GoanTimes September, 06 2019 issue

04 Touristic
Friday, September 06, 2019 | www.goantimes.titosgoa.com | 12 Pages
The stall where PM
Modi used to sell
tea to be developed
as a tourist spot
With Spice Tours & Waterfalls,
here’s that unique Goa
vacation you were looking for
There is so much more to Goa than just its beaches. Explore the other side
of this tropical paradise! #TravelGreen #Wanderlust #Lifestyle
Unless you were not living under a
rock, you must be aware of Indian PM
Narendra Modi’s childhood tales. The
stories of how, as a kid, he would sell
tea on the railway platform in Gujarat
to fulfil basic day-to-day requirements
of his big family. From being called a
chaiwala to becoming one of the most
powerful men in the world and India,
Modi’s journey has been both difficult
and an inspiration.
As per the news, the tea stall where
Modi used to sell tea in his childhood
in Gujarat's Vadnagar (his hometown)
will be developed as a tourist spot.
The decision was taken by the State
Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh
Patel, who visited Vadnagar in search
of places that can be converted into
tourism hotspots in the state.
The tea stall stands on a railway
platform in Vadnagar, and is currently
in a bad state. However, the minister
wants to keep it the way it is and only
plans to protect the stall by covering it
with glass from outside. So basically,
there are no plans to refurbish the tea
stall, as they want to keep it original
and to preserve its authenticity.
Prime Minister’s childhood days,
especially those when he was nothing
but a tea seller, has been a topic of hot
discussion in the country. He once
said that he could understand the
plight of the common people because
of his childhood days that he spent in
the scarcity of money and being poor.
Considering the conditions today, when
he has risen to such powerful status in
his political career, the topic adds to
emotional value.
IRCTC reduces
convenience fee charged
on booking e-tickets
The Indian Railways Catering and
Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on
Tuesday announced a reduction in the
convenience fees for booking e-tickets
through its website.
The company will now charge R15 per
ticket for booking Non-AC classes online
while it will charge R30 per ticket for
booking AC and First-Class tickets.
It is a 25% decrease in the earlier
service charges of R20 per ticket for
Non-AC Class tickets and R40 per ticket
for AC First-Class.
The company has further decided to
charge only R10 per ticket for booking
non-AC class tickets and R20 per ticket
for AC and First-Class tickets for
customers paying through the two
applications from November 1.
The conventional ‘Goa trip’ is passe and
done to death. Beaches, sun and shopping?
How about thick plantations, organic
agriculture, and relaxing amidst the sweet
melodies of wild birds? Much better!
Enter Dudhsagar Plantations. This
family-owned resort lets you be you
while also giving a rejuvenating stay
right in the middle of coconut, cashew
and other organic plantations.
Ashok Malkarnekar and his father
will ensure you have a holiday that will
energise you with refreshed zeal.
“I grew up in rural Germany, and
village life has always been close to
my heart. For the past few years, dad
and I are working on these plantations,
trying to show guests the other side of
Goa,” Ashok tells The Better India.
So when you book a room at the
plantation, you can expect to live in the
lap of lush tall trees. Forget alarm clocks
because the calls of birds (not just crows
and pigeons) will wake you up gently.
And although you are still in Goa,
you may not feel so, thanks to the cool
winds that envelope the estate.
“We have maintained a vibrant
ecosystem. It’s like coming to a jungle
with birds, butterflies and even mammals
roaming around freely,” Ashok says.
You are free to engage in activities or
just relax and enjoy the vibe of the place.
Karnataka suspends
luxury train Golden
Chariot as losses
touch R41 crore
The State government has temporarily
suspended operation of South India’s only
luxury train, the Golden Chariot, in the
wake of losses to the tune of R41 crore.
Tourism and Kannada and Culture
Minister C.T. Ravi on Thursday held
a review meeting with officials of
both departments and said the Golden
Chariot would not run for now since it
had incurred financial loss. In the past,
the Golden Chariot was operated from
October to March.
However, Jungle Lodges and
Resorts and Karnataka State Tourism
Development Corporation (KSTDC)
continue to make profits, he said.
The agricultural activities are
seasonal. The agricultural activities
are seasonal. Early in the year, pepper
is harvested. If you visit between
March and May, you can get your
hands dirty harvesting and processing
cashews. Weeding and planting are
ongoing activities, and until October,
you can help to nourish the coconut
trees with organic fertilisers.
Apart from this, you can go for guided
walks around the spice plantations.
You can also take a guided hike to the
Dudhsagar waterfalls, a hike to a temple
inside the jungle or go on a nature trail.
The resort also has a natural pool that
you can enjoy a swim in.
Depending upon the state of the rains,
you can also go for a swim in the river.
You are free to take up the activities
as per your wish. Mealtimes are predecided,
but those are the only time
restrictions imposed on you.
“As long as you are happy in nature
and alright with a possible lizard in the
room or frog in the bathroom, you will
be comfortable here,” he says.
You will have an attached bathroom in
the room, fan and a supply of electricity.
You will also meet other travellers. In
most cases, Ashok says, strangers get
talking and end up being friends at the
end of the four-day trip.
SIGHT SEEING SPOTS IN GOA
RELIGIOUS PLACES: Basilica
of Bom Jesus Church at Old Goa,
Immaculate Conception Church Panjim,
Mangueshi Temple, ShantaDurga
Temple, Bodgeshwar Temple
FORTS: Aguada, Chapora, Reis
Magos, Corjuem, Tiracol, Cabo de
Rama, Alorna, Nanus, Rivona
BEACHES: Baga, Calangute,
Candolim, Sinquerim, Coco, Anjuna,
Vagator, Ashvem, Mandrem,
Arambol, Morjim, Miramar, Dona
Paula, Bogmalo, Varca, Benaulim,
Need Help?
Ambulance: 108
Police: 100
Fire Brigade : 101
GMC Hospital 0832-2458727, 2458049
In the jungle and
on the hills
Hostel stays @Rs. 1000
Tito's White House,
Opp Indian Oil Petrol Pump,
Anjuna, Goa 403509
Reservations:
8938009000
Colva , Rajbag, Palolem
BACKWATERS: Mayem Lake
WILDLIFE: Mhadei, Bondla,
Cotigao, Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
Ribandar
WATERFALLS: Dudhsagar,
Harvalem, Kuskem
SPRINGS: Kesarval, Pomburfa
MARKETS: Mapusa (Friday is
special), Panjim
SPICE PLANTATION TRIP:
Tropical Spice Plantation Ponda,
Sahakari Spice Plantation Ponda
District Hospital: 0832-2225540
Women Police Helpline : 1091
Senior Citizen Helpline: 1090
Child Helpline: 1098
Electricity Helpline: 1912
Railway Helpline : 139
Airport : 0832-2540796
Bus (Kadamba) : 0832-2438034
* T&C applies
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