Traveller with a palette

October 2nd, 2009 SRINAGAR - China's move of issuing separate hand written visas on loose sheets of paper has been welcomed by many residents in Kashmir. "We welcome this move by China.

September 20th, 2009 MUMBAI - On the second day of the ongoing fashion week in Mumbai, Bollywood's most sought after designer Manish Malhotra showcased his bridal collections. Malhotra's collection which was inspired from the idea of a bride running away from the altar, included the collection consisting of rich brocades, velvet, silk, tussar, net, lace and organza.

September 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI/MUMBAI - All airlines have slashed their fares to 50 per cent till September 18. The airlines have made this move in the wake of Jet airways announcing a 50 per cent discount in the economy class across on all of its domestic flights.

July 8th, 2009 BEIJING - Xanadu, the city built by Mongol emperor Kublai Khan and mentioned by Italian traveller Marco Polo, has been unearthed by Chinese archaeologists who have sketched its layout. "The most exciting findings are the layout of the moat in front of the Mingde Gate to the royal capital in the three-month excavation," said Yang Xingyu, a senior archaeologist.

July 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - It has been dubbed a populist budget by critics but the rail budget presented Friday by Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee has enough goodies targeted at the ordinary rail traveller: - No increase in fares - New 'izzat' scheme for poor to travel up to 100 km for Rs.25 - Low-cost, air-conditioned 'yuva trains' for youth at Rs.299-Rs.399 - New scheme for good quality food at affordable prices - Special Trains to ferry perishable farm produce, rural craft - Promise of clean toilets, potable water at stations, trains - Tatkal scheme made more passenger-friendly, service charge cut to Rs.100 - New scheme for poor passengers to travel with 'dignity' - A doctor at your service in every long-distance train - 50 stations to be upgraded into world class facilities - 12 new non-stop trains between key stations

June 28th, 2009 JORHAT - Jappi, a traditional bamboo hat, has been in use in Assam since time immemorial. However, people here should be creditted for keeping the art alive.

June 12th, 2009 Hindus and Jews have urged Ireland to urgently empower and integrate its vulnerable Traveller community, who reportedly face blatant discrimination and social exclusion. Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B.

May 3rd, 2009 TORONTO - With swine flu cases rising sharply to 85, Canadian authorities Saturday confirmed the first case where pigs contracted the H1N1 virus from a man who had just returned from Mexico. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said this could be first case of human-to-animal transmission of the virus during the current global outbreak.

April 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A sleek new domestic departure terminal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport became operational Sunday, replacing a decades-old cramped terminal that was synonymous with disorder and lacked basic facilities for a modern traveller. A spokesperson of airport developer Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a GMR-led consortium, told IANS: 'The first Indigo flight for Guwahati took off at 5.30 a.m.

March 23rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Designers Paras and Shalini presented their collection on the final day of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week here last evening. Drawing inspiration from flowers, art, heritage and life, the designers titled their collection 'I walk alone' for upcoming Autumn/Winter season.

March 19th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Sombre shades of city life were reflected in designer Nitin Bal Chauhan's collection for the Autumn/Winter'09 collection at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. Infused with drama, the designer put together a show, which had shades of dark and explored the grim realities of the urban lifestyle at the much awaited five-day fashion extravaganza, which kick started here on Wednesday.

March 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Watching the sun come up over the pyramids in Egypt, spending a night in a haunted castle and exploring the volcanoes in Indonesia - experience all this and more through three new travel shows on the small screen. Lifestyle channel Discovery Travel & Living has launched 'Walking The World', 'Things to Try before You Die' and 'Rough Guides' - three distinct travel series, catering to avid travellers.

February 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Alaska's native art, its musical instruments, and the faces of its tribals are the inspiration behind designer Ashima Singh's collection for next month's Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW). 'My collection will depict Alaska's native culture, which is rich and diverse.

January 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - An NGO has taken the Delhi Metro to court alleging it had failed to provide drinking water and toilet facilities for commuters. A petition before the Delhi High Court, filed by Voice of India, has said that it had last year sent a representation to the Delhi government and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) seeking basic facilities in the Metro trains but got no satisfactory reply from them.

January 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Why do some troubled children turn out to be artists and others turn their sufferings back against the world? According to artist Rajesh Baderia, colours weave their magic on troubled young minds. Spandan - Lightening up Smiles, an exhibition of 36 oil and acrylic paintings by Baderia at the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre, gave voice to the marginalised population of India through a series of tantric and cosmic art that uses religious symbols and an ethereal colour palette where the shades seemed to melt and merge on the canvas.