Diamond Harbour – weekend picnic spot near Kolkata

Diamond Harbour is a perfect weekend gateway and an ideal picnic destination near Kolkata, the capital town of west Bengal. This small town is indeed a perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of a busy and hectic week. Diamond Harbour was more a picnic spot till recent times, but in the past few years it has developed into a popular weekend tourist spot, thanks to the development of a number of private resorts and a 5 star hotel. Watching sunrise and sunset at Diamond Harbour is an awesome experience which no words can describe.

Magnificent view of sunset at Diamond Harbour

Where is Diamond Harbour?

Diamond Harbor, the popular weekend tourist spot is located in South 24 Pargana district of the Indian state of West Bengal. This fast developing tourist destination is just 52 Km from south of Kolkata and is just one and a half hour drive from the metropolis.

About Diamond Harbour

The picturesque small town of Diamond Harbour with a touch of history offers spectacular view of the river Hoogly. At Diamond Harbour, the Rupnarayan River joins the Hoogly and bends south and widens out to a form a huge expanse of water before meeting the Bay of Bengal. A little further down, the Haldi River joins it as well and the whole place seems to be a huge ocean of water.
Diamond Harbour was earlier known as Hajipur. It was the Britishers who renamed the place during the days of East India Company. The ruins of the fort of Chingrikhali at Diamond Harbour speak of its Portugese connection and the presence of an old lighthouse adds to the historic value of the place.
The mesmerizing beauty of the place at the confluence of Hoogly (tributary of Ganga) and Bay of Bengal is simply wonderful. It is indeed a refreshing and revitalizing experience to stand by the long stretch of water and experience the panoramic beauty of the nature. During sunset, the beautiful natural vistas of the place and the sun setting down the horizon create a colourful canvas that makes an indelible experience on the mind. Watching Sunrise and Sunset at Diamond Harbour is something which creates an indelible experience on the mind and soul of every tourists visiting the place. For city dwellers who wish to escape from the humdrum of the city life, Diamond Harbour is indeed a perfect place to spend some quality time with friends, family and your loved ones.

Sightseeing in and around Diamond Harbour

Fort – Ruins of the old fort at Diamond Harbour is a must visit spot for every tourists visiting Diamond Harbour. The fort was most probably built by the Portugese or French traders in 16th Century and was mainly used as Warehouse to store merchandise before loading on the ships to Europe. Though presently the fort is in ruin but is undoubtedly a major attraction for tourists.

Ruins of Diamond Harbour

Kapil Muni Temple – The famous temple of Kapil Muni is situated on the Sagar Island and waterways is the only mode of transport. Sagar Island can be approached from either Harwood point or Namkhana jetty. Harwood Point is just 35 Km from diamond Harbour while Namkhana is another 13 Km more.
Considered to be an important and popular Hindu pilgrimage destination, the temple was built by Swami Ramanand in 1437. The temple is dedicated to the sage Kapila Muni who according to Hindu mythology was responsible for bringing Ganges down to the earth from heaven. The oldest temple was completely destroyed by a tornado. Subsequently, twice the temple was rebuilt but got destroyed as well. In the year 1961, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri B.C.Roy again setup the Kapil Muni Temple at Sagardwip Island for the fourth time.

View of Kapil Muni temple at Sagardighi

On Makar Sankranti day (middle of January), thousands of pilgrims from all over India and other countries as well rushes to Sagardwip to have a holy dip at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and river Ganga so as to wash away all the sins of their life.
Bakkhali – The beach resort of Bakkhali is at a distance of about 55 Km from Diamond Harbour and takes about 2 hours to reach. Though in the last few years this Bakkhali has developed into a popular beach resort, but apart from weekend one will not find many tourists here. With gentle waves, white sand and coconut tree around, this secluded beach is indeed a place to relax and rejuvenate. Presence of a number of hotels and resorts makes the place a perfect weekend destination.

Bakkhali beach near Diamond Harbour

How to reach Diamond Harbour?

By Air – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at Kolkata at a distance of about 65 Km is the nearest airport of Diamond Harbour. In order to reach Diamond Harbour from the airport the best option is hiring private vehicle according to his or her requirement.
By Rail – From Sealdah station there are trains at regular intervals that connects Diamond Harbour with the metropolitan town of Kolkata. The entire journey takes around one and a half at themost.
By Road – Diamond Harbour is well connected with Kolkata by good road and regular buses are available from Shahid Minar bus terminus and as well as Babughat. The road condition is quite and the road is via Khidirpore bridge.

Where to stay at Diamond Harbour?

Sagarika Tourist Lodge – Undoubtedly the best staying option at Diamond Harbour is West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) run Tourist Lodge, Sagarika. Located on the river bank, Tourist Lodge Sagarika is known for its amenities, hospitality and cleanliness in spite of being a budget accommodation.

Darjeeling Trip: a Wonderful Summer Holiday!!!

Divine nature has blessed all the places on this earth. Beauty should lie in your eyes to admire some place or the other.Planning for your honeymoon, or a relaxing family trip, or even a freak out vacation with friends – choose a north east India tour package, and visit Darjeeling. This fascinating place is best known for Buddhist monasteries, tea plantations, ride on the chairlift, shopping in the colorful markets and trekking to high altitude spots. Popular as one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world, Darjeeling also has a unique feature of toy train, which takes you from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling through scenic valleys.Land of Thunderbolt is the name given to Darjeeling which is also called Queen of Hill stations.

The Mall Road, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Shingamari Ropeway, Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo), Mahakal Dara Temple, Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Gangamaiya Park, Rock Garden, Happy Valley Tea Estate, Ava Art Gallery, Japanese Temple (Japanese Peace Pagoda), Dhir Dham Temple, Mirik Lake and Darjeeling Tea Estate are some of the attractions of Darjeeling which every tourists prefer to visit during their India tour .

Shingamari Ropeway:
Situated just 100 mtrs away from North Point School, it is the oldest passenger ropeway that connects Singla Bazaar and Darjeeling. Visitors coming to Darjeeling enjoy the thrilling ropeway tour to see the scenic natural beauty and the sprawling tea gardens from the height of 300-400 mtrs above. You will get awe struck once the chair starts moving slowly down to the Singla Bazaar. Enjoy the thrilling but memorable Shingamari ropeway tour and make the memories to cherish your Darjeeling tours for lifetime.

Zoological Park (Darjeeling Zoo): 
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park or the Darjeeling Zoo is the home of various wildlife species. It is the new home of Siberian Tigers, Red Panda, Tibetan Barking wolf, Himalayan Pheasants (Kallis), Himalayan Deer, etc. Nearby the zoo there is a famous Snow Leopard breeding centre. Take a delightful walk for the mall road to the zoo which is just 2kms away from the mall road or the center of the Darjeeling.

Mahakal Dara Temple: 
It is the famous temple of Darjeeling and the local people believe that it is because of the Temple peace and prosperity is always at its full bloom in Darjeeling. Every day local people go to the temple and offer prayer at the shrine of Mahakal Baba. You will also catch the sight of monkey playing tricks but be little careful with the monkey while visiting the temple.

Tiger Hill:
Tiger Hill, known also as Surging Sea Hill, is a large hillock covering some14100 square metres (over three acres) and is 36 metres (118 feet) in height. Climbing the hill, you will find a number of historical sites some of which can be traced back over 2500 years to the founding of Suzhou. Although the hill is relatively small it has rich history. These are just some of the highlights of what is to be found there.

Batasia Loop:
Batasia Loop is a famous loop situated on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway between Ghoom and Darjeeling, in West Bengal. Constructed in 1879 it is an engineering marvel and feat where the train takes a very unique turn. The meter-gauge toy train winds its way over this loop. Batasia Loop is just five kilometers from Darjeeling.

Darjeeling Toy Train:
Once in a lifetime, all of us must have experienced the joyful toy train ride in local fairs or in any amusement park. But, if you want to experience the real toy train, traversing through the zig-zag mountains paths and scenic beauty of Mother Nature, than you must visit Darjeeling.

Dhir Dham Temple:
Built in 1939, Dhirdham Temple is situated near Darjeeling Railway Station. It was constructed by Rai Saheb Purna Bahadur Pradhan. The temple architecture has been inspired by the famous Pashupatinath Temple at Kathmandu in Nepal. There is a statue of Lord Shiva outside the main temple. It depicts “Pancha Bakram Tri Netram” which means five different facial expressions of Lord Shiva in different moods and the third eye. Every day, Aarti is held at 08:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs.

Darjeeling Tea Gardens:
While in Darjeeling a visit to any nearby Tea Garden to watch the actual process of the manufacturing of Darjeeling Tea is worth it. Some of the Tea Gardens also sell their packet teas. There are about 70 tea gardens in this hill region and the most accessible one  is the Happy Valley Tea Estate, which is about 3 km from the town or within a walking distance of about 40 minutes (Closed on Monday).

LADAKH-the hidden beauty of india

LADAKH is a mysterious land shrouded in myth and legend. Much of its ancient history is known only through the mythology of its people as its written history is of very recent origin. Known for centuries as the 'land of passes' (La-pass;Dakh-land), Ladakh was described by Fa-hian, who travelled across its inhospitable terrain in 399 A.D., as 'The land where snow never melts and only corn ripens'.

Its landscapes are forbidding by any measure. Snow-swathed mountains rise to several thousand feet above one of the most elevated plateux on earth. A treeless wind-swept country, much of Ladakh can be termed as mountains, Arctic desert, where everything is parched bt the rarefied dryness of the atmosphere. Scattered here and there, a few narrow fertile valleys provide a stark contrast to an otherwise barren, beautiful country of intense sunlight and clear sparkling air.

Major Tourist Destinations LADAKH is situated between 30 degree to 36 degree east latitude and 76 degree to 79 degree north longitude. The region of Ladakh spread over to an area of 96,701 Sq. Kms and comprising a population of 2 Lakhs habitants and consists of two districts, Leh and Kargil. The region of Ladakh normally remains land locked between November to June every year as Srinagar-Ladakh and Ladakh- Monali highways,which connect Ladakh with the other parts of the country, remain closed during this period because of snow and rigorous winter.Ladakh is also the land of many lakes and springs. Among the springs, the famous are the sulphar springs of Panamic (Nobra), Chumathang and Puga of Changthang, which are famous for early curing of joints/rheumatic diseases. Many mineral springs are also found in some remote parts of Ladakh. People of region use the spring water as medicine to prevent and cure themselves from many diseases. The important lakes which fall within the jurisdiction of Ladakh are Pangong Lake (150 Kms. long, 4 Kms. wide situated at a height of 14,000 ft.).

Places to See-

You will find couple of places left on the planet like Ladakh. It is based on the truly amazing Himalayan rain shadow, so receives no monsoon throughout the summer time, but hefty snowfall throughout its lengthy (November – Late May) winter. In summer time it's a high, arid fortress encircled by huge peaks and trisected through the quick, snow – laden Indus and Zanskar rivers.

The landscape resembles those of neighbouring Tibet (El born area may also be known as “ Little Libet”) , along with the look of the folks, their religion – devoutly Buddhist – and also the magnificent monasteries perched imperiously on granite crags and steep slopes.

Trekking in Ladakh is really as unique because the land itself. Leh, the divisional headquarters, is obtainable from Srinagar, Delhi and Chandigarh by air and bus. Ladakh may be the land of impossible mountain tops and engaging monasteries. It depends on the tri- junction from the historic ‘ Silk Route’ from Sinkiang to West Asia and also to the flatlands the indian subcontinent. You will find numerous interesting places and monasteries to go to around Leh. A few of the important places are: Leh Structure, the monasteries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru. Markha Valley trek over Gongmaru La and Gandha La is easily the most adventurous. Another trekking trail leads southwards from Alchi and after crossing Stapski La, removes and reaches Nimu. Another trail towards north of Leh increases over Khardung La and reaches the Nubra Valley.

Indus Valley

In an average elevation of 3500 m is sand-witched between your Zanskar Range on its South and also the Ladakh Range on its North, This is actually the physical backbone, and also the historic heartland of Ladakh. All major sites associated with its dynastic history are here, beginning with Leh, the main city city. The majority of the populace resides across the Indus. Its primary attraction would be the numerous Buddhist monasteries, quaint towns, festivals, festivals and bazars. Air and road communications converage at Leh.

Zanskar Valley

Certainly one of Ladakh’s remotest regions. A 300 km lengthy valley ringed by mountain tops, purely available by high passes. The Valley of Zanskar can be found within the inner Himalaya and it is greater than most regions of Ladakh. The weather is extremely Harsh and receives hardly any rain. The twin peaks of Nun-Kun, its Monasteries and it is very rugged, awe-ambitious landscape are its primary points of interest.

Shyok Valley

The Shyok River receives the waters from the Nubra and Changchenmo rivers. It increases in the Khumdang glacier, which may be contacted from Shyok. The Shyok River requires a southerly course after it's became a member of through the Nubra River. After that the Shyok flows in to the Indus at Keris.

The stream freezes in the winter months, thus developing a simple access between your Khaplu and also the Nubra valleys. In summer time, because the snow touches within the uplands, the stream overflows its banks and inundates the nearby plain for a lot of kilometers, sometimes developing a huge marsh. Throughout this era, the Shyok River needs to be entered on rafts of inflated skin.

Padum Valley

Padum the main city from the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum (3505 m) is present administrative headquarters from the region. Having a population of nearly 1500, Padum could be referred to because the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a really scarcely lived on valley. Incidentally, it is just in Padum that there's a residential area of Muslims making up up to 50 % the township's population, its origin in the region dating from mid 17th century. Recently, Padum has turned into a famous like a major trekking base along with a popular tourist destination. Several places of tourist interest near the township could be visited throughout entertaining walks. The closest monument is some ancient rock carving on the huge boulder close to the river bank, just beneath that old township. These dates in the eighth century and supply epigraphic evidence the region was intoxicated by North Indian Buddhism since ancient occasions. The Starrimo monastery about 30 resident monks clings to some tree-covered ridge over the old town. Over the expanse of cultivation lies that old village of Pibiting, centered by its attractive hilltop monastery, an excellent symbol of stupa architecture.

Zangla Valley

Laying deep within the northern arm of Zanskar in the finish from the 35 km. Lengthy rough road from Padum, Zangla had been ruled with a titular king till his dying a couple of in the past. That old castle now in ruins except from the small chappel, occupies a hill, looking over the desertic valley below. Nearby may be the old Nunnery worth a trip for that austere existence type of the little monastic community of nuns. A classic monastery located in the encompassing village of Tsa-zar has exquisite frescos that needs to be skipped. The village lies mid-way between Stongdey and Zangla. Zangla may be the nodal point around the popular Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum round trip, which provides coverage for the majority of the cultural sites of Zanskar. That old rope suspension bridge spanning the tumultuous Zanskar near Zangla- an uncommon task of folk engineering - isn't any more being used, but nonetheless visible. The stream has become entered with a temporary footbridge for approaching the left bank along that the trail to Karsha follows. Zangla can also be the take-off point for that Padum-Markha valley treks.

Rangdum Valley

The farthest and also the most isolated area of the Suru Valley, Rangdum is definitely an elliptical broadened plateau encircled by colourful hillsides around the one for reds and glacier encrusted rocky mountain tops alternatively. Situated 130 kms South- east of Kargil, it falls half way between Kargil and Padum. Because of its seclusion from lived on parts either of Suru or Zanskar, areas wild beauty is nearly haunting, while its isolation is near perfect even while the unpaved Zanskar road traverses its length. The main attraction of the area is definitely an imposing 1700s Buddhist monastery about 40 monks in residence. Perched picturesquely atop a centrally rising hillock that is established around through the bifurcated span of an outrageous mountain stream, the Rangdum monastery has got the aura of the ancient fortification protecting a mystical mountain valley. The villagers are descendents from the monastery's farming, serf-tenants, who don't own any land in the area. The monastery likes perpetual and unalienable possession from the entire valley such as the fields tilled through the villagers, the pastures, hillsides as well as the streams. Rangdum also can serve as an essential trekking base. Typically the most popular trek came from here results in Henaskut near Lamayuru, over the spectacular gorge from the kanji valley. This 5-day trek also forms the final leg of these two week lengthy trans-Himalayan traverse between Kashmir and Ladakh.

Phugthal Valley

The Phugthal complex spills from the mouth of the huge cave up high within the sheer mountain face of the lateral gorge by which a significant tributary from the southern Lungnak (Lingti-Tsarap) River flows. Possibly, probably the most isolated monastic establishment of Zanskar, its foundation go as far back towards the early twelfth century a minumum of one old chappel, one of the several a number of so it consists, has frescos and ceiling adornments reflecting strong Indian artistic and iconographic influence. Phugthal is obtainable in the Padum-Manali trekking route via a 7 km lengthy trail that branches removed from the Purney Bridge around the primary trail. A trip to Phugthal, including Bardan and Muney monasteries enroute, constitutes a good 5-days round trek from Padum. Alternatively, it's possible to add one extra day to Padum-Manali trekking itinerary to incorporate each day-return trip to this excellent monastic establishment lived on with a resident community around 40 monks.

Stongdey Valley

The monastery of Stongdey lies 18 kms. To northern Padum, on the highway resulting in Zangla. A classic foundation connected using the Tibetan Yogi, Marpa, Stongdey has become the 2nd biggest monastic establishment of Zanskar, lived on through the resident community around 60 Gelukpa monks. The sprawling whitewashed complex has numerous temples, each a repository from the region's wealthy monastic legacy. Stongdey could be arrived at by feet within 4 hrs across the lately laid rough road. The ascend towards the monastery is quite strenuous, but it's worthwhile for that breathtaking scenery from the valley offered by here.

Sankoo Valley

A attractive expanse encircled by colorful rocky mountain tops, Sankoo is definitely an approaching township having a small bazaar (42 kms south of Kargil) and various towns around Dense farms of poplars, willows, myricarea and wild roses fill the bowl formed valley, passing on the atmosphere of the guy-made forest hidden inside the mountain ramparts. Two side valleys drained by large tributary streams from the Suru river, the Kartse flowing in the east and also the Nakpochu climbing down in the west, open on each side from the expanse. The Karste Valley runs deep in to the eastern mountain tops mass with a lot of isolated towns hidden within its course. Some-day trek between Sankoo and Mulbek follows this valley the path passes through some very beautiful all downhill areas in route the 4950 m high Rusi-la . Our prime altitude settlement of Safi and it is mixed Buddhist-Muslim human population is struck between your Rusi-la and also the Shafi-la that the ultimate leg from the trek passes before entering the Mulbek valley. A southward diversion in the feet from the Rusi-la results in Rangdum over the glaciated Rangdum pass in which the Karste River increases. The Three-day trek to Drass over the Umba-la (3350 m) follows the western valley. Sankoo is an extremely well-liked by local have a picnic enthusiasts who throng the region from Kargil town along with other places. In your area it's also common as a location of pilgrimage towards the ancient shrines of Muslin scholar-saint, Sayed Mir Hashim, who had been specifically asked from Kashmir for providing religious teachings towards the region's Buddhist ruler, Thi-Namgyal from the Suru principality, following his conversion to Islam throughout the 16th century. The shrine can be found within the village of Karpo-Khar around the borders of Sankoo in which the chief had his summer time structure.

Drass Valley

Drass (3230 m), 60 km west of Kargil on the path to Srinagar, is really a small township laying within the center from the valley of the identical title. It is famous because the second very coldest lived on place on the planet due to the brilliant cold that descends upon the valley together with repeated snowfalls throughout winters. Winter temperatures are commonly known as to plummet to under minus 40 levels.

The Drass valley begins from the bottom of the Zojila pass, the Himalayan gateway to Ladakh. For hundreds of years its occupants are recognized to have discussed this formidable pass even throughout probably the most dangerous period within the late fall or springtime, once the whole sector remains snow-bound and it is susceptible to frequent snow storms, to move trader's merchandise across and also to help stranded vacationers to traverse it. Due to their mastery within the pass they'd established a monopoly within the transporting trade throughout the heydays from the Pan-Asian trade. A hardly people long lasting with fortitude and severity of the valley's winter, the occupants of drass can very well be referred to because the guardian's of Ladakh's gateway.

Suru Valley

Probably the most beautiful parts of Ladakh , the Suru Valley forms the mainstay of Kargil district. Laying situated across the north-eastern foothills from the great Himalayan Wall, it stretches from Kargil town, first southward for any period of about 75 Kms Up to the expanse around Panikhar, thence eastward for an additional stretch of nearly 65 kms up to the feet from the Penzila watershed in which the Suru valley increases. Its composite population around 30,000 -- mainly of Tibeti-Darad descent -- are Muslims who had converted their Buddhist belief around the center of the 16th century. Top of the valley reaches from the valley, particularly round the Sankoo bowl, the Panikhar expense and also the greater stretch beyond, present a spectacle of breathtaking features-regal mountain ramparts crowned by snow assigned peaks, undulating all downhill slopes draining into wild mountain streams of foaming cascades of pristine water, awesome glaciers climbing down across the Himalayan slopes towards the river mattress in riverine formation, Quaint towns of adobe houses straggling dry hillocks encircled by large areas of lush crops downward the patches of all downhill pastures uphill. The good thing about this region is further enhanced through the sheer contrast supplied by the towering peaks of Kun (7035 m) and Nun (7135 m) which loom within the skyline within their crystalline majesty. 

India as an Offshoring Destination: A Historical Perspective

As debates rage on across the globe on the economics of Offshoring work to India in the IT & ITES space (BPO), it is time to view outsourcing from the right perspectives. The Cost perspective is often harped upon by both Indian companies and their offshoring clients. However the root of Indian competitiveness in this space is not often discussed. This article only offers that historical perspective on why India is suited to be BPO Hub of the world.

"Off shoring" is the system of packaging a set of your organization's tasks and hiring another company situated in another country to perform these tasks for you as a Billable Service. The service providing company provides you a dedicated workforce to perform these tasks for mutually agreed cost and quality terms.

Why India?

The crux of "Off shoring" is "COST" and better operating margins for the companies' off shoring to India, China or any other country. But "COST" and "PREDICTABLE & CONSISTENT QUALITY" would be more like it.

India has an edge because you have decent quality English speaking people who are willing to do routine work ("Grunt Work") at a highly competitive price. As long as it maintains that edge, remains consistent and predictable, India has a place as the Software backyard and the BackOffice of the world. A large IT Manpower pool and dominance of English in higher education system only helps to build India as a preferred choice for "Offshoring".

The reason why India is able to have such consistent IT & ITES workforce has nothing to do with India becoming a big power in the IT Space or brilliance of Indian Programmers or the fantastic engineers of our IITs. It is a consequence of our McCaulay System of Education which over 170 years old .

McCaulay & India

Thomas Babington McCaulay (1800-1859) was posted in India in the first half of the 19th Century (1835 -1837) under Governor General William Bentick when India was just brought fully under the control of the British Empire. The British throne exercised control on India through its agency the British "East India Company". The Company waged bloody battles for most part of the 18th Century in India to control political power and every possible resource in India. From 1784 onwards there was a "Board of Control" with members from the House of Commons which defined the relations between the Crown and the Directors of the East India Company.

Coming back to McCaulay; Thomas Babington McCaulay, a master of English prose and literature, was elected twice as the member of the House of Commons, and served as one of the commissioners of the Board of Control for 18 months (1831-1832) whereon he got involved in Indian affairs. The British crown wanted to appoint a person who was not in the offices of the East India Company as a member of the Supreme Council in India. In 1833 McCaulay was appointed to the Supreme Council of India and traveled to India. By the time he sailed backed in 1837, he laid the foundation for two of the most important systems which would change India as a country - the Indian Penal Code and the education system.

The foundation for English Education

In one of his speeches to the House of Commons in 1833 before coming to India, McCaulay outlined his plan for perpetuation of British governance in India through representative institutions of the government similar to the European model of governance. This institutional framework designed to manage the British supremacy required to be staffed with people who understood the language and the systems. So came up the need for training Indians to occupy these positions. McCaulay was of the opinion that Indians were perfectly in position to be trained to staff a new system of governance. To quote McCaulay "That the average of intelligence and virtue is very high in this country is matter for honest exultation. But it is no reason for employing average men where you can obtain superior men. Consider too, Sir, how rapidly the public mind in India is advancing , how much attention is already paid by the higher classes of the natives to those intellectual pursuits on the cultivation of which the superiority of the European race to the rest of mankind principally depends. . . ." . This observation made 172 years back is relevant even today and will find a familiar echo with many supporters of Offshoring to India.

McCaulay outlaid the plans for Indian Education System in the McCaulay' Minute of Education which was reviewed and passed by Governor General William Bentick in 1835. William Bentick agreeing to McCaulay's view concurred that the true objective of the British government should be the promotion of European Literature and Culture in India thus laying the foundation for a permanent position for use of English Language in Indian Education. Today English has come to stay in Free India. Whether the supporters of Indian languages like it or not, it is impossible to replace English as the medium of instruction in higher education, language of governance and the language of technology long after McCaulay and the British have gone. The medium of instruction in Colleges and Universities across India is English and will remain so for a long time in future.

It is this very foundation of English based education rooted in history that makes it easier for Indians to be a preferred choice for BPOs and offshoring work from US other English Speaking countries.

The root of Indian Work Ethic
The other important perspective which often is ignored is that McCaulay education plan was not just about teaching English to Indians. It was propagating a system of governance and making Indians suitable to occupy positions in the Institutions which represented this system.

To quote "We will create a system of education that will not change their color but will make them 'white' in their thoughts." (There is no record to show McCaulay actually used these exact words but he must have said something on similar lines). Here we have to remember that in 1830s - "white" meant largely European. At that time Europe was in the post Renaissance era where most of the foundations for what would come to be called modern science and technology was already laid. The use of mechanization was dawning upon the modern world; this would eventually lead to the Industrial Revolution and the birth of the factory system which is the rock bed of any economy even to this day. McCaulay's remarks on "white in thoughts" should be viewed from this perspective. McCaulay would never have realized that one day this bridge built to advance British dominance in India would also help free India to be able to do business and be on par with technological advances of other erstwhile British Colonies.

By the beginning of 19th Century the British dominance in India was complete. What was earlier a conglomeration of princely states with independent rulers had to be brought under a single system of governance. While the military power which helped British gain control over India in the 18th century was important, it would not help maintain a civil framework and also allow for the British rulers to discharge the fundamental duties of any ruler - to collect taxes and maintain law & order. They needed a framework of administrative and judicial institutions in India. The senior positions in these Institutions would for almost a century later be the exclusive preserve of the British, it did not make economic sense to employ British for staff positions in the offices of the government and many civil institutions. The only option was to train Indians for these positions. In a country as complex and elaborate as India it meant creation of an elaborate education system which would ultimately enable Indians to exploit job opportunities being thrown up by the British Indian Government.

The British Indian Government offered Indians the first real opportunity to be exposed to western Work Ethic. Some of the precepts of this Work Ethic would be

(a) Employment based on Qualification

(b) Fixed Work Timings,

(c) Designations associated with Job Roles

(d) Defined nature of Work

(e) Documenting work activities

(f) Job Hierarchy and promotion based on Seniority (it would still take sometime for Indians to break the Glass Ceiling and become officers in British Indian Government) and most importantly

(f) Fixed Monthly Salary.

This would be the first exposure of Indians to a new work ethic which they imbibed for over a century and would eventually build what is known as the Indian Middle Class. More than anything else, the last precept was a major attraction for a large majority of Indians. For somebody who could not suffer the vagaries of an agrarian life or did not have acumen of a trader, a job with a government institution offered opportunity for a decent livelihood as long as you had western education, communicated in English, where disciplined and obedient. That, being a part of the government increased your social standing was only a bonus. This was the primary reason Indians immediately gravitated towards this new work ethic and the education system which was the stepping stone for this opportunity. Today a large part of Indian government, trade, business and Industry still runs because of this Work ethic.

The Work Force to Staff Offices

McCaulay's contribution through his education plan, more than teaching English, was to create a system which would churn out disciplined, obedient and productive staff to man the offices of the British Indian Government.

For more than 170 years later this system of Education has remained largely unchanged. It is too elaborate and too complex for anybody to change. The precepts of the system are so fundamentally strong that it would be impossible to change. Only new layers of Higher Learning have been added to the existing system through the IITs, IIMs and other Institutions of higher learning. But the Core of the education system, the Work Ethic it imbibes and the predictability of work force it produces is the same for the last couple of centuries. Individuals vary in the degree of their learning depending on the opportunities presented to them and their individual competencies. This self sustained system of English based Western Education and Work Ethic which offers Predictability of the work force are fundamental reasons which will help India to be a preferred choice for off shoring work and establish itself in the BPO Sector. China has only now realized the importance of using English as the business transaction language and is all set to teach English to its populace with vigor. Lower Employment Cost is no doubt a distinct advantage, but a history and system which is designed to produce predictable people to handle office jobs in English is a supremely distinct advantage.

The Flip Side

This 200 year old system of Education and all its associated values has its flip side. As I have stated in the above passages, irrespective of the nature of higher learning, the core of the educational system is to produce a work force which is predictable and obedient. The Work Ethic for which the British set the foundation has predictability, obedience and repetitiveness as cornerstones. This makes a large part of the Indian workforce very good at predictable and carrying out defined activities.

Questioning things the way they are done, trying to change the rules of the game, Innovation and Creativity are something which cannot be expected out the products of this system. This is primarily the reason that even in the IT space we have a very large number of IT Services and ITES companies. The largest number of CMM Level 5 Companies (CMM is all about Consistency!) but not a single IT Product company. The situation is no different in traditional manufacturing sectors. TATAs being able to design and manufacture a passenger car named - Indica was considered a breakthrough in the Indian industry, which almost 50 years after Independence was stilling producing vehicles on western and Japanese designs. Coming out with a new product in IT or any other Industry requires individuals who are not only Innovative and Creative (Latest buzzwords) but are strongly committed to Question the very existence of things as they are now. There are no doubt positive movements towards this direction, but it will be a while before our education system can produce such individuals.

Tourism Destinations in India

India is a country of diverse cultural traditions, dresses, cuisine, languages and lifestyle. You start from one corner, and you can see the change at every corner varying from one state to another. This unity in diversity is seen in everyday life making it an attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. There are so many tourist spots in India that it becomes a big exercise to choose the right tourism destination in India.

A visit to this magnificent land is always an exhilarating experience that is treasured because the country holds so many wonders. Examples are the outstanding Taj Mahal-one of the seven wonders of the world, enormous forts and fabulous palaces of the Rajasthan, Natural beauties like the impressive Himalayan peaks with unblemished Valleys, perfect beaches, religious artefacts such as temples, gurudwaras, mosques, churches and synagogues.

Tourism industry is the biggest service industry in India, contributing about 6.5% to the national GDP and approx. 9% of the entire employment in India. More than five million foreign tourists visit India annually and 562 million domestic tourists visit various tourist spots in India. This industry generates about hundred billion US dollars in 2008-09 and is expected to increase to 275 dollars billion by the year 2018. The nodal agency for the promotion of tourism in India is Ministry of Tourism.

As per the World Travel and Tourism Council, India will be the top tourism hotspot from year 2009-2018. In year 2007, India was ranked sixth in terms of price competitiveness and in safety and security, it ranked 39th.

In this update, we will discuss the hill stations of India. Here you can experience an enchanting walk on the mountains and in the valleys and feast your eyes on with evergreen hills. Before independence, many hill stations functioned as summer capitals of Indian princely states and as of today, all these hill stations are well-liked summer resorts. Most famous hill stations are: Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Gulmarg in Srinagar, Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Darjeeling in West Bengal, Shillong in Meghalaya, Kodaikanal, Yercaud and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Nainital in Uttarakhand, Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, Munnar in Kerala, Shimla and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Gangtok in Sikkim and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

In addition to these tourist spots in India, there are also many tranquil and serene natural retreats for a nature lover. Some of them are Kausani, Leh, Ladhak, Dunagiri, Binsar and Mukteshwar, which are also popular tourism destination in India.