India, a land of diverse landscapes, unfolds a myriad of breathtaking destinations waiting to be explored. As the summer sun approaches, it’s time to plan a getaway to beat the heat. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 places to visit in India during the summer season.

1. Ladakh:

   Ladakh, a haven for adventure enthusiasts, captivates with its rugged mountain terrain, crystal clear lakes, and high-altitude passes. The prime time to visit Ladakh is from May to September.

2. Shimla:

   Nestled in North India, Shimla is a favored hill station celebrated for its scenic beauty, colonial architecture, and delightful weather. Plan your visit between March and June for an enchanting experience.

3. Darjeeling:

   The charming hill town of Darjeeling in West Bengal beckons with its well-manicured tea gardens and panoramic views of the Himalayas. April to June is the ideal window to explore this picturesque destination.

4. Manali:

   A picturesque town ensconced in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Manali offers adventure sports, scenic beauty, and pleasant weather. The best time to visit Manali is from May to July.

5. Goa:

   Goa, the ultimate beach destination in India, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and delectable seafood. Plan your visit between November and March for a sun-soaked experience.

6. Ooty:

   Ooty, a quaint hill station in Tamil Nadu, allures with lush greenery, stunning waterfalls, and a pleasant climate. Enjoy the charm of Ooty between March and June.

7. Munnar:

   Beautiful Munnar in Kerala is famed for its tea plantations, scenic vistas, and pleasant weather. The perfect time to explore Munnar is from August to May.

8. Rishikesh:

   Rishikesh, a spiritual town in Uttarakhand, offers ancient temples, yoga ashrams, and adventure sports. Visit between September and November for a soulful experience.

9. Udaipur:

   Udaipur, the city of lakes in Rajasthan, boasts majestic palaces, a rich history, and serene lakes. Plan your visit between September and March for a royal retreat.

10. Jaipur:

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, is renowned for its magnificent forts, beautiful palaces, and vibrant marketplaces. Explore Jaipur’s charm between October and March. Embark on a journey to these captivating destinations, each offering a unique blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty to make your summer escape truly unforgettable.

Nestled within the mesmerizing hills of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla extends a warm invitation to travelers with its breathtaking vistas, pleasant climate, and rich cultural heritage. For an immersive experience, hop on a bike and venture through this enchanting hill station at your own pace, soaking in the beauty of the surroundings. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 cycling destinations in Shimla, each promising a distinct panorama and unforgettable moments.

Embark on your cycling adventure along the iconic Mall Road. This vibrant street, adorned with shops, cafes, and colonial-era structures, offers scenic views, local delicacies, and a lively ambiance, creating a perfect starting point for your exploration. A short ride away, Kufri beckons with panoramic vistas and thrilling adventure activities. Navigate winding roads surrounded by lush greenery, taking in the awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes. Engage in horse riding and skiing, ensuring an exhilarating and memorable experience.

Journey to Mashobra, a serene hill retreat known for its tranquility and natural beauty. Cycle through picturesque landscapes, apple orchards, and dense forests, relishing the enchanting experience. Marvel at the breathtaking views of Shali Peak and savor the peaceful ambiance. Nature enthusiasts should include a bike ride to Naldehra in their itinerary. This scenic hill station boasts a renowned nine-hole golf course and dense cedar forests, providing mesmerizing views of the Himalayas and a refreshing breeze for an unforgettable cycling expedition.

Embark on a thrilling ride to Chail, a charming town nestled amidst deodar and pine forests. Notable for the world’s highest cricket ground and the magnificent Chail Palace, this destination seamlessly blends natural beauty with architectural marvels, offering scenic vistas and serene surroundings. Thrill-seekers shouldn’t miss a bike trip to Tattapani, known for invigorating hot water springs along the banks of the River Sutlej. Enjoy the excitement of riding along winding roads with the river flowing beside you and rejuvenate with a dip in the therapeutic hot springs.

Indulge in the joy of cycling amidst nature at the Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary. Traverse through dense forests, spot exotic flora and fauna, and revel in the tranquil environment, providing a haven for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Situated atop a hill, Tara Devi Temple treats visitors to captivating panoramic views of surrounding valleys. Embark on a bike ride to this spiritual haven, witnessing breathtaking scenery along the way. The temple’s serenity and spirituality make it a destination worth visiting.

Venture towards Chadwick Falls, a majestic waterfall nestled amidst a dense forest. Cycle along scenic paths and experience the thrill of witnessing water cascading from a height of 86 meters, promising a memorable cycling excursion amid enchanting beauty.

Conclude your cycling journey with a visit to Annandale, a picturesque meadow embraced by deodar trees. This tranquil location offers a serene ambiance and breathtaking views of the valley, inviting you to enjoy a peaceful stroll and reflect upon the beauty of Shimla’s natural landscapes.

Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was hospitalized this morning after suffering a fall at his residence. He was admitted to Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad.

Doctors suspect the 69-year-old leader may have fractured his hip bone due to the impact of the fall. He is undergoing examinations and treatment at the hospital.

KCR, as he is popularly known, served as the first Chief Minister of Telangana from 2014 to 2023. His party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (formerly TRS), recently lost the state Assembly elections to the Congress. KCR contested from two seats – Gajwel and Kamareddy. He won Gajwel but lost the keenly watched Kamareddy contest to BJP’s Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy.

The Congress bagged 64 out of 119 seats, reducing BRS to just 39 seats. This was the first electoral defeat for KCR since Telangana’s formation in 2014.

We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

The case of Seema Ghulam Haider, a Pakistani woman who crossed illegally into India to marry her Indian lover, has taken a new turn as the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Uttar Pradesh (UP ATS) initiates an investigation.

Seema Haider’s route from Pakistan to India via Dubai and Nepal raises security concerns, prompting the UP ATS to delve into her travel history and family background. She and her boyfriend, Sachin, were previously arrested for entering India without a valid visa but were released on bail and now reside in Noida.

Seema Haider claims to have converted to Hinduism and seeks to marry Sachin and remain in India. Her actions have estranged her from her Pakistani family, who disapprove of her defiance of societal norms.

Meanwhile, threats targeting places of worship within the community have prompted the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to urge prompt investigation by the Sindh Home Department.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new integrated terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair on July 18 via video conferencing. The terminal, built at a cost of approximately Rs 710 crore, spans an area of around 40,800 sqm and has the capacity to handle at least 50 lakh passengers annually. It includes an apron suitable for accommodating two Boeing 767-400 and two Airbus 321 aircraft, costing around Rs 80 crore.

The new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, will ensure easier travel to Andaman and Nicobar islands. This will be a big boost for tourism in particular. The building will be inaugurated tomorrow, 18th July, at 10:30 AM. –  PM Modi’s tweet

The terminal’s design is inspired by a shell shape, symbolizing the sea and islands, and it features 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges, and four conveyor belts. Sustainability measures such as a double insulated roofing system, LED lighting, and low heat gain glazing are incorporated. The airport will receive 100% natural lighting for 12 hours daily through skylights along the roof.

To enhance sustainability, the terminal incorporates rainwater catchment, an on-site sewage treatment plant that reuses 100% of treated wastewater for landscaping, and a 500 KW capacity solar power plant.

The new integrated terminal building at Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, will ensure easier travel to Andaman and Nicobar islands. This will be a big boost for tourism in particular. The building will be inaugurated tomorrow, 18th July, at 10:30 AM. https://t.co/iGP2ZLJxYl pic.twitter.com/i2QK2rwArO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 17, 2023

This modern facility is expected to boost air traffic, tourism, and connectivity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while providing an economic uplift to the region. The airport is named after the renowned freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkar. Besides the civilian terminal managed by the Airports Authority of India, other air traffic operations in Port Blair are undertaken by the Indian Navy. The airport’s current runway, with a length of 3,290 m, can accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320, Airbus A321, and Boeing 737.

Police in Maharashtra’s Palghar district reportedly have uncovered a fake call centre involved in cheating people in Canada through fraudulent online purchases and threats. The operation was carried out in a housing complex in Nane village of Wada taluka, where the call centre operated from six flats to evade detection by security agencies.

The accused obtained contact details of Canadian citizens illegally and used applications like X-Lite, Eyebeam, and X-ten to make calls. They targeted victims with fake online purchase orders and threatened them with criminal and legal action to force payments, including through Bitcoin.

Twenty-three people have been arrested in connection with the scam, with efforts to trace four more suspects ongoing. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant laws, and investigations are ongoing.

India’s Chandrayaan-3, the country’s third lunar exploration mission, successfully took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s surface, making India the fourth country to do so. The spacecraft was launched using the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle.

It is estimated to take approximately one month for the spacecraft to reach the moon, with a planned landing date of August 23. Once on the lunar surface, the spacecraft will operate for one lunar day, equivalent to around 14 Earth days. Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which faced challenges during its soft landing attempt in 2019.

India reportedly has extended the import of potatoes from Bhutan without requiring a license for an additional year until June 2024.

The country imported fresh or chilled potatoes worth USD 1.02 million in the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, India will allow the import of 17,000 metric tonnes of fresh areca nut from Bhutan through the land customs station Chamurchi without a minimum import price condition.

”Import of potatoes…is allowed from Bhutan without any import license, up to June 30, 2024,” the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

In a separate move, the directorate general of foreign trade has outlined the process for allocating quota for the export of broken rice based on requests from other countries. The deadline for license applications for broken rice exports to Senegal, Gambia, and Indonesia has been extended until July 6, with warnings of penalties for misdeclaration or failure to meet export requirements.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Sunday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of “misleading” Parliament and the people of the country about the three new bills introduced in the Lok Sabha that seek to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system and demanded wider consultations on the proposed legislations involving legal experts and public. Surjewala claimed that without any prior intimation or public consultation or inviting suggestions from legal experts, jurists, criminologists, and other stakeholders, the Modi government introduced the three bills from its “black magic hat” on August 11. “The introductory remarks of the Home Minister gave away the fact that Amit Shah is himself out of depth, ignorant and oblivious to the entire exercise,” the Congress leader said.

“Other than some credit seeking and point scoring in desperation, a hidden exercise, away from the public glare or stakeholders’ suggestions and wisdom, cannot serve the public purpose of reforming the criminal law structure of the country,” Surjewala said. “After an extensive “scrutiny” of existing and proposed laws, he said the detailed definitions of terrorism and terrorist acts already exist since the time of Indira Gandhi and “the definition of terrorists in the IPC is an eyewash,” he said. On the issue of FIR against mob lynching, Congress leader alleged that Shah has given a “huge concession” to mob lynchers. “The BJP government has watered down the lowest punishment for mob lynching to seven years (under BNS, 2023), whereas the lowest punishment under IPC for such crime was life imprisonment,” he claimed.

Surjewala further claimed that the issue of sexual assault on minors, all provisions already exist and so does the punishment of 20 years for gang rape. “While the Bills have been referred to the Select Committee of Parliament, the Bills and its provisions must be thrown open for a larger public debate by judges, lawyers, jurists, criminologists, reformers, stakeholders and the general public in order to stay away from the trap of bulldozing the entire criminal law structure without discussion that is so ingrained in the DNA of the BJP government. We hope that better sense will prevail,” he said. Earlier on Friday, Amit Shah introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakhshya Bill, 2023, aimed at giving justice and protecting the rights given to Indian citizens by Constitution.

The bills will abolish the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Criminal Procedure Code, (1898), 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 made by the British. The Home Minister said that Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, which will replace CrPC, will now have 533 sections. “A total of 160 sections have been changed, nine new sections have been added and nine sections have been repealed,” he said. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, which will replace the IPC, will have 356 sections instead of the earlier 511 sections, the minister said, adding that 175 sections have been amended, 8 new sections have been added and 22 sections have been repealed. Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, which will replace the Evidence Act, will now have 170 sections instead of the earlier 167. Shah said 23 sections have been changed, one new section has been added and five repealed.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday hit out at the Opposition as they staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the motion of no confidence and said that their walkout exposed their design that they had nothing to do with Manipur. He also said that the Opposition just wanted to disrupt the Parliament. “Opposition demanded that PM Modi should speak on Manipur and when he started speaking they walked out. That completely exposed their design that the intention of the opposition was nothing to do with Manipur. They just wanted to disrupt the Parliament,” CM Sarma said.

The chief minister also praised PM Modi’s speech and said he spoke from his heart adding that he showed his affection for the people of Manipur. “PM Modi spoke from his heart. He also showed his affection for the people of Manipur. As a principal party, they should have listened to Prime Minister’s speech till the last,” CM Sarma said. As the Prime Minister was taking on the Opposition on several issues, the members of I.N.D.I.A bloc staged a walkout from the House, literally making the Opposition benches empty. However, the no-confidence motion was defeated in the Lok Sabha. The NDA defeated the no-confidence motion comfortably with a voice vote in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, PM Modi on Thursday, while speaking on a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, assured for strictest punishment for the accused who indulged in crimes against women. Asserting that state and central government are working to restore peace in Manipur, the PM said that the government is taking steps to bring normalcy there. “Both the state and central governments are doing everything possible to ensure that the accused get the strictest punishment. I want to assure the people that peace will be restored in Manipur in the coming time,” PM Modi said while replying to the no-confidence motion against his government. “There are serious crimes against women and they are unforgivable,” he added. He further said the country is with the people of Manipur.

“I want to tell people of Manipur including women and daughters of Manipur that the country is with you,” he added.

The opposition moved a no-confidence motion against the Modi government on July 26 which was taken up by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The three days of the motion witnessed a fierce battle between the ruling and the Opposition coalitions over the Manipur violence and other raging issues.