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Jim's Big Cats & The Cost Of ‘Progress'

Jim's Big Cats & The Cost Of ‘Progress'

Time of India24-07-2025
Jim's Big Cats & The Cost Of 'Progress'
Rajiv Bhartari
Jul 24, 2025, 21:16 IST IST
Corbett's 150th birth anniversary is a good occasion to remind ourselves that while tiger conservation is a roaring success, allowing national parks to become wedding & leisure destinations is a policy failure
Corbett Tiger Reserve , initially founded as Hailey National Park in 1936, stands as the first national park on the Asian mainland and a significant milestone in wildlife conservation. It's a popular destination for wildlife tourism today, drawing many visitors from India and around the world.
This vibrant wildlife tourism economy is supported by a network of accommodations, both within and outside the reserve, along with vehicle-based safaris across eight designated zones. Each year, approximately 300,000 visitors generate nearly 20cr in revenue, contributing to regional development.
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Kuwait introduces new e-Visa for four visa categories; no embassy visit needed
Kuwait introduces new e-Visa for four visa categories; no embassy visit needed

Time of India

time2 days ago

  • Time of India

Kuwait introduces new e-Visa for four visa categories; no embassy visit needed

In a recent update, Kuwait has officially launched and went live with its complete online e‑Visa platform for four visa categories, including tourist, family, business, and official. This is a big leap forward in the country's digital transformation under its Vision 2035 initiative. With this new change, citizens of several Western, Asian, and GCC‑residents will be able to complete the entire visa process remotely. They won't even have to step inside an embassy for a visa. Let's have a closer look at the whole process: Fully Online visa types: Now people can apply visa under: Tourist visas : This visa remains valid up to 90 days. It is perfect for those wanting to explore Kuwait. Family visas : This will allow close relatives of Kuwaiti residents to visit for up to 30 days. Business visas : This visa is also for up to 30 days. Now this one is perfect for professionals attending meetings, trade events or negotiations. Official visas : This is perfect for diplomats and government delegations on formal missions. Eligibility Citizens from over 50 countries across Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and numerous Asian nations are eligible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 22 Illustrations of a Husband and Wife in Everyday Life Watch More Undo GCC resident expatriates who have held valid residency for at least six months. It includes professions such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists, and business managers. GCC citizens enjoy visa‑free entry using their national ID cards. They do not require any visa. How to apply Interested people can register via the Ministry of Interior's official portal (e.g. or Kuwait Visa platform linked from government websites). They need to: Create an account Log in with government credentials Choose desired visa category Upload required documents (passport bio‑page, photo, travel itinerary, accommodation or invitation, sponsor or official letter where required) Pay the fee online (typically USD 10–30 or about 3 KWD depending on nationality and category) Submit and track the application by reference code or passport number You'll receive the approved e‑Visa via email. You can get it printed or it is usable on a mobile device upon arrival. The processing usually takes between 1 and 3 business days. Delay is possible during peak travel season. Things to Remember Valid passport Provide clear documents—especially photos meeting portal specifications. Apply at least one week before travel. For family and business visas, make sure Kuwait‑based sponsors are aware of their responsibilities. If e‑Visa is refused, you may still be eligible for visa-on-arrival depending on nationality and category. The best part of this is that people don't require embassy visits. The paperwork has also reduced and its speedy approvals. With this new introduction, Kuwait aims to boost inbound tourism, attract international business, and strengthen political relationships with other nations. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !

What is the secret behind the missing Row 13 on airplanes? Why do most airlines skip it? Reason is...
What is the secret behind the missing Row 13 on airplanes? Why do most airlines skip it? Reason is...

India.com

time3 days ago

  • India.com

What is the secret behind the missing Row 13 on airplanes? Why do most airlines skip it? Reason is...

Have you ever booked a flight and looked at the seat map closely, and realized that there isn't a row 13? You might think, at first, that it's some sort of technical error or random design choice, but that's not the case. It's not an error, a lost seat, or a coincidence. Many airlines across the globe make a conscious decision not to use row number 13, skipping from row 12 to row 14. But why? The answer stems from a somewhat unique combination of ancient superstitions and cultural beliefs. Just like some buildings don't have a 13th floor, airplanes do not have row 13 for a variety of reasons. What is the secret behind the missing Row 13 on airplanes? Since a lot of travellers are nervous about traveling, airlines typically do not use the number 13 to help minimize stress and facilitate comfort on their flight. This is considered an insignificant action; however, it is designed to keep passengers relaxed during their trip. Why is Number 13 considered unlucky? For centuries, many cultures have deemed the number 13 as unlucky. Because of this widespread superstition, many airlines purposely exclude row 13 from their seating charts. According to the Merriam-Webster report, the fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia. This fear varies from culture to culture and is common even in the sky. Well-known airlines like Emirates, Ryanair, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines reportedly deliberately avoid the number 13 as an expression of respect for passengers' beliefs and comfort. One widely accepted theory is the reference to the Last Supper of Jesus Christ in the Bible. According to tradition, there were 13 guests at the table for this last meal. Judas, the betrayer of Christ, is believed to be the 13th guest who took a seat at the table, and this began the superstition of the unlucky number 13. Another theory is based on Norse mythology. In this version of events, there is a feast of 12 gods. Loki, the trickster god, came as the 13th uninvited guest, and he tricked the god Hoor to kill Baldr, causing grief and chaos in the world. This version also contributes to the superstition of bad luck associated with the number 13. Other than superstition, there is a more pragmatic reason to skip row 13. Airlines are very concerned about customer satisfaction, and even if only a few passengers express discomfort about sitting in row 13, it could lead to complaints, requests to change seats, or, in the worst-case scenario, make them lose customers to competing airlines. In an industry where competition is fierce, the comfort of passengers will always be a priority, even if it means disregarding the numbering of seats. Interestingly, as per the media reports, Lufthansa skips row 17 instead of row 13. The Chinese and other Asian cultures consider the number 4 to be unlucky due to its pronunciation ( 'si' ) , which is similar to the pronunciation of death. Therefore , not surprisingly , many buildings will not have a fourth floor.

Asia's best Surfers to converge at Mahabs for Asian Surfing meet
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United News of India

time4 days ago

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Asia's best Surfers to converge at Mahabs for Asian Surfing meet

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