It's Official! King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and the people of the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan will receive the United Nations' latest environmental award; the "Champion of the Earth"
 
Often ignorantly looked upon, or overlooked, as an irrelevant, backward political curiosity, Bhutan is now acknowledged as a world leader in the field of environmental protection through political stoicism, muting, at least temporarily, those who would criticise the absolute rule of the Wangchuk Dynasty.

PONDICHERRY - INDIA’S FRENCH CONNECTION

India’s French connection is very visible in Pondicherry - It has a rich French heritage as mirrored in its colonial buildings and in its cuisine. Restaurants offer a rich variety of food ranging from French to Indian, Creole, Vietnamese and Continental. Pondicherry is a shoppers delight for world-class leather, fashion, pottery, handmade paper and aromatics.

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Rarely in the hustle and bustle of today's busy world of travel will you find the sincerity of welcome that I found during my first visit to Taiwan.

I went there expecting a nation of commerce and progress and found instead a place of well-preserved Chinese culture and genuine friendliness.

VARANASI - THE CITY OF NIRVANA

By Deepti Bhagat

Varanasi (Benaras), situated in Uttar Pradesh, on the holy Ganges is Shiva’s city. It has been in existence for over 2500 years making it the oldest living city in the world. Even Mark Twain called it : “older than history, older than tradition older even than legend”. Its famous “ghats” (pavilions) lie mostly on the west bank of the river. So experience the sunrise from a bajra (boat) on the river. Watches the city come to life with people bathing in hundreds in the river to cleanse themselves of all their sins (as per legend). Others wait and pray on the river bank invoking Shiva who untied his topnot to send the Ganges to earth in aid of thirsting humanity. It is said that Varanasi is where the Ganges, makes a loop turning north (Uttarvahini) paying obeisance to Lord Shiva one last time, before flowing south into the sea.

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