Travel buzz: News this season in a capsule

SOON HOUSEBOATS IN SUNDARBANS & DIGHA Taking a cue from Kerala, West Bengal is now focusing on developing coastal and river tourism circuit by introducing houseboats in Kolkata, Sundarbans and creeks near Digha. State Tourism department officials said they have recently awarded tender to a Kerala based private company to build seven houseboats for them. “We want it like Kerala. We will have one houseboat plying along the Ganges in Kolkata, two-three in Sundarbans and threefour in the creeks between Tajpur and Mandarmani near Digha,” A R Bardhan, principal secretary, West Bengal Tourism Department stated.




SHIGMO FESTIVITIES TO BEGIN IN GOA FROM MARCH 25 Float parades, depicting mythological stories, would be held across Goa between March 25 to April 7 this year as part of the popular Shigmo festival in the state. “Shigmo is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community celebrated by Konkani diaspora and the Indian festival of Holi is part of it,” Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said recently. He said the festival is unique as it is filled with colours, music and dance. In these parades, he said, the life of Goans is depicted in elaborate folk performances by local men and women who dance tirelessly in huge processions along with the floats. Parulekar said these floats depict mythological characters and tell folklore stories.

HELICOPTER JOY RIDE LAUNCHED IN HYDERABAD One can now enjoy an aerial view of this historic city of pearls with a private aviation firm launching heli tourism recently. A 10-minute ride on four-seater Bell 206 covers the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake, Charminar, Chowmohalla Palace, Salar Jung Museum and other historic landmarks of the city. The helicopter joy ride, which begins from Necklace Road abutting Hussain sagar, costs Rs 3,500 per person. Telangana IT, Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj Minister KT Rama Rao inaugurated the service, launched with the support from the state tourism department.






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