Monthly Archives: October 2016

Two from city get first Kalam award

Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel

Lucknow:

Two key personalities from the city have won the first edition of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award for ‘Innovation in Governance’.

Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation managing director Kumar Keshav and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) chief operating officer Jayant Krishna were awarded for showing exemplary work in improving governance and delivering value to the citizens.

The awards were given on Saturday during the memorial summit organized at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to commemorate Kalam’s 85th birth anniversary.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Lucknow / TNN / October 16th, 2016

Stories of UP attract travel writers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel, World Opinion

Lucknow:

For travel blogger NP Prasad, Uttar Pradesh is a “land of many Indias in one place.” “Everything you can think about India is there is Uttar Pradesh. “Each of these has an interesting story behind,” said Prasad.

Prasad is a part of a team of 44 travel writers and bloggers from across the world who were here to participate in the second edition of the UP Travel Writers’ Conclave.

Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Worldwide Media Private Limited, the effort aims at promoting places of interest in and around Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow – the three destinations in the Heritage Arc, the tourist corridor being developed by UP government.

The itineraries, which span four days, cover the length and breadth of the three cities that form the core of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage.

The participants would get to explore the various facets of the state — from food, heritage to wildlife, textiles and landscapes. The travels will culminate into a travel writers’ conclave in Varanasi on October 16.

Fourteen persons of the large group chose Lucknow over Varanasi and Agra. Their journey began on Wednesday with the inauguration ceremony at chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s residence here. In his interaction with team, the chief minister said: “Historic places in UP are interesting because of interesting anecdotes of existence besides their living traditions. I think you will have enough material to pen down.”

“I have come to see the heart of Uttar Pradesh,” said Lakshmi Sharath from Bengaluru. She has been to Agra earlier but is convinced that the land of the Taj is not UP’s heart. “It’s too touristy,” she remarked adding, “I look forward to the crafts and culture and their stories in Lucknow.”

Travel journalist from Delhi Malavika Bhattacharya confessed that Lucknow appeared to be more beautiful than her expectation. “I can feel a good mix of architecture and food in Lucknow,” she said.

Award-winning travel journalist from Ireland Isabel Conway was also impressed by the partly-Colonial nature of Lucknow’s heritage. “I have to visit the Residency,” said the resident of Ireland.

Anita Raokashi is another foodie travel writer from Bengaluru. “I look forward to the original Tundey (famous kebab makers in Lucknow),” she said . Sejal, editor of Mumbai based nature and focus portal, was more interested in getaways from Lucknow. All set for Dudhwa and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuaries, she said, “Wildlife in UP is being talked about.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda / TNN / October 14th, 2016