Category: Travel

SpiceJet announces Delhi-Phuket direct flight from May 31; timings, other details here

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Budget carrier SpiceJet on Monday, May 13, announced that it will start daily non-stop flights from New Delhi to Phuket in Thailand from May 31.

The airline said that this new service will complement its existing operations in Bangkok from Kolkata and Delhi.

SpiceJet’s daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Phuket have been conveniently timed to ensure a hassle-free travel experience for the people. While the departing flight from Delhi will take off at 9 am and arrive in Phuket at 3:15 pm, the return flight will depart Phuket at 4:15 pm and arrive in the national capital at 7:20 pm.

As per the official statement, the airline has started bookings for this new route on its official website as well as through travel agents.

“We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever service to Phuket, a world-renowned destination. We are confident that our new daily non-stop flights will be a popular choice for both leisure and business travellers and will make their journey to Phuket seamless, allowing them to maximise their time enjoying the island’s beauty,” Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said in a statement.

Singh noted that this new route will strengthen the airline’s commitment to “expanding our international network and offering our passengers a wider range of exciting destinations.”

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is known for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife. This new service is expected to provide travellers with a convenient and affordable way to experience the region.

This comes after SpiceJet commenced its Haj operations last week with the inaugural flights departing from Srinagar to Medina.

The flights operated through two wide-body A340 aircraft, with each of them having a seating capacity of 324 passengers. Besides Srinagar, the airline is also operating special Haj flights from Guwahati, Gaya, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada. For this service, it will also use its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Last year, the airline generated a revenue of ₹337 crore from the Haj operations, it said in a statement.

SpiceJet is operating these special flights from major cities like Srinagar, Gaya, Guwahati, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, and Vijayawada to Medina between May 9 and May 31.

The return flights from Jeddah have been scheduled between June 22 and July 15.

As per the official statement, the airline will operate as many as 102 special flights, catering to over 13,800 pilgrims during this special operation.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Mother’s Day 2024: Anand Mahindra to Deepinder Goyal, corporate leaders recall moments cherished with moms

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The world celebrated Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12, showering their ‘special person’ in life with surprises, love and appreciation for their unwavering support and endless sacrifices.

Several corporate leaders remembered their moms, recalling some of their cherished moments to mark the occasion.

Anand Mahindra, the chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, shared a sentimental post dedicated to his mother.

“Back in 1977. Just before I left for college. My mother wasn’t looking into the camera; As usual, she was gazing into the distance… trying to envision her children’s future, hoping that a good education would be their passport to success—and happiness. Happy #MothersDay Ma. We’ll keep trying to live up to your dreams for us…,” Mahindra wrote on X while sharing a throwback photograph of himself with his mother.

Back in 1977.
Just before I left for college.

My mother wasn’t looking into the camera;
As usual she was gazing into the distance…trying to envision her childrens’ future, hoping that a good education would be their passport to success—and happiness.

Happy #MothersDay Ma.… pic.twitter.com/nxPZEWzKSD

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 12, 2024

Similar was the case with Vedanta chairperson Anil Agarwal, who recalled how his mother’s advice motivated him and helped in the establishment of his company.

“After failing multiple times in business, I nearly gave up. I was lost, demotivated and disturbed,” Agarwal said in a post on X.

He added that his mother Vedvati Agarwal then advised him to move forward in life and that’s how the Vedanta Group was born.

“Tab Maa ne bola tha ‘Anil aage badhte jao darwaze khulte jaenge.” It wasn’t easy, but unki blessings sem I kept moving forward. It was with these words, and with Maa’s blessings, I started all over again. That’s how Vedanta was born, a company named after my mother Vedvati Agarwal. It is a tribute to her strength and wisdom. Happy Mother’s Day! #MothersDay,” he added.

After failing multiple times in business, I nearly gave up. I was lost, demotivated and disturbed.

Tab Maa ne bola tha “Anil aage badhte jao darwaze khulte jaenge.” It wasn’t easy, but unki blessings se I kept moving forward.

It was with these words, and with Maa’s… pic.twitter.com/WnFD0hju9h

— Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) May 12, 2024

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, also shared an image with her mother and wrote, “Remembering my awesome mom on Mother’s Day.”

Remembering my awesome mom on Mother’s Day. pic.twitter.com/CvAwcFTN3J

— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) May 12, 2024

On Mother’s Day 2024, food delivery giant Zomato organised a surprise for the mothers of the company’s employees.

“And here’s the surprise! We invited the moms of our employees to celebrate the day with us at the office. Also got great feedback on how to run @zomato better. So much love all around today,” Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal shared on social media along with images and videos of the mothers’ of the Zomato staff cutting cake at the office.

And here’s the surprise!

We invited the moms of our employees to celebrate the day with us at the office. Also got great feedback on how to run @zomato better.

So much love all around today❤️ pic.twitter.com/FKDYiBqDCP

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) May 12, 2024

Bhavish Aggarwal, CEO of Ola, said he was not able to meet his mother on the occasion as she was away in Ludhiana.

“Happy Mother’s Day! My Mom is in Ludhiana so can’t meet her today but would love to personally deliver a cake from @Olacabs @ONDC_Official to a mom in Bengaluru! If you want me to deliver, comment below and we will select the best couple of requests,” he wrote.

Happy Mother’s Day! My Mom is in Ludhiana so can’t meet her today but would love to personally deliver a cake from @Olacabs @ONDC_Official to a mom in Bengaluru! If you want me to deliver, do comment below and we will select the best couple of requests ❤️🙂

— Bhavish Aggarwal (@bhash) May 12, 2024

Mother’s Day comes as a heartfelt reminder of the unwavering perseverance, love, and resilience that moms around the world have for their children. To mark this special day, families often join to honour the ‘extraordinary’ women who have shaped their lives with unflinching love.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Mother’s Day celebrations boost quick commerce sales across India

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Consumer purchases across quick commerce platforms witness an uptick led by Mother’s Day celebrations across India.

Recent data from quick commerce platforms like Zomato, Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, and Zepto reveal trends in consumer behaviour, highlighting an increased demand for a variety of products on Sunday, May 12. Analysis from both platforms shows that items like jewellery, plants, flowers, and chocolates are experiencing peak orders.

Zomato reports that for the first time, Mother’s Day is witnessing significantly higher sales volumes than New Year’s Eve. Over 2 lakh people have used Zomato’s new AI feature, which allows customers to add a personalised celebrity video message to their orders, since its launch.

As per Swiggy Instamart’s data, 143 chocolates and 41 cards are being sold per minute today. The platform witnessed a 141% surge in orders for handbags, perfumes, and watches marking a new record for single-day orders. Not just that, orders for jewellery have also gone up 11.4 times from last week.

Sales of plants as gifts have soared 7.7 times as compared to a regular Sunday.

Additionally, Zomato-owned quick commerce platform Blinkit shared that handbag sales have seen an uptick compared to usual days. The company has also sent free fridge magnets specially designed for Mother’s Day.

“The company has never sold so many smartwatches by 11 am,” said Albinder Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit. Bouquet sales have also been up as compared to Valentine’s Day.

Jewellery and perfume sales have zoomed in as well. Zepto has also launched Mother’s Day special greetings and customers seem to enjoy it.

These trends suggest a pattern where consumers turn to quick delivery services to purchase thoughtful, last-minute gifts. These insights are crucial for these platforms in tailoring their inventory and marketing strategies, ensuring product availability during high-demand periods.

Also Read: Mother’s Day 2024: Handwritten letter to personalised jewellery, gifts to express gratitude

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

This new feature on Bumble takes the pressure off women to make the first move

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Texting anybody first is a chore and texting a match first on a dating app is added pressure that nobody asked for, yet here we are. To take that women-first pressure off, dating app Bumble recently introduced a new feature called Opening Moves that allows women to set up questions that their matches can respond to.

“You can choose from a list of suggested Opening Moves that cover a variety of fun topics, from ‘What’s your ideal first date?’ to ‘How many episodes of a series is it acceptable to watch in one sitting’?” Bumble said in a blog post.

For non-binary and same-gender connections, either person can set and respond to prompts. Now, while women are still in charge of whom they make conversation with, the stress of delivering the perfect icebreaker is off the table. Once men respond, women have 24 hours to decide if they want to move forward or not.

How the new feature works

To set up an Opening Move feature, tap on the grey silhouette in the bottom left corner of the app screen. Then select “Edit profile” or “Complete my profile”, which will let you add a question. Users can either choose from a list of questions already provided or can craft their own. Alternatively, you can also set it up when you match with someone or can add it within the chat screen.

“Many have shared their exhaustion with the current online dating experience, and for some, that includes making the first move. We’re also hearing from women that empowerment today is not only about control but it’s also about agency,” Lidiane Jones, CEO of Bumble said in a statement.

Also Read: Tinder launches free online course on interpersonal consent on Coursera

Users on social media have mixed reactions on the new feature.

@H4RRYSCINEMA thinks it’s a little lame, as nobody is answering the moves and she is still stuck making the first move.

Another user wrote:

bumble is so lame what’s the point of having an opening question for ur matches yet i’m still stuck making the first move bc they don’t answer it

— alex 🍒🎧 (@H4RRYSCINEMA) May 10, 2024

@sparklemidi had several GPT-generated responses to her move and the idea of a witty conversation starter, in case that, is more or less pointless. Might as well let the chatbots talk to themselves.

Asked this question as the opening move on Bumble. Shocking how every guy gave the GPT generated answer for it. Sigh. https://t.co/dSyrP2yhSX

— sushi (@sparklemidi) May 4, 2024

@jvquantum is excited to see how the feature works out and for letting women off the hook (well, kind of).

Bumble finally lets women off the hook for making the first move. Cheers to the end of awkward opening lines and overthinking messages! Now, let’s sit back, relax, and wait for those creative, witty icebreakers to roll in. 🎉

— JV Quantum (@jvquantum) April 30, 2024

During testing, Bumble said that it discovered that Opening Moves boosted meaningful discussions on the app by raising chat initiation and respond rates while also increasing conversation duration.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Thunderstorm, hail predicted in Uttarakhand amid Char Dham Yatra; IMD issues orange alert

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert on Sunday (May 12) for five districts in Uttarakhand, cautioning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and hail in isolated areas.

The predictions indicate gusty winds reaching up to speeds of 40-50 km per hour in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh districts on May 12. Additionally, the IMD issued a yellow alert for remaining districts on Sunday and cautioned residents and visitors to take precautionary measures and remain indoors. PTI reported that potential hazards include damage to property, and livestock in isolated areas.

Residents and tourists have been requested to avoid proximity to any objects conducting electricity during thunderstorms and lightning, while ensuring safety of livestock. The general public has been encouraged to park vehicles in secure locations to mitigate risks posed by lightning.

हिमाचल प्रदेश, उत्तर प्रदेश, राजस्थान के अलग-अलग स्थानों में 11 मई, 2024 को तेज हवाओं (40-50 किमी प्रति घंटे) के साथ ओलावृष्टि और गंगीय पश्चिम बंगाल, मध्य महाराष्ट्र, उत्तराखण्ड और पश्चिम मध्य प्रदेश में आंधी (50-60 किमी प्रति घंटे) के साथ ओलावृष्टि की संभावना है। pic.twitter.com/FXMU2i06j8

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 11, 2024

Also read: Thousands gather as doors of Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand open for devotees

Earlier, on May 10, severe dust storms, strong winds and rain swept parts of the national capital. Two people died in separate incidents, while 23 others were injured due to strong severe winds and dust storms, private weather forecasting services firm Skymet Weather Services said.

Fierce winds and rains battered the national capital region uprooting trees and causing massive traffic jams. The poor weather conditions led to 10 flights being diverted from Delhi to nearby airports, CNBC-TV18 reported. Two Air India flights were redirected to Jaipur, an official told PTI.

“Dust storm of May 10 in Delhi claimed two lives and 23 people reported injured. and nine flights were diverted from the Delhi airport late in the evening due to bad weather, officials said. Some of the flights were diverted from the airport to Jaipur, an official said. Issuing an advisory for the dust storm, the MeT department urged the people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their windows and doors and refrain from unnecessary travel,” the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an advisory.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Algeria is easing path for adventure tourists to experience the wonders of Sahara

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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One of the Arab world’s last holdouts to global vacationers is slowly opening up, as a new Algerian visa program gives more outsiders the chance to take in the lunar landscapes and prehistoric art of its vast Sahara desert.

Unlike Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, Africa’s largest country hasn’t prioritised tourism despite its proximity to Europe. It may sport majestic Roman ruins, picturesque Mediterranean cities and soaring Atlas mountains, but this fiercely independent energy exporter has mostly kept its treasures to itself.

That won’t change overnight — Algeria is still a challenging place for most foreigners to bag a visa. But an initiative rolled out in January 2023 has eased the process for adventurous travellers who don’t need maximum comforts to tour the stark southern deserts that make up 80% of the country, and it’s starting to gain traction.

Also read: Abu Dhabi to deliver Tourism Strategy 2030 to ensure emirate’s sustainable growth as a global destination

“It’s for people who want to discover the grandeur of nature,” Tourism Minister Mokhtar Didouche said in an interview in the capital, Algiers. “To tourists looking for a five-star hotel, I say in the Sahara you have a million stars!”

For sure, it remains a minority pursuit — Didouche says 10,000 visas have been issued to visit the Sahara in the year to February 2024. Still, overall Algeria tourist arrivals hit 3.3 million over those 12 months, fueled largely by people visiting friends and family in the country; it’s a level Didouche said was previously “quite unthinkable.” There’s a target of 10 million by 2030.

“At the most, you have a week to 10 days to process your visa,” Didouche said of the latest initiative, significantly shorter than previously when permission was granted via consulates.

Also read: Japan erects 8-foot wall to ward off tourists trying to take perfect image of Mount Fuji

Trips have to be booked through approved travel agencies in Algeria and visitors typically have security escorts. In addition to exploring the desert, some tour operators report they are able to take their groups to sites in the north too, although it’s not clear how widespread the practice is.

An average week-long trip organized by local operators involving offroad vehicles and no-frills camping typically costs up to €800 ($863) euros per person, not including international and domestic flights, according to Algerian travel agents. Terres d’Aventure, a French agency that works with Algerian counterparts, lists tours that start from nine days for €1,850, including flights.

The slow-motion change comes after Saudi Arabia took the historic step of welcoming tourists in 2019, leaving the North African nation as one of the broader region’s last frontiers for adventure travel. Foreign dollars may also help Algeria’s plans to diversify an economy that’s long practiced protectionist policies and is still hugely reliant on the oil and gas reserves it began tapping in the 1950s.

Arrivals didn’t exceed 2.7 million per year over the past decade and the industry contributes just 2% to the country’s gross domestic product, according to Didouche. The majority of recorded visitors are from the diaspora with family links to Algeria, as these visitors are allowed easier entry.

There are plans to extend the speedier visa-for-the-Sahara policy to the whole country “soon”, the minister said, without providing additional details.

In Algeria’s north, where the vast majority of its 47 million people live, attractions include a 1,200-kilometer (746-mile) coastline and Unesco world heritage sites such as the Roman ruins of Tipasa, Timgad and Djémila as well as the sprawling hillside alleys of the Kasbah in the heart of Algiers.

In February, the capital inaugurated a new Grand Mosque — billed as the world’s third-largest such religious complex, and a landmark visible from anywhere in the city.

But if Algeria wants to bring in the tourists, it may need another building spree.

Didouche said there are currently 1,600 hotels offering services appropriate to international travelers, with a capacity of 150,000 to 160,000 beds. “That’s not enough to accommodate a large influx of tourists,” he said.

Authorities are now taking the next step of making land available to investors in the tourism sector, with 58,000 hectares countrywide being earmarked, the minister said. While land was previously granted as a form of concession, under new laws the ownership will be transferred to investors after the project is completed.

Authorities need “to raise the profile of Algeria as a destination,” Didouche said. “We want to show international opinion that we have a quality destination and that we are a people with a history, traditions, heritage, gastronomy and craftsmanship.”

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Thousands gather as doors of Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand open for devotees

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Doors of the Shri Badrinath Dham in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, opened at 6 am on Sunday (May 12), the Shri Badrinath Dham in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand unlocked its doors to devotees accompanied by the Army Band, hymns and chants of ‘Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai’, Hindustan Times reported.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the entry of Badrinath Dham on Sunday, with the entrance decked up with flowers. Shri Badrinath Dham opened its gates for devotees after a break of six months. The portals of the temple were closed for winter on November 18, 2023.

Prior to the opening of Badrinath Dham, three other Dhams of Uttarakhand — Shri Kedarnath, Shri Gangotri, and Shri Yamunotri — were opened to devotees on Friday, which coincided with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

Also read: Char Dham Yatra: Thousands of devotees walk treacherous route to reach Yamunotri — watch video

#WATCH | Chamoli, Uttrakhand: The doors of Shri Badrinath Dham were opened for the devotees today at 6 am amidst the melodious tunes of the Army Band, with complete rituals, Vedic chanting and slogans of ‘Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai’. pic.twitter.com/lPSCXxKfvx

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2024

The Badrinath Yatra is significant in Hinduism, drawing pilgrims far and wide, who gather to pay tributes to Lord Vishnu in this sacred abode nestled amidst the Himalayan Garhwal.

The Char Dham Yatra typically begins in late April or early May and extends until November. Recently, the Tehri royal family reinstated an age-old historical tradition by performing the “pattabhishek” ceremony for Ishwari Prasad Namboodiri, the chief priest of Badrinath Dham, marking a significant revival after a hiatus of 47 years. This ceremonial event was last observed in 1977.

With the opening of the shrine, the Chardham Yatra to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri has started. The doors of the Badrinath temple were opened after six months amid the chanting of vedic mantras, a pooja and beats of dhols and nagadas, authorities said.

Scores of devotees had gathered on the premises of the temple, which was decked up with 15 quintals of flowers, to witness the ceremony despite rain. The doors opened at 6 am after two hours of rituals.

In pics: Thousands visit Kedarnath as Char Dham Yatra begins; doors of Badrinath temple to open on May 12

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami greeted the people on the occasion. Temple chief priest Rawal Ishwar Prasad Namboodiri, members of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee, including its chairperson Ajendra Ajay, and Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana, among others were present. The pooja to open the doors was performed by Namboodiri in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

The doors of the Kedarnath, Yamyunotri and the Gangotri temples opened for devotees on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Friday.

Till 4 pm on Saturday, 7,37,885 people had registered online for a darshan at Badrinath, according to official data. Last year, 18,39,591 people had visited the shrine.

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Char Dham Yatra: Thousands of devotees walk treacherous route to reach Yamunotri — watch video

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Thousands of devotees thronged the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand leading to Yamunotri on Saturday (May 11), marking the start of the revered Char Dham Yatra. The pilgrimage, encompassing Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath saw large number of devotees resulting in a crowding along the dangerous and narrow hillside pathway.

Videos of pilgrims walking along the scary path went viral on social media. Scores of pilgrims were seen queuing for hours along the route as the gates to Yamunotri temple nestled in Garhwal opened. Many people on social media raised concerns over the lack of adequate safety measures to protect the large gathering.

#AwaazShorts | यमुनोत्री धाम यात्रा पर जा रहे श्रद्धालुओं का जनसैलाब#CharDhamYatra #Uttarakhand #yamunotri pic.twitter.com/46OEiXMEQO

— CNBC-AWAAZ (@CNBC_Awaaz) May 11, 2024

See pics: Thousands visit Kedarnath as Char Dham Yatra begins; doors of Badrinath temple to open on May 12

Reports quoted pilgrims as saying that they were encountering numerous challenges along the route with no assistance available from authorities. Along the narrow path there is no space to sit or wait and people had to stand in the queue for over two hours.

The Char Dham Yatra commenced on May 10 as doors of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas were opened for devotees on Akshaya Tritiya after remaining closed during the winter months. The doors of the revered Himalayan temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Yamunotri were opened at 7 am in the presence of a hundreds of devotees who were chanting hymns. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his wife Geeta were present as the doors of Kedartnath temple were opened to the public.

Meanwhile, gauging the potential risks to pilgrims, the Uttarkashi Police has requested travellers to postponed their visit to  Yamunotri. In a post of social media platform X, the police wrote: “Today, sufficient number of devotees have reached Shri Yamunotri Dham as per its capacity. Now sending more devotees is risky. All the devotees who are going to Yamunotri today, are requested to postpone their Yamunotri Yatra.”

#आवश्यक_सूचना
आज श्री यमुनोत्री धाम पर क्षमता के अनुसार पर्याप्त श्रद्धालु यात्रा के लिये पहुँच चुके हैं। अब और अधिक श्रद्धालुओं को भेजना जोखिम भरा है। जो भी श्रद्धालु आज यमुनोत्री यात्रा पर आने जा रहे हैं, उनसे विनम्र अपील है कि आज यमुनोत्री जी की यात्रा स्थगित करें।

— Uttarkashi Police Uttarakhand (@UttarkashiPol) May 12, 2024

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Mother!

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Mother is one word that can draw widely disparate emotive responses from individuals, perhaps more than any other word can. This likely because this is one of the first words one encounters on being ejected onto earth. And when I say “mother”, that’s a mother statement for all forms of the word—mamma, mummy, mom, mammy, mater et al. An individual’s early life is very deeply connected to this word, as it spells everything in the universe from the essentials of food, water, clothing, excretion… for most. That’s a time when there’s little any cradled being can do to repel the smothering and attention or protest against being stuffed with tasteless cereals.

As we grow, the mother becomes the to go-to for most things. For many she’s the hard disk on which you can download any information you want. And there’s enough GB to absorb the drivel. Get a little older and she’s one who is seen as clueless about a world that’s changing swiftly and more often than not a victim of our rebellious rage. We often feel caged in and limited by her instructions on how to conduct ourselves. But we know that if she starts to lose her grip, the man of the house may be called in to wield the stick so that you know who’s boss.

Tired of her constant admonitions, some decide to seek out freedom in distant educational institutions in their youth or resort to treating their homes as night-stays—seeking to spend their free time with friends and acquaintances who seem much more in-tune with the world and way more with-it.

Then comes a time to leave the nest and you step out with eagerness and a faint sense of insecurity, but the former is the more powerful emotion. Some time after the departure, you start to value a few aspects of living in your mother’s home. You may also get doted upon again and spoilt on infrequent visits, which for some leads to a change of heart.

Those who decide to tie the knot, get another mother free. She’s not quite like your mother. The mother-in-law is far more forgiving and indulgent than your mother if you are a son-in-law. Quite the opposite if you are a daughter-in-law. In case of the latter, the standards are far more demanding than those that would apply to even her daughter, if she has one. But this is a subject I’m not very qualified to dwell on, so I’ll leave it here before brickbats start flying my way.

As you age and your offspring start to grow, you start noticing your mother’s traits in your better half, if you are a man. If you are a woman, it is unlikely you will ever see your father in your spouse, the former is usually placed on a very high pedestal.

Short point: No matter what age you are, you can never escape your mother. And you can never stop saying the word “mother”—even if it is just to curse.

Happy Mothers’ Day!

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow