stole Christmas.”At Shakespeare & Company in neighboring Lenox, where outdoor performances have long been the summer norm, the artistic director Allyn Burrows and his colleagues consult weather apps and pore over the minutiae themselves. They huddle in the box office watching weather patterns on Burrows’s computer, or argue via group text about whether to cancel a show. “We’re as animated about the weather discussions as we are about Shakespeare’s text, so the debates are vociferous,” he said.More than half of Shakespeare & Company’s shows this year have been postponed or moved indoors because of weather, and Burrows said that the concern isn’t just rainstorms, but extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change. Recently, he and his team fashioned a makeshift shade out of black mesh cloth on the fly on a particularly sweltering day.“I’ve been performing outdoors for 30-odd years now and this year feels different than any other year,” he said. “Part of me likes to think of it as an aberration, but my better self is saying, continue to make plans.”Grace McLean in “Row,” at the Clark Art Institute’s reflecting pool, a Williamstown Theater Festival production that lost nearly 60 percent of its rehearsal time because of weather conditions.Joseph OMalley and R. Masseo DavisFurther north, Williamstown Theater Festival in Williamstown, Mass., is also hosting its first fully outdoor season this year, on found stages, including the Clark Art Institute’s reflecting pool, where Grace McLean stars in “Row.” The musical lost nearly 60 percent of outdoor rehearsal time because of the weather, and six of the first seven scheduled performances were canceled. “It’s just been kind of disappointing and frustrating, because we’re not getting to do our job,” she said.The sky was dreary, gray and damp the day before “Tillers of the Soil” — Weinert’s adaptation of a dance originally choreographed by Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis in 1916 — had its premiere at Jacob’s Garden. The dancers spread straw on the soft, wet ground before the performance, but their feet still grew muddy and soaked as they danced. “We were able to still be in the moment with everything that was happening,” Brandon Washington, a dancer, said. “It ended up being super sunny and beautiful.”For dancers, weather, especially rain, has meant being ready to be frustrated — or ready for the show to go on in tough circumstances. On July 3 at Little Island, a new park on the Hudson River in Manhattan, Hee Seo, a principal for American Ballet Theater, did not know until showtime whether her “Dying Swan” solo would happen. Even then, the rehearsal and show were both delayed, and when Seo started dancing, she could feel raindrops. “But we didn’t stop,” she said. “I carried on. I finished my piece.”Artists and audiences have been hungry for performances, even as the cancellations pile up. The Trisha Brown Dance Company canceled performances on June 8 and 9 at Wave Hill in the Bronx because of rain. The company’s director, Carolyn Lucas, said the dancers rehearsed amid the drizzles until they couldn’t. “After this year of Covid, I think everybody is missing dancing and performing so much,” she said. “They were very flexible to sort of do something a bit more extreme just to get the show on the road.”It’s unlikely there will be another summer with quite this particular mix of circumstances. And at Jacob’s Pillow, the hope is that there won’t need to be another outdoor-only season. But ever adaptable, dancers will continue to make the most of what’s thrown at them. As Washington said of his performance in the garden, “With everything that was happening leading up to the performance, the wet ground was kind of the least of our concerns.”Continue Reading

In an effort to slow down the spread of Coronavirus and its new variants in China, Beijing, on 4 August 2021, toughened travel restrictions on its citizens. With limited transport services and hard lockdowns in place, China intends to beat the 2nd wave of Coronavirus without any adverse repercussions. According to the local media and reports, China has reported the highest cases of infections – the most since January. Though the local governments have carried out meticulous testing in and around its cities, the Central wants to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not get out of hand as it did during the first wave. Immigration official Liu Haitao briefed the media that the China immigration authority would stop issuing regular passports and additional documents required to exit the country in “non-essential and non-emergency” situations. And citizens travelling abroad for academics, business or employment purposes will have their documents issued upon verification. How China deals with COVID-19 and its variants is yet to be known. However, the government is taking all the right steps to curb the spread of the virus!Continue Reading

Late Monsoon is an ideal seasonal division when the Indian environs change and the climate become soothing. There are many tourist hotspots to visit in North India in September, that wear the monsoon redolence & excess colours and compel us to move out of our mundane boring activities and get charmed by nature’s bounties. Here are the best places to visit in North India in September. Lachen The picturesque mountain village is abode to Lanchen pass where prevails the distinct Sikkimese-Bhutia population. Lanchen is another best spot to visit in North India in September. It displays the best that nature can offer. From snow-capped peaks to verdant slopes, and from tracks leading to the country’s most formidable mountain peak to the valley decorated by diverse hues of flowers, Lanchen has it all. Landscape trek, local custom, and few rich local foods on your plate make this place another alluring vista where you could intend to visit next. Ziro Ziro is a gorgeous hilly vacationist spot in Arunachal Pradesh. During September, the countryside is at its best with the weather you would fall in love with. The lush green hills and meadows is a reason why Ziro is popular among shutterbugs and nature enthusiasts. Ziro is among those quirky good places to visit in September in North India. Pachmarhi Sitting pretty at an elevation of 1000 meters above sea level, Pachmarhi lies splendidly tangled amid lush flourishing nature, archaic caves, and cascades radiating gems of life. Don’t forget to add this to the bucket list of your desired locations when you are shortlisting the most delightful places to visit in North India in September. Jodhpur Number two on our list of most vivid places in North India is Jodhpur; a majestic paradise that is identified by galleries, traditions, vibrant hues, armaments, landscapes, and the never-ending memoirs of the Rajputs. The finely dispersed day-star rays flickering along the outlines of sand make a delightful sight. You can relish every bit of your exhilarating trip in the land of vibrant colours, Jodhpur Bir Billing Inhale, exhale; observe the sun disappear down beyond the skyline and appreciate the weightlessness you feel while doing so. When in Bir-Billing, go for some challenging treks, wander the seminomadic hamlets nearby, and savour the regalness. Bir-Billing is one of the best places to visit in North India in September and it enables you to reach the zenith of pleasure; also reveals loads of unexplored richness hidden deep down in this picturesque village.
Rishikesh Resting pretty on the northern verge of the Himalayas is Rishikesh; a sacred city that prospers by the ledges of the Ganges. There are many holy places and loads of adventuresome activities that make this holy city an excellent holiday hotspot in North India in September. Take a plunge at the Triveni Ghat- the convergence of Ganga, Saraswati, and the Yamuna, and cleanse all your sins coz it’s time to begin anew! The simple and untroubled vibe of Rishikesh makes it one of the best places to visit in September in North India. Jaisalmer The ancient bartering centre in the Western Indian land of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a land of wildernesses. You can dig Camel safari and late stay in the desert in a deluxe tent. A moonlit feast with your companion is going to be a passionate experience for you. Spend your time touring various forts and monumnets in the place. Rajgir The first capital of the most significant and unconquerable Mauryan empire is Rajgir, also one of the most desirable vacation destinations to visit in September. A significant tourist attraction in the Nalanda district, Rajgir is an ancient city that means the home of kings (Rajgir- Rajgriha). The fact that Rajgir acted host to Lord Mahavir and Buddha puts it closer to the spirits of Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains.Continue Reading

Kerala Government has announced that the tourists and travellers planning to visit during Onam will be welcome, with open arms, if they are fully vaccinated. The announcement was made in the state assembly on Monday by Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas. Various tourist hotspots across Kerala will be open for the fully vaccinated domestic tourists ad travellers during the Onam week. The decision was taken after Vythirir in Wayanad became the first vaccinated destination in Kerala. And the state government is on a mission to vaccinate a maximum number of people in the other tourist hotspots at the earliest, so the tourism could flourish in the state, as it did pre-pandemic. In addition, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas asserted that KIIFB, the special purpose vehicle, has been selected to pave roads to the 626 km coastal highway, assessed to cost 6,500 crores. Another project, i.e., 1252km hill highway, has been approved, and the work is underway. However, the ministry didn’t make any direct comment on the Kuthiran tunnel controversy. But state government has proposed to bring in a system to achieve the works of other departments before initiating the construction of the roads. Also, the department has pledged to pay close attention to the unnecessary digging in and around the state highway.Continue Reading