Mrs. Ambika Soni, Minister for Tourism and Culture visited South Africa at the invitation of the South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr. Pallo Jordan to attend the centenary celebrations of historic protest march led by Mahatma Gandhi on August, 16, 1908 and also to sign the programme of cultural cooperation between India and South Africa.
During her four day visit recently Mrs. Soni met with her South African counterpart and discuss bilateral cooperation as well as trilateral cooperation under IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) relating to arts and culture. The two ministers also signed the Programme of Cooperation in the fields of arts and culture between India and South Africa. The Programme of Cooperation (2008-2010) will further strengthen active cooperation and deepen cultural relations between the two countries through time bound, action oriented activities in diverse fields such as handicrafts, literature, music, dance and films. The salient features of the Programme of Cooperation are as follows:-
* Facilitate establishment of contacts and cooperation between associations, institutions and individuals in the field of music, theatre, library, museum, performing arts and creative industries on governmental and non-governmental levels.
* Exchange of handicrafts exhibition for a period of 7-10 days in each other’s country.
* Exchange of skills in design, design related activities, training in intellectual property in the design industry, collaboration and exchanges in the areas of design, education and research, engaging select institutions from both the countries in design projects, exchange of faculty members and experts including design policy experts and academics in the field of design etc.
* To encourage the study of literature of each other’s country by exchange of books, translation of literary works, exchange of experts such as writers, policy experts, creative writing instructors, literary critics etc. and establishing writers’ residences.
* Exchange in the field of performing arts.
* To promote mutual film weeks, presentation of new films, exchange of documentaries and other films of mutual interest.
Another important highlight of the very successful visit was her participation on 16th August in a celebration to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s historic passive resistance movement resulting in bonfire of 1908.
As part of the celebration Mrs Ambika Soni led a walk from Museum Africa to the Hamidia Mosque in Fordsburg, where a symbolic bonfire of registration certificates took place. The event was attended by a large number of community representatives and students and prominent leaders of South Africa such as Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC Deputy President and Minister in the Presidency and Mr. Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture. In her speech Mrs. Ambika Soni thanked South Africa for giving India Mahatma Gandhi.
During her stay in South Africa Mrs. Ambika Soni also graced a colourful reception on August 15 at the Indian High Commission hosted by the High Commissioner of India R.K. Bhatia, on the occasion of 62nd Independence Day of India. Ambika Soni has since returned to New Delhi after the conclusion of a very successful visit.
With the abundance of coastline and inland waterways, India is the perfect destination for all types of angling and fishing holidays.
Among the notable adventure activities offered by India are angling and fishing. The Indian coastline, sprawling over a distance more than 7,500 km long, is washed by some of the clearest and cleanest seas in Asia.
Its sheer variety offers unlimited opportunities to the sea angler, who can find somewhere to fish all year round. India is home to several rivers that meander through the vast expanse of the Gangetic Plains.
Added to this, many important rivers flow down the peninsular South India. As most of the north Indian rivers originate from the high reaches of the mighty Himalayas. As a result they are snow-fed and are full of water throughout the year.
The clear waters of these raging rivers and their tributaries offer excellent angling and fishing spots that are enchanting in their supreme scenic beauty of the mountain, They also offers a variable feeding and breeding ground for a number of different varieties of fish.
The adventurous settings for angling and fishing range from the majestic Himalayan valleys, snow-fed streams and high altitude lakes to the wide coastal stretches of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
The Golden, the Silver, the Silver Grey and the Black Mahseers are all preys worthy of any fishing aficionados attention. You can also hook the crafty trout or the menacing shark in the rivers and seacoasts of India. Two varieties of trout, namely the rainbow trout and the brown trout, exist in India.
Fishing and angling in India go hand in hand with conservation, and after having caught your fish, shot your picture and recorded its weight it is best to release it into the water again.
The Indian Protection laws rule that conversation of animal life is mandatory with this adventure activity. Anglers from across the world throng to India trout fishing in the rushing waters of the clear water streams and high altitude lakes of the upper Himalayas.
There are several fresh water lakes, which provide excellent spots for the fishing and angling activities. Dodital Lake surrounded by the Himalayan peaks is a fine place for a catch. The Cauvery Fishing Lodge near Mysore is noted for Mahseer.
The hill stations of Munnar make for perfect places for fishing in the gurgling streams of Kerala. However, Kashmir is the undisputed paradise for the angler.
Early mornings and late evenings are best times to indulge in this sport. If you want to combine fishing with another adventure sport, you can indulge in trekking.
Here you will have the opportunity to fish in some of many high altitude lakes that are located at an altitude of 14,000 ft.
An angling and fishing adventure-holiday in India provides a unique opportunity to remain in close touch with nature and free yourself from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Those who want to remain in solitude can enjoy the pristine beauty of the riversides and spend hours in quiet contemplation. So it can be said with absolute certainty that if you are looking for the ultimate angling and fishing destination, India is the answer to your search.
It provides you with an endless array of alluring and thrilling options to choose from.
Cycling or motor biking in the coolest Himalayas in India can be quite an experience for you. A cycle ride across the world’s highest mountains dotted with green valleys, snow capped high peaks, the deodars has the potential of touching the adventure freak in anybody.
But you should try your hands at this adventure activity only if you are one of the tough Harley Davidson role model types.
As a matter of fact there is no better way to experience the local culture of a place than by actually cycling through it.
You will have the opportunity to stop at the towns and villages to get a deep insight into their way of life.
There can be no two thoughts about the fact that motor biking through a place is a unique way of experiencing the local tradition and culture of a place.
Added to this, the astonishing scenic grandeur of the breathtaking Himalayan milieu will make your adventure holiday worth remembering all through your life.
Some of the best places for cycling and mountain biking in the Himalayan region of India are in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
These states are replete with great scenic beauty and are treasure-troves of exciting routes, some of them discovered and while others waiting to be explored.
It is mandatory to obtain clearances beforehand, as there is danger of security being jeopardized, because majority of the Himalayan peaks borders with the neighboring countries.
There exists many numbers of picturesque less frequented routes in the mountainous region of India. Cycling through the Tarai forests along the foothills of Nainital and Himachal Pradesh is an experience which defies description.
These stretches offer exceptionally beautiful areas for the mountain cycling and biking adventurers. The leisurely pace of the ride through the verdant valleys, the environs almost devoid of pollution, the sparsely trafficked roads - all these combine to make cycling and motor biking in the Himalayas a an experience worth remembering.
In case the idea of traveling on the sand under the open sun excites you we have just the right offer for your next great Indian Holiday.
Come and experience the Great Indian Desert of Thar in a truly unbelievable way, travel by camel safari, cook by the campfire and sleep under the bare stars.
While meandering through the golden landscape of the Thar Desert, you will come face to face with the rich heritage, culture and the colorful lifestyles of the royal state of Rajasthan.
Camel has been an integral part of the desert life. It comes to the rescue of the desert people who have to wander miles in search of water.
Added to this the easy pace of the safari on a camel back will provide you an opportunity to enjoy and observe the minutes of the land of forts, citadels, colors and enchanting people.
The camel safari adventure in the Indian desert has the caught the tourist’s attention and is on the way of becoming the most popular adventure holiday in India.
It has proved to be one of the most perfect ways to know and understand India. Traveling through the desert will be reminiscent of the rapidity and the spirit of the intruding armies, which led their invasion innumerable times through these deserts.
The desert safaris in India revolve primarily around the princely states of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner. A typical safari comprises traveling to the architectural ruins of Lodurva located in the vicinity of Jaisalmer, the sand dunes of the Samm, the oasis at Anasagar and the water source of Moolsagar.
It is sure to be a once in lifetime experience of the desert rural Indian life and traditional hospitality.
Mountaineering in India offers you the choice of climbing some of the highest peaks in the world. One can have the wild experience of mountaineering in many mountain ranges like Satpura, Western Ghats (Sahyadri), Nilgiri etc.
Challenging the mighty Himalayas offers endless adventure, cultural learning and recreation opportunities. Mountaineering and climbing in the Himalayas on some of the world’s greatest peaks is the experience of a lifetime.
It also provides opportunity to see some of the highest permanent settlements in the world, unveiling preserved cultures and a way of life inimical to modern times.
The sport of mountaineering in India was introduced by the Europeans in the 18th century. Though for many mountaineering is an adventure sport, there are others for whom it is a serious hobby.
India has been blessed with several mountain ranges that are perfect to undertake mountaineering. You can take your pick from the countless peaks in India and even choose your own trekking route for an adventure holiday in India.
In case you are seriously planning an adventure filled holiday it is advisable to study maps that provide comprehensive stuff on the mountaineering trails in India.
Mountaineering equipment is locally available along with the other support resources and short-term courses in most cases.
Mountaineering is an ideal activity during the summers that lets you escape from the heat of the plains.
However, one should avoid the summers as landslides are experienced in several parts of India due to the heavy rains.
Some of the best mountaineering spots can be found in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, and the North-East. Num and Kun, and the Zanskar range in Jammu and Kashmir are renowned summits with the mountaineers.
Besides amateur mountaineers, technical climbing skills are put to test at Kishtawar at peaks that are as high as 6,500 m above ground level. Lahaul and Spiti in Leh, and the Kullu valley also have several challenging peaks.
In India the peaks are categorized into open, virgin, border, trekking, and others and you can make several choices in each category.
