The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the union government have signed a loan agreement worth USD 126.42 million to promote sustainable and climate-resilient tourism in Uttarakhand. The initiative, announced by the finance ministry, aims to transform Tehri Lake into a key hub while positioning the state as a diversified, all-weather tourism destination. Officials highlighted that this project aligns with Uttarakhand’s broader strategy of driving rural growth through sustainable tourism models.

The project focuses on Tehri Garhwal, one of Uttarakhand’s most climate-vulnerable regions. It is expected to benefit more than 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors by improving infrastructure, planning, and essential services. The plan emphasises better sanitation, waste management systems, and disaster preparedness to ensure safety and sustainability for both locals and travellers.

According to Juhi Mukherjee, joint secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, the ADB loan directly supports the government’s tourism policy for Uttarakhand. She stressed that Tehri Lake has been identified as a priority zone for development, providing the state with opportunities to diversify income streams while preserving ecological balance.

ADB’s India Resident Mission officer-in-charge, Kai Wei Yeo, said the project is a model for integrating rural development with tourism. He explained that adopting a multisector approach would generate jobs, build climate resilience, and support Uttarakhand’s long-term economic growth. This reflects ADB’s larger vision of combining infrastructure investment with community-focused outcomes.

Key interventions under the project include climate-resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions to address landslide and flood risks, and enhanced institutional capacity. The initiative also focuses on inclusive tourism, with a strong role for women, youth, and the private sector. These interventions are designed to create a more equitable and participatory tourism ecosystem in the region.

Notable features of the programme include a livelihood matching grant for women- and youth-led tourism businesses, universal access design to ensure inclusivity for persons with disabilities, and disaster risk management initiatives in pilot villages. Together, these measures aim to position Uttarakhand as a global example of sustainable tourism development while empowering local communities.

Perth Airport in Western Australia has partnered with Amadeus to deliver an industry-leading biometric passenger system from check-in to boarding – powered by Amadeus’ open platform and seamless travel touchpoints.

The airport is significantly expanding its self-service capacity by introducing close to 100 new check-in kiosks and replacing nearly 40 traditional check-in counters with bag drop units from Amadeus.

All touchpoints are equipped with Amadeus’ biometrics capabilities, delivering a simple, smooth and contactless passenger experience from check-in to boarding.
Travellers, with selected airlines, will be able to check-in and opt for biometrics at self-service kiosks.

Then when dropping bag and boarding the aircraft, passports and boarding passes can remain in the passenger’s pocket. Instead, a brief face scan is all that’s needed to validate the passenger’s identity and retrieve their travel records.

“We know that passengers want their departure experience to be hassle free so by harnessing automation, these upgrades deliver a seamless experience for their journey.

“This provides both our airline partners and travellers with the flexibility they need to ensure a smooth and efficient journey for everyone.

“The passenger experience is paramount and with new automated technologies we can serve more passengers to a higher standard, supporting the growth of our airport,” said Scott Woodward, chief operating officer, Perth Airport.

This latest project builds on the long-term collaboration between Amadeus and Perth Airport, dating back to 2015 when Perth Airport originally installed Amadeus’ cloud-based passenger processing systems.

The two organisations began experimenting with biometrics in 2022 through a series of trials, which have culminated in today’s decision to apply the technology widely across the airport.

“Using platform technology and security measures like tokenisation, airports can create digital representations of a passenger’s data.

“Once that’s achieved, all it takes is a couple of seconds to perform a facial scan to validate the passenger at bag drop or boarding.

“This transformational technology is a game‑changer for the industry, helping airports and airlines to serve many more passengers within the same physical terminal space, while vastly simplifying the check‑in experience.

“Most airports can’t easily add physical capacity, but technology advances mean we can serve more passengers with existing infrastructure,” added Sarah Samuel, senior vice president, AirOps, APAC, Amadeus.

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 16:34 IST

The Dutch woman, named Ivana, has shared a candid video on what it’s really like living and traveling in India.

Many travel vloggers have shared their impressions of India over the years, but a recent post by a Dutch woman has struck a chord with the internet as she gives viewers a refreshing, real-world glimpse into Indian culture. The content creator is not just travelling India as a tourist but actually living here.

The content creator, named Ivana, shared a detailed post about her life in the country, covering everything she wished she had known before arriving in India, and her insights have struck a chord.

From Indian hospitality and family culture to saree struggles and rickshaw rides, Ivana’s post is a charming and insightful window into life in India.

Ivana’s Viral Post

The content creator starts her post by praising the warmth of Indian hospitality. Referencing cultural saying “Atithi Devo Bhava” (The guest is god), she wrote, “Indians literally have a saying for their unrivalledd hospitality – ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. It means the guest is god. Prepare to be fed to death!”

Ivana then noted how deeply rooted family values are in Indian life, something she said outsiders can only truly understand by spending time with a local family. “It’s difficult to understand how extremely important family is for Indians unless you’ve spent time within an Indian family. So definitely try to befriend local people and see how they live,” she advised.

Taj Mahal and Ganges River in Rishikesh’s Tips

When talking about India’s most iconic landmark, Ivana offered practical advice for travellers. She stressed, “Plan a trip to Agra for 2/3 days to avoid a lousy Taj experience. Be there at 6AM for a foreigner ticket, but keep in mind the Taj is closed on Fridays for prayer.”

Speaking about the Ganga River in Rishikesh, Ivana described it as “a minty green colour, almost surreal.” She also warned visitors to dress modestly and stay cautious about strong currents and icy temperatures.

Ivana’s Saree Experience

The content creator didn’t hold back sharing about her first experience with a saree, admitting it was tricky to put on. “It’s very difficult to put on if you’ve never worn one, but once it’s on, it’s super comfortable. Ask for help from an aunty or at a salon,” she stated.

India Is Not Overcrowded..

Countering a common myth, she noted that India has “plenty of space” and even “slow” times if you know where (and when) to go. “For the tourist places, try to visit way before 10AM (like 8AM! ), or you can go to more rural areas to escape all crowds. Be mindful of which places you visit without a guide, though! Some places are even off limits for Indians,” she explained.

India’s Social Etiquette

Ivana gave a light-hearted breakdown of Indian social etiquette, especially when it comes to greetings and personal space. She noted, “Indians are very easy with personal space, but hugs do have a bit of an instruction. With women it’s fine, but with elderly ladies (and men!) you’d usually touch their feet to pay respect and for a blessing. With men, just give a Namaste, OR if it’s a close friend, you hug from the side.”

India’s Diversity, Rickshaws And Daily Adventures

Ending on a joyful note, she called Punjabis the “party animals” of India. She also talked about the unique culture and language of each Indian state and her love for rickshaw rides. “Each Indian state has such a distinct culture, and most have their own language! And riding a rickshaw never gets boring. Even after a million times, it’s as fun and adventurous as the first time,” she penned.

Social media users loved the video, with some expressing that they are moving to India soon and have saved all her helpful tips.

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