Page 24 - The Indian EYE 102723

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 27, 2023 | The Indian Eye 24

River cruises in India take tourists

to hidden treasures

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
ndia has everything that you can
imagine, it also has what is be-
Iyond imagination. India can not
be defined in words but can be ex-
perienced with heart, “ said Prime
Minister Modi. The recently held
webinar by the Consulate General
on ‘River Cruises in India’ on Satur-
day, October 14, highlighted India’s
exquisite natural and cultural beauty
and richness, which is absolutely be-
yond imagination. The river cruises
take you to hidden treasures of In-
dia’s scenic delight, cultural nuances
and rich traditions, which makes the
experience extremely fulfilling.
In India, river cruises are gaining
popularity too. Randhir Jaiswal, the
consul general said, “ India is a land
of mighty rivers. During G20, we
saw meetings happening across the
length and breadth of the country,
there are immense possibilities now
with regard to tourism.”
Moderated by Varun Jeph, the
Deputy Counsel General, the session
was a breathtaking virtual journey
into the beautiful world of India’s
river cruises.
Ms Antara Phoolkan, Director,
Business Development and Design,
Assam Bengal Navigation Co & Jun-
gle Travels India, the cruise operator
on India’s Brahmaputra and Ganges
rivers, navigated these mighty wa-
terways since 2003 was the keynote
speaker,
With its blue rivers that often re-
semble the sea; green mountains that
are home to leopards and elephants;
and swathes of aromatic tea gardens
forming the world’s largest tea-grow-
ing region, it’s easy to understand why
Assam is a very special place on earth.
The river offers a snapshot of through country towns. With many turally rich part of India, travelling vessels but small cabins, a river cruise
life in northeast India; a chance to places almost inaccessible on foot, a by boat opens up areas otherwise has smaller ships with like-minded
explore country towns and rural vil- cruise is a leisurely, pleasurable way to largely inaccessible to the traveller. travellers. The rooms are luxurious,
lages, the river island of Majuli and experience the ‘real India’ in this of- Lower Ganges cruises oper- larger and the views simply breath-
ancient temples, as well as spotting ten overlooked corner of the country. ate all year round, while cruises on takingly beautiful as you may wake
the magnificent One-horned Rhino Cruises on the Ganges and Lower the Ganges operate in the winter up each morning to a different facet
on a jeep safari. Ganges (the Hooghly) offer a chance months. Due to river conditions, we of a village life, an island and its rich
The banks of the mighty Brah- to witness life as lived in riverbank vil- can only cruise all the way up to Va- biological diversity. Certainly, India
maputra boast riches galore, from lages and towns, and marvel at ornate ranasi in the months of August and is to be experienced through heart
wildlife to tea gardens, walks through historic temples and monuments. A September. since each of the hidden gem here
tiny villages to cycle rickshaw rides little-known but fascinating and cul- While a ship cruise has a large will resonate with you for long!

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