The Everest hero who fronted a top-secret CIA mission in the Himalayas
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Saudi backed EV maker, Lucid, breaks world record with 1,205 km drive across Europe in single charge
Lucid's new record of 1,205 km surpasses its previous 1,045 km single-charge drive by 160 km, setting a major milestone/ Image: Lucid Lucid Air, the Saudi-backed electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single charge. The company's Lucid Air Grand Touring model successfully covered 1,205 kilometers (around 749 miles) in a single drive, surpassing its previous record by 160 kilometers. The historic journey from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Munich, Germany, is a significant leap forward in the electric vehicle sector, further cementing Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global electric mobility space. A Record-Breaking Feat in Europe Lucid's new record was set during a long-distance drive from the alpine resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland to Munich, Germany, covering 1,205 kilometers (749 miles) on a single battery charge. This journey, completed over the weekend, shattered the previous world record of 1,045 kilometers, set in June 2025, by a wide margin of 160 kilometers. — LucidMotors (@LucidMotors) The Lucid Air Grand Touring, known for its luxury and performance blend, completed the journey across Alpine roads, highways, and secondary routes, showcasing both endurance and versatility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Empty Alaska Cruises Departing From Ontario That Seniors Can Book For Dirt Cheap FavoriteSearches | Search Ads Learn More Undo The drive was conducted in real-world conditions, demonstrating the practicality of EVs in diverse terrains. This is Lucid Motors' second Guinness World Record in electric vehicle endurance. The first, set in 2024, involved the same model completing a nine-country trip on a single charge. Both record attempts were led and organized by Umit Sabanci, a London-based entrepreneur who played a major role in planning and driving the journeys. The Technology Behind the Achievement At the core of the Lucid Air Grand Touring's breakthrough lies a suite of cutting-edge electric systems: WLTP Range : 960 km Energy Consumption : 13.5 kWh per 100 km Power Output : 831 PS Top Speed : 270 km/h Ultra-Fast Charging : Gains up to 400 km of range in just 16 minutes The car was assembled at Lucid's Saudi Advanced Manufacturing Plant in King Abdullah Economic City, launched in 2023, aiming for 155,000 vehicles annually/ Image: Lucid The range and efficiency demonstrated by the Lucid Air Grand Touring were achieved under real-world driving conditions, not just lab testing. The vehicle's high-voltage architecture, combined with a sophisticated battery management system, played a central role in maximizing energy use and extending the distance traveled on a single charge. Eric Bach, Lucid's Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer, described the range milestone as an important achievement that highlights the technological advantage Lucid holds in the electric vehicle industry. Lucid's Operations and Commitments in the Kingdom Lucid's headquarters are in California, but the company's long-term growth is closely linked to Saudi Arabia. Its largest shareholder, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), owns about 60% of the company and has positioned Lucid as a key part of the Kingdom's industrial strategy under Vision 2030. In September 2023, Lucid began final assembly of electric vehicles at its first international manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The plant processed 800 vehicles in its initial phase, with plans to scale up production to 150,000 units annually. Under a government agreement, Lucid is also set to supply 100,000 electric vehicles to Saudi Arabia over the next decade. This initiative is intended to support the local market and build capacity for future exports. The latest endurance record reflects not only Lucid's technical progress but also Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to develop a competitive electric vehicle industry. A Wider EV Ecosystem Taking Shape Saudi Arabia is actively building a comprehensive EV ecosystem, with Lucid at the center, but it's one part of a wider effort. Several other notable projects and partnerships are also shaping the foundation of the Kingdom's electric vehicle sector: Ceer and the Birth of Saudi-Made EVs A second EV company, Ceer, is also backed by the PIF in a joint venture with Taiwan's Foxconn. Ceer is building a $1.3 billion manufacturing complex in KAEC, covering 1 million square meters, with zones dedicated to every stage of vehicle production. The cars will incorporate BMW technology, and aim to establish a fully Saudi-based EV manufacturing ecosystem from the ground up. BYD Enters the Saudi Market In a separate but parallel development, Chinese EV giant BYD, now the world's top-selling electric vehicle brand — has entered Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company. During a multi-city launch across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran, BYD introduced a range of models including the luxury BYD HAN, the performance-driven BYD SEAL, and the hybrid BYD SONG PLUS. Building Charging Infrastructure: EVIQ Recognizing that EVs are only as viable as their infrastructure, the PIF launched the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company (EVIQ) with an ambitious target: 5,000 fast chargers across 1,000 locations by 2030. These will be placed in cities and along major roadways, adhering to strict technical standards and safety codes. NEOM's Autonomous Future And beyond EVs, Saudi Arabia is also investing in autonomous mobility. The NEOM Investment Fund has committed $100 million to a leading player in self-driving technology. The deal includes co-development of autonomous vehicles and intelligent transport systems for NEOM, and potentially for wider use across the Middle East.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Climbers aim for Mt Samgyal, Mt Dawa & Mt Meru's untouched path
Pune: A team of mountaineers from the city is preparing for two daring expeditions in the Himalayas in August—one to the twin peaks of Mount Samgyal (5,814 m) and Mount Dawa (5,900 m) in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, and the other to Mount Meru (6,310 m), one of India's most technically challenging peaks located in the Gangotri Glacier region. Led by Everest summiteer Krishna Dhokale, the Mount Samgyal and Mount Dawa expedition comprises a group of young climbers who will climb without Sherpa assistance beyond base camp. The team will carry out all logistical responsibilities, including ferrying loads, fixing routes, and making summit decisions independently. Supported by veteran Everest climbers Ganesh More and Ashish Mane, this expedition is designed to develop leadership, endurance, and alpine self-sufficiency among India's new generation of mountaineers. Simultaneously, a separate group of experienced climbers will attempt an unprecedented ascent of Mount Meru via the East Ridge, a route that has never been successfully climbed. Both expeditions are being organised by Giripremi mountaineering club. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The flag-off ceremony for both expeditions was held this evening at New English School, Tilak Road on Friday. The ceremonial flags were presented to the teams by Sheetal Teli-Ugale, Commissioner, Maharashtra Sports and Youth Services Department. The Mount Samgyal and Mount Dawa expedition will be led by Everest summiteer Mr Krishna Dhokale, with guidance and support from experienced climbers Ganesh More and Ashish Mane, also Everest summiteers from Giripremi. Simultaneously, Umesh Zirpe of Giripremi will lead the expedition to Mount Meru in the Gangotri Glacier region. This attempt will be made via the extremely challenging East Ridge, a route that has never been climbed before. Zirpe said, "Mount Meru, located in the Garhwal Himalayas, is considered one of the most sacred and technically difficult peaks in India, frequently mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. The East Ridge ascent demands extreme high-altitude rock climbing, negotiating falling rocks, vertical cliffs, deep gorges, and a treacherous approach to base camp. The Indian Army has also taken special note of this challenging endeavour. "
India.com
21-07-2025
- India.com
Why Dharamshala Is More Than Just Monasteries and Cafes: Discover Its Hidden Soul
Mountains do not hide secrets. They whisper them to those who slow down enough to listen. When the first mist rolls down the pine forests of Dharamshala, something shifts. Tourists clutching paper cups of café lattes stop to look up. The Dhauladhar ranges loom larger. The air smells of cedar and earth. And beneath the usual bustle of Mcleodganj, a gentler side of this Himalayan town quietly calls out. Most people come here for the Dalai Lama temple or a selfie at Bhagsu waterfall. But what if we told you: Dharamshala is not just for monks and markets. It is for moments. Hidden trails. Ancient caves. Tea gardens that hum with stories while the world snaps Instagram shots outside a café. Let's wander deeper — past the obvious. Into the true heartbeat of this mountain town. What makes Dharamshala different from any other hill station? It's not just the altitude. It's the attitude. Unlike the over-polished hill towns with concrete resorts and mall roads, Dharamshala still breathes raw. Its roads bend like question marks. Its forests hold memories older than roads. And its people — monks, Gaddi shepherds, chai stall owners — they welcome you not as a tourist, but as someone who might just stay back forever. It rains here, snows here, shines here — sometimes all in a single day. The weather is a teacher. It slows you down. Makes you wait for a cloud to pass. Makes you notice how snow settles gently on prayer flags. This is not just about visiting. It is about letting a place change your pace. Tired of McLeod Ganj cafes? These must-do activities are waiting to be felt 1. Hike to Triund – The Beginner's Everest Yes, everyone talks about Triund. But not everyone sees it. Start early. Let the mist clear slowly as you climb. Pause at Magic View Café — an old tea shack that has seen more hikers than any hotel lobby ever will. The trek is not hard, but it demands your breath and your time. At the top, the Dhauladhars look close enough to touch. Camp overnight if you can. Wake up to clouds crawling into your sleeping bag. The best sunrise here is not clicked. It is felt on your skin. 2. Meditate at Tushita – Silence Louder Than Traffic Hidden above Mcleodganj is Tushita Meditation Centre. No loud boards. No aggressive marketing. Just a small gate that opens to a place where silence has its own sound. Take a drop-in meditation class. Sit in a garden where monkeys are your only audience. Here, you learn to listen to your mind. And maybe, teach it to sit still for a while. 3. Explore Norbulingka – Where Art Breathes Skip the souvenir shops on Temple Road. Instead, head down to Norbulingka Institute in Sidhpur. Walk through Tibetan gardens. Watch artists paint thangkas. Carve wood. Cast statues. This is not a museum. It is living culture. If you have time, sign up for a short workshop. Carve your own memory into a piece of wood. The café inside serves momos under prayer flags. Simple. Honest. Perfect. 4. Wander Tea Gardens – Fields That Talk to the Wind Dharamshala's tea gardens don't shout for attention. They wait quietly on the slopes of the Kangra Valley. Drive to Mann Tea Estate or Kunal Pathri. Walk with a local worker if you can. Listen to how they pick leaves. How they read rain. Buy fresh Kangra tea. Not from the shops on the main square, but straight from the factory gate. Here, every cup is a story of rain, sun, and patience. 5. Find the Ancient Caves of Guna Devi Not all temples have loud bells. Drive to Galu Temple near Dharamkot. From there, hike into the forest to find Guna Devi cave. A sacred spot where local shepherds still tie prayer cloths and whisper wishes to the goddess inside. The path winds through deodar and rhododendron. You may not meet another soul for hours. Sometimes, the best prayers are the ones you say without words. 6. Volunteer at a Monastery or School – Give Back a Day Dharamshala is not just for taking pictures. It's a place to give. Spend a day teaching conversational English to young monks. Help at a local animal rescue. Or just read stories to Tibetan refugee kids in a community library. You may not change the world in a day. But you might change how you feel about travel. 7. Chase Waterfalls Beyond Bhagsu Bhagsu is crowded. Everyone knows it. But a short hike beyond takes you to hidden cascades. Ask a local to guide you. Walk past slippery stones. Hear the roar grow louder as tourists thin out. Sit on a rock. Dip your feet in icy water. Stay till your bones feel new. Why go offbeat in Dharamshala? Isn't it risky? Yes, the weather can flip in a moment. Roads get muddy. Trails may disappear into clouds. But maybe that's the point. The mountains don't promise comfort. They promise truth. A reminder that not everything can be planned on a spreadsheet. Some days, you walk in rain just to find a rainbow behind a ridge. It's not about how many places you tick off. It's about how deeply you let a place tick inside you. Practical Tips: How to Wander Dharamshala the Right Way Pack layers – This mountain air changes moods faster than you do. Walk more than you ride – The best turns are not on Google Maps. Eat local – Thukpa in small Tibetan kitchens tastes better than any pizza café. Respect silence – Monks don't chant for your Instagram. Listen more than you snap. Leave light footprints – Take back memories. Leave nothing but gratitude. The hidden heartbeat of Dharamshala Every step you take off the usual path keeps this place alive. You help homestays run by old Tibetan families. You buy tea from local gardens, not corporate brands. You hire young guides who know these forests better than any app. You show that Dharamshala is worth more for its silence than any concrete hotel can promise. So what's stopping you? A muddy trail? A missed sunset because clouds rolled in? That's the charm. Dharamshala, when slow, is a blessing. And while tourists rush back to the market for souvenirs, you could be at a hidden waterfall, or sipping tea under an old cedar, or hearing a monk laugh about life's small ironies. Not for a reel. Not for likes. Just for you. Final Thoughts Don't just visit Dharamshala. Let it visit you. The next time the mountains call, don't just pack a bag. Pack an open heart. Because the best parts of these hills don't come with a signboard. They come softly. On a trail. In a smile. In a prayer flag fluttering above your head. And all you have to do is listen.
