Russia likely to launch visa-free travel for Indian tourists from 2025
New Delhi: Indian tourists may soon be able to visit Russia without needing a visa, with the new system likely to commence in the spring of 2025.
Russia and India had held discussions earlier about a bilateral agreement to ease visa restrictions, aiming to introduce visa-free group tourist exchanges.
This follows a move in August 2023, when Indian travellers became eligible for e-visas to travel to Russia, which generally takes about four days to get processed.
In 2023, India was one of the top five countries receiving e-visas, with around 9,500 issued to Indian citizens.
Currently, Indian nationals are required to have a visa issued by the Russian Embassy/Consulates in the nation to enter, stay and exit from the Russian Federation.
Notably, Russia allows visa-free entry for travelers from China and Iran through its visa-free tourist exchange programme. The program has been successful, and Russia is hopeful it can extend this benefit to India as well.
Indian passport holders currently have visa-free access to 62 countries.
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.
UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
ALSO READ: UP: Girl kidnapped, raped multiple times over 25 days; accused held
The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
