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Nov 2004
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Rail reservation through SMS extended to Mumbai

     New Delhi: Booking of reserved train tickets through mobile phones, introduced first in the National Capital Region on September 9, 2004, has since been extended to Mumbai and in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through Hutch and Reliance services. According to a press release, Indian Railways have planned to expand booking of reserved train tickets through mobile phones to almost all the important cities and towns by the next financial year. The limited reach of the internet system restricted the access to internet ticketing. This is sought to be expanded through the medium of the cellular phones which is now available with 45 million users. -Nov 30, 2004

Kashmir receives season's first snowfall (Go to Top)

     Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley today witnessed its first snowfall of the season sending a wave of happiness among the residents and tourists. A large number of tourists are thronging the city to see the snowfall. The beauteous region was covered by a thick blanket of snow as people carried on with their work and revellers chose to enjoy the winter chill. Ejaz Ahmed, a resident, said snowfall in the month of November was unexpected but a welcome one. "This year the snowfall has arrived earlier. Normally we do not expect snowfall in November. The whole of Srinagar is looking white and we are enjoying it very much," said Ahmed. Residents said the early snowfall would herald the tourist season and help boost the state's economy that has been damaged by the 15 year-old-rebellion against Indian rule. "It is a boon for the common people. The power supply will improve and water will increase. It is especially good for the farmers," said Jehangir, another resident. Meanwhile, in a bid to increase tourism, State Tourism Minister Ghulam Hasan Mir is heading a delegation to New Delhi to invite newly weds for a honeymoon in the state, which is also witnessing withdrawal of troops as part of the confidence building measures in the valley. Nov 30, 2004

Lalu launches Rs.4,500 'Village on Wheels' (Go to Top)

     Patna: Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday launched a new special train that will take passengers to ten different pilgrim centres across the country for just Rs 4,500. The Railways would not only make the passengers criss-cross the country for Rs 4,500, but also arrange for their food and accommodation. "We are happy about the train. But we will get to know about the facilities provided by the Railways only after we return from the trip," said a pilgrim. Though the Railways are planning to start seven such special trains from different locations, the first Bharat Darshan special was flagged off by the Rail Minister from Patna.
- Nov 30, 2004

Moonlit Taj entralls hundreds (Go to Top)

     Agra (UP): Tourists, lovebirds and locals came in hundreds to view the Taj Mahal at night on Saturday, after the Supreme Court allowed visitors to gaze at the dazzling marble monument by moonlight for the first time in two decades (except one day in 2000).. Setting aside a ban put in place on security grounds, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the 17th-century symbol of love could open for five nights a month during the full moon for the next three months. The moonlight viewing will be part of celebrations to mark the white marble mausoleum's 350th anniversary, which are expected to draw millions of visitors. Night viewing was allowed for a few days in 2000, but stopped again over concern about preserving the site. Dazzled by the sheer brilliance of the Moghul architectural wonder, tourists are jubliant at the rare chance to observe the wonder in night, which many historians have described a moment of eternity.

      The ban on night visits was imposed in 1984 following reports militants had targeted the monument, built by Emperor Shahjahan as a testament to his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, where the Taj is located, have assured foolproof security on the guidelines laid down by the court, which include special X-ray screening of all baggage being carried by visitors and an extra task force. "If this experiment, the Taj Mahal has been opened to night viewing only for three months initially, is successful and if there are no untoward incidents and no mishaps then we will appeal to the Supreme Court that the entire monument, including the main monument should be opened for the public at night. If a few hundred can go to the Taj Mahal during the day, a smiliar or even greater number, 100, 200 or even 1000 people can be allowed in at night," Ajay Aggarwal, lawyer representing the Uttar Pradesh government, which has appealed for lifting the ban, said.

     Up to 15,000 people file past the manicured lawns around the imposing structure every day. Some gaze at the monument for hours and others photograph it from every angle possible. The onion-domed Taj Mahal, or Crown Palace in Urdu, stands on a marble platform in the polluted city of Agra, 200 km (125 miles) south of Delhi, and is surrounded by ornamental gardens. A delicate white minaret stands at each of its four corners and two smaller red sandstone buildings balance the postcard image on the banks of the Yamuna river. Historians say Shahjahan consulted experts from the Middle East and Europe as he planned the monument, which took 20,000 people over 22 years to build. The government and the Archaeological Survey of India say it was finished in 1654, but some dispute this date. The surface of the monument has yellowed over the years due to pollution from vehicle fumes, factories, an oil refinery and funeral pyres at a nearby cremation ground.
- Nov 28, 2004

Taj Mahal fortified ahead of night viewing bonanza (Go to Top)

     Agra: Security has been beefed up at Taj Mahal after the the Supreme Court opened the world's most famous monument of love to night viewing, allowing visitors to gaze at the dazzling marble monument by moonlight for the first time in two decades, except for one night in 2000. . Setting aside a ban put in place on security grounds, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the 17th-century symbol of love could open for five nights a month during the full moon for the next three months. The moonlight viewing will be part of celebrations to mark the white marble mausoleum's 350th anniversary, which are expected to draw millions of visitors. The ban on night visits was imposed in 1984 following reports militants had targeted the monument, built by Emperor Shahjahan as a testament to his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, where the Taj is located, have assured foolproof security on the guidelines laid down by the court, which include special X-ray screening of all baggage being carried by visitors and an extra task force. The locals, who have for long rallied for the night quota, are meanwhile jubilant with the directive and already looking forward to a tourist boom. "We are very happy with this decision that the Supreme Court has given for the permission of night viewing. Tourism will be given a new dimension. This willl have a good effect on tourism and on the industry like hotels and tour operators," Sunil Gupta, director of the Indian Association of Tour Operators said in Agra. Night viewing was allowed for a few days in 2000, but stopped again over concern about preserving the site.
-Nov 26, 2004

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