Protecting Travel and Tourism Industry

A Commentary on the challenges faced and possible solutions for the Travel Industry.

Remembering Professor Sunil Kumar

He was one of the greatest historians who worked on the history of medieval delhi, which served as capital of the Delhi Sultanate (1192-1526 CE) for 300 years.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha - Amazing Thailand

This series is based over my reflections upon visiting Thailand.

The Immortal Kumbh Mela - Mahakumbha of 2013

Believed to be the largest congregation of mankind in the world, read my series of posts to know how it feels like to be amongst a magnitude of people

Shahjahanabad (Const 1648 CE)- The Legacy of Delhi Series (Vol 8)

'Shahjahanabad' is the eighth post in a series of 9 articles on the former capital cities which were built in the historical region of Delhi. Read on to know more..

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Picture of the Week #46 - State War Memorial, Perth (Australia)

Picture © Rohan A Singh
Courtesy Traveler Richa

Friday, August 23, 2013

Picture of the Week #45 - An Illuminated Fountain, South Block (New Delhi)

Picture © Rohan A Singh

Monday, August 19, 2013

World Photography Day Special !

It's been more than three years since I took up Travel Writing as a profession. My style of writing encapsulates a lot of pictures in it, that's also partially because I have a photographic memory. So on World Photography Day here is a compilation of some of my best and most popular pics - 

Being a World Traveler for me means that I have to be neutral and respect all destinations and cultures. But this lake (Guru Dongmar Lake) in the Himalayas can simply take my breathe away. This is one destination I can safely say that I am in Love with. And oh yes, it was by the banks of this lake that I had my Twilight moment, when I realised that I was a Traveler by heart, and took up Travel Writing as a profession.

These three species if seen in a usual setting would be fighting each other for territorial superiority, but such is the sense of peace at the Rumtek Monastery (one of the oldest in Asia) that it has embraced these beings as well

A zoomed in pic of the recently restored ceiling of Humayun's Tomb.. The design shows how much perfectionists the architects and designers of those times were.. in trying to create the perfect memorial for their departed king.. 

The founder of the Tughluq Dynasty, Ghiyath ud din Tughluq's Tomb (const. 1325 A.D.) is one of my most favourite mausoleum's in Delhi. I prefer it over the Humayun's Tomb (which is a World Heritage Site and also a crowded Tourist Trap). It is located in a secluded and therefore peaceful location and ironically is known as the Dar'ul Aman (The Abode of Peace)

 Tughluqabad and Adilabad Forts (Const. 14th Century) along with Dar'ul Aman are my favourite spots in Delhi (and not the beautiful Qutb Minar, Humayun's Tomb  and Red Fort). Reason being that these places are often secluded, allowing you to wander from the ancient pathways in peace. These places are not tourist traps. The only hitch about coming here is that the seclusion of this destination makes it a harbour for muggers. In this pic i have clicked the part of Tughluqabad which i haven't been to visit because I was warned (by the guards) to stay away due to the anti social elements

When the monsoon (alongwith its clouds) goes away, for a very brief period of time we can get a look of the clear blue sky in smoggy Delhi (a rare phenomenon). I clicked the recently restored Sunder Nursery (Const. 16th Cent.) against this backdrop

This pic of the little girl, who is the resident of the last Indian village (Thangu) before the Indo-China border in Sikkim starts is one of my favourite. It forms an integral part of my Slide Show as you might have noticed.

The South Block (part of the Secretariat Building Const. in the 1910s) is the nerve center of the administrative  functioning of India. Many ministers along with their official departments sit here. I was trying to photograph this building which is a symbol of power against the blue sky when a car passed and this was the result. I clicked this picked from the camera of Mr Subir (whom i refer to as Dada)

 This priest gave me my first lesson over photography techniques and etiquette's by yelling over me in a crowded bazaar because I snapped a pic of his !

It has been one of my dreams to capture the incredible and fragile Shore Temple (Const 700-725 A.D.) in my camera and when I did, I felt one of the luckiest persons in the world.

This self pic of mine with the Guru Dongmar Lake (one of the highest in the world) in the backdrop, in a way, defines me and my style of travel i.e. visiting places which are less frequented by travelers.. Taking the Path Rarely Taken..

Friday, August 16, 2013

Board the Escape Express from Lonely Planet Station, this August !



Escape Express
Pic Courtesy - Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet India has launched ‘Escape Express’. This wonderful and racy contest will take you on a virtual journey to exciting destinations around New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The contest starts from Delhi, would quiz you about your favourite travel haunts and award you miles on every right answer you give. The journey then moves onto the cities of Mumbai, Bengaluru and ends with users sharing their ‘Escape Diary’ of memorable trips.

It is needless to say that I would be traveling in the Escape Express myself. Escape Express started chugging on 1 August 2013 and will continue on its journey till 31 August 2013.

Apart from getting the virtual thrill of traveling to different destinations around some of the biggest cities in India, the winners would also get a chance to win plenty of thrilling prizes. The first prize is the winner’s choice of either an Apple 16GB iPad with Retina Display and Wi-Fi Cellular (4th Generation) or a Nikon DSLR camera.

The second prize is an Apple 16GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi.  Best of next ten entries will win gift vouchers from a luggage company. But that’s not all, Escape Express also has dozens of other exciting prizes to be won under various categories.

This is one train ride you cannot miss !

Picture of the Week #44 - Statue of the Little Mermaid (Rear View), Copenhagen

Picture © Rohan A Singh
Courtesy Traveler Richa

Friday, August 9, 2013

Friday, August 2, 2013