Indian News

Visiting Asia offers so many amazing opportunities for holidaymakers on an India tourist visa, from spotting fantastic wildlife to watching great religious festivals.

It also enables travellers to experience several different cultures they would never have seen – or even heard of – before. With more than 1.36 billion people living in India, the expansive land offers a huge cultural diversity. Those in the Himalayan mountains, for instance, are a world away from those along India's long idyllic coastline or the crowded city of Mumbai where more than 16 million people reside.

India is also home to one of the oldest tribes in the world, the Drokpas, who continue their customs and traditions to this day, despite the country constantly evolving through the years.

Photographer Aman Chotani has shone a light on this group of people, who live along the Indus River in the Jammu and Kashmir region of the country, giving an insight into their way of life.

It is thought this tribe originated from some of Alexander the Great's army who lost their way on the land and never returned home. Drokpa means Aryan in Ladakhi, owing to the fact they descended from Greece and surrounding countries, as opposed to southern Asia.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Chotani said it was important to him to document the tribe in his book, The Last Avatar, before they disappeared without recognition.

They continue to wear their impressive tribal dress to attractive a suitor, and enjoy public displays of affection as well as swapping wives; however, most Drokpas work as agrarian farmers these days to help their tribal existence survive.

Tourists to this part of the country could enjoy an experience of a lifetime if they got the chance to immerse themselves in this ancient way of life for a couple of days.

There's no doubt that online streaming has had a significant impact on people across the world. Whether it's Netflix,Spotify or Apple Music, it has changed the experience for people who commute to work or what they plan on doing in their free time. If you've secured your tourist visa to India, then you'll want to continue streaming while you're visiting the country.

The Times of India reports that Airtel has entered into a partnership with the online streaming platform, which will provide a three-month free subscription to select mobile and broadband customers. Sure, those who opt in will have to pay for the subscription fees after the first three months, but it could - and would - be worth the investment.

Depending on how long you will be staying in the country, you won't want to be wasting your internet data on streaming different content. You might also find that Netflix is growing to be a popular choice for many people in the country. According to MarketWatch, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey has strengthened its shares in the company due to its subscriber count in the country and opportunities that are opening up for the platform.

Matthew Thornton, a SunTrust Robinson Humphrey analyst, commented: "India is the key incremental market for Netflix in our view. Netflix appears to be gaining ground on an absolute and relative basis based on [the] app store and search data."

If you're planning to travel to the country, then you'll want to ensure that you can have easy access to your Netflix account and keep up with your favourite TV shows.

Most people will know how important mobile data is to their smartphones. In fact, you'll find that most people will not hesitate to spend time aimlessly browsing the internet, social media or different apps. However, that does mean that you could be wasting away the data available in your mobile package. If you've secured your tourist visa to India, then you'll be able to keep on top of data usage.

According to the News Minute, Twitter has launched its data-friendly app in India for Android owners. Twitter Lite supports 2G and 3G networks and is only a 3MB install, with social media users able to turn on data saver mode and control what images and videos are loaded up on the app.

You might find that you're using Twitter to tweet about your time in the country. If you're controlling what you're loading on the app, it means that you don't have to worry about the amount of data you're using on the platform. The Lite version even supports threads, meaning that you're able to link tweets together and you could save more data by writing your comments in advance on a notepad app.

Mahima Kaul, the head of public policy at Twitter in India, commented: "Twitter is committed to add value to the expression of our users, allowing them to share their experiences and views in a more meaningful and engaging manner."

If you're not on a large-sized data package - or if you're looking to regulate your internet usage - then it's the perfect time to access the app from the Google Play store.

If you're a football fan, then you'll enjoy that moment when you finish work and you're able to watch matches from different leagues around the world. However, you might find yourself called out on an urgent business trip and be wondering what's the best way to watch a match. If you've secured a same-day business visa to India, then you'll find that your trip will be even easier as a football fan.

Reuters reports that La Liga can be watched for free on Facebook in India over the next three seasons. Yes, that means that all 380 fixtures in the 2018-19 season are accessible to users in the country - and is a dream come true for any football enthusiast.

Alfredo Bermejo, the digital strategy director for La Liga, commented: "We are really happy to be on a free-to-air service in such an important territory as the Indian sub-continent. One of our goals for the last two years has been to offer content to the widest audience possible."

There will be no better feeling than finishing a hard day of work in the country and to come back and watch the football from the social media platform. In fact, you could even watch matches from the likes of Barcelona, Atlético Madrid or Real Madrid during your commute or lunch break depending on the time zone differences.

Considering that Amazon bought the rights to 20 Premier League matches for Prime subscription holders this year, it might not be long before more online platforms provide those people who frequently travel to India the ability to stream matches from almost any league.

You might remember how important wrestling was in your childhood. In fact, you might still watch the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and know how popular it remains across the world. If you've secured your tourist visa to India this summer, then you should know that you won't be the only WWE fan talking about the promotion in the country.

The New Indian Express (NIE) reports that Kavita Devi is set to return for the WWE's second Mae Young Classic (MYC). The tournament first took place in 2017 and featured 32 women's wrestlers from around the world.

Ms Devi made history in the inaugural competition by becoming the first Indian woman to take part in the MYC.

During a tour of India, WWE superstar Braun Strowman spoke to Indo-Asian News Service (via NIE) and said that the wrestling promotion has "received an overwhelming response" for the progress that has been made in the country.

Strowman, whose real name is Adam Joseph Scherr, commented: "India has the largest WWE Universe fan base. The Indian universe love[s] us and it's great to have the athletes come in and help us consolidate ourselves as the number one wrestling entertainment promotion in the world."

WWE has made a big push over the past couple of years for its so-called ‘women's revolution'. According to Sports Illustrated, WWE chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon made the announcement that the first-ever all-women's pay-per-view (PPV) will be called Evolution, which is set to take place on October 28th.

You might be able to see Ms Devi compete at Evolution should she progress in this year's MYC, with the finals being held at the PPV.

Anyone that plans to visit a new country wants to explore and become invested in different cultures. If you've already booked your tourist visa to India, your next plan of action is to become familiar with Bollywood.

Yes, Indian cinema is one of the world's largest film industries and has a history going back over a century. You would be missing out if you didn't take the time to visit a cinema in the country, let alone not watching some of the most iconic films Bollywood has ever produced.

Here are three films that cannot - and should not - be overlooked.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of the most famous films in Bollywood's history. It has one of the industry's biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), in the leading role, with the story focusing on his character meeting his love interest during a trip to Europe.

Dilwale is a film that any Indian will know about. It was first released in 1995, but its popularity and cult status had a cinema in Mumbai show it until 2015.

Veer-Zaara

Veer-Zaara tells the story of an Indian air force squadron leader, Veer Pratap Singh, who falls in love with a woman from Pakistan, Zaara Haayat Khan, after rescuing her from a bus accident. Not only was it directed by beloved filmmaker Yash Raj Chopra, but it also stars SRK in the leading role.

Don

Industry icon Amitabh Bachchan plays the character Don, a powerful mobster who is killed by the police. Subsequently, the police use a man that looks like Don (also played by Bachchan) to pose as him and infiltrate his gang.

It's a classic crime film from 1978. Oh, and if you don't like watching ‘old' films, then there was a 2006 version featuring an actor regarded in the same stature as Bachchan. Guessed who it is? Three letters: SRK.

Whether you planned it or not, you might have had a lifestyle change over the summer and potentially stopped drinking or smoking. With the latter, you might also have shifted to an electronic cigarette to help you kick the bad habit. If you've secured your tourist visa to India, you might want to leave the e-cigarette behind.

The Daily Express reported that vaping is now banned in India, with the newspaper also identifying that an "estimated 2.8 million Britons smoke e-cigarettes".

James Dunworth, chairman of E-Cigarette Direct, commented: "As millions of people gear up for their summer holiday, it is easy to forget that foreign laws are different [from] those in the UK."

You could find that your e-cigarette has been essential in cutting back the number of cigarettes your smoking per day. However, the ban doesn't mean that it will ruin your holiday. There are alternative ways to kick the addiction and India might be the country where you can enjoy them.

Have you ever heard of paan? It is essentially beta leaf combined with areca nut, but it can also contain other ingredients including fennel seeds, mint leaves and cardamom. With paan, you either spit it out or swallow it once you've chewed it. For ex-smokers, paan is both a stimulant and has psychoactive effects, meaning that it could help change your mood and stop you from reaching for a cigarette.

Paan can be made with tobacco or without it, so for anyone looking to maintain their non-smoking rule, it is a nice alternative to have by your side. Even if you're not a smoker, you could still try it and understand why so many people love to eat it across Asia.

The start of the World Cup football tournament must be having an impact on Brits, as more and more people are planning to take active holidays in 2018.

According to American Express, 23 per cent are set to enjoy an activity break this year, while ten per cent have already booked their adventurous trip for 2019, Money Net reported.

Parents are keen to get their children moving this summer, with walking, cycling, climbing and watersports being among the most popular active holidays they are embarking on with their youngsters.

Maggie Boyle, director at American Express, said: "It's great to see our love for sport feeding into our holiday habits."

With Ms Boyle adding that summer breaks are something "parents and children really look forward to", it is a good idea to make yours special by booking an adventure holiday to India.

There are so many things both adults and children can enjoy here with their India tourist visas, with the vast and varied land providing a huge choice when it comes to activities.

For those who love wildlife, there are several animal safaris to enjoy in India, from spotting tigers, sloth bears or wild boars in Ranthambore National Park to exploring the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, where there are elephants, leopards and bison.

India is also an ideal place for those who love to trek. Home to part of the Himalayas, those with older children could explore some of the country's impressive mountain range. You might not climb Mount Everest, but the peaks have become more accessible to tourists over the years, allowing families to enjoy the breathtaking views and stretch their legs.

You have packed your suitcase, got your India tourist visa, and taken out your currency ready for your Asian adventure. However, one thing you should make sure you do not leave the house without is holiday insurance.

Co-op Insurance revealed that 48 per cent of British parents do not take out protection when heading abroad, despite 37 per cent having had a child fall ill or injure themselves when on holiday.

Its latest study also found a quarter (26 per cent) have either cancelled or considered cancelling a family vacation due to a poorly child, with the average insurance claim for an unwell youngster costing £606.

Colin Butler, head of travel insurance at the Co-op, said this is "alarming".

He stated: "Illnesses and injuries, particularly for children, can be unpredictable and, as a result, expected medical bills can be very expensive."

The most common ailment for children when abroad is a stomach bug, affecting 24 per cent of all those youngsters who fall ill on holiday. This is followed by the flu (22 per cent), chickenpox (17 per cent), food poisoning (12 per cent) and an ear infection (12 per cent).

When it comes to injuries, most kids suffer from cuts (38 per cent), while insect bites (31 per cent) and bruises (30 per cent) are not far behind. A quarter of injured children have sprained their wrist while abroad.

To help parents, Co-op Insurance is offering free travel insurance to under-18s holidaying with an adult this summer until September 30th.

India is a great destination for children to visit, with so many sites to explore and things to do. You could head to Kerala for its beautiful white sand beaches, explore the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, or discover its vibrant wildlife, such as the Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion and red pandas.

So you're ready to travel to India with your same day business visa, now to get everything else in order. In the modern world, we rely heavily on our smartphones, to do everything from find our way around to find the best recommendations for local places to eat. However, when travelling, mobile reception can be tricky, slow, limited and often expensive. How, then, can you make the most of your smartphone while travelling?

Well, there are a range of smartphone apps, specifically designed for travellers, which can be pre-loaded from a wifi connection and available without a mobile internet connection. Here are some of the best, most useful apps on offer.

Google Maps

If you'll be driving in India, Google Maps can be pre-loaded with routes and directions that can be used offline. You won't be able to get cycling, walking or public transport routes, but you can see where you on the map in real time.

Here WeGo

Possibly the best offline route-finder, Here WeGo can also walking, cycling and public transport options while offline. Downloading maps and regions is easy, but it may take up a lot of space on your device, so be sure to clear out some space for it.

XE Currency

If you're in need of a currency converter, XE is a great free app. Download the currency option ahead of time and it's easy to use to find out how much your purchase is costing you in your native currency quickly and easily.