News for 'tourism-department'

Double-Decker Buses Set To Boost Delhi Tourism

Double-Decker Buses Set To Boost Delhi Tourism

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The 63-seater open-top bus, manufactured by Ashok Leyland's arm Switch Mobility, was gifted to the city's tourism department as a corporate social responsibility initiative.

Tourist boom in J-K post-2019, over 7.8 cr visitors in 3 yrs: Govt

Tourist boom in J-K post-2019, over 7.8 cr visitors in 3 yrs: Govt

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Overall, the official data shows that over 7.85 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir from 2023 to 2025, while over 4.76 crore tourists visited the Union Territory during 2016-18.

Lights On Hills, Joy In Valleys: Meghalaya At Christmas

Lights On Hills, Joy In Valleys: Meghalaya At Christmas

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

There aren't too many places in India happier than Meghalaya at Christmas.

Christmas event in Haridwar cancelled after Hindu groups protest

Christmas event in Haridwar cancelled after Hindu groups protest

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

A Christmas event scheduled to be held at a hotel run by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar has been cancelled following objections from Hindu outfits, a hotel official said on Monday.

Tata Sons to build, operate Ayodhya temple museum

Tata Sons to build, operate Ayodhya temple museum

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved the expansion of the proposed temple museum in Ayodhya, contracting Tata Sons to develop and operate the project on a 52-acre site.

Lucknow earns UNESCO recognition for culinary heritage

Lucknow earns UNESCO recognition for culinary heritage

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

Lucknow has been officially inducted into UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (CCN) under the 'Gastronomy' category, recognizing its culinary heritage.

Interpol issues Blue Notice for two Goa nightclub owners

Interpol issues Blue Notice for two Goa nightclub owners

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Interpol has issued a Blue Notice against the owners of a Goa nightclub who fled after a fire claimed 25 lives. Police are investigating violations and illegalities related to the nightclub's operation.

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Nitish Kumar gives up home portfolio after 20 years

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The home portfolio of Bihar, which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kept with himself all through his nearly 20-year-long tenure, has been given to his deputy, BJP leader Samrat Chowdhury, this time, according to an official notification issued on Friday.

'We Want To Boost Religious Tourism'

'We Want To Boost Religious Tourism'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Rajasthan's finance department has approved about Rs 23 crore for the renovation, beautification and development of religious tourist destinations.

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

'Goa Nightclub Fire Was Murder!'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'When an establishment operates despite demolition or closure orders, without proper fire exits, evacuation plans or safety audits, and yet is allowed to host large crowds, the state cannot hide behind the language of accident.' 'The authorities were aware of the risks and of the violations, but chose not to act decisively because doing so would have inconvenienced those with influence and financial stakes.' 'In such a scenario, the moral and legal responsibility for the resulting deaths moves from negligence towards culpability; calling it 'murder' is a way of underlining that these lives were sacrificed at the altar of greed and complicity, not fate.'

PIX: Ayodhya Deepotsav glows with 26 lakh diyas, sets world record

PIX: Ayodhya Deepotsav glows with 26 lakh diyas, sets world record

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

In the largest display of oil lamps, 2,617,215 diyas were lit along the banks of the Saryu River. During the event, many participants engaged in a simultaneous 'diya' rotation.

Sikkim opens strategic border areas for tourism

Sikkim opens strategic border areas for tourism

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The Sikkim government has announced the opening of Doka-La and Cho-La battlefields for domestic tourists starting October 1, under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. Strict guidelines for security and environmental protection will be in place.

Kashi Dazzles With Over 2,600,000 Diyas

Kashi Dazzles With Over 2,600,000 Diyas

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Once a quiet riverside ritual, Dev Deepawali has evolved into UP's largest soft-power spectacle -- merging faith, art, enterprise into a global cultural brand that reflects state's growing confidence.

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Why J&K Border Villages Are Safe Haven For Terrorists

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

'Why have we failed to address the issue of ensuring a requisite buffer zone in J&K, given that cross-border links of some J&K politicians are known?', asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

'Pak spy' Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on govt invite

'Pak spy' Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on govt invite

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Notably, one of her earlier viral videos featured her wearing a Kerala sari and attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur.

'Where There Is So Much Infrastructure Creation, There Will Be Debt'

'Where There Is So Much Infrastructure Creation, There Will Be Debt'

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'We have created massive infrastructure in the past six years.'

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

According to the proposal of the state Tourism department, which was approved by the Cabinet, around Rs 137 crore will be spent on the renovation of the old Punaura Dham Janki Mandir and Rs. 728 crore for the development of tourist infrastructure around the temple. The remaining amount will be spent on the maintenance of the infrastructure for ten years.

Omar Abdullah announces memorial for Pahalgam terror victims

Omar Abdullah announces memorial for Pahalgam terror victims

Rediff.com28 May 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced plans to build a memorial in Baisaran, Pahalgam, in memory of the 26 victims of last month's terror attack. The memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims and a reminder that they will never be forgotten. Abdullah also addressed the importance of reviving tourism in the state, assuring tour operators that tourist destinations will reopen in a phased manner.

Traders oppose changing Mount Abu's name to Aburaj Teerth

Traders oppose changing Mount Abu's name to Aburaj Teerth

Rediff.com6 May 2025

A proposal to change the name of Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill station, to "Aburaj Teerth" and ban non-vegetarian food and alcohol consumption in public has sparked protests from local businesses, who fear severe economic consequences. They argue that the name change will cause confusion and the restrictions will drastically reduce tourist numbers, impacting livelihoods.

BJP MLA blames idli-sambar for Goa's tourist decline

BJP MLA blames idli-sambar for Goa's tourist decline

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

BJP MLA Michael Lobo claims that the sale of idli-sambar in beach shacks is contributing to a decline in international tourists visiting Goa. He attributes the issue to the influx of businessmen from other places, including Bengaluru, who are operating food stalls in the shacks. Lobo also cites other factors impacting tourism, such as the war in Ukraine, the lack of younger foreign tourists, and conflict between cab aggregators and local taxi operators.

2 Hurriyat allies, another group sever ties with separatists

2 Hurriyat allies, another group sever ties with separatists

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Two constituents of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Jammu and Kashmir have announced they are severing all ties with separatist groups. Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the decision, asserting it will strengthen India's unity. The Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (JKPM) and the J&K Democratic Political Movement (JKDPM) have both distanced themselves from the separatist ideology, vowing allegiance to India and the Constitution. The JKPM, led by Shahid Saleem, and the JKDPM, led by Shafi Reshi, issued statements detailing their decision. Shah said the move is a big victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed, peaceful, and unified India. The APHC, which has been banned by the government, has been unable to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Saleem said.

Trouble Brewing Between Shinde, Fadnavis?

Trouble Brewing Between Shinde, Fadnavis?

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Is a sulking Eknath Shinde on the way out as Shiv Sena chief?

Port Blair gets a name change: Sri Vijaya Puram it is

Port Blair gets a name change: Sri Vijaya Puram it is

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

Shah said the decision was taken to free the nation from colonial imprints as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had an "unparalleled place" in the country's freedom struggle and history.

What's Army Searching Under The Snow?

What's Army Searching Under The Snow?

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

The Indian Army's Ski patrol team take part in an avalanche rescue exercise drill.

Tatas to build Rs 650 cr museum of temples in Ayodhya

Tatas to build Rs 650 cr museum of temples in Ayodhya

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

Sharing details about the decision, tourism minister Jaivir Singh said the tourism department would provide the company land for the international-level museum on a 90-year lease for a token amount of Re 1.

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Dhaka limps back to normal, but protests yet to die down

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

Businesses have resumed but it's not business as usual in the capital city of Bangladesh.

UP tourism dept's deputy director dies by suicide in Mumbai

UP tourism dept's deputy director dies by suicide in Mumbai

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

A senior Uttar Pradesh tourism department official, who had resigned due to work pressure but was asked to continue, allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday in Mumbai, the police said.

Protests Hit Retail Ahead of Durga Puja

Protests Hit Retail Ahead of Durga Puja

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

West Bengal is home to 43,000 Durga Pujas, and the business around it is a major economic driver.

Wah, there's a Taj Mahal in Kashmir

Wah, there's a Taj Mahal in Kashmir

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

Did the Taj just move to Sonmarg?

Nitish attends function with Union minister, Tejashwi absent

Nitish attends function with Union minister, Tejashwi absent

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Amid speculation that he may do yet another volte face and return to the National Democratic Alliance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday visited Buxar district, bordering Uttar Pradesh, to attend a function where senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey was also present.

Russian skier killed as avalanche hits Gulmarg, 7 rescued

Russian skier killed as avalanche hits Gulmarg, 7 rescued

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

A Russian skier died while six others, including a local guide, were rescued as an avalanche struck the ski slopes of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.

Nitish all set to quit, Bihar to get new govt on Sunday: Source

Nitish all set to quit, Bihar to get new govt on Sunday: Source

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday appeared all set to make his second political volte face in less than three years, with a highly-placed source close to Kumar saying that the Janata Dal-United president is likely to tender his resignation by Sunday morning.

Mago Chuna Is Ready To Defend India Against China

Mago Chuna Is Ready To Defend India Against China

Rediff.com12 Oct 2023

The residents of the Arunachali village, Mago Chuna, have a message for our neighbouring nation.

No selfie with tourists sans permission, says Goa govt

No selfie with tourists sans permission, says Goa govt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

This instruction forms part of an advisory issued by the Goa tourism department for tourists and the set of directives is aimed to protect the privacy of travellers

3 Bangladeshi tourists dead as houseboat catches fire in Dal Lake

3 Bangladeshi tourists dead as houseboat catches fire in Dal Lake

Rediff.com11 Nov 2023

Three tourists from Bangladesh were charred to death in a major blaze in a houseboat on the famous Dal Lake on Saturday, officials in Srinagar said.

Char Dham priests demand removal of yatra curbs, threaten agitation

Char Dham priests demand removal of yatra curbs, threaten agitation

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Citing the example of last year, he said many pilgrims who came for the yatra from rural areas of Uttar Pradesh had to return from Rishikesh and Haridwar as they had not registered in advance for it.

Goa Tourism issues notice to Yuvraj over villa

Goa Tourism issues notice to Yuvraj over villa

Rediff.com22 Nov 2022

Registration of a homestay with the tourism department is mandated under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982.

What's That Light and Sound On Dal Lake?

What's That Light and Sound On Dal Lake?

Rediff.com8 Dec 2022

Enchanting glimpses from the Shikara Festival on Dal Lake in Srinagar.

Ayodhya to get 'Ramaland' on the lines of Disneyland

Ayodhya to get 'Ramaland' on the lines of Disneyland

Rediff.com8 May 2023

'With Ramaland, the tourism department is looking to attract children and adults alike. It'll be learning with entertainment.'

Atishi is Delhi's new education minister, Saurabh gets health portfolio

Atishi is Delhi's new education minister, Saurabh gets health portfolio

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

Atishi will handle education, PWD, power and tourism departments, while Bharadwaj will look after health, urban development, water and industries.