National
Kerala Anticipates Significant Increase in Domestic Tourists This Summer Season

“I want to assure everyone that Kerala’s allure remains just as captivating as ever, continually evolving with fresh products and initiatives that enhance our reputation as a welcoming and vibrant destination for all seasons,” stated Kerala Tourism director Sikha Surendran during a press conference at the Partnership Meet, attended by numerous tourism stakeholders.
With domestic tourists constituting a substantial part of Kerala’s tourism industry, the state has initiated a nationwide campaign to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders across the country, particularly during the summer school vacation period.
“Domestic travelers have always been crucial to the vitality of Kerala’s tourism sector. Our pan-India promotional efforts are focused on reinforcing the state’s recognition as an all-season tourism destination that caters to a diverse range of visitors,” emphasized Surendran.
Kerala has experienced a remarkable increase in domestic tourist arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers in 2022, with record levels reached in 2023. The upward trend has continued into 2024, with 10,857,181 domestic tourists recorded in the first half alone (January-June).
“This year, we are also shining a light on North Kerala, particularly Bekal, Wayanad, and Kozhikode, as well as lesser-known locations that boast significantly improved infrastructure, logistics, and digital connectivity,” the official added.
In the post-pandemic period, Kerala Tourism has received prestigious national and international accolades, solidifying its status as a must-visit destination. The most recent recognition comes from leading digital travel platform Booking.com, which ranked Kerala as the second ‘Most Welcoming Region’ in its 13th Annual Travellers Review Awards, as noted in a press release.
Surendran also announced that the capital city Thiruvananthapuram is set to host the Nishagandhi Dance Festival from February 14 to 20, featuring prominent dancers from across India showcasing classical dance forms such as Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Manipuri.
Additionally, the International Surfing Festival is scheduled for Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district on February 27 and 28, the International Paragliding Festival at Vagamon in Idukki from March 19 to 23, and the Mountain Terrain Biking Championship (MTB Kerala 2025) set for March 28 to 30 at Mananthavadi in Wayanad.
National
UP to Develop Krishna and Ram-Themed Parks in Mathura and Ayodhya Using Urban Waste

The Urban Development Department has submitted a detailed proposal to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the establishment of ‘Krishna Lok Park’ in Mathura and ‘Lav-Kush Park’ along with ‘Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra’ in Ayodhya.
Drawing inspiration from Prayagraj’s Shivalaya Park and Lucknow’s UP Darshan Park, these new developments aim to transform urban waste into artistic and spiritual environments.
These parks will be created under the state’s “Waste to Wealth” initiative, utilizing scrap metal and other urban waste materials. This initiative aligns with CM Yogi’s vision for sustainable urban development, according to officials.
The Krishna Lok Park in Mathura will depict significant moments from Lord Krishna’s life through innovative 3D imaging, interactive models, and light-and-sound presentations. Visitors will relive key events such as his birth, the vanquishing of Putana, Bakasura, and Kansa, as well as his heroic exploits, Draupadi’s rescue, and his Vishwaroop revelation during the Bhagavad Gita in the Mahabharata.
Additionally, the park will feature engaging areas for children, including swings designed like flutes and peacocks, and visual displays recreating the ancient ambiance of Mathura-Vrindavan.
In Ayodhya, the Lav-Kush Park will concentrate on the tales of Lord Ram’s sons, Lav and Kush, along with other significant episodes from Lord Ram’s life. This park will include a state-of-the-art Shri Purushottam Darshan Anubhav Kendra that offers LED displays, interactive walls, murals, projections, and touch-screen kiosks to share inspiring stories.
For younger visitors, Lav-Kush Park will also host an entertainment zone with photo opportunities, a bow-and-arrow area, horse rides, obstacle courses, a learning section, and storytelling zones utilizing interactive technology.
These theme parks are designed to provide both entertainment and education, generate revenue for local municipalities, and promote spiritual tourism in Mathura and Ayodhya.
National
BJP Takes Steps to Address Concerns After AIADMK Rejects Coalition Government Assertion

In what can be seen as a gag order, both Reddy and Nagendran emphasized the importance of refraining from unnecessary critiques of the coalition and avoiding provocative reactions. This directive notably followed remarks by senior AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai, who reasserted party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s (EPS) firm stance that a coalition government would not be formed.
Adding to the BJP’s discomfort, several AIADMK leaders have attempted to draw a distinction between an electoral coalition and a coalition government. EPS’s public contradiction of Amit Shah, who claimed there would be a coalition government involving BJP participation, stirred unrest within the saffron party, prompting swift efforts for damage control.
The AIADMK has also issued a similar gag order to its leaders, instructing them not to discuss the issue publicly. Following suit, the BJP aims to mitigate any further fallout from the situation.
“Guidance for the BJP will come from the national leadership. On policy matters, public expressions of opinion are discouraged; discussions should remain within internal meetings. Decisions regarding the alliance will be jointly made by Amit Shah and EPS. We must avoid unnecessary criticism,” Reddy stated.
He further emphasized that the AIADMK’s reintegration into the NDA was a collaborative decision between Shah and EPS, which would ultimately position the BJP to secure double-digit seats and a considerable presence within the assembly.
Aware of the importance of maintaining this partnership, Nainar Nagendran underscored the need for campaign and promotional materials, including posters and wall writings, to avoid creating discord within the coalition or disparaging any individual leaders. He reiterated that such materials should solely serve to strengthen both the party and the alliance, with the primary goal being to oust the “anti-people and dynastic” DMK government from power.
National
131 Drug Samples Found to Be Below Standard Quality

The Ministry noted that the NSQ and spurious drug lists are updated monthly and made available on the CDSCO portal as part of regular regulatory surveillance.
The categorization of drug samples as NSQ is based on their failure to meet specified quality parameters during testing by government laboratories. Importantly, such failures pertain only to the specific batch tested and do not necessarily raise concerns about other products available in the market.
Additionally, one drug sample from West Bengal was identified as spurious; it was produced by an unauthorized manufacturer using a brand name owned by another company. The Minister confirmed that this issue is under investigation, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
This ongoing effort to identify NSQ and spurious medications is carried out in collaboration with state regulators to ensure that these products are promptly removed from the market.
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