Manoj Gursahani

India is a diverse country, a fact that is visibly prominent in its people, culture and climate. From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify its geography.

Indian cuisine is famous the world over with its distinguishing sophisticated use of spices and herbs. Indian cuisine is strongly influenced by widespread and longstanding vegetarianism within sections of India's majority Hindu and Jain communities.

The tourism industry in India is privy to a tidal wave-like changeover in terms of the demands and the supply of in-bound tourists to our home shores as rising expectations of foreign and Indian-origin tourists for quality lodging options, especially niche sectors like service apartments availability is on the rise.

Now knowing Bollywood film actress Shilpa Shetty's career was already on the back-burner, her entry into the British television show was no debacle as it was made out to by the lady and her tear-streaked face confirming and denying (in true filmy fashion, some would say) the effect of a co-contestant's supposedly racist remarks.

The developing world has immensely contributed to the economic boost that India is currently enjoying and it's tourism sector has not been left out of the share of profits either- a major achievement for the image of brand India build up by a successful financial system in place in our country.

Being able to bring in the 2010 CWG, Common Wealth Games, to Delhi, the National Capital Territory (NCT) as the host country has been a big boost for brand India.

India and other culturally rich countries are fast finding out the importance of their spiritual traditions and beliefs in context of tourism; though, India has always been looked upon as the universal truth-finder's path and a land of inherent spirituality.

A cosmopolitan Island country with a stimulating mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures, Singapore as a tour destination has immense scope for fun, adventure, shopping, culinary treats and romantic heart-beat moments galore.

The materialization of many low cost airlines services is the main factor responsible for the Indian Railways bearing the brunt of welcome, competitive pricing of travel options for national and global tourists.

The Kumbh Mela, one of the most important of Hindu spiritual gatherings takes place every three years in rotation between the four major Hindu pilgrim centers-Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Hindu believers in millions congregate at these locations to cleanse themselves, symbolizing the attainment of ‘Moksha’.