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The Department of Tourism, with assistance from the R&D division of NIIT has introduced the Remote Presence Facilitation system at the Qutab Minar. It allows visitors to enjoy the bird's eye view visible from on top of the Qutab Minar. The device consists of two cameras on top of the Qutab Minar controlled by two computers installed at its base. The cameras transmit the video images over wireless. Tourists can manipulate these cameras to view the digital pictures, which can be printed and also sent through e-mail. The system has a guided tour option for viewing various structures in the vicinity of the Qutab Minar.
A bi-weekly special Shatabdi train between New Delhi and Bareilly will run from June 21 to August 16. Introduced by the Northern Railways to clear the summer rush, it will run every Thursday and Saturday and the stoppages are Moradabad and Rampur. The fares for the air-conditioned chair car start from Rs 190 and go up to Rs 470 depending upon the distance covered. These fares are inclusive of all other charges.
Keeping in mind the growing threat to vultures, the world's first Vulture Disease Investigation Centre (VDIC) has been set up in Pune. The project is a result of the joint efforts of the Bombay Natural History Society, the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The project has received a grant from the government of Britain's Darwin Initiative Funds. The VDIC is situated at the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre of the Venkateshwara Hatcheries, and will investigate the causes of the rapid decline in the vulture population. Some scientists think there is a possibility that the death of the birds is due to an infectious disease.
Keeping in mind the growing threat to vultures, the world's first Vulture Disease Investigation Centre (VDIC) has been set up in Pune. The project is a result of the joint efforts of the Bombay Natural History Society, the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The project has received a grant from the government of Britain's Darwin Initiative Funds. The VDIC is situated at the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre of the Venkateshwara Hatcheries, and will investigate the causes of the rapid decline in the vulture population. Some scientists think there is a possibility that the death of the birds is due to an infectious disease.
A 160-kilometre expressway is in the pipeline to connect Delhi with Agra. The Taj expressway will link Greater Noida to Agra and reduce travel time by about 100 minutes. The four lane highway will have service roads along the sides. In the course of time towns, industries and amusement parks will also be set up along the way.
Vision The Centre of Art is holding an exhibition of artist Ravi Varma's olegraphs, prints, labels, photographs, cinema stills, posters and advertisements titled "Indian Popular Art". It will be on display from June 28 to July 31 between 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Greater Kailash-II, opposite Arya Samaj Mandir, New Delhi.
Written by E. Jaiwant Paul, The Story of Tea, is a blend of anecdote, history and legend. It talks about the origin of tea and also gives additional information on the beverage, accompanied by legends. The book includes a map of the tea growing areas in India and the world. Priced at Rs 225, it has been brought out by Roli Books.
| Save them before it is too late |
The government has sought the help of the private sector to maintain ancient monuments. It has identified 3,607 heritage sites as "model monuments" and asked for private participation in improving a minimum of 43 major monuments which have been listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage sites. In the past a lot of big organisations like The Indian Oil Corporation(IOC), Apeejay Hotels, the Oberoi Group, the Taj Group of Hotels, have put forward proposals worth more than Rs 300 million to develop and revive the heritage sites. Recently, the Taj Group has collaborated with the government to restore the Taj Mahal.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has declared 760 buildings in the capital as heritage sites. They cannot be modified without the permission of the MCD. On the list are Hari Masjid, Municipal Corporation Primary School, Mirza Ghalib's tomb, St. Stephen's community centre and ANZ Grindlay's building.
| Through Tunnels and Up a Hill |
A three-part video series: Of Stations and Hill Stations, on the Mountain Railways of India, directed by Sanjoy Roy, tells the story of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Kalka-Simla line and the Nilgiri Express through old photograps, prints and etchings. Made by Teamwork Films, it includes the story of the hill people, their hopes and struggles and how the introduction of the railways has changed their lives. For details, call: 011-623149-96, 6467291, 6210288 or E-mail: teamworkfilms@vsnl.com.
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