Travel – Page 4 – Global Records India

** Arunachal villagers build museum on century-old battleground

Museum is located near spot where British officer was killed during Anglo-Abor War of 1911-12

The people of a village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang district have constructed an “eco-friendly” museum near a spot where warriors of the Adi community killed a British officer during a war in 1911-12.

The Adi people inhabiting large swathes of central Arunachal Pradesh had resisted colonial expansion several times between 1858 and 1912. These are called the Anglo-Abor Wars.

The Misum-Miyang Kumsung, meaning “ancient artefacts museum,” has been set up at Komsing village, about 12km from district headquarters Pangin. The spot is near where the Adi warriors had killed Noel Williamson, the British political officer during the last of the wars in 1911-12.

Locally known as the Poju Mimak, the war was fought from October 6, 1911, to January 11, 1912. It is considered one of the most decisive Anglo-Abor wars in the history of the freedom movement in Arunachal Pradesh.

** ‘Indianish but not Indian’ describes Mauritius best

From garam masala made with Madagascar spices to fritters stuffed with prawns and béchamel sauce, local meals in Mauritius are familiar yet so exotic

It’s a glorious autumn night in April in Mauritius when a small bus with disco lights and local Sega music drops us off in a village named after piment (chilli, in Mauritian Creole). We are at the house of Ved Bhujun, whose forefathers had set sail from India almost 200 years ago to this blue-green land.

The Bhujun family has retained its Indian heritage, despite a very mixed Creole gene pool now. A temple guards the home’s garden, we are welcomed with lit lamps, and Ved’s son — with the Indian Navy till a few years ago, and now in Mauritius’ anti-narcotics squad — tells me how, when he gets married, he will have not only Indian-style music and dancing but also a “turmeric ceremony”. There is nothing religious about these rituals; they are just vehicles for memories. As is the food. You realise as you taste it, here’s something that is Indianish, but not Indian — spices sans pungency, cultural resonances reshaped into new flavours.

** e-DAR portal to speed up accident compensation claims

Integrated data and instant information on road accidents will bring relief to victims’ families, check fake claims

A web portal designed by the government in consultation with insurance companies will provide instant information on road accidents with a few clicks and help accelerate accident compensation claims, bringing relief to victims’ families.

The Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has developed the portal named ‘e-DAR’ (e-Detailed Accident Report). Digitalised Detailed Accident Reports (DAR) will be uploaded on the portal for easy access.

The web portal will be linked to the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD). From iRAD, applications to more than 90% of the datasets would be pushed directly to the e-DAR.

Stakeholders like the police, road authorities, hospitals, etc., are required to enter very minimal information for the e-DAR forms. Thus, e-DAR would be an extension and e-version of iRAD.

** Alliance Air shifts to own passenger service system; to sell tickets with ‘9I’ code

Regional carrier Alliance Air was not part of the deal when the central government sold off Air India to the Tata Group

Centre-run Alliance Air said it will sell tickets with “9I” code and has shifted to its own cloud-based passenger service system (PSS) from Friday onwards.

Even though parent airline Air India’s control was shifted to the Tata Group on January 27, Alliance Air till date was using the full-service carrier’s PSS and its “AI” code to sell tickets.

A PSS is used for various functions such as ticket reservation and flight scheduling.

Regional carrier Alliance Air was not part of the deal when the central government sold off Air India to the Tata Group on October 8 last year.

** NITC develops smart solar stove

Researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NITC) have designed and developed an eco-friendly smart solar stove with zero operating cost for domestic and roadside eateries (thattukadas).

An excellent alternative cooking system, especially when prices of domestic cooking gas are rising, the smart solar stove with multiple versions has been tested for practical feasibility and is ready to be launched in the market at an affordable price, a press release said here on Tuesday.

The Department of Biotechnology of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology had funded the project.

NITC Director Prasad Krishna launched the product on the campus. One of the product versions that can be used directly under the sun has a single and double stove suitable for domestic cooking.

Another model, which can be employed for all types of cooking purposes, has a provision to connect an LED lamp. The sufficient illumination will help vendors to extend their business operating hours during night hours.

Another model has a battery with a control unit for extending the cooking time during overcast weather.

th/kerala

** Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Red Fort Festival: A colourful, cultural extravaganza

This 10-day celebration at the Red Fort focuses on India’s rich history and multiculturalism.

August 15 Park (Lahori Gate) is the venue for this event and hosts makeshift stalls and a giant Ferris wheel.

This 10-day extravaganza, which was unveiled on March 25, is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of India. Part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav—an initiative by the government of India to commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence—highlights the country’s diverse crafts, cuisines, and more.

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** Shashwat Rao wins Snow Marathon in Lahaul, Dolma Tenzin first among women

Shashwat Rao of Karnataka won the Snow Marathon with a timing of 4:41:07, here on Saturday. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, local girl Dolma Tenzin was the fastest and she completed her race in five hours and five minutes, thirty seconds.

Snow Marathon Lahaul, conceptualised by Event Founder Guarav Schimar and organised by Reach India and supported by the District Administration of Lahaul and Spiti district (Himachal Pradesh) saw the participation of over 100 sportsmen and women.

“This was the first time that a snow marathon was organised in the country. Till now, snow marathons were conducted in countries of the cold icy regions such as the polar circles, Antarctica, Russia and northern Europe. With Snow Marathon Lahaul, India not only stepped into the elite club of countries where Snow Marathons are organised but by organising it at an elevation of above 10,000 feet, it now holds the distinction of organising a snow marathon at the highest altitude,” said Gaurav.

In the 21 kilometres – Half Marathon category, Rohan stood first in the men’s section with two hours 53 minutes while amongst the women, the title went to Diksha, who clocked two hours 59 minutes.

The ten-kilometre run was won by Daulat Ram who took one hour and four minutes while Hemlata placed first in her category who covered the distance in one hour and twenty minutes. Navneet emerged as winner in the five-kilometer category while Shrishti grabbed the title in women’s category.

In view of creating enthusiasm among locals for running, a one-kilometer race was also organised wherein a massive participation from children and women was seen. The brand ambassador of the marathon – Kieren D’Souza also graced the occasion and ran 10 kms along with the participants.

First time in India

** The Cake Man From Piedmont

Raising a toast to Calcutta’s very own master chef

Peliti’s of Calcutta started out in the 1870s as a confectionery outlet on Bentinck Street and thereafter turned into a fine dining restaurant-cum-confectioner’s on Esplanade Row. “Business ended with World War II,” says Maria Letizia, who is a great-granddaughter of the founder, Federico Peliti, and is now based in Turin in Italy.

itay-india connection

** Historical find in Telangana’s Nirmal district throws light on Chalukya era

10 Sati stones discovered in an open field in Mudhole, a known site for Jainism

A group of 10 Sati stones dating to the 10th-11th Century AD have been discovered in an open field in Mudhole of Nirmal district by amateur historians of Telangana.

“We identified these as Sati stones since there are sculptures that show a woman wearing bangles with a raised hand. This was the tradition at the time. We dated this to Kalyani Chalukya rule in the region,” said Sriramoju Haragopal, who worked with B. Ramamohan for the find.

The findings also included hero stones, locally known as viragallu. “After speaking to the local residents, we realised that there were more sculpted stones in the area but those were thrown into a pond due to superstitious belief,” informed Mr. Haragopal.

** Bengaluru Metro’s First Vinyl-Wrapped Train Flagged off . Marks 75 Years of Independence

The first Metro train in Bengaluru with its exterior wrapped completely in vinyl was inaugurated on Friday from Platform 2 of the Kempegowda Metro station towards Kengeri on its Purple Line.

This initiative by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to commemorate 75 years of Independence was flagged off by its Managing Director Anjum Parwez at 10.15 am.