ITBP launches ‘Himadri-2025' trekking expedition to promote adventure tourism
Dehradun: The
Indo-Tibetan Border Police
(ITBP) on Saturday flagged off a 45-member border trekking expedition, Himadri-2025, to promote adventure tourism across 84 vibrant villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh.
The expedition was officially launched by Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his camp office, in the presence of senior ITBP officers, including IG Sanjay Gunjyal, and state police officers, including DGP Deepam Seth.
IG Gunjyal shared that the expedition team will traverse a total distance of 1,032 km, covering 27 valleys and an equal number of mountain passes. Along their route, team members will also distribute around 3.5 lakh fruit-bearing saplings. "This initiative aims to support the economy of these vibrant villages," Gunjyal said.
Speaking at the flag-off, CM Dhami highlighted the strategic and cultural significance of the initiative. "This effort will help in the preservation of the cultural and religious spots en route," he added.
Follow more information on
Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here
. Get
real-time live updates
on rescue operations and check
full list of passengers onboard AI 171
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Airspace Closure Over Iran Disrupts Flight Paths, Hits Indian Carriers' Europe Routes
Last Updated: Amid the conflict and growing tensions between Iran and Israel, the Iranian airspace has been shut for commercial flights The closure of Iranian airspace due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel is causing major disruptions to Indian airlines flying to Europe, officials said on Sunday. IndiGo flights to Tbilisi in Georgia and Baku in Azerbaijan now have to make a technical stop for refuelling in Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, Air India is re-routing its European flights through Egyptian and Greek airspace to avoid the closed Iranian skies. The Iranian airspace has been closed for commercial flights since Friday amid ongoing conflict, forcing airlines to take longer routes. This has increased flight times and caused congestion over alternate paths. An official explained that IndiGo uses narrow-body Airbus A321 planes on its routes to Tbilisi and Baku. These aircraft do not have the range to fly nonstop on longer routes, which is why refuelling stops at Doha have become necessary. On the other hand, Air India operates wide-body Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s on its European flights. While Air India's flights do not require technical stops, the alternate routing has increased flight durations by up to 90 minutes. Both IndiGo and Air India have not made formal comments, but IndiGo posted on its X account that the airspace restrictions over Iran are causing congestion and possible delays on routes to and from the Gulf region. It added that extended travel times should be expected while they operate via alternate paths. Air India also posted on X on Saturday that, due to the situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East, some flights are operating on longer, alternative routes to ensure passenger safety. The longer flights increase operational costs for airlines because of extra fuel consumption and also create challenges with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for crew members. Earlier this year, IndiGo temporarily cancelled flights to Almaty in Kazakhstan and Tashkent in Uzbekistan because of aircraft range limits following Pakistan's airspace closure. (With inputs from PTI)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Prayers and panic playlists: When flying becomes a phobia
When the pilot comes on the PA system and says, 'Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight,' some folks go yeah, right! They mutter their prayers, maintain a deathly grip on the arm rests or the arm of a fellow passenger, and just wait for the torture to end. While the Air India crash in Ahmedabad has made even some seasoned fliers rethink their travel plans, those who suffer from aviophobia or fear of flying have even more reason to panic. Bengaluru-based consultant Dona Baby is one of them. She finds herself shutting her eyes tightly every time a plane takes off, and rattling off prayers under her breath. She also tries to distract herself during the journey by watching movies on her phone. Yet, the unease doesn't fade. 'I think what scares me is how serious things can get if something goes wrong,' she says. In the aftermath of the news of the crash, many others posted about their fears and anxiety on social media. In a LinkedIn post, entrepreneur Jyoti Bharadwaj wrote about how she always flies in a terrified state: heart racing, palms sweating, scanning the faces of the flight attendants for the slightest change in expression. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo 'Ever since I became a mother, that fear has deepened, it's almost primal. It's no longer just about me,' she adds. Even though flying is statistically considered the safest way to travel today, close to 40% of people experience some form of anxiety regarding air travel, as per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A number of factors combine to give rise to this aviophobia, says clinical psychologist Mehul Pandey. 'The fear of the unknown increases while travelling in the air, as there's little possibility of surviving or calling for immediate help in times of emergency, or even contacting loved ones. In-flight turbulence often adds to their anxieties. There's a feeling of being suspended between fate and faith,' Pandey says. She adds that she sees many patients who take anxiety pills or therapy sessions before taking flights, despite being frequent fliers. 'It worsens for people who already have OCD or general anxiety issues, as they're not in control of the vehicle, unlike a car,' she adds. However, there are also interesting ways that people have found to overcome this phobia. A Bengaluru-based firm Cockpit Vista, founded by retired Indian Air Force Wing Commander K Dinesh, conducts courses that help people face their fears. Since being set up in 2016, Kargil veteran Dinesh says he has trained over 2,000 people. For the personalised courses that cost up to Rs 5,000 an hour, the team uses a real-size cockpit simulator. The simulator-based session exposes the participants to various technical aspects of aviation and the psychology surrounding it. This is followed by a real flight with an expert that drives home the message. 'What this involves is basically telling the course-takers about what happens on the flight, how it happens, how pilots control the airplane, and the role that the air traffic control plays,' Dinesh says. They are also allowed to sit in the cockpit and virtually fly a plane, in order to feel more confident about the process. Whenever there's a plane crash anywhere in the world, the number of queries increases manifold, he says. Those who sign up are not just first-time fliers, but also passengers who've travelled anxiety-free in the past, and had been triggered due to news or bad personal experiences. A few of them experience the fear to such an extent that they're unable to board a flight, even in times of family or health emergencies. Pandey says reframing the fear and using deep breathing techniques can help ease the anxiety and regulate the nervous system. Creating a 'comfort toolkit' for the flight, a calming playlist or podcast, a favourite book, and chewing gum or snacks can be of aid too.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
37 pantry car staff fined for ticketless travel in 2 trains
Patna: In a major crackdown on unauthorised travel, the Samastipur division of East Central Railway (ECR) conducted surprise inspections on Saturday and caught 37 pantry car staff, including managers, travelling without valid authorisation. The checks were carried out on two long-distance trains — Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar Sapt Kranti Express (12557/12558) and Jayanagar-New Delhi Express (12561/12562). Samastipur divisional railway manager (DRM) Vinay Srivastava said the staff had violated railway commercial rules by failing to obtain valid travel passes. "Pantry car staff are required to obtain a travel pass from the commercial department by paying a prescribed fee. This allows them to travel from the train's originating station to its destination. Most of them had not renewed their passes after expiry," Srivastava said. All 37 people were treated as ticketless passengers and fined on the spot. A total of Rs 92,240 was collected from them. Samastipur senior divisional commercial manager (DCM) Ananya Smirti, who led the inspection, termed the lapse "a serious violation of railway norms". She said, "Pantry car staff are obligated to maintain valid travel authority at all times. We are intensifying inspections to ensure full compliance across all long-distance trains." Of the total, 22 staff on the Muzaffarpur-Anand Vihar Sapt Kranti Express were fined Rs 18,480 while 15 on the Jayanagar-New Delhi Express were penalised Rs 73,760. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
