Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made his first trip to Manipur after the ethnic unrest started in 2023, drove into Churachandpur on Saturday after his scheduled helicopter flight was postponed because of incessant rain. The prime minister was initially supposed to fly from Imphal to the Kuki-dominated district but chose the 90-minute drive to reach the waiting crowds.

On his arrival, Modi thanked the people who defied the rain to receive him. “I was glad that I couldn’t take the helicopter because I had the chance to see the love and affection showered on the people of Manipur on the way. I bow my head to them with gratitude,” the prime minister told a gathering.

An Appeal for Peace and Reconciliation

Speaking at an event at the venue, PM Modi made a strong call for stability and peace in the war-torn state. He called on all ethnic groups, specifically the Meitei and Kuki people, to stop the violence and seek a peaceful future.

“I urge all the communities to walk on the path of peace to realize their aspirations and ensure their children’s future,” the prime minister said. “Today, I assure you that I am on your side. The government of India is on the side of the people of Manipur.”

Development Projects and Resettlement Plan

During his tour, PM Modi inaugurated 19 development projects worth around ₹7,300 crores whose foundation stones he laid. He said that these would enhance the living conditions of local people, particularly the hilltop tribal communities. The projects include improvements in urban infrastructure, roads, drainage, and healthcare facilities.

The prime minister also promised proper rehabilitation and resettlement of the almost 60,000 individuals uprooted by the conflict since May 2023. He reaffirmed the commitment of the central government towards restoring enduring peace and normalcy to the state.

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Travellers flying from the UAE are being warned: even a slightly worn passport can now stop you from boarding. As immigration and airline checks tighten, minor wear and tear, such as frayed edges, water stains, or a scratched chip, is enough to get a valid passport rejected, regardless of visa status.

Passport wear can mean denied boarding, even with a valid visa

International travellers departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are facing increased scrutiny over the physical condition of their passports. UAE-based airlines are now enforcing stricter rules, often stopping passengers at check-in if their passports show even minor damage, regardless of visa validity or passport expiry date. Common types of damage that can raise red flags include:

Authorities say these issues, though sometimes minor, may compromise embedded security features such as microchips, holograms, and machine-readable zones. If these features are damaged, passport scanners may fail, leading to suspicion of forgery or tampering by immigration officers. Airlines departing from the UAE are also held accountable. If a passenger is denied entry due to passport condition, the airline may face penalties or be required to bear the cost of deportation. This has made airlines extra cautious at the check-in stage, often barring travellers with visibly damaged passports from boarding at all.

Countries with the strictest passport integrity checks

While the UAE is leading this push for pristine passports, other countries are also enforcing similar measures. The following nations are particularly strict about the condition of travel documents:

What counts as “damaged” and when to replace your passport

Officials generally split passport damage into two categories:

Even a partially damaged passport can lead to denial of boarding or entry. Travellers are strongly advised to renew their passport at the first signs of wear, before problems occur. Prevention is key: keeping the document dry, using a protective cover, and avoiding inserting papers or folding the passport helps maintain its integrity.

Why authorities are so strict, the risk of tampering

Modern passports are more than just identification; they are high-security documents embedded with:

Damage to any of these features can cause technical issues at automated border control gates or manual inspection points. A passport that fails to scan correctly could appear tampered with, triggering suspicion and potential detainment. Officials emphasize that the strict enforcement is to protect national security and maintain document integrity. With the rise in identity fraud and document forgery, immigration systems are designed to flag any inconsistencies, no matter how small.

Rajasthan’s heritage has just found itself a new stage, on the sides of buses. From the steps of Jaipur’s Albert Hall Museum on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari flagged off Rajasthan-themed FlixBuses, their exteriors drenched in images of forts, palaces, and folk motifs, ready to turn heads in both the United Kingdom and India.

Rajasthan-Themed FlixBuses Flagged Off From Jaipur

Hon’ble Deputy CM of Rajasthan, Ms. Diya Kumari flagged off the FlixBus Heritage on Wheels initiative at Albert Hall, joined by Commissioner of Tourism Mrs. Rukmani Riar-IAS, and Managing Director of FlixBus India Mr. Surya Khurana.@KumariDiya #HeritageOnWheels #DiyaKumari
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/FijCHDoy5B

— Rajasthan Tourism (@my_rajasthan) September 10, 2025

According to Travel Trade Journal, the idea, as said by Divya Kumari, is not just about transport but about storytelling on wheels. She reiterated that Rajasthani culture and heritage are the soul of their identity. She added that they want travellers from across the world to experience this essence. These buses will serve as moving ambassadors, showcasing their traditions and tourism potential. This initiative will enhance their global image, open new opportunities for the youth, and contribute to economic growth.

The collaboration was first sparked during Divya Kumari’s visit to Munich under the Rising Rajasthan initiative. Months later, it’s hitting the road in two high-visibility corridors: the London-Cambridge route in the UK, and the Dehradun-Haridwar-Delhi-Jaipur stretch in India.

But these buses are more than rolling posters. A quick scan of the QR codes printed on their sides opens the Rajasthan Tourism website, where travellers can browse itineraries, read about heritage landmarks, or even plan a trip to Jaipur straight from their seat.

Beyond Forts And Palaces

For FlixBus, the project is an experiment in marrying mobility with culture. Surya Khurana, Managing Director of FlixBus, said that this initiative connects heritage with modern travel experiences. He further added that they wish for passengers to enjoy more than just a journey, and want them to experience the richness of Rajasthan’s history and culture firsthand.

To make the debut tangible, the first 100 passengers rolling into Jaipur on these buses will get free entry to the Albert Hall Museum, the very site where the initiative was launched. Social media campaigns and calls for user-generated content will extend the buzz online, ensuring the buses’ cultural messaging doesn’t stop at the roadside.

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All You Need To Know

Divya Kumari used the launch to stress that Rajasthan’s tourism identity must stretch beyond its postcard landmarks. The buses, she said, are a way to remind travellers that the state’s richness lies as much in its living traditions and diverse experiences as in its monumental architecture, as stated by Travel Trade Journal. 

Themed buses are a bold step in experiential marketing, pushing Rajasthan’s image into everyday spaces like highways and bus stations. They make the state visible not just at travel expos or ads, but to commuters, tourists, and locals alike. By fusing cultural imagery with upbeat infrastructure, the government hopes to bring in new audiences, generate jobs, and place Rajasthan more firmly on the global travel map.

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In Divya Kumari’s words, the buses are “moving ambassadors.” In practice, they’re something more: a signal that Rajasthan Tourism is ready to take its story wherever the road leads.

Cover Image Courtesy: tweetkishorec/X

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First Published: September 13, 2025 5:04 PM