Travel Guides & Articles
Uzbekistan Airways: Soon, direct flights from Tashkent to Goa; find out all details here
As per the latest development, Uzbekistan Airways is all set to commence direct flights that will connect Tashkent to Goa from October 27, 2024, onwards. If reports are to go by, the airline will operate twice a week between Tashkent and Gan’s Manohar International Airport Mopa. This newly opened route will be serviced by the new Airbus A320 Neo, aimed at increasing the connectivity and the cultural exchange between Uzbekistan and Goa.
If reports are to go by, these flights have been introduced after persistent endeavour of the Uzbekistan Embassy, Indian tour operators, as well as the Indian Embassy in Tashkent. The Goa Department of Tourism had also played a crucial role in establishing this link. These developments are in line with the process of pushing Goa in international tourism markets, with the Goa’s Department of Tourism gearing up for the Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF) to take place to promote the state.
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The Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Rohan A. Khaunte said he was enthusiastic that Goa has got a new flight connection, which is a big leap in connectivity to Central Asia.’ He said, “The introduction of direct flights from Tashkent to Goa is a major step in increasing Goa’s connectivity with Central Asia This new route will not only bring in more tourists for Goa but also help in strengthening the cultural relations between Goa and Uzbekistan We are planning to make Goa as a easily accessible tourist destination for people across the world.”
This plan was further backed by Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director of Tourism/Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) added that the decision of Uzbekistan Airways to start flying its planes to Goa shows the increasing trends in global interest in the potential Goa has in the tourism industry value chain. He further added that this direct connectivity will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for visitors from Uzbekistan, making Goa more accessible and inviting.Read more: Countries with the most stringent laws for tourists
This new route complies with Goa’s border plan to create a new tourist market and to become a year-round tourism attraction. Goa will get the opportunity to get into the market which is largely untapped in Uzbekistan, and offer them a glimpse of India and Goa in particular, the beaches, the vibrant history, and the cultural backdrop.
With the addition of direct flights from Uzbekistan, it’s expected that the Goa tourism sector would see significant growth, which will eventually lead to boosting footfall of visitors in the region, and promote local businesses.
Travel Guides & Articles
UP students to get Rs 6000 yearly travel allowance if school is over 5 km away
In a significant step towards improving access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a new scheme to provide an annual travel allowance of rs 6000 to students who live at least five kilometres away from their schools.
This initiative aims to help students from six districts of Bundelkhand and remote Sonbhadra reach their government secondary schools without facing travel hardship.
Under the scheme, students from Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Sonbhadra will be eligible for a 6000 annual travel allowance.
The benefit will be given to students of classes 9 to 12 who live five kilometres or more from the nearest government secondary school.
The scheme is being rolled out in the current academic session and is expected to give immediate relief to thousands of students struggling with long commutes.
FUNDS TO BE SENT THROUGH DIRECT TRANSFER
The annual assistance will be credited directly into the students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). According to the plan, the first instalment of the allowance could be released as early as 5 September.
Girl students from 146 government schools chosen under the Pradhan Mantri School Vikas Yojana (PM Shri) will also benefit from this new travel allowance scheme.
This inclusion ensures broader support for female students, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
SIMPLE APPLICATION AND VERIFICATION PROCESS
To receive the benefit, students must fill out a declaration form (pro forma) stating that there is no government secondary school within a five-kilometre radius of their home.
This form will then be verified by the Gram Pradhan (village head) at the village level and by the school principal.
In urban areas, local councillors will be responsible for verifying the declarations. Once approved, the eligible students will start receiving the allowance.
A key condition of the scheme is regular school attendance. Students must also show at least a 10 percent increase in their attendance to continue receiving the allowance. This measure is designed to improve not only access but also student engagement and discipline.
THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT
The scheme is expected to benefit around 24,000 students across Bundelkhand and Sonbhadra. In addition, approximately 4,000 girl students from PM Shri schools will also receive travel support.
This scheme highlights the government’s focus on removing barriers to education and improving enrolment and attendance, especially in remote and underserved areas.
(With inputs from Ankit Mishra)
– Ends
Travel Guides & Articles
OYO and Yatra Partner to Expand Business Travel Solutions Across India: Here is Everything You Need to Know Now
Friday, July 11, 2025
In a strategic joint venture, Yatra and OYO have come together to restructure the segment of business travel solutions for India. Under the joint venture, the two firms look forward to meeting the rising expectations of corporate travel customers by building a seamless, effective process for the management of business travel. By offering effortless bookings as well as personalized deals, the joint venture aims at making the entire travel process convenient for corporate customers.
Enhancing Business Travel Solutions Experience
OYO’s collaboration with Yatra targets offering corporate travelers the best combination of comfort, affordability, and convenience. With the cooperation, corporates can benefit from the wide hotel chain of OYO across India while simultaneously benefitting from the travel services of Yatra for convenient bookings of flights, transportation, and others. Through the cooperation, corporate clients can organize their complete business travel needs through a single platform, thereby saving significant administration effort as well as travel inconvenience.
Through the marrying of these two brand strengths, the streamlining process occurs and corporations are provided a single-source, one-stop-shop for everything from accommodation to transportation. Business travel solutions are more readily accessible than ever, with flexible offerings specifically created to meet the individualized needs of the corporate marketplace.
Customized Solutions for Business Travelers
Time and convenience are two major areas of interest for corporate visitors, and the joint venture is dedicated to taking both into consideration. Yatra and OYO have designed customized bundles that are aligned to the diversified requirements of corporate clients.
They have customized hotel deals, flexible bookings, and upgraded services, so that corporate visitors have a convenient, comfortable stay while away from their homes. Organizations are now able to provide their employees the option of having an effective, convenient travel process, beginning with budget accommodation and extending all the way to quick check-ins, travel assistance, and full-range business travel management.
This partnership helps the business corporations to focus on the performances and productivity of the business without the botheration of travel-related affairs, thereby ensuring convenient and comfortable business travel for all concerned.
Expanded Reach Across India
The joint venture does not just enrich the corporate clientele, but it seriously widens the reach of the two brands immensely. As much as OYO has been a standout when it comes to affordable stay facilities, the joint venture now has the opportunity to target corporate clients via Yatra’s already established base of corporate travel. By expanding, the joint venture now gets to target companies of all sorts, offering the complete spectrum of accommodation, starting with budget stays all the way through suites.
As the travel needs are increasing for business, especially for tier 3 and tier 2 cities, the joint venture is perfectly positioned to capture a larger percentage of the corporate travel segment. Through customized services, Yatra and OYO look forward to targeting corporates with consistent travel needs, such that their employees get the best prices along with the best services.
A Business Travel Booking Solution Game-Changer
In case of organizations that manage multiple business tours, the Yatra and OYO joint venture guarantees a single window eliminating the use of multiple bookings. Employees are now able to book hotel rooms, airplane tickets, and multiple other services through a single window, thus making the process of booking simpler and time-saving.
Through the central process of booking, employees are now able to organize their schedules for trips easily, as well as have the advantage of real-time information regarding flight schedules, hotel rooms, and multiple services.
The user-friendly system serves to facilitate better management of corporate travel as a whole, enabling workers to track their schedules better and handle changes with ease.
Strengthening Business Travel Solutions Relationships
As a part of the joint venture, Yatra and OYO are also strengthening their relationship with corporate clients. The flexibility of such a partnership enables corporates to offer personalized experiences to their employees, taking care of the individual needs of all the companies.
With the corporate travel management capabilities of Yatra and the wide hotel offerings of OYO, the joint venture ensures corporates can offer a seamless personalized travel experience.
Further, the adaptable business travel services offered as a consequence of the partnership allow corporations to scale their travel requirements without the need to compromise quality, budget, or service. By opting for the choice of bespoke bundles and corporate rates, corporations are upgrading their travel policies to better match the precise requirements of their employees.
Key Benefits for Companies Obtaining Business Travel Solutions
- Economic Travel Options: OYO’s affordable chain of accommodation enables businesses to save money while offering their workers comfortable lodging.
- Seamless Travel Integration: Yatra’s website integrates airline, hotel, and transportation services by a single booking process, which enhances efficiency and minimizes admin time.
- Flexible Policies: The venture has flexible booking policies, e.g., last-minute bookings, cancellations, and customized travel combinations to adapt to changing business demands.
- National Cover: Each brand has broad coverage throughout India, hence corporate clients get to enjoy countrywide cheap and luxury travel services.
How the Partnership Impacts India’s Business Travel Solutions Industry
This alliance of Yatra and OYO solves a number of issues which were otherwise faced by companies while facilitating corporate travel. Previously, corporate journeys used to be facilitated through different portals for booking air, hotel, and transportation.
But now, through the alliance, corporate clients enjoy the advantage of a single platform for all their corporate travel needs, which has indeed streamlined the process a lot. Besides, as corporate travel needs are increasing further, specifically in new emerging India cities, the venture appropriately addresses the needs of corporate players operating in both cities and towns.
By specializing corporate client services, Yatra and OYO are better aligned to address the needs of corporate commuters today, while, at the same time, boosting local tourist and business activity.
Final Words on Business Travel Solutions
This Yatra-OYO joint venture is not just a joint venture, but a game-changer that redefines the business travel space in India. By marrying the budget chain of OYO hotels and the full-service corporate travel offerings of Yatra, the joint venture offers corporations a lower-cost, seamless method to handle corporate travel. The joint venture is a giant stride towards India’s business travel infrastructure maturing, empowering corporations of all sizes with the capabilities they need to handle corporate travel efficiently.
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‘We Cannot Go To Pakistan But He Can’
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday took a fresh swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mocking his frequent foreign visits and specifically highlighting his surprise stopover in Pakistan’s Lahore in 2015 to meet the then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.
“It seems that when the PM is flying in his plane, he looks down and asks, ‘Which country is that?’ When told it’s so-and-so, he says, ‘No worries, we will reach an hour late where we are going; let’s land here now.’ He decides to land just anywhere. That’s how he landed in Pakistan too,” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said in Punjabi in the state assembly on Friday, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“The PM decided, just like that, to visit Pakistan. He had biryani and came back. We cannot go to Pakistan, but he can land there!” Mann added.
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MEA Slams Punjab CM Over ‘Irresponsible’ Remarks
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday criticised CM Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on the foreign trips of PM Modi. While disassociating itself from the remarks, the MEA stated that the statement from the Punjab chief minister was “irresponsible” and “regrettable”.
Bhagwant Mann, while taking a jibe at PM Modi’s foreign visits, stated that the prime minister is visiting countries with populations less than even 10,000. PM Modi on Thursday returned to India after his five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
“We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.
“The Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” he added.
“Don’t I have the right to ask about the country’s foreign policy and what did he do there? Why does Adani’s business start wherever he (PM) goes? I will continue to ask in the future as well. With 140 crore people in the country, he should engage with them and address their concerns. He says he will stop the Ukraine war (Ukraine-Russia), but he can’t even resolve water issues between Punjab and Haryana,” Mann told reporters on MEA condemning his statements on PM Modi’s five-nation visit.
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