Service connects Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich to Pilibhit’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced Vistadome coach service connecting the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich district to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Pilibhit. This initiative marks Uttar Pradesh as the first state in the country to offer a jungle safari experience via a Vistadome train, a statement said on Saturday.

The new tourist train offers panoramic views of the forest landscape through specially designed coaches equipped with large glass windows and transparent roofs. The initiative aims to offer travellers a thrilling wildlife experience while showcasing the natural beauty of the state, said the statement.

At present, the service operates on weekends — Saturday and Sunday — but plans are being firmed up to expand it to daily operations, making it accessible to more visitors year-round. The move is expected to generate local employment opportunities and boost the region’s economy.

Tourism director Prakhar Mishra said the plan is to make the state’s forest areas famous nationally and internationally as “One Destination Three Forests.” As part of this initiative, Dudhwa National Park, Katarniaghat, and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary have been integrated to provide tourists with an accessible and exciting experience through the operation of the Vistadome coach.

He explained that the Uttar Pradesh Eco Tourism Development Board has launched this service to offer tourists a unique nature trail and jungle safari experience through the year. On the basis of positive feedback, there are plans to extend it to all days of the week.

Through the Vistadome coach, tourists can travel 107 km inside the forest and closely experience natural scenery, biodiversity, and wildlife. The journey lasts approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. The train service is also affordable, with a ticket priced at Rs 275 per tourist for the route from Katarniaghat to Dudhwa National Park.

Director Mishra also mentioned that the Board is preparing a package to transport tourists from the state capital, Lucknow, to Katarniaghat. The government is considering providing subsidies on this package to make it more accessible to visitors.

He shared details about the Bichia to Mailani Tourist Passenger Train, which offers a 107-kilometre journey filled with rich biodiversity. The train departs from Bichia station in Bahraich at 11:45 am and passes through several stations before reaching Mailani station in Lakhimpur Kheri at 4:10 pm. The return service, Mailani to Bichia Tourist Passenger Train, leaves Mailani at 6:05 am and arrives at Bichia by 10:30 am.

The train stops at nine stations including Bichia, Manjhara Purab, Khairatia Bandh Road, Tikunia, Belerayan, Dudhwa, Palia Kalan, Bhira Kheri, and Mailani.

The Vistadome coach service passes through forests and wildlife sanctuaries, offering tourists close views of natural landscapes such as wetlands, grasslands, farmlands, and woodlands. This service is expected to attract visitors even during the monsoon season.

This initiative will boost tourism and generate employment opportunities at the regional level. It will also empower the local economy by involving homestay owners, resort operators and travel agents.

Currently, special curated tours are being organized weekly under the Youth Tourism Club for government school children. Also, tours for social media influencers and travel bloggers are arranged to promote the Vistadome coach experience digitally.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

From PM Modi to the armed forces, India celebrates as the Olympic champion finally breaches the 90-metre frontier.

He chased a number for years. And finally made it his own.

And when Neeraj Chopra finally crossed the 90-metre mark with a career-best 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League 2025 on Friday, India responded with a wave of pride and celebration.

The 2021 Olympic gold medallist, competing at the Qatar Sports Club, secured silver, finishing behind Germany’s Julian Weber, but the milestone he achieved was far more than just a statistic.

Back home, reactions poured in from across the political spectrum, the armed forces and sporting circles.

He chased a number for years. And finally made it his own..

“A spectacular feat! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for breaching the 90m mark at Doha Diamond League 2025 and achieving his personal best throw,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.

“This is the outcome of his relentless dedication, discipline and passion. India is elated and proud,” he added.

Union ministers were quick to echo the sentiment. “India’s longest and career-best throw: Neeraj Chopra,” posted Ashwini Vaishnaw, while Piyush Goyal called it a “historic moment for India” and hailed the javelin star as Lieutenant Colonel Neeraj Chopra.

From the Road and Transport ministry to cultural affairs, the praise was unanimous. “Your unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence continue to inspire a nation,” wrote Nitin Gadkari.

Smriti Irani, meanwhile, praised Chopra’s impact beyond sport:

“Your dedication and excellence continue to inspire a billion dreams. Bharat is proud of you, champion,” she posted.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated India’s “javelin star” and wished him continued success in his career.

The Indian Army, where Chopra holds an honorary rank, posted a proud tribute:

“A Historic Throw by #NeerajChopra, A Proud Moment for #India! Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) Neeraj Chopra clinches Silver at the Wanda Diamond League in #Doha with a record-breaking throw of 90.23m, surpassing his own National Record and breaching the 90m mark for the first time. A champion in uniform!”

And as India celebrated, one throwback stood out.

In a now-viral Instagram comment made 34 weeks ago, Julian Weber, who won gold in Doha had commented on one of Neeraj’s posts: “Such a great season bro, next year 90m will be easy for us.”

On Friday night, that prediction came true.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG, Rajiv Gupta, told this reporter that 20 countries would require 90 percent of this workforce.

A massive opportunity lies ahead for the Indian workforce as high-income countries are projected to face a labour shortage of 45 to 50 million by 2030, according to globally reputed management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG). More than half of these jobs are expected to be blue-collar roles.

Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG, Rajiv Gupta, told this reporter that 20 countries would require 90 percent of this workforce. “The US would have the biggest demand with a requirement of 11 to 12 million workers, while the UK follows it with a demand for 5 to 6 million workers,” he said.

In a presentation made during the launch of the GATI Foundation in New Delhi on Tuesday, Gupta said that Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Germany, Russia, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands would also require millions of workers five years from now.

An ageing population is expected to compel traditionally closed economies such as Japan, South Korea, Germany and nations across Western Europe to open up, he said.

Among the numerous measures he suggested to capitalise on this scenario was the creation of an institutional framework in the host countries by leveraging Indian embassies and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) cadre. A promotion unit must promote ‘Talent India’ through one-on-one meetings, roadshows and information dissemination, he said.

Gupta pointed out that the migration agreement between Germany and Kerala helped 528 nurses from Kerala secure placements across 12 states in Germany in 2024.

Elaborating on the current challenges faced by those aspiring to move abroad, the MD said that the high cost of acquiring globally recognised skills and education was a major barrier. He urged the government to unlock financial assistance or offer low-interest loans or scholarships for individuals pursuing globally recognised certifications.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Earlier foreign law firms could only operate in “non-litigious” areas and were restricted to advise their clients only on foreign or international law.

In a significant decision that opens up the market for legal practice for foreign players, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has amended its rules to allow foreign law firms to represent clients in all international arbitration cases in India and effectively practice before courts by referring cases to their advocates and partners who are licensed to practice in India.

“…Indian advocates and partners in such law firms, in accordance with their enrollment rights and privileges to practice law in Indian courts, may take up matters referred by their respective foreign law firms, provided such matters fall within the scope of Indian law and the advocate’s permissible area of practice,” Rule 8(3) of the new BCI rules state.

This means that a foreign law firm registered in India can refer cases to an Indian lawyer who can then argue before a court of law. This is a big concession from the earlier position that foreign law firms could only operate in “non-litigious” areas and were restricted to advise their clients only on foreign or international law.

Vyapak Desai, who heads International Disputes and Investigations at Nishith Desai Associates, a leading law firm, said the BCI decision marks a “big shift” in the market.

“Indian advocates can work in foreign law firms registered in India without giving up their right to audience in a court. This really opens up the market for Indian lawyers,” he said.

The BCI had brought in the Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022 which came into force in 2023 allowed foreign law firms to set up offices in India to practice transactional and corporate work on reciprocal basis.

“A foreign lawyer registered under rules shall be entitled to practice law in India in non-litigious matters only,” the rules had stated.

On arbitration, the new Rules state that “practice by foreign lawyers or foreign law firms in India” can include “providing legal advice, conducting transactions, and giving opinions on the laws of their country of primary qualification, international law, and the foreign laws of other jurisdictions” and “representing clients in international arbitration cases conducted in India.”

“These arbitration cases may involve foreign law, international law, or a combination thereof,” the Rules added. Since the Rules do not expressly bar arbitrations involving domestic law, foreign law firms can take up any arbitration in India as long as the clients are “individuals, firms, companies, corporations, trusts, or societies with their principal office or address in a foreign country.”

The amended Rules for the first time also allow Indian law firms to register as foreign law firms. Under the earlier rules, if an Indian lawyer registered or worked with a foreign law firm, they had to forfeit their Bar licence to practice in India. However as a “Indian-foreign law firm,” Indian lawyers continue to work as Indian lawyers while taking on work in foreign or international law in India.

The “Indian-foreign law firms” are essentially a route for Indian firms to compete with foreign firms in India.

With India signalling its intent to transform into a global arbitration hub, entry of foreign law firms was a crucial regulatory issue. There has been a demand that foreign companies doing business in India or engaged in arbitration in India must be allowed to engage foreign law firms. It is learnt that the issue was also raised in the UK-India FTA but was later dropped from being packaged with the trade agreement.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

The new CJI was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at a brief ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

 Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, 64, the first Buddhist CJI and second Dalit head of the judiciary after K G Balakrishnan, was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu at a brief ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Ganatantra Mandap.

B R Gavai paid floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar on reaching the Supreme Court after his swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who demitted office on Tuesday on attaining the age of 65 years.

Justice Gavai, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, will have a tenure of over six months and would demit office on November 23.

Justice Gavai took the oath of affirmation in Hindi.

While interacting with a group of journalists on Monday, he remarked, “It is, however, a coincidence that I am taking oath a day after Buddha Purnima.”

Justice Gavai will also be the second CJI from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, after Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, who was elevated to the post in 2007 and retired in 2010.

Justice Gavai has authored around 300 judgments — including Constitution Bench decisions — on a wide range of issues, upholding the rule of law and equality and safeguarding the fundamental, human, and legal rights of citizens.

On April 16, the incumbent CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, wrote a letter to the Centre nominating Justice Gavai, the second senior-most judge, as his successor.

Justice Gavai was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, he joined the Bar in 1985. He practised independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990, focusing on constitutional and administrative law. He also served as Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University.

He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and became a permanent judge on November 12, 2005.

Justice Gavai served as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench from August 1992 to July 1993. He was later appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000.

In the past six years, he has been part of around 700 benches dealing with a wide range of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil and criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration, electricity law, education matters, and environmental law.

ustice Gavai has attended various international conferences in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), New York (USA), Cardiff (UK), and Nairobi (Kenya). He has also delivered lectures on several topics, including constitutional and environmental issues, at various universities and institutions, including Columbia University and Harvard University.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Like every year, Cannes 2025 will witness a significant presence of Indian talent and films. The upcoming international film gala promises a grand affair.

Like every year, Cannes 2025 will witness a significant presence of Indian talent and films. With the special screening of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri to Anupam Kher’s directorial, Tanvi The Great, the upcoming international film gala promises a grand affair for cinema buffs.

As Cannes 2025 kicks off on Tuesday, let’s take a look at all the Indian films that are set for the global spotlight.

Aranyer Din Ratri

Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri, which featured Sharmila Tagore and Soumitra Chatterjee in key roles, will be screened at Cannes.

Recently, the Film Heritage Foundation announced that they have restored 4K version of the 1970 film Aranyer Din Ratri, which will be headed to the international film festival.

The Instagram post shared by the Film Heritage Foundation read, “Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest, 1970) restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L’Immagine Ritrovata in collaboration with Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and The Criterion Collection.”

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore will attend the screening of the film along with other cast members such as Simi Garewal.

Tanvi The Great

After a long gap, legendary star Anupam Kher returned to the director’s chair with Tanvi The Great, which will hit the theatres soon. Interestingly, before arriving in theatres, the film will be screened at Cannes on May 17. Anupam has already reached Cannes and is super excited to present his film at the global platform.

The film also stars Khakee: The Bihar Chapter actor Karan Tacker, who is set to make his debut on the big screen after years of working in television and on streaming platforms. Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, and Arvind Swami will also play crucial roles. Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen is also in the film.

Homebound

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, has officially been selected for the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Neeraj directed the movie, which will be screened in the Un Certain Regard section—a category known for presenting artistic cinema from across the world. It will mark the Cannes debuts of Janhvi and Ishaan, who started their Bollywood journey together with Dhadak.

Charak

Charak, directed by Sheiladitya Moulik, will be screened at Cannes this year. The film draws its narrative from the traditional Bengali Charak Puja ritual and explores the theme of blind faith.

A Doll Made Up Of Clay

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) production A Doll Made Up of Clay is also set to be showcased at Cannes 2025. Written and directed by Kokob Gebrehaweria Tesfay, an Ethiopian student at SRFTI, the 23-minute film has been selected for the prestigious La Cinef section, which highlights the work of student filmmakers from across the globe.

About Cannes

Cannes is one of the most prestigious film festivals, where celebrities, film personalities, students, and many others gather under one roof for the love of cinema.

For years, the Cannes Film Festival has been synonymous with glamour, prestige and cinematic artistry, with more than a few awards season darlings debuting there. But over the last decade, as Oscar hopefuls increasingly shifted their debuts to Venice, Telluride and Toronto, Cannes saw its influence on awards season diminish, as per Variety.

That’s no longer the case. In the last three years, Oscar best picture contenders (as well as international feature nominees) emerged from its lineup — most notably Palme d’Or winners Triangle of Sadness (2022) and Anatomy of a Fall (2023).

Now, it’s to be seen what the upcoming edition has in store for cinema buffs. From May 13 to May 24, Cannes 2025 will blend the magic of storytelling with the elegance of the French Riviera.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)