Latest news with #SantoshKumar
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ECI ramps up efforts to boost voter turnout
Chhapra: With the assembly elections approaching, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has intensified its monitoring and preparations, placing particular emphasis on increasing voter turnout. ECI secretaries Santosh Kumar and Rajiv Kumar said at Sonepur on Saturday that greater attention must be given to young and women voters. They expressed confidence that the ongoing activities under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme would yield positive results. They stressed the importance of identifying polling booths with low voter turnout and mobilising grassroots support. "BLOs, voluntary organisations, Jeevika Didi, ASHA, Sevika and Sahayika must come forward to increase the polling percentage," they said. The officials also stressed the need to intensify SVEEP activities to motivate the electorate and informed that a review of the electoral rolls is currently underway. They urged all eligible but unregistered citizens to ensure their names are included in the voter list. The ECI secretaries also interacted with BLOs who recently returned from training in Delhi, encouraging them to apply their learning effectively on the ground. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New bottling plant in Naini to boost water supply for rly stns
Prayagraj: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) is setting up a new Rail Neer packaged drinking water bottling plant in Saraswati Hi-Tech City, Naini, Prayagraj to ensure adequate supply of hygienic drinking water for passengers. Currently, the daily demand is being met by trucks transporting water from the Maneri plant in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. However, due to increasing demand, especially during summers, supply shortages often force the sale of alternative water brands at stations. The new plant, with a daily production capacity of 100,000 litres, is expected to end these shortages and ensure the availability of standardised, high-quality drinking water at stations and food plazas throughout the Prayagraj region. Once operational, this plant will supply 22,000 litres of Rail Neer daily to nine railway stations across the Prayagraj city region, including the busy Prayagraj Junction. The Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) has allotted 25 acres of land for this project, and an investment of Rs 25 crore has been proposed. The key aim of the project is to provide safe, packaged drinking water to rail passengers, helping to prevent water-borne diseases and improve the overall quality of railway services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo IRCTC's regional manager Ajit Kumar Sinha highlighted that the project will significantly improve local accessibility to drinking water and reduce dependence on distant supply centres. In addition to this plant, UPSIDA has also allocated 13 acres each to Bisleri and Kemco companies. Bisleri is set to invest Rs 270 crore in its bottling facility while Kemco, which will manufacture raw materials for bottles, will invest Rs 200 crore. These developments are expected to generate both direct and indirect employment, thereby strengthening the local economy. According to UPSIDA regional manager Santosh Kumar, the construction work for all three plants will begin shortly. Once functional, the Prayagraj plant is expected to consume only about 20% of its production capacity locally. The surplus water will be distributed to major railway stations in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur, with the plant also capable of meeting special demand surges as required. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
DM reviews flood preparedness in Madhubani
Madhubani: Madhubani DM Anand Sharma inspected several flood-prone panchayats in Madhepur block, including Gadhgaon, Basipatti and Mahapatiya, on Thursday. He reviewed preparations and visited the Koshi embankment with officials and engineers. The DM directed identification and preparation of flood relief centres and called for coordination with the mukhiya and panchayat secretary. "Preparations are in full swing and residents must remain alert and cooperative," he said. Health facilities and local feedback on schemes were also reviewed. Those present were additional collector Santosh Kumar, DPRO Parimal Kumar, executive magistrate Kumar Gaurav and other officials. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Have you heard of Satvik Travel? Here's why it's becoming a favourite choice among Indian travellers
It's that time of the year when we are either setting off for vacays or planning our holidays for the upcoming months. If Nature is your calling and you want to break away from the regular, touristy kind of sojourn, try satvik travel, a trend that has seen a rise lately. Satvik comes from the word sattva, which associates with qualities like calmness and balance. It's a travel trend that focuses on sustainable and eco-conscious experiences that also emphasise on spiritual and holistic well-being. It's all about prioritising ethical considerations, minimal environmental impact, and connection with Nature. From places of spiritual significance to those offering natural beauty and vegetarian-friendly food, satvik travel has been attracting people across ages. 'Satvik travel is seeing growing resonance with India's evolving travellers — particularly wellness-seekers, solo explorers and spiritually inclined millennials. In fact, satvik travel is becoming a defining pillar of India's wellness travel movement. We've witnessed a marked uptick in demand for journeys that offer inner stillness, clean satvik cuisine, and soul-nourishing experiences. Destinations like Rishikesh, Auroville, Sikkim and Kerala's tranquil backwaters are gaining popularity for their blend of mindfulness, Nature and simplicity. Interestingly, it's not just leisure travellers — corporates, too, are embracing satvik-led itineraries, curating offsites focused on wellness, reflection, and conscious living,' says Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook India. Some travel reports, too, showcase an increasing rise in the trend this year. 'In India, mindful travel has become a priority. From adopting sustainable choices to supporting local culture and businesses, these values are shaping how Indians travel. Our Travel & Sustainability Report 2025 highlights how 99% Indian travellers want to make more satvik travel choices this year,' says Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Living up to the philosophy of satvik travel, nearly '77% travellers seek authentic local vegetarian experiences and 68% want the money they spend to go back to the local community', says Santosh adding that nearly '55% people are willing to reduce energy consumption by turning off air conditioning and lights in their room' or opting for places that don't require air conditioning. Radhika Sharma, a Chartered Accountant from Mumbai, is a satvik travel aficionado. She says, 'I visit an eco resort by the Kundalika river in Kolad (Maharashtra) regularly, as it fulfils all that I desire in a satvik experience – from simple, home-cooked food made using locally grown veggies to sleeping in rooms with mud flooring and walls that naturally stay cool and don't require air conditioning. What adds to the experience is the jungle trek they organise. It helps you feel so connected to Nature and yourself.' Many young travellers, 'aged 16 to 30, opt for satvik packages to address personal wellness goals -- ranging from managing lifestyle ailments to improving fitness, emotional healing, reducing anxiety and stress,' says Nikhil Kapur, founder-director, Atmantan Wellness, Mulshi, Maharashtra. He explains what a satvik stay encompasses: 'Our guests get to be surrounded by Nature, supported by a plant-based cuisine that nourishes the body while calming the mind. This helps enhance emotional well-being and spiritual awareness' Other than the youth, couples opt for such packages too. 'Many couples also opt for satvik travel for their babymoons. We also get a lot of female solo travellers,' says Rajesh Srinivas, General Manager, Swastik Wellness Sanctuary, Pune, adding, 'We serve organic and plant-based food. We also have sustainable facilities such as a solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, no use of single-use plastic and organic waste recycling to live up to the philosophy of satvik travelling.' Satvik travel has become a conscious lifestyle choice. 'Today's travellers seek meaningful journeys that offer inner peace, cultural depth, and holistic wellness. In fact, a lot of youngsters opt for spiritual tourism at places such as Ayodhya, Varanasi`–Sarnath, Haridwar–Rishikesh, Mathura–Vrindavan, Shirdi–Nashik and the Char Dham Yatra. We also curate satvik travel itineraries that blend journeys with serene environments, sustainable choices and meals cooked without onion and garlic,' says SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel. Spiritual and cultural travel: It includes visiting religious sites, indulging in yoga retreats and meditation workshops or learning traditional crafts from local artisans. Eco-conscious travel: It prioritises sustainable tourism practices, such as choosing eco-lodges, supporting local communities, and consuming organic and locally grown vegetarian food. Ethical travel: Supporting small businesses and avoiding activities that exploit or harm Nature and local communities. Holistic well-being: Engage in activities that promote physical and mental health, such as hiking/trekking, yoga, spa treatments, or healthy eating.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Majority of Indian Travellers Embrace Sustainable Tourism in 2025, ET TravelWorld
Advt By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis. Download ETTravelWorld App Get Realtime updates Save your favourite articles Scan to download App With sustainability rising as a central theme in global travel behaviour, latest Travel & Sustainability Report 2025 highlights a strong shift among Indian travellers towards more responsible tourism. Published ahead of World Environment Day, the 10th annual edition draws on insights from over 32,000 travellers across 34 countries, including to the report, 87 per cent of Indian travellers intend to travel more sustainably over the next year, emphasising habits such as waste reduction, greener modes of transport , and minimising energy consumption. About 52 per cent aim to use more eco-friendly transportation, 51 per cent plan to reduce waste, and 50 per cent are focused on conserving energy, while 45 per cent are also conscious of water usage during is also increasing sensitivity around food and wildlife impact. Nearly half (49 per cent ) of Indian travellers say they prefer sustainable accommodations, while 48 per cent intend to avoid wildlife-harming activities. Another 49 per cent are actively considering more mindful food now appears to be an expectation rather than a preference. data shows that 75 per cent of Indian travellers would like to filter tours and activities based on sustainability, followed by 74 per cent for stays, 72 per cent for car rentals, and 69 per cent for flights. However, while 61 per cent feel certified sustainable options may be more expensive, many are still likely to opt for them when clearly report also lists top Indian and global destinations offering credible third-party sustainability certifications, suggesting a rising demand for eco-verified travel Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at said, 'Indian travellers are demonstrating a clear and growing commitment to sustainable travel — not just in their intentions, but in their actions. From opting for greener transport and reducing waste, to actively seeking accommodations with credible sustainability credentials, Indians today are looking to make a meaningful difference.'
