Kerala features in CNN Travel's 19 places to visit in 2019
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3: In an affirmation of its alluring tourism credentials, its stunning backwaters and its sumptuous cuisines, Kerala has been featured in the list of 19 exalted places across the globe that CNN Travel has recommended tourists to visit in 2019.
"This area of India has it all: sun, sea, sand, good food, houseboats, culture and wildlife. Its spectacular natural landscapes think palm trees and sprawling backwaters lend the region the nickname God's Own Country," said CNN Travel.
Kerala's backwaters, a chain of lagoons and serene lakes parallel to the Arabian Sea coast, are an idyllic place to stay on a houseboat; they also offer an opportunity to see India at a relaxing pace.
"Kerala's backwaters are famous for a reason: a nexus of waterways linking the region's villages and best explored via kettuvallam a traditional wooden houseboat. It's worth spending anywhere from a single afternoon to a week on one of the many rental houseboats on offer, enjoying the sights and sounds drifting by," the travel portal said.
It mentioned the floods in August last year, the worst to hit Kerala in nearly a century, but said many of the southern state's tourist destinations escaped the fury unscathed.
The coastal state is also great for beaches, particularly in the southern part of the state. "Postcard-perfect Kovalam is a surfing hotspot, while Varkala is good for just relaxing."
The travel portal also lavished praise on Kerala's cuisines from spice shops of Munnar to coconut, which is everywhere in Kerala and is used to make one of the state's signature dishes: Kerala prawn curry.
It also mentioned Kochi International Airport, powered entirely by solar panels, and the ancient port city of Kochi, once occupied by the Portuguese, which is a multi-cultural hub offering plenty to do and see.
Kerala is a great place to check out Kathakali dance, the traditional, storytelling dance form known for its colourful and intricate costumes and masks.
Other top trips include Munnar to see the tea plantations, and Periyar National Park, a wildlife haven offering guided jungle treks.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said this was a massive recognition for Kerala Tourism and will surely increase international footfalls in the state.
"What is particularly heartening is the fact that CNN Travel has made it explicitly clear that most of the state's tourism destinations escaped unscathed in the aftermath of the severe floods of 2018," he said.
Expressing happiness, Tourism Secretary Rani George said it would give currency to Kerala's touristy appeal. "It is going to be an authentic advertisement for God's Own Country and its brand as an inescapable tourist destination," she added.
"The endorsement of Kerala as a never-miss destination by CNN Travel has come at the most opportune time, which also recognises how quickly tourism in the state has bounced back after last year's floods, with the stakeholders and the government moving together," State Director of Tourism, P Bala Kiran, said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
