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India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Mumbai To Ahmedabad In 2 Hours: Indias First Bullet Train To Start Soon; Check Expected Speed
India's First Bullet Train: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced that India's first bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will begin operations very soon, reducing travel time between the two cities to just 2 hours and 7 minutes. He was speaking to reporters at the Bhavnagar terminus in Gujarat after virtually flagging off three trains, namely the Ayodhya Express, Rewa Pune Express, and Jabalpur Raipur Express. He further stated that the bullet train project is progressing rapidly. 508-Kilometre Rail Corridor The 508-kilometre high-speed rail corridor will connect Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with key cities in Gujarat, including Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. The trains are expected to run at speeds of up to 320 km/h. Vaishnaw also outlined several upcoming railway projects in Gujarat, including a new Porbandar–Rajkot train, a Rs 135-crore coach maintenance facility at Ranavav station, a railway flyover in Porbandar, two Gati Shakti cargo terminals, and a container terminal at a developing port in Bhavnagar. He highlighted the nation's progress, saying that during the last 11 years, 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been installed under the PM Narendra Modi administration, averaging almost 12 km per day. He described the 1,300 railway stations undergoing renovation as an unprecedented endeavour in the history of Indian Railways. PM Modi's Vision Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out that India is implementing this change while maintaining train operations and keeping stations operational, which reflects the scope of PM Modi's vision, in contrast to developed nations, where station redevelopment entails completely stopping services. Adding further, he cited the introduction of contemporary trains such as the Vande Bharat Express, the Amrit Bharat Express, and the Namo Bharat Express. Eight Amrit Bharat trains with high-class amenities and reasonably priced tickets have been introduced thus far. According to the minister, passengers have responded favorably to these new trains, which were constructed using cutting-edge technology. With the help of double-engine governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, significant railway projects are also progressing in those states, in addition to Gujarat, the minister highlighted. (With IANS Inputs)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
No trip to India is complete without buying these unique textiles
India is rich in vibrant cultures and timeless traditions, vividly expressed through its textiles. From exquisite handlooms to magical silks and timeless prints, Indian fabrics are as much about artistry as they are about heritage. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For any traveller, taking home a piece of this rich textile tradition is more than just shopping, it's preserving a story woven over centuries. Here are some textiles that one should not miss at all if travelling to India. Let's have a look at some of them. Banarasi Silk Image: Canva Originating from Varanasi, Banarasi silk is famed for its regal sheen and intricate zari (gold or silver thread) work. Traditionally woven on handlooms, these sarees are adorned with Mughal-inspired floral and paisley motifs. Considered the ultimate bridal attire, a Banarasi silk saree can take weeks or even months to craft, each piece is an heirloom, admired for both its artistry and opulence. Kanjeevaram (Kanchipuram) Silk Kanjeevarams being the crown of Sarees, made women in the states of Tamil Nadu feel like a queen of silks. These fabric pieces are made out of pure mulberry silk and are laden with heavy golden zari and these are as durable as elegant. Often such fabrics are passed on through generations. Chanderi Chanderi fabric of Madhya Pradesh is an airy-mixture of silk and cotton weaved with twinkling zari work and embroidery of fine patterns. It is well-known for its translucence and delicate fashionable appearance. Chanderi sarees are made of silk blended with cotton and can be worn both every day and on special occasions. Kalamkari Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are known for Kalamkari, the 3,000-year-old hand-printing or block-printing of cloth with natural dyes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The term uses the word kalam and kari, in recognition of its origins in stories utilised in temples that are drawn with pens made of bamboo or block-cutters. The principal regional styles are Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam which are registered as geographical indications. The art form is known to be extremely detailed, story rich, and environmentally friendly. Ikat A method more than a fabric, Ikat is created in Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Before weaving, the threads are tie-dyed, giving the characteristic pattern of blurred, geometrical sceneries. The result is bright, stylistically rich, and it displays the technical expertise of Indian craftspeople. Pashmina Pashmina is the undercoat of the Himalayan goats that are found in Kashmir region. This fine soft wool is also hand spun and hand woven into shawls that are legendary in their cosiness and feather-like light weight and also the beautiful paisley or floral embroidery. Genuine or true Pashmina is a precious memory piece, a combination of style and substance. Chikankari Originally from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Chikankari is a delicate and artful embroidery technique, typically white-on-white, creating ethereal, feminine kurtas and sarees. Each piece is painstakingly hand-embroidered, making every garment distinctive and full of character. Bandhani Bandhani originated from the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Bandhani is India's signature tie-and-dye tradition, easily identified by its dazzling dots and patterns. Commonly used in sarees, turbans, and dupattas, Bandhani is a riot of colours that is festive, traditional, and instantly recognisable.
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
How Indian biker John Gwite trained for Poland's toughest ultracycling race
At the peak of the pandemic, John Gwite discovered the joy of riding a bicycle. Short rides around his neighbourhood in Delhi kept the mind fresh. A few weeks later, he hit the highway towards Dehradun and once he was back home, he realised he had pedalled 250km, solo and self-supported. 'I really enjoyed the freedom, the freshness of the outdoors each time I sat in the saddle. I was hooked on long distances," Gwite, 48, says. That journey culminated in his longest ride in June—the Race Around Poland, a 3,600km course with a staggering elevation gain of 33,000 metres that runs through the wilderness of the Tatra Mountains. Gwite, who moved from Manipur to Delhi two decades ago, finished fifth in the men's under-50 category in a time of 9 days, 21 hours, the fastest time recorded by an Indian rider. 'The main target was to finish and then if I could push, I wanted to do it in 10 days. I could have been a lot faster, but I'm quite satisfied given the problems I encountered," he says. Building on the distance was a gradual process for Gwite. Though riding solo was what he enjoys most, he became a familiar face during the brevets organised by Delhi Randonneurs, starting out with his first 300km ride in November 2020 and pushing it to 1,200km over the next year and a half. In 2022, he finished the London-Edinburgh-London (1,500km) ride and the following year, the Paris-Brest-Paris (1,200km) event. In August 2024, he got his first taste of self-supported racing in India at the Kodagu 650, which he won in a time of 30 hours, 32 minutes. By October, he had signed up for the Race Around Poland. 'The distance alongside the elevation gain makes it a tough ride, so I knew I wanted the experience," Gwite says. The day job with a consultancy firm meant that he could dedicate about 10 hours over six days of training. Most of his workouts were planned indoors to efficiently manage time. Three days of cardio revolved around power workouts on an indoor cycling trainer and spot sprinting with a weighted vest of 15-20kg. On alternate days, he would take on strength training sessions. Most of the endurance work was done during brevets on the weekend, ranging from 200-1,000km. It was also when he honed his climbing skills during a few rides towards Mussoorie and Nainital. 'The big difference while preparing for this race was the increase in intensity and maintaining continuity of the workouts," Gwite says. He put his training to test in December last year when he rode the 830km Coast to Crest from Digha to Darjeeling, winning the race and bettering the course record by around five hours. Then in February, he took first place in a stage race from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, finishing the 3,600km distance in 135 hours. The following month, he took on some serious climbing on a 1,200km route between Delhi and the Atal Tunnel near Manali that featured a total elevation gain of 13,000m. In April, he hit a peak monthly mileage of 2,000km. 'After the big rides, I ensured that I didn't take a long break. I would get back to training in a couple of days, though a lot of it would be low intensity work," he says. Gwite got off to a smooth start from Warsaw on 28 June, but in a couple of days, he experienced freezing nights due to strong winds that he was unprepared for. Worse was to come, his race in jeopardy when he broke his pulley on Day 4. Given the climbs on the route, it was evident that he wouldn't be able to ride on a single gear. After informing the organisers, he travelled 40km to the town of Bielsko-Biala to locate a spare and fix his bike, losing 12 hours before he could finally get back to racing. Rested and recharged, a determined Gwite pushed hard on the continual steep inclines between 900-1,800km. But fatigue and sleep deprivation caught up around the 2,500km mark when he experienced hallucinations and decided to take a long sleep break in Lublewko. 'I felt like someone had manipulated my navigation device, forcing me to take on a much longer route. It messed with my mind and I informed the organisers about it. They are all experienced riders and instantly figured that I was tired, advising me to get rest," Gwite recalls. On the last leg, Gwite made steady progress in a heavy downpour, until he realised it wasn't worth risking his body or his bike in the poor visibility. He decided to take shelter at a bus stop to wait out the weather. By the time the rain eased off, his wife informed him about two riders who were catching up. He sped off, breezing through the final 143km. 'At the finish, they couldn't quite believe how fast I had gone over the final section. But for me, it was just relief to get across the finish line," he says. Shail Desai is a Mumbai-based freelance writer.
