Pakistan Spy Jyoti Malhotra Was Hired By Kerala Tourism, Reveals RTI
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana who was recently arrested for allegedly spying on behalf of Pakistan, had previously been hired by the Kerala Tourism Department as part of an official digital outreach campaign, a newly surfaced RTI response has confirmed.
Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, was among a curated list of social media influencers invited by the state between 2024 and 2025 to promote Kerala as a global travel destination. Her travel, accommodation, and itinerary costs were entirely funded by the Kerala government, under its influencer collaboration programme aimed at boosting the state's digital presence in the tourism sector.
According to the RTI reply, Malhotra travelled extensively through key tourist circuits, including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha, and Munnar, documenting her experiences for her YouTube audience. One of her videos, which had gone viral, featured her draped in a traditional Kerala sari while attending a Theyyam performance in Kannur.
However, her arrest has cast a shadow over the programme, as ongoing investigations by Indian intelligence agencies allege that Malhotra had travelled to Pakistan multiple times, establishing direct contact with officials linked to Pakistani intelligence services, including personnel from the Pakistan High Commission in India. One such official was expelled after the alleged connections came to light.
Malhotra's arrest has raised serious concerns about national security loopholes and the vetting process for individuals participating in government-funded campaigns. Her YouTube channel, which hosts 487 videos, includes content from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and several Indian states—now under scrutiny for potential intelligence links masked as travel content.
First Published:
July 07, 2025, 10:08 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Hotels gear up for busy Independence Day weekend
NEW DELHI: Those planning last-minute bookings at their favourite locales for the upcoming Independence Day long weekend could face disappointment as hotels and resorts are reporting brisk advance demand. Some are 50-80% booked, while others have already sold out their inventory, according to executives. Room tariffs are also 10-15% higher over last year, the executives said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Digital Marketing Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Leadership Degree Technology Data Analytics PGDM Public Policy Cybersecurity others MCA Design Thinking Finance CXO Product Management Management Project Management Data Science Operations Management Others Data Science MBA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details The upcoming Independence Day long weekend is shaping up to be a strong travel period, with many travellers looking to make the most of the short break, said Nikhil Sharma , MD and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo "At Radisson, demand has been building steadily, with some resorts already securing over 75% occupancy a month in advance," he added. Sharma said travellers are increasingly willing to spend more on premium experiences and amenities, and the chain anticipates a further pickup in last-minute bookings as the weekend approaches. Destinations like Lonavala, Kumbhalgarh, Mamallapuram, Chennai, and Goa are seeing particular interest this season. Live Events Most of Leisure Hotel Group 's resorts across key leisure destinations in Uttarakhand including Rishikesh, Haridwar, Corbett, and Bhimtal, and in Himachal's Kasauli are already sold out, said Shahzad Aslam, head of sales at the chain. "In Rajasthan, our resorts in Ranthambore and Jaipur are seeing a promising uptick in bookings, with occupancy already nearing 80%. Goa is also performing steadily, currently at around 45% occupancy for the Independence Day week," he added. Tariffs are also 10-20% higher compared to a regular weekend. The weighted average occupancy rate at all Justa Hotels & Resorts is about 50%, said Ashish Vohra, co-founder and CEO. "Most of the properties in the hills are at 50% plus, except for Manali where travel is still a question mark. Some properties in Rajasthan in locations such as Udaipur and Ranthambore are crossing 65% occupancies," he said. "Rates are up 10-15% over the same time last year. Usually, considering the 15-30 days window, advance bookings and occupancies are about 15% of the business in advance, so this momentum is quite good," he added. Romil Pant, executive vice president and head of holidays at Thomas Cook (India), said cruise tourism is riding the wave of the long weekend demand, with strong interest for Indian coastal cruises and short-haul international sailings in Singapore and Malaysia. Based on Agoda's accommodation search data, topping the list of most popular destinations are Goa, Udaipur, Lonavala, Ooty, and Coorg. Gaurav Malik, country director for the Indian subcontinent and Indian Ocean islands at the company said Indian travellers are planning ahead and seeking experiences that blend relaxation with discovery. "Interestingly, this trend aligns with Agoda's recent findings on the rise of micro-travel - shorter, more frequent trips that allow people to recharge without major time or budget commitments," he added.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
You don't need a Schengen Visa to explore this European gem; and the country's name is....
Also known as the Birthplace of Wine, Georgia is a beautiful country set between the Caucasus Mountains and on the beautiful coast of the Black Sea. This country is a paradise for wine lovers as the earliest evidence of wine production is found here dating back to some 8,000 years! But what makes it an exciting destination for Indian travellers is the fact that they don't need a Schengen visa to explore this European gem! The stunning nation has visa-free or visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of many countries, including India. Having said that, it's a different story altogether why this is one of most underrated countries in the European region. Georgia has so much to offer, from historical monuments to natural landscapes and lush vineyards, it's a paradise for travellers looking for offbeat experiences. Let's have a look at some of the compelling reasons to visit Georgia: When in Tbilisi The name of the capital city of Georgia is Tbilisi, the city is as magical as its name sounds. The city is a beautiful mix of modern as well as old world charm. Visitors here do not miss a chance to stroll on foot through the town and explore the old buildings with wooden balconies. The place is also dotted with beautiful cafés, boutique shops and ancient churches. Sulphur baths Sulphur baths are the most rejuvenating experience to do in Tbilisi. Travellers can enjoy baths after a tiring day of exploration and relax. This is a great experience for those who want to witness the local culture of Georgia. One can find a lot of sulphur baths around in the neighbourhood, and if you do decide to go, then you can choose from a private room or a public bathhouse. Visit the National Gallery in Tbilisi This gallery is a must‑visit for art lovers, as one can see an extraordinary collection of art. It brings together centuries of masterpieces from around the world, like European and Russian art, artwork from the medieval period to French Impressionists and Italian Renaissance. Here, you can also witness the famous paintings of Niko Pirosmani, which are mostly about everyday people, and other works of famous artists like Lado Gudashvili, David Kakabadze and Iakob Nikoladze can also be seen here. Watch a puppet show at Gabriadze Theatre This theatre is known for its moving marionette performances, which always leave an impact on the viewers. The two famous performances are "The Autumn of My Spring" and "The Battle of Stalingrad." The owner of this theatre is Rezo Gabriadze, who is a well‑known screenwriter, artist, director and puppeteer. The theatre also has a café called Café Gabriadze, where people mostly stop by after the performance or before it. The owner truly creates a magical experience for the audience with some unique performances. Walk across the Bridge of Peace This iconic bridge was constructed in 2010 and is a loved tourist spot. This is a bow‑shaped pedestrian bridge that connects the old and new parts of Tbilisi. It is made up of steel and glass with LEDs, which are illuminated at night, creating a captivating sight. It is said that it looks even more beautiful at sunset. Cable car to the Mother of Georgia Travelers must go by cable car to the Narikala Fortress, which is an ancient fortress offering a panoramic view of the capital city, and click some beautiful pictures for memories. Along with that, one can also visit the Mother of Georgia, which is an aluminium sculpture of a woman with a sword in one hand and a cup of wine in the other. It is the symbol of hospitality and defence of the city. Visit vineyards and try authentic dishes of Georgia It is considered that Georgia is the birthplace of wine, so one must definitely try the wine of the place where it has its origin. Here, the wine is still made in traditional clay pots like it was made thousands of years ago, and one must also try the authentic mouthwatering delicacies. Now you have all the info on where to go for your next vacation!
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Spiritual circuits to gain as India opens doors to Chinese tourists
The Indian tourism sector has cheered the government's move to resume issuing visas to Chinese nationals after a hiatus of five years, while calling for 'concentrated efforts' to attract tourists from the neighbouring country, who had formed 27 per cent of the total foreign tourist footfall to India in 2019. 'It is a good move. China is one of our major trade partners, and tourism, which fosters people to people interaction, could lead to greater cooperation and understanding. But mere liberalisation of the visa regime is not enough. There should be a concentrated effort to create and actively promote itineraries and experiences geared to attract Chinese tourists,' said Ajay Prakash, vice president of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH). India had received around 300,000 Chinese tourists in 2019, after which the Covid-19 pandemic prompted countries to close borders. 'Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 27 per cent of total foreign tourist arrivals to India in 2019, and we are very glad to welcome this move from the government as China is an important source market for the country,' said Ravi Gosain, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), which has been pushing for this for the past three years. In 2018, a survey conducted by and Chinese International Travel Monitor, said that Delhi and Mumbai were the top most visited Indian cities for Chinese tourists. However, the Taj Mahal in Agra took the cake as the most favoured site. 'Chinese tourists mostly used to visit in big groups and enjoyed the variety of experiences that India offers. The golden triangle, made up of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, was among the most sought after tours from these groups,' said a tour operator who did not wish to be named. Now, with the evolution of spiritual tourism in the country, the Buddhist spiritual corridors coming up in Bihar, connecting the ancient Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temples, there will be heightened interest from the Chinese traveller, say industry experts. 'With regional tourism now regaining momentum post-Covid, we believe the restoration of visas for Chinese tourists is critical to revive inbound growth,' Gosain added. The Embassy of India in China announced on Wednesday that Chinese nationals can apply for Indian visas from Thursday (July 24, 2025) after completing an online application and obtaining an appointment at the Indian Embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou. This move comes on the heels of China resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in June this year.
