Latest news with #FAITH
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Polo horses, exotic animals kept out of India-UK free-trade pact
NEW DELHI : Horse lovers expecting cheaper thoroughbreds for polo after India's free-trade pact with the UK, a country known for its equine breeds, will be disappointed. The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has kept polo horses, mules, and other exotic livestock out of the duty concession list under the pact, according to documents. This means the existing 33% import duty stays. By excluding these animals from the pact, India has shielded military and sporting institutions and domestic breeders, as well as prevented the trade in wildlife and luxury animals that could face ethical scrutiny, said trade analysts. The exclusion list also covers animals used in remote logistics, such as mules and hinnies, the FTA documents showed. Hinnies and mules are widely used in India's hilly terrains and logistics in remote areas, and the high duty is seen as a protective measure to support domestic breeders and avoid incentives for luxury or low-utility imports. Also Read: India opens up autos, services, liquor to UK; gains access in goods United Nations Comtrade data show that India purchased live horses, asses, mules and hinnies worth $9.19 million from the UK in 2024. The list of excluded species also includes several marine and land mammals, such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, manatees and dugongs, seals, sea lions and walruses, as well as rabbits, hares, and reptiles, including turtles and snakes. Imports of turkeys, ducks, geese, and goat or sheep meat will also continue to face the 33% duty. In contrast, India has agreed to gradually reduce import duties on some agricultural and livestock categories. The current 5.5% duty on bulls, cows, and goats will be halved over a period of 10 years, paving the way for greater imports of British livestock, which may benefit India's dairy and meat processing industries in the long run. British seafood to get cheaper Similarly, the agreement has slashed duties from 33% to zero on a wide range of British seafood and temperate fruits. Products such as Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), swordfish, salmon, Norway lobsters, crabs, shrimps, and prawns will now enter India duty-free. The duty elimination is expected to improve sourcing options for India's hotel, retail, and processing sectors, especially in metro markets where demand for imported temperate fruits and premium seafood is growing. "It is expected to give greater access and lower prices to Indian products in the UK, while British goods such as shrimp, tuna, salmon, lobster, and whisky would enter India at reduced tariffs, helping premium hotels enhance their guest offerings and providing greater value and choice for tourists visiting the country," said Aashish Gupta, consulting chief executive officer, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH). Also Read: India, UK sign landmark free trade agreement after years of negotiation The CETA is among the most wide-ranging deals ever concluded by India, and the most expansive trade pact signed by the UK in the Indo-Pacific after it left the European Union. The deal takes effect once both parliaments ratify it, which may take six months or more. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer described the deal as a win for their nations. Indian seafood traders expect the FTA to open up a new market for Indian seafood by offering a level-playing field with other exporting countries. This, they say, is particularly timely as the sector is currently facing headwinds in its largest market — the US. Seafood exports to the UK were valued at around $100 million in the last fiscal, with frozen shrimp and prawns being the main export items, according to K.N. Raghavan, secretary general of the Seafood Export Association of India. 'With the FTA in place, there is clear scope for growth, and we estimate that exports to the UK could rise to $180–200 million in the coming year." On the potential impact of duty-free access for British seafood, Raghavan said, 'Not much. UK seafood does not have much of a market here." With the FTA now in place, nearly 99% of India's agricultural exports will enter the UK market duty-free once it comes into force after six months or more. Although agriculture accounts for only around 6% of India's total merchandise exports to the UK, the sector contributed $784.57 million in 2024–25 out of the total bilateral trade of $14.5 billion during the year. Also Read: India, UK set wide-ranging strategic course with Vision 2035 roadmap India's merchandise exports to the UK rose 12.6% to $14.5 billion in 2024-25, while imports grew marginally by 2.3% to $8.6 billion. The total bilateral trade stood at $21.34 billion in 2023-24, up from $20.36 billion in the previous year.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- 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.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India's spiritual circuits to benefit as Chinese tourists make a comeback
Indian tour operators are cheering the government's move to issue tourist visas to Chinese citizens for the first time in five years – a sign of thawing relations between the two nations. '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 off their borders. However, the two most populous nations in the world did not lift travel restrictions for each other's citizens. '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 the Chinese International Travel Monitor revealed that Delhi and Mumbai were among the top visited Indian cities for Chinese tourists. However, the Taj Mahal in Agra was the most favoured site to visit. 'Chinese tourists mostly used to visit in big groups and enjoyed seeing 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, are set to see heightened interest from Chinese travellers, say industry experts. The Embassy of India in China announced on Wednesday that visas can be applied for starting 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 came after China resumed the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in June this year. As many as 750 pilgrims were selected from 5,500 applicants. Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar had also travelled to China in July and met his counterpart Wang Yi, along with other national leaders, including President Xi Jinping. These steps have been instrumental in this move, say industry experts, adding that the move will help in.
Kyodo News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
"The Rising of the Shield Hero" First Live Event: Voice Actors and Theme Song Artists Gather!
The anime series "The Rising of the Shield Hero" began its fourth season on July 9, 2025, airing on Crunchyroll, and other channels. Recently, on Sunday, June 15, the series' first live event, "Shield Fest ~The Rising Excitement of Shield Hero: The LIVE of the Shield Hero~," was held at the Sakura Hall in Shibuya Ward's Cultural Center Owada. The event featured voice actors Kaito Ishikawa (Naofumi Iwatani), Asami Seto (Raphtalia), Rina Hidaka (Filo), Natsuko Hara (Rishia), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Ren Amaki), and Makoto Takahashi (Motoyasu Kitamura). Additionally, theme song performers MADKID and Chiai Fujikawa were in attendance. As this was the anime series' first live event, the voice cast and artists took the audience on a journey through seasons 1-3, reminiscing about key moments through talks and musical performances. The event also featured a dramatic reading of an original story written by the light novel's author, Aneko Yusagi, making it a truly special experience for long-time fans of the series. The event provided a delightful opportunity for supporters who have been following the series to come together and celebrate their beloved show. Through a combination of engaging discussions and captivating musical performances, attendees were able to relive the most memorable aspects of "The Rising of the Shield Hero" in a unique and interactive way. This article presents a report on this event. Additional Animation for Ishikawa's Performance During Recording As the start time approached, Filo appeared in costume, adorably greeting the audience. Before the show began, fans enjoyed taking photos of Filo dancing to the music. With the venue buzzing with excitement, Ishikawa led the cast onto the stage. The opening talk touched on this being the first live event for the series and explained that the show would revisit seasons 1-3 through music and discussion. Seto and Hidaka mentioned they had been talking about doing an event like this on their radio show for a while, and even contributed ideas for the event merchandise sold at the venue. Matsuoka, Takahashi, and Hara were asked to reflect on their experiences. They revealed that the Four Cardinal Heroes cast had done a live broadcast before, but this was their first time meeting fans face-to-face. With Ishikawa hyping up the crowd even more, the musical performances began. MADKID performed "RISE" and "FAITH," the opening themes from the first and second cours of Season 1, respectively. Chiai Fujikawa sang "Kimi no Namae" (Your Name), which served as the ending theme for the first cour and episode 25, as well as "Atashi ga Tonari ni Iru Uchi ni" (While I'm By Your Side), the ending theme for the second cour. After the live performance segment, the voice actors reappeared on stage. The members of MADKID, who had just finished singing, shared their thoughts. They commented that both "RISE" and "FAITH" feature upbeat melodies and sharp dance performances that really get the audience excited. The members expressed their joy at seeing fans singing along and cheering them on. Each member was then asked by Ishikawa to share their favorite scene from Season 1, which they discussed in detail. The talk segment continued with a look back at memorable scenes from Season 1, based on a survey conducted with the cast members. Seto, who went first, chose a scene from Episode 8, "The Curse Shield," where Raphtalia embraces Naofumi and brings him back to his senses. Seto noted that this scene left a strong impression, showing Raphtalia's devotion and marking the moment when Naofumi, who had become distrustful of people, finally looked Raphtalia in the eye. It felt like they had become each other's safe haven. Hidaka selected a scene from Episode 17, "A Promise Made," featuring Filo's one-on-one battle with Fitoria. She explained that she liked seeing Filo, who is usually cute and comforting, working hard to become stronger for her companions. Hidaka also mentioned enjoying Filo's frustrated expression and her dislike of the ahoge (cowlick) that appeared after gaining the right of succession. Lastly, Ishikawa chose a scene from Episode 21, "Naofumi's Triumphant Return." This iconic moment features the brilliant voice acting of Bridcutt Sarah Emi as Malty S Melromarc, and the scene where Naofumi interrupts just before Malty and Aultcray Melromarc XXXII are about to be beheaded. Naofumi then renames Malty as "Bitch" and Aultcray as "Trash." Ishikawa shared a behind-the-scenes story about this scene. During a pre-recording test, he delivered the line "It's Bitch!" in a more casual tone. The staff liked it and asked him to keep that style, which led to additional animation being added for the final broadcast. Myne's Overwhelming Presence Leaves Matsuoka Speechless After concluding the Season 1 segment, the event transitioned back to the live performance section. This time, they revisited Seasons 2 and 3. MADKID performed "Bring Back" and "SIN," while Fujikawa sang "Yuzurenai" and "Suki ni Natte wa Ikenai Riyuu." Following the performances, Fujikawa shared her thoughts on the live event. During her comments, Fujikawa expressed her deep love for music, dogs, and Filo. It was also revealed that Seto and Hidaka had attended Fujikawa's live performances after she appeared as a guest on their radio show. Hidaka, in particular, was so enthusiastic that he even attended concerts alone, passionately praising the appeal of Fujikawa's songs. When discussing singing the show's songs in front of fans for the first time since the Season 1 screening event, Fujikawa shared how comforting and reassuring the audience's warm applause was. The talk segment highlighted memorable scenes from Seasons 2 and 3. Hara chose Rishia's confrontation with Kyo=Ethnina from Season 2, Episode 6, "Pursuit." He noted how Rishia's journey with Naofumi and the others had strengthened her, allowing her to perceive Kyo's weaknesses. Matsuoka selected the scene from Season 3, Episode 6, "The Direction of Strength," where Ren falls into darkness after being deceived by Myne. Matsuoka expressed sympathy for Ren and pondered how many lives Myne had ruined. Takahashi chose the scene from Season 3, Episode 4, "Spear Hero Capture Operation," where Motoyasu finds guidance through Filo's song. Before screening this scene, the voice actors were given light sticks to cheer along with the audience. The crowd was incredibly enthusiastic, with "Filo!" chants echoing throughout the venue. Takahashi described this scene as a new beginning, suggesting that everything up to this point was merely a prologue. It leaves fans wondering about Motoyasu's future role. Matsuoka added that he had watched this scene in real-time at home and found it moving and inspiring. After the talk segment concluded, a dramatic reading featuring all six cast members' characters was presented. This reading was based on an original story outline written by the series' creator, Aneko Yusagi. The story was set in a timeline just before the Bow Hero, Itsuki Kawasumi, joined the group towards the end of Season 3. The reading showcased a slice of everyday life, both comical and peaceful. In one scene, Motoyasu chased after Filo, only to be kicked into the stars. Another highlighted Naofumi's culinary skills as he prepared a stew using a rare ingredient called Golden Usapil, which he had acquired by chance. Just when it seemed the event was coming to a close, an encore began. MADKID performed "Resolution" and Chiai Fujikawa sang "Eien ni Ikkai no" - the opening and ending themes for the upcoming Season 4, set to air in July. The audience's excitement reached its peak! Amidst this enthusiasm, the voice actors returned to the stage to reveal the latest information about the series. This included a preview video featuring Fujikawa's newly performed song, the latest key visual, broadcast details, and information about the anime "Isekai Quartet" Season 3, in which characters from "The Rising of the Shield Hero" also appear. To conclude the event, Kaito Ishikawa, speaking on behalf of the cast, expressed gratitude to the fans. He hinted at new bonds and storylines with fresh characters in the upcoming Season 4, building anticipation for what lies ahead in the series. The event wrapped up with a commemorative photo session, including Filo who had greeted fans before the show. In a surprise twist, a cake was brought out to celebrate the birthdays of Asami Hidaka and YOU-TA, MADKID's leader, which coincided with the event date. The entire venue joined in the celebration. About the Anime Synopsis As the Shield Hero, Naofumi Iwatani, prepares for the impending battle against the soon-to-be-revived "Phoenix" of the Four Guardian Beasts, he confronts and reconciles with the other three Cardinal Heroes, aiming to unite their powers despite their previous conflicts. However, Raphtalia is mistakenly perceived as having intentions to inherit the throne, leading to assassination attempts by agents from the nation of Q'ten Lo. To resolve this misunderstanding, Naofumi decides to visit Siltvelt, the demi-human country that maintains the only active ferry service to Q'ten Lo. While warmly welcomed by the demi-humans who revere the Shield Hero, Naofumi's group discovers that Siltvelt is not entirely unified, with some factions opposing their presence. Meanwhile, Q'ten Lo faces its own political instability, with Raphtalia being unwittingly elevated as a symbol of revolution. Amidst this complex and turbulent situation, can Naofumi become the guiding light for his companions? Cast Naofumi Iwatani: Kaito Ishikawa Raphtalia: Asami Seto Filo: Rina Hidaka Fohl: Kouhei Amasaki Atla: Konomi Kohara Sadeena: Ami Koshimizu Ren Amaki: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Itsuki Kawasumi: Yoshio Yamaya Motoyasu Kitamura: Makoto Takahashi Melty: Maaya Uchida Lecia: Natsuko Hara Éclair: Ruriko Aoki Sein: Maria Naganawa Mirellia: Kikuko Inoue Aultcray: Yutaka Nakano Welner: Takeo Otsuka Jaralis: Jiro Saito (C)AnekoYusagi_Seira Minami/KADOKAWA/Shield Hero S4 Project ※Some parts of this text have been translated using machine translation
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Air India Flight AI171 Tragedy: Travel Industry Unites in Mourning and Calls for Safety Reform, ET TravelWorld
Advt Advt Air India plane crash prompts India to launch high-level aviation safety review The Air India AI-171 crash, which claimed more than 260 lives, has prompted the Indian government to initiate a high-level aviation safety review. With global investigators, including the FAA and Boeing, involved, the tragedy marks the first-ever Boeing 787-8 crash and raises urgent questions about aircraft safety, oversight, and systemic reforms. See More Details By , ETTravelWorld Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETTravelWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETTravelWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. The Indian travel and tourism industry has united in a wave of grief and support following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick. The crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which claimed more than 270 lives, including those of 241 people onboard, has sent shockwaves across aviation, hospitality, and trade travel community's grief is underscored by the widespread participation of associations across inbound, outbound, adventure, and tourism training sectors, each issuing heartfelt tributes and action-oriented Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, and emergency responders have been quick to take swift actions, while stakeholders across the ecosystem are calling for an in-depth safety review and stronger support systems for affected travel trade associations have responded by sharing condolences to the families while calling for safety review by the government. Rajiv Mehra, Secretary General, FAITH (Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality), said, 'FAITH stands with the aviation ecosystem in mourning this tragic loss. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased. We welcome the government's announcement of a high-level safety review and stress the need for preventive mechanisms. This is a moment for the entire industry to unite and push for reforms that prioritize human life above all.'Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), said: 'This tragedy has deeply shaken our industry. We express our profound grief and offer condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Air India, as our national carrier, is not just a brand — it is a legacy. We extend our solidarity with the airline's staff and management. TAAI supports the government's move for a thorough investigation. Ensuring the safety of air passengers must be our foremost priority.'Ravi Gosain, President, IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators), stated, 'It's a devastating loss. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the passengers and crew. As part of India's inbound tourism community, we have always worked closely with Air India and are proud of its contribution. The tragedy warrants a strong policy-driven approach towards aviation safety. We stand with Air India and all the support staff handling this crisis.'Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators Association of India), remarked: 'We are stunned and heartbroken. As outbound tour operators, many of our clients have flown with Air India to the UK and other long-haul destinations. The crash has deeply impacted traveller confidence. We urge the authorities to conduct a transparent inquiry and support international cooperation for aviation safety. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and to Air India's team.'Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India), said, 'Every single life lost was on a journey, possibly of hope and purpose. We express our condolences to the families and pray for strength in this difficult time. The crash reminds us of the shared responsibility we carry as travel professionals. We join hands with the broader fraternity to push for safety reforms across sectors.'Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC (Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council), shared, 'The crash is not just an aviation tragedy, but a human one. The loss of life, including young professionals and travellers with aspirations, is painful. Our hearts go out to the families. We must now turn to action — through better training, upgraded standards, and emotional support services . THSC pledges to work closely with authorities and operators to implement robust safety and skills frameworks.'Satish Sehrawat and Bobby K.S. Sawhney, Executive Committee Members, ITTA (Indian Tourist Transporters Association) issued a joint note: 'This disaster has left an irreparable scar on our industry. As ground transport providers who regularly connect with airports and inbound travel, we feel this loss personally. We extend our support to families and urge the government and Air India to offer transparent updates and long-term rehabilitation measures.'Beyond condolences, these industry voices collectively underscore the need for resilience, transparency, and long-term support. From psychological counselling to policy-level changes, the associations have pledged to contribute wherever possible, from operational support to advocating for systemic investigation efforts continue, the tragedy of AI-171 stands as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need to continually reexamine aviation and travel protocols.
