Tonight on Shannon Skinner Live: Dr. Joan Borysenko and Monika Burwise on ancient wisdom, healing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, June 23, 2015 — Tonight on Shannon Skinner Live radio show, host Shannon Skinner speaks with world-renowned expert in the mind-body connection, Dr. Joan Borysenko; and Monika Burwise, author and co-founder, Global Awakening Institute, about ancient wisdom and healing. Tune-in to VoiceAmerica Women tonight at 7pm EST/ 4PM Pacific.
Shannon Skinner Live is a weekly radio show that uncovers the stories and solutions to living an extraordinary life and making this world a better place. It features interviews with experts, visionaries and activists, and more.
About Dr. Joan Borysenko:
Dr. Joan Borysenko is a pioneer in integrative medicine and world-renowned expert in the mind/body connection. Her work has been foundational in a global health-care revolution that recognizes the role of meaning, and spirituality, as a part of health and healing.
Harvard Medical School educated, Dr. Borysenko is the author of the New York Times best-seller, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind. She is also the author or co-author of 13 other books, including her latest book, The Plant Plus Diet Solution. She is the Founding Partner of Mind/Body Health Sciences, located in Boulder, Colorado. She lives in New Mexico.
About Monika Burwise:
Monika Burwise, is the co-founder of Global Awakening Institute and world-leading expert in the fields of psycho-dynamics, personal empowerment and spiritual evolution. She is the author of Knock, Knock, Who is There?: In Search of the Holy Grail. She is based in Toronto.
About Shannon Skinner:
Shannon Skinner is a Canadian television talk show host, speaker and writer. In 2010, she launched Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV, the first-of-its-kind, as a live web TV show, and later developed it into an broadcast television show and online platform that is the ultimate online life-guidance resource for women. She is the author of the Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity; and she writes on a range of topics, including creativity, inspiration, feminine leadership, change and travel.
Infinity Magazine, India and Silk Making
Infinity Magazine Summer 2015 featured two articles about my travels to India (on Rongali festival and Kolkata Gems), and also featured this photo on the cover (read the articles here).
Here’s the story behind the story:
This cover photo was taken this spring when I attended the arts and culture festival, Rongali Bihu, in the remote, northeastern state of Assam, India. I am pictured with a lovely Assamese woman who wanted to have her photo taken with me, because here, in Assam, it is still a novelty to see foreigners. I want to point out that her gorgeous, traditional sari is made from Assamese silk. In fact, we are standing in a exhibition of silk-making.
This is how silk is made:
Silk-making exhibit, complete with silkworms in action (on leaves) and their silk cocoons.
Stages of silk-making, on exhibition.
The end result: beautiful silk fabrics!
Cover Photo credit: thank you to my guide, Dipankar Borkakati.
Tonight on Shannon Skinner Live: Rev. Darcelle Runciman and Reeti Mishra on VoiceAmerica Women
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, June 9, 2015 — Tonight on Shannon Skinner Live radio show, host Shannon speaks with guests Rev. Darcelle Runciman, ordained minister, founder of Infinity Centre wellness retreat, and magazine publisher, about Metaphysics and healing. And Reeti Mishra, born and raised in India, who now lives in Toronto with her husband, about life as a diplomat and living in many place around the world, Hinduism, and why forgiveness is something we all need to practice. Tune-in to VoiceAmerica Women at 7pm EST/ 4PM Pacific.
Shannon Skinner Live is a weekly radio show that features interviews with experts, visionaries and activists, dedicated to helping people live their magnificent lives and making this world a better place.
About Rev. Darcelle Runciman: Rev. Darcelle Runciman is an ordained minister with a degree in Metaphysics, and founder of The Infinity Centre, a wellness and spiritual retreat centre, based in Stirling, Ontario. She is also a spiritual and business coach, and publisher of Infinity Magazine, a publication for spiritually-connected individuals, travellers and businesses.
About Reeti Mishra: Reeti Mishra is a motivational speaker, educator, writer, poet and president of the Consular Spouses Association in Toronto. She is actively involved in various community services as a member of diplomatic and consular organization in many countries. She is passionate about yoga and spirituality, speaks 5 languages, and has traveled and lived in Peru, Italy, Nepal, US, Afghanistan, Tanzania and Canada – where she is based.
Shannon Skinner is a Canadian television talk show host, speaker and writer. In 2010, she launched Shannon Skinner’s Extraordinary Women TV, the first of its kind, as a live web TV show, and later developed it into an broadcast television show and online platform that is the ultimate online life-guidance resource for women. She is the author of the Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity; and she writes on a range of topics, including creativity, inspiration, feminine leadership, change, lifestyle and travel.
Sampradaya Dance “Nirantara” enchants
I had the honour last night of watching the lovely Lata Pada, perform classical and modern Indian dance with the company she founded, Sampradaya Dance Creations, which celebrates its 25th anniversary. Her most recent production “Nirantara” is powerful, mesmerizing and enchanting. There are only 2 nights that you can see it (May 22 & 23) at the Fleck Dance Theatre at Queen’s Quay.
Lata’s personal story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time.
On June 23, 1985, Lata lost her entire family, 2 teenage daughters and husband, in the Air India flight 182 disaster when a bomb exploded on board the flight from Toronto to London. Lata was not able to make the flight, as destiny would have another plan for her. She turned her pain and loss into art and creation, and activism. Just a different form of love.
photo credit: Srivatsa Shandaliya
She has received many awards, including the Order of Canada and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India, and has been the focus of much attention for many years for her artistic work. Read more about her here.
“I feel like I have come full-circle,” says Pada as guests circle around her during her celebratory reception that followed the performance at Queen’s Quay. “To sustain a company for 25 years requires a lot of hard work.”
photo credit: Srivatsa Shandaliya
We can only appreciate other cultures when we make choices to experience them. Dance is one of the best ways to do this. This performance is not to be missed (note: Fleck Dance Theatre is in the Queen’s Quay Terminal at Harbourfront).
Celebrating with friends Ravi Kumar and Bhavna Bhatnagar
The rhino, the tiger and me: Safari in India
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: Travel Tips for Women
Shannon travels to India. This is part 5 in a series of articles.
Safari in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
I am bouncing in the back seat of an open Jeep as it meanders through India’s Kaziranga National Park, a wildlife sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northeastern state of Assam. Despite the spitting rain, I am grateful to be on my first-ever safari. It is April and the Monsoon season is approaching. Just not yet.
My guide and ranger at the wheel
Joining me is my guide, Dipankar Borkakati, an Assamese native who has taken care of me since landing in the city of Guwahati, Assam’s capital, where I spent my first few days in India covering a cultural festival, Rongali Bihu. Even after a hair-raising 5 hour drive together through the vast state’s rich fertile land, villages and tea plantations to reach Kaziranga, we are thankfully still friendly. Driving our Jeep is an experienced and friendly ranger. I hope he has a gun, you know, just in case we get chased by crazed pelicans.
All arrangements for the safari experience including my guide, transportation and accommodations were provided by Vasco Travel, whose team in Delhi worked tirelessly on perfecting every detail, even checking in with me daily by phone. Considering they are the leaders of inbound travel to India, I know I am in good hands.
Park rules
Living amongst Kaziranga’s tall grasslands, tropical forests, lakes and swamps that surround us are several species of mammals including the once endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Indian elephants, water buffalo, swamp deer, barking deer, pelicans, Ganges dolphins, leopards, fishing cats and the Royal Bengal Tiger, to name a few.
Quite along park road
Kaziranga lies in the flood plains of the famous Brahmaputra. Most of the area gets flooded from the river during the Monsoon season, and the elephants and other animals migrate to higher ground prior to it.
Deer with one-horned rhinos in the distance, other side of swamp
My guide points to something in the distance. Tiger? No. In the grasslands ahead is a lone elephant with a man riding – actually, standing — on its back as they saunter across the plains. I am amazed at the man’s balance and grace riding this massive and awkward creature.
Man riding elephant
We continue. Bumpity-bump. I am glad I went to the washroom before leaving the Infinity Resort. It is late afternoon, the sun will soon set and we don’t have long in the park. The silence is deafening, save the occasional jeep of tourists traveling the same dirt road.
One-horned rhinos at edge of the water
My guide points again. Tiger? Nope. Poking though the tall grasslands and not more than a few meters from us appears one of India’s most prized possessions: the one-horned rhinoceros. Given rhinos are known to run fast, really fast, my heart races. We gaze at it in all its glory. My guide whistles to get its attention. It sees us. It most definitely sees us. Just as I grab my camera, it turns around and it…
…snap…
…drops a load.
A dignified view of the same rhino
Behind it, in the far distance, are more rhinos, elephants, and herds of water buffalo and deer.
Rhinos, water buffalo, deer and many other mammals co-exist
But no Royal Bengal Tiger. Yet. Tigers are often seen here. The ranger tells me the population is more than 100 and they are “very shy.” Part of me wants to see one, and part of me does not because it means that if I see it, the likelihood is it would see me, too. I think of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi.
Another jeep of tourists stop to inform us they just spotted the legs of a tiger in the foliage alongside our road, but apparently got scared off by an oncoming truck. I am fully wide-awake.
As we journey ahead, I hear dogs barking. My guide informs me it is not dogs, but rather the barking deer and when they bark, it is a warning signal to the rest of the herd that a tiger is near.
A tiger is near.
Grasslands and hills in background
Ranger Nekib explains park life. Where is the tiger?
We climb a watchtower and with binoculars scan the grasslands and lake below. Pelicans are resting. The sun is rapidly falling, washing the plains with “Bengal Tiger” orange.
Sunset in Kaziranga National Park
I take one last scan for the shy tiger. But, alas…
After a ninety-minute adventure, it is time for us to leave or we will be in trouble. As we ramble out of the park, my guide, Dipankar, leans back and says: “You will have to return to Kaziranga. The tiger is calling you back.”
Only a few minutes later, because I love sunsets
* * *
Where to stay: Near Kohora Town is Infinity Resort Kaziranga, a luxury hotel set in a bamboo grove, which has a main building with a restaurant, spa, internet, and spacious guest villas set on stilts. Prices from $85-155 per room/night.
How to get there: Kaziranga’s Park Gate is located at Kohora Town. The closest airports are in Jorhat (100 km) and Guwahati (240 km). Then by car is the best way to the park.
Traveling to India? Vasco Travel (www.vascotravel.net), based in Delhi, is the industry leader in in-bound travel to India (in Canada, Vasco is represented by Canadian Travel Services www.CanadianTravelServices.ca). For flights, visit Air India (www.airIndia.in), a Star Alliance Member (my route Toronto-London-Delhi-Guwahati). Resources: India Tourism (www.IncredibleIndia.org) and Assam Tourism (www.AssamTourism.gov.in).
* * *
Read my other stories in the India series:
India’s Incredible Living Root Bridges
In Picture: Rongali Festival in Assam, India
Rongali Festival in Assam, India and my unexpected fame
Traveling to India? Here’s some expert advice from Vasco Travel
Shannon Skinner is a television host, inspirational speaker, writer and traveler. Read her travel stories at Shannon’s Travel Bag.
India’s Incredible Living Root Bridges
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: Travel Tips for Women
Shannon travels to India. This is part 4 in a series of articles.
India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya (meaning “Abode of the Clouds” in Sanskrit), is breathtaking with its tropical forests and lush green mountains – and fluffy, white clouds. Unique to this wet and remote area are spectacular living root bridges.
(Abode of the Clouds)
Invented by the indigenous Khasi tribe, who live deep in the misty jungle, these “bioengineered” suspension bridges are made by shaping the living roots of rubber trees that are native to India’s northeast — a process that takes many years. Unlike modern concrete, metal or wooden bridges, these living root bridges are alive and continue to grow and get stronger over time. They can be as long as 100 feet and their roots are extraordinarily sturdy. Not one nail is used. It takes about two decades for the bridges to be useable and they can hold up to 50 people.
(living root bridge near Mawlynnong village…all photos on this page are the same bridge)
The bridges are necessary for the villagers because the region is filled with rivers and streams, and heavy monsoon rains tend to destroy bridges made of bamboo. The Khasis would become stranded – and so they got inventive (the area is also home to the Jaintias and Garos tribes).
Most of Meghalaya’s many living root bridges are located near Cherrapunjee (also known as Sohra), a small town located on the edge of the East Khasi Hills, about 60 kms from the capital, Shillong, and is regarded as the rainiest place on earth. It is a destination for waterfalls, cave exploring, hiking and treks to the living root bridges.
The most famous of all bridges is a 2-level “double decker,” estimated to be two centuries old. It was discovered by Denis Rayen, a former banker who, along with his wife, Carmela, founded the nearby Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort, and who I had the pleasure of having a cup of tea with after touring a living root bridge. Rayen is extraordinarily passionate about the Cherrapunjee area and is credited with putting the living root bridges on the map as tourist sights, which has also been the subject of BBC and Japanese TV documentaries.
(Denis Rayen and Carmela at their Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort)
Rayen explains to me that these durable bridges can last several centuries and have been made for the benefit of the tribe’s future generations. “It’s not done for your lifetime, it’s done for future generations,” says Rayen. “Once made, they have a lifetime of about 400 to 600 years, so that’s quite a few generations that can use it.”
In fact, the locals are said to be adding a third level on the double-decker, to draw more tourists.
Many of the living root bridges require a long, challenging trek to access them. The one I had the opportunity to see, which is one of the most accessible, is near Mawlynnong village, 90 km from Cherrapunjee (and 100 km from Shillong). Mawlynnong is dubbed as the “cleanest village in Asia,” known for its paved walkways, beautiful flowerbeds, waterfalls and its beautiful trek to the living root bridge.
And what a sight to behold!
After about a 10 mins walk down cement steps and rocks leading down to the valley’s lower reaches to a stream, standing before me was a messy tangle of roots of a living bridge. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Any hesitation was put to rest when a group of local children skipped down the steps in flip-flops without hesitation because, of course, it is second nature to them. The boys climbed the bridge’s tree trunk and then stripped down to their undies for a swim in the stream. The girls, all immaculately dressed in school uniforms, sat on rocks as they chatted and ate packed lunches. I sat on rocks from a distance, in peace and tranquility, observing the children enjoying themselves in their daily lives. As the stream glistened against the backdrop of the living root bridge and lush greenery, I had gratitude not only for a once-in-a-lifetime “National Geographic” moment, but also for the awe-inspired, human-made natural wonder before my eyes.
(local Khasi boy contemplates going for a swim, which he does)
(Khasi children sitting on rocks near bridge having their lunches after boys go for a swim)
My guides, transportation and accommodations while in India were provided by Vasco Travel, whose team worked tirelessly on perfecting every detail, even checking in with me daily.
To get there: my route once in India was Delhi-Guwahati, Assam by air (via Air India); and then by car to Shillong, Meghalaya, which we used as a base for day-trips to Cherrapunjee and Mawlynnong. Best way to see the region is by car.
Resources: India Tourism and Meghalaya Tourism; and Vasco Travel, industry leaders in travel to India, based in Delhi. In Canada, Vasco is represented by Canadian Travel Services.
Shannon Skinner is a television host, inspirational speaker and writer. You can read her travel articles at Shannon’s Travel Bag.
In Pictures: Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, India
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon travels to India. This is part 3 in a series of articles.
In Pictures: Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, India
I’ve just returned from an amazing 2-week trip to India. As I wrote in my previous post, the first stop on my journey was attending the Rongali Bihu Festival in Assam, the north-eastern state in India that is located south of the eastern Himalayas – and where “Assam tea” comes from. Rongali, meaning “colours,” is a special celebration of the Assamese New Year and coming of spring, with the hopes of peace and prosperity. Rongali is one of three Bihu festivals that take place throughout the year, with Rongali being the biggest in Assam.
On April 3-5th, 2015, the community in Guwahati, Assam, held a multifaceted Bihu festival highlighting the arts and culture of the Assamese communities and tribes. This included folk dance, rock and Bollywood music (including Bollywood star, Papon), handicrafts, fashion, traditional sports and oh-so-yummy food.
Assam, the gateway to the northeast, is unexplored – and more than ready for tourism. The festival was designed as a much-needed tourist draw that, under one platform, features the essence of Assam, a state which boasts a number of wildlife sanctuaries, the Brahamaputra River, is home to the one-horned rhino and Royal Bengal Tiger, and is large tea-growing region. “This is a springtime Bihu where there are a lot of festivities, and people are singing and dancing, and making merry,” says Rongali Festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta.” This is a typical way of focusing on our own culture to promote tourism.”
Here are some highlights:
Several Assam tribes prepare to perform Bihu dances in competition (50+ dance forms)
On stage…all dance groups had their own distinct costume and dance form. Truly amazing.
Festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta, and emcee, a famous Assam actress/dancer, Barasha Rani Bishaya.
A closer glimpse of the lovely star emcee, Barasha Rani Bishaya.
Dignitaries in attendance, including Tourism Minister of Assam, Ms. Sumitra Patir (seated in the lovely traditional Assamese sari)
Then this happened…I was interviewed by “DD News” TV Delhi. I was also in a number of Indian newspapers – read more about it). The traditional dress I am wearing actually came with me from Toronto!
And there was a thrilling dance drama performance of the classic tale, Kaliya Daman, in the famous form called Ankia Bhaona, which has been performed in India for 500 years. All actors are male, including female roles.
Fashion show of saris by a local Assam designer Mehzabin Ershad. Loved this!
Designer Mehzabin Ershad reacts to the roaring cheers of the crowd.
Famous Assam singer, Manas Robin, one of several artists who performed; with a former TV journalist attending.
Manas Robin rocked the house. I really enjoyed his music.
My new travel friend, Tom Peters, former editor of a major Canadian newspaper. I had pitched him many news stories over the years, though never met him until the flight from London to Delhi (lesson: never burn bridges!)
Some of the vendors… above is an exhibition on how silk is created from worms.
To my surprise, I became somewhat of a celebrity, with locals wanting to take photos with me.
Assam is known for its silk.
“Gamochas” Assamese traditional hand towel and fabric.
This girl is donning traditional Assamese fabric.
Smoking meat, fish, veggies the Assamese way.
Drummers from the Meishing Tribe.
Yeah, I’m a groupie.
Tourist plays a traditional Assamese game. You are blindfolded, spun around a few times to disorient, and then you have to guess where the pot is – and hit it once with a stick. Great for laughs (yes, I did it, too)!
Towering over crowd is my fabulous and trusted guide, Dipankar Borkakati, who took good care of me. Thank you, Dipankar.
Lovely women from Assam Tourism managing the heat and humidity better than me.
My guides, transportation and accommodations in India were provided by Vasco Travel, whose team worked tirelessly on perfecting every detail, even checking in with me daily.
Where to Stay: Hotel Dynasty (4 star) is situated on the banks of river Brahamputra, and in the business centre of Guwahati, Assam, with facilities including a spa, health club, bar and restaurant, and more. Rooms from $106 CDN and up (www.DynastyHotel.in).
***
Read my first article about my India travels here.
Read my Q&A with India travel expert, Vikas Abbott from Vasco Travel.
Stay tuned for the next article in my series on India…
***
For more information about Rongali Festival and 2016 plans, visit www.RongaliAssam.com.
Traveling to India? Vasco Travel (www.vascotravel.net), based in Delhi, is the industry leader in in-bound travel to India (in Canada, Vasco is represented by Canadian Travel Services www.CanadianTravelServices.ca). For flights, visit Air India (www.airIndia.in), a Star Alliance Member (my route was Toronto-London-Delhi-Guwahati). Resources: India Tourism (www.IncredibleIndia.org) and Assam Tourism (www.AssamTourism.gov.in).
Rongali Festival in Assam, India & my unexpected fame
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon travels to India, part two in a series of articles.
My unexpected fame at the Rongali Festival in Assam, India
I have been traveling across North East India for the past 10 days, with my first stop in Guwahati, the largest city in Assam, a major tea region and also home to Kaziranga National Park UNESCO heritage site. I came to Guwahati to attend a special arts & culture festival, Rongali (meaning “colours”), which honours the start of the New Year here.
A combination of a happily hectic travel schedule and limited internet access means I am only now able to post my articles and blogs – from my hotel in Kolkata.
(that’s me learning to dance with the Meishing Tribe)
What I discovered is that attending festivals which highlight the arts and culture of a community is a great way for travelers to experience a place and people in a short period of time. In a way, it is like “one-stop-shopping.” On April 17-19th, the Rangoli Festival brought together many of the regional tribes and community members to showcase their dance, music, art, crafts, food and traditional sports. It also featured a number of well-known Bollywood and Assam singers, artists, actresses, fashion designers and many other local celebrities.
Then there was my unexpected fame.
(India Telegraph)
The North East of India is an area that is relatively unexplored — and vast — and many people, particularly those living in smaller communities, are not accustomed to seeing foreigners. I found myself being celebrated and, to surprise, also became a local celebrity. Many wanted their photos taken with me, and even the media were interested, which I found myself, or my photo, in at least 3 major daily newspapers and also doing several TV interviews about my experience at the festival.
Oh, there is also the Assam Tribune:
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr0415/city051
A fellow journalist, my friend Tom Peters, who also attended the festival and traveled with me from London to Guwahati, said it best: India is a place where photos best tell the stories. More to come…
And now I must get to the airport for the next leg of my trip: Delhi!
Special thanks to Vasco Travel, the leaders in travel to India, who provided my guides, ground transportation and accommodation. The team worked tirelessly in perfecting every detail, even calling me daily.
Traveling to India? Here’s expert advice from Vasco Travel
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon’s Q&A with expert on India travel, Vikas Abbott from Vasco Travel, based in Delhi.
This is part one of a series of articles.
As I pack my bags for India, my excitement is growing by the minute about my upcoming visit to this vast, colourful and diverse country that I have longed to explore. With India being so newsworthy these days, particularly with the release of the film India’s Daughter, travel to the country is at the forefront.
So what is the best way for travelers to experience India?
I turned to the leading experts in travel to India, Vasco Travel, an award-winning, family-run travel company based in Delhi, and recipient of the National Tourism Award, and Best Experiential Tour Operator award. What intrigues me about Vasco Travel is their idea of “responsible tourism,” and given that they have been in the travel business for more than 3 generations, I believed there is some wisdom to uncover about how to best experience this country and culture. So I asked Vikas Abbott, Vasco Travel’s Managing Director, some questions that provide great insight. If India is on your radar screen, read on.
(Vasco Travels receiving award)
1. What is the growing trend in the industry?
VA: Travel to Indian sub-continent is witnessing a major shift from traditional to experiential, giving a whole new dimension to the tourism industry. Seasoned travelers from the western world are looking for more authentic and real time experiences that will inspire them, and show them a different perspective of living in peace and harmony.
This transition has thrown a new challenge to the travel industry experts who are now busy designing out-of-the-box experiential packages to woo the travelers from across the globe. Travel concepts like culinary, wellness, women travel, sustainable/eco tourism and golf tourism are gathering momentum in India and hoteliers are constructing new properties in-line with these concepts. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) like Vasco Travel are frontrunners in promoting experiential packages to their overseas clients with the sole aim of making their Indian experience exotic and memorable… a Once-in-a-Lifetime experience.
2. What is responsible tourism?
VA: Responsible Tourism involves traveling to a defined location that demonstrates eco-friendly practices like efficient management of energy, waste and water, and contributes to the welfare of local community by creating employment opportunities and providing education and sanitation to the underprivileged. It is increasingly becoming important to promote Responsible Tourism in India to generate awareness amongst masses towards eco-friendly practices, which would go a long way in improving the tourism infrastructure of off-beat destinations and add value to overall travel experience of the visitors. Tour operators and hoteliers have taken the collective responsibility to promote this initiative in order to maximize the underlying tourism potential of the country.
I am the 3rd generation in the Indian travel industry and over the years, we realized that we need to give back to the society. I believe it should be done at the grass root level. Besides using re-cycled paper for all our brochures, we are promoting hotels that involve the local communities that help them generate employment and promote the dying arts in India. The company has been actively involved with an organization, Grow-Trees, that plants trees on community or public land. We plant trees for each of the guests traveling with Vasco Travel and give them an e-certificate. For some of our overseas partners, they calculate the carbon emissions and we plant trees on their behalf. http://www.grow-trees.com/corporates/corporate_supporters.aspx
Since last 5 years, we have been financially supporting 02Kids in their education through SOS Villages of India.
3. What is the most popular travel theme that consumers are seeking?
VA: Travelers to India from the western world are seeking varied travel experiences as the country has so much to offer in terms of tourism under one roof. Wellness, sustainable, spiritual and culinary travel have become a new found passion for the global traveler to India.
4. Tell me about your top wellness packages and why they are so popular.
VA: Indian wellness therapies have captured the imagination of international travelers from around the world who come here to rejuvenate themselves with time-tested Ayurvedic treatments. Vasco Travel has synergized with some of the best Wellness Spas and offers Spa & Wellness holidays across the county. Of all the places, Kerala is the most famous for offering traditional holistic treatments to the discerning guests.
5. What makes Vasco Travel unique – and what is its mission?
VA: Vasco Travel has designed some unique experiences in different locations across India to amaze and delight our guests with these experiences. Our mission is to design out of the box experiences that offer a different picture of India that cannot be seen in images or read in travelogues. Its uniqueness can be cherished only by going through these experiences. Some of the experiences we offer include a meal with Indian families, unique dining experiences, culinary and heritage walks in selected cities, and vintage car rides.
6. What makes India such a special destination?
VA: India offers a blend of old world charm and modernity to the visitors. Enchanting Himalayas in the north, sprawling beaches of Goa, Kerala backwaters and countryside, mesmerizing sand dunes of Rajasthan, exotic wildlife, holy rivers and majestic temples are bound to astound your senses with mysticism while state-of-the-art hotels, airports, swanky shopping malls, corporate towers and plush homestays offer modern creature comforts and give you a glimpse of changing India. If you are looking for a transcendental experience with a heady mix of spirituality and luxury, then India is the place to be.
7. What is “experiential travel” and why is it important or relevant?
VA: A country’s uniqueness and dynamism is known by the experiences it has to offer to its visitors. The modern world is evolving at a fast pace and the awakened travelers want to spend their money on a travel experience only if it excites them. Just the run of the mill touristy circuit doesn’t motivate them anymore. Therefore, it is crucial for tour operators to project their country on a different platform altogether and attract visitors by exploring the unexplored territories.
8. Since the film “India’s Daughter” is so topical at the moment, issues about women’s safety in India is being discussed all over the media and social media. Is India safe for women travellers? What does your company do to ensure the safety of your women guests/customers?
VA: Women all over India travel without fear to any part of the country by using all means of transport. We at Vasco Travel realize that our women guests have to be given special attention, and therefore we take every possible measure for their safe passage and entry and exit out of the country. Our drivers are well-behaved, professional and are hired only after doing background checks. The accommodations we book for our guests across India have enough security measures in place to ensure safety of our women guests. Not only our women travellers, but every guest is met upon arrival/departure by our office representatives in every city. Our tour escorts are well trained to handle emergencies and SOS situations. We are just a call away.
In Canada, Vasco Travel is represented by Canadian Travel Services marketing and communication agency, led by CEO, Ajay Tandon.
More information about Vasco Travel, click here.
A night celebrating Indo-Canadian women
I had the opportunity to speak last night at the Indo-Canadian Arts and Culture Initiative’s (ICACI) gala celebrating International Women’s Day and the achievements of Indo-Canadian women. I got a traditional dress for the evening, which I must say, was a hit!
It was great to meet The Hon. Dr. Kellie Leitch, Canada’s Minister of Labour and the Status of Women, who was in attendance and said a few words in honour of International Women’s Day and her new initiatives for women and girls.
(The Hon. Dr. Kellie Leicht)
A number of awards were handed out to some extraordinary women for their accomplishments. There was traditional dance performances, music and (my favourite) traditional Indian food. We were joined by the Consul General of India, Mr. Akhilesh Mishra and his lovely wife, and my friend, Reeti Mishra.
The “hero” award recipients are:
Arts and Culture – Anu Vittal, Artist and Poet
Diversity – Puja Amin, Founder, Sanskriti Arts
Performing Arts – Vandana Vishwas, Musician
Media – Anjum Nayyar, Founder, Masala Mommas
Entrepreneur – Renu Mehta, Founder and President, Imagebuilderz
Community Leadership – Deepti Aurora, Philanthropist
Congratulations to all!
There were entertaining Bollywood performances by Sanskriti Arts, and singing by Vandana Vishwas and Raghbir Chauhan.
Here is Mokshi Virk, Director, ICACI on stage with the young dance performers and our lovely emcee:
Selfie with talented artist and friend, Bhavna Bhatnagar…
And a very special THANK YOU to Mary Tripi, owner, The Private World of Mary Tripi salon, for making my hair presentable for the event!
More photos to be posted soon – the professional ones! 🙂
Always uplifting to celebrate women’s achievements….
Shannon
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