Category: Features

We invite you to discover a unique country, with impressive cellars, some of the most beautiful wineries, a unique traditional cuisine, rural areas where time seems to stand still, architectural pearls that teleport you in the past and nature reserves where you will find peace. Enhancing cultural heritage is one of the core missions pursued by the Moldovans while being manifested in a number of different ways: either through arts, music, dance, and artisan crafts or through practical know how and skills inherited over time. Easily noticed could be a series of distinguishing elements marking the authenticity of the indigenous peoples, such as: traditional costume, Moldovan carpets, traditional crafts, and folk music. Travelling across Moldova, you will surely come across some representative locations, where clearly exposed are the elements of cultural heritage.

1. OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The territory of Moldova, on the map, appears like a bunch of ripe grapes. If you like to bring from your trips not only magnets, but also unforgettable impressions and unique stories for your friends, the country will sincerely surprise you and fill with everlasting emotions. After all, this is exactly what everyone is looking for in a new journey. All roads to our hospitable country are open. You can get to Moldova by plane – to the airport of the capital, Chisinau, by car, and even by ferry, to the southern port on the Danube.

2. PEOPLE AND THEIR HOSPITALITY

People make our country special! Having decided to visit any corner of Moldova, expect pleasant meetings with open people. Once in a Moldovan village, you will not notice, as you already are sitting at the table and the owner of the house treats you with spicy wine.

The national Moldovan cuisine will surprise you with its sincere simplicity and richness. A savory soup called Zeama, cooked with homemade noodles and Mamaliga – a hard porridge made from cornmeal, which is being cut with a thread. Can you imagine this? Mamaliga is served with Moldovan cheese, sour cream and Tocana (meat steaw). Placintele are prepared from a thin dough with a variety of fillings: cabbage, cottage cheese, apple, pumpkin, and cherries. The warm and hospitable region of the Moldovan people will conquer you, as well as the national cuisine.

3. WINE, WINE AND ONE MORE TIME WINE!

Wine is the pride of the Moldovan people and it makes this country special! Every year, in the first weekend of October, the National Wine Day is celebrated in the central square of the capital. The best winemakers welcome the guests and surprise them with their various wines. The atmosphere of this holiday is striking in scale! You can try many different wines. It is even hard to count!

Dancing, socializing and savoring national dishes create a special atmosphere. Moreover, having gone to a real wine tour of the vineyards and wineries, you can taste the wine of different varieties. In addition, in Moldova, you can visit, with a tour, several wine cellars, whose length is tens of kilometers, and the collection includes millions of bottles of wine. Some of these cellars are included in the Guinness World Records! You still do not believe that there are so many wonders in such a small country?

4. ORIGINALITY

Each corner of Moldova has an incomparable color! In the south of our country live Gagauzi, a temperamental nation with their culture, history, traditions, and of course, cuisine. Only an hour away from Chisinau, and you get to know the atmosphere of other national characteristics. On the left bank of the Dniester River is located Transnistria, a territory where time is still, that can make you feel like living in the USSR. Visiting the unique historical complex of Old Orhei, seeing the cave monasteries and ancient hermitage is a MUST.

No tourist left our country without visiting this picturesque valley. In addition, if you are ready to get acquainted with the ethnic group of Roma, then your way lies to the north of Moldova, to Soroca city, famous also for the Soroca Fortress.

The surroundings of this city will leave you with ambiguous feelings, but you will recall this colorful trip and acquaintance with such a specific nation. And of course – the mighty forests Codrii, situated in the centre of our country.

5. LEISURE

The nature of Moldova will inspire you to an active time spending. The opportunity to raft down the river, climbing or cycling. Fans of hiking will be interested in the unique relict forest Codrii and one of the longest world caves “Emil Racovita Cave”. For those who travel by car – camping sites are equipped in the most picturesque places of Moldova.

To get to know more about the traditions of Moldovans and their folklore you can by going in special tours, where you will be able to do local crafts and dip into the peculiarities of life in the villages. Your trips around the country do not require a lot of time spent on the road, and you can fully enjoy the process of active recreation.

6. SECURITY

Regardless of the daytime, you can easily go for a walk or excursion to the city you like, or make a trip to the countryside, because Moldova is one of the safest countries in Europe. Moreover, a cheap mobile Internet is available throughout Moldova, at the speed of which our country is among the top ten leaders, along with Japan and Latvia. In city parks, cafes and even trolleybuses you can always connect to free Wi-Fi, be in touch with relatives and share impressions about Moldova.

7. UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES

Music concerts, festivals and marathons, every year, inspire the citizens of our country to join the events. The festival of ethnic musicians from around the world “Ethno Jazz”, the “DescOpera” festival, the “Underland Fest”, the festival of colors, as well as marathons, organized in wine cellars, leave expressive memories.To stay informed about the events in our country and plan a trip for visit to one of these events, subscribe to the newsletter, we will tell you about the most significant, and interesting events in Moldova, where we will be waiting for you!

If you are planning to visit Moldova don’t hesitate to visit the National Tourist Information Center, located in the center of the capital – Chisinau.

The center provides information about locations, events, accommodation, tours, itineraries and offers of tourist companies. Tourists benefit from free consultation as well as leaflets, brochures and postcards. The Tourism Information Center is a project powered by the National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova with the support of international projects.

The Association supports the development of tourism products, lobbying and advocacy initiatives and plays an important role in business support for the incoming tourism industry, promoting the image of Moldova as a travel destination.

KwaZulu-Natal is home to the Drakensberg mountains (the Zulus call them the ‘Barrier of Spears’) in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a natural and cultural World Heritage Site owing to the mountains’ rock art and natural beauty, and a popular destination for local and international tourists alike. The mountains offer dramatic views and outdoor activities, and are an important cultural resource, containing many thousands of works of San rock art that date back to the late Stone Age.

Travellers can go to Drakensberg during the weekend, to stretch their limbs and indulge in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, hot air ballooning, helicopter rides and horseback riding trips into the mountains.

CAVING IN OUDSTSHOORN

Inland from the Cape’s famous Garden Route, travellers will find Oudtshoorn – popularly known as the ostrich capital of the world. The town is home to several interesting attractions like Cango Caves with its truly grand stalactite and stalagmite formations and Cango Wildlife Ranch, which offers thrilling crocodile-cage dives. It is also one of the few places in the world to enjoy a meerkat safari.

GO ON A BIG 5 ADVENTURE IN LIMPOPO

Known for its huge rivers, splashing hippos and immersive culture, Limpopo is one of the most interesting, and abundant provinces in South Africa. Here you will find vast open spaces with wildlife galore and breathtaking mountainous landscapes covered in mist. With seven of South Africa’s eleven official languages being spoken here, travellers stand a good chance of meeting people from a majority of the country’s ethnic groupings.

The region is also endowed with a remarkable number of game and nature reserves, housing the one of the country’s highest population of rhinos and a multitude of elegant antelope species. With Kruger National Park – the largest national park in Africa – situated here, this province can easily be termed the ‘mecca of wildlife.’ For some reason, the wildlife seems bigger and more exciting in this place of strong, gushing waterfalls, enormous trees, open sky, and never-ending bushland.

INDULGE IN WATER SPORTS AT SODWANA BAY

Sodwana Bay is located on the east coast of South Africa, in one of the most unique and unspoiled parts of the world. Sodwana’s spectacular coral reefs in a national marine protected area are among the southernmost in the world, and are a scuba diving and snorkeling mecca. Note to all those keen about fishing: game fish abound.

BUNGEE JUMPING IN THE EASTERN CAPE

The highest commercial bridge bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans Bridge has a 216 meter gorge below. It is one of the ultimate activities to feature on any adrenaline seeker’s bucket-list while visiting South Africa. The growing popularity is evident by the fact that 12000 Indians jumped off the Bloukrans Bridge in 2017, making Indians the 3rd highest participating nationality for the activity.

SHARK-CAGE DIVING AT GANSBAAI

Great White Shark spotting is one of the biggest draws to South Africa. A trip to Rainbow Nation is incomplete without attempting the hair-raising shark-cage dive. In fact, Indians are the top 3rd nationality to undertake Shark-cage diving in South Africa. Gansbaai in the Western Cape is often credited as a hub for shark-cage diving, with multiple shark cage-diving outfits operating through the town. You could also explore options at Simon’s Town, Mossel Bay, Dyer Island, Seal Island, and Port Elizabeth, among other places.

THE WILD SWING AT ORIBI GEORGE

The highest gorge swing in the world is located on a waterfall cliff in the Oribi Gorge in southern KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Lowveld is full of adventure highs and Graskop’s gorge swing takes the cake. Prepare to free fall 68 metre, plummeting 0-160 km/h in 3 seconds, swinging out like a human pendulum across the gorge – the views are spectacular and so is the
after-rush.

HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS AT THE PILANESBERG GAME RESERVE

There’s nothing quite like drifting silently over an ancient landscape searching for the Big 5, while taking in the panoply of game on show. There’s a dazzle of zebras prancing along there; a journey of giraffes; there a crash of rhinos. Because you are above the animals, they take no notice of your flight and you can watch them going about their business undisturbed.

At 55 000 hectares, Pilanesberg is South Africa’s fourth-biggest game reserve – it lies in the eroded ring dyke of a 1.2-billion-year-old extinct volcano that once towered 7 000m above the plain. Tradition requires that a hot air balloon flight ends with a toast of sparkling wine. Say cheers to a good time!

HELICOPTER FLIPPING IN THE MIDLANDS

South Africa also offers a multitude of luxurious helicopter rides. Take a helicopter flip for a change of scenery and enjoy a view of the entire countryside in a single trip before choosing your drive-to destination, or swoop low over the ocean on a coastal flip and watch the dolphins at play in the breakers below.

Helicopter tours with a destination beyond Cape Town might include wine tasting or whale watching, while a similar trip in KwaZulu-Natal offers a visit to the scenic midlands or a Drakensberg helicopter tour to visit exotic and breathtaking destinations like Cathkin Peak, Vultures’ Retreat, Cleft Peak and the Organ Pipes.

ZIP LINING IN MPUMALANGA

Ziplining in Mpumalanga is fun, fast and furious, for anyone with the nerve to try it – although safety remains paramount, so even if you’re the nervous type, you might find the thrill is worth the leap of faith. You don’t need any special athletic skills or to be Iron Man-fit, you just need a little
courage.

Experienced guides will give you step-by-step instructions before you climb the 55 metres to the platform (take time to admire the gorgeous view). You are then strapped into a harness and hooked up to a zipline 450 metres long. Now, hold your breath – don’t close your eyes – leap over the edge, and away you go, hurtling down the cable at 90km/h. At the end of that exhilarating zipline – also called a zip slide – you’ll feel on top of the world.

ELEPHANT SAFARIS AT GQEBERHA

Gqeberha (earlier known as Port Elizabeth) houses South Africa’s third largest national reserve where travellers can watch hundreds of African elephants roam around freely, making it a great safari experience. The Addo National Park also has a thriving marine life and rich flora and offers the only Big 7 safari options in the world. This safari is a combination of marine safari searching for sharks and whales and the famous Big 5 safari. Port Elizabeth also includes Nelson Mandela Bay where one can find Route 67 – a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life.

WONDERFUL WEST COAST

A 90-minute drive from Cape Town, the West Coast is a local favourite for a restorative weekend away. Travellers can hike, explore bike trails through fynbos (small belts of natural shrub land), or visit the icy waters of Langebaan Lagoon for kayaking and sailing. West Coast National Park is great for spring wildflowers (between August and September when the blooms are at their peak). Southern right whales can be viewed between August to November.

BE BLOWN AWAY BY THE PANORAMA ROUTE

Your visit to the Rainbow Nation would be incomplete without a drive along the Panorama route. With some of the most unique and breathtaking scenery, the highlight of the route is the Blyde River Canyon: one of the longest chasms in the world, consisting of spectacular geological shapes and the most stunning scenic views of the country.

SURFING AT JEFFERYS BAY

Surfing is synonymous with South Africa, which is not surprising when one considers that we have 2000 km of coastline on which to search for a wave. Add to this mix ideal weather for the greater part of the year, and it’s not surprising that so many talented surfers have emerged from South Africa to take on the world’s best. A surfer’s life has its perks – the thrill of the waves, admiring glances, tanned bodies and a brotherhood that links surfers worldwide – so while you’re visiting, why not become part of the vibe? In the Eastern Cape, Jeffreys Bay (known universally as J-Bay) is the home of the legendary long right. J-Bay is where reputations are built and destroyed. You can also take a road trip to the scenic Eastern Cape to watch the pros carve up classic waves at Supertubes, Boneyards or The Point. Every single day in South Africa is a brand new adventure!

The intensification and expansion of bilateral cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and India is one of the important directions of the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan. Mutual understanding and similarity of positions on international and regional issues and problems, active political dialogue between Kyrgyzstan and India creates favorable conditions for deepening and expanding the entire spectrum of cooperation between the two countries.

After gaining independence in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has begun its own way of development on principles of democracy with independent foreign policy. The corresponding democratic transformation took place in India much earlier. In this context, Kyrgyz side, of course, has been very interested in the positive experience of India as the largest democracy in the world.

Throughout the history of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of India, a number of mutual visits of the highest order took place. The Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic visited India in 1992, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2016 and 2019. The Prime Ministers and Vice-Presidents of India visited Kyrgyzstan in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2015 and 2019. During these visits, the foundations for the development of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields were laid.

The Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has visited Kyrgyzstan twice, in 2015 and in 2019. At the same time, the visit of Mr. Modi to Kyrgyzstan in 2019 can be considered as a new era in the development of bilateral partnership, since following the visit, the parties signed a declaration on the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership relations. It would be fair to note that raising the level of relations between our countries provides for new obligations to take effective measures to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in a practical plane and deepen mutual trust.

There are also additional platforms between our countries, within which Kyrgyzstan and India interact – these are meetings of inter-governmental commissions and consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, interaction within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other international structures.

Separately, I would like to touch upon cooperation in the trade and economic area, in which there is fertile ground for cooperation in the mining, pharmaceutical, IT, textile, education, hydropower, agricultural, industrial and tourism sectors. However, both sides are not making full use of the existing potential. The trade turnover between the countries still has a great potential to rise, so in 2020 it amounted to around 48.4 million US dollars, of which exports from Kyrgyzstan to India – 6.7 million.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the words of the Hon’ble President of Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Sadyr Japarov: “A stable economy, open and transparent work of business structures, development of investment and entrepreneurial activities – in symbiosis, they are the key to a brighter future. I will protect and support every investor!”

In March 2019, I presented my Letters of Credence to the Hon’ble President of India Mr. Nath Ram Kovind and officially took up the duties of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic in India. On that day, I remember very well the words of Mr. Nath Ram Kovind that relations between Kyrgyzstan and India are developing steadily, on the basis of historical and civilizational ties and are supported by common democratic values.

In turn, India is a very close friend of Kyrgyzstan, the two states and peoples have a lot in common, and at present, our countries invariably continue to follow the same development path, first of all, in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions. I would like to emphasize that I fully share the words of the President of India and note my readiness to make maximum efforts for further mutually beneficial cooperation.

Next year, Kyrgyzstan and India will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this regard, it is planned to hold a number of bilateral visits and events in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. Special attention will be paid to holding events within the framework of the cross year of cultures, which has also been postponed by mutual agreement to 2022.

The development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and India is one of the important areas of bilateral cooperation. Kyrgyzstan and India are connected by centuries-old history and culture, the long history of our cultural interaction testifies to the deep ties between the peoples of our countries, which are become stronger from year to year.

I would like to emphasize that Indian culture, Indian art, Indian history, Indian cuisine and Indian cinema are very popular among the Kyrgyz people. I can note that a whole generation of Kyrgyz people grew up watching Indian films. Representatives of the Kyrgyz Republic are happy to come to India to participate in various cultural festivals.

An important component in the field of cultural and humanitarian interaction is education sector. About 13 thousand Indian students study at the universities of Kyrgyzstan. The priority area for Indian students is the medical field, namely, general medicine. In Kyrgyzstan they not only study, but simultaneously explore our country, our people, our traditions and culture, make friends and save good memories.

It is very pleasant for us to realize that graduates of Kyrgyz universities work in various medical clinics in many states of India. Taking into consideration strong spiritual connection of our peoples, the development of public diplomacy, people to people contacts is one of the important pillars of bilateral relations between our countries.

Of course, Kyrgyzstan and India still have a lot to do to strengthen all areas of cooperation, but at the same time I would like to note that our countries have an appropriate attitude, which, I am sure, will give the necessary impetus to deepening partnership.

Belarus is located in the center of Europe at the intersection of many international routes. The territory of the country spans 207,600 km². Belarus is known for its hospitality and cordiality. Many foreigners who have visited the Republic of Belarus note the following aspects that motivated them to come:

ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

East and West, Middle Ages and hi-tech, ancient architecture and Stalinist Empire style, examples of Soviet mosaic painting and modern murals. Here, tourists can feel the smell of powder in vaults of fortresses and hear the sounds of a grand piano from the halls of palace and garden complexes.

NATIONAL COLOR

Contrast and ingenuity – these are the things that make the culture of Belarus original and unique. Here, historical heritage is preserved, and new street culture is being developed; national ornaments neighbor upon the trends of the world fashion, and natural landscapes are finely intertwined with modern industrial design.

LUXURY OF CALMNESS

Absence of stresses and relaxing rhythm of life together with modern infrastructure are the norm for any Belarusian town. Leaving the city, there is an opportunity to find a place for secrecy and inspiration, have a chance to speak to the nature and hear yourself.

RELICT FORESTS AND PURE LAKES

Find out about the secret life of the dwellers of ancient woods and feel the captivating breath of birch groves. Blue-eyed Belarus is paradise for photographers, where thousands of lakes replace the sea. This is the perfect place for precious days of rest.

EARTH ENERGY FOR HEALTH

Soft climate, natural cosmetics and medical staff that you want to trust have made Belarus a sanatory and resort brand. Treatment in underground salt mines, pure mineral water and fresh humid air are the calling card of Belarus. There are conditions for the development of almost all types of tourism in Belarus, but the most popular among foreign tourists are:

RURAL TOURISM

It is one of the most successful types of tourism in the Republic of Belarus. Thanks to the powerful preferences provided to this type of tourism, in 2021 there are 2,936 rural entities. At the beginning of 2021, the number of rural tourists amounted to 433 thousand people.

In 2016 and 2018 Belarus became the winner in the Rural tourism nomination of the National Geographic Traveler Awards rating.

In 2022, it is planned to conduct the International Forum on Tourism and Rural Development ‘Ensuring a Better Life for the Local Population’ in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Thus, rural tourism in Belarus is the cradle of the national cultural heritage, it strengthens the self-consciousness of the nation and demonstrates the hospitality of the people.

Rest on rural farmsteads in Belarus is an opportunity to plunge into the rural life of the country, use environmentally friendly products, retire with nature and restore your health.

SPA AND WELLNESS TOURISM

It is another type of tourism promoted in Belarus. Belarusian health resorts offer a good value for money, modern medical facilities and highly-qualified specialists.

Clean air of forests and lakes, comfortable accommodation, tranquility and calmness – what can be better for a tired body and mind. Belarusian health resorts boast good services, high-quality equipment and reasonable prices.

Apart from traditional spa services almost every health center has its own mineral water springs, including therapeutic radon water springs. Soligorsk has a unique underground speleotherapy clinic that offers highly effective treatment programs in salt caves.

Belarus is a great place for ecotourism, as it abounds in pristine natural environments and offers a variety of exciting wildlife expeditions.

There are natural areas in Belarus that you will not find anywhere else in Europe.

Belarus is among the ten most forested countries in Europe. Forests occupy 46% of the country area. Ecotourists are highly recommended to explore the country’s national parks Narochansky, Pripyatsky, Braslav Lakes, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, Nalibokskaya Pushcha, Blue Lakes and many other places of interest.

MEDICAL TOURISM

It is growing in popularity with foreigners. The country offers a wide range of medical services, from dentistry to qualified help in oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology, organ transplantation and IVF.

Medical tours are organized by specialized companies facilitating medical travel programs. They handle the paperwork, select a healthcare center, provide assistance in getting a visa and accompany the client if necessary.

Minsk is a convenient venue for hosting major business events.

Numerous exhibitions, conferences and forums are held in the Belarusian capital every year.

The business program is always complemented by a wide range of activities, including excursions, animation programs, quests, water tours, cycling, target shooting, eco-trail tours, dinners at farm stays, and a top-notch entertainment industry.

INDUSTRIAL TOURISM

The Republic of Belarus is an industrially developed country. There are more than 5,000 factories and plants. Several dozens of them offer tours to their production sites.

Tourists can see how the world’s largest dumping trucks, entered in the Guinness Book of Records, are made. In Belarus it is possible even to perform a test drive of a 130-ton dumping truck, or participate in manufacturing a tractor.

The country threw the door wide open for tourists as it launched the visa-free travel program.

The visa-free travel program is meant for tourists from 76 countries who arrive in Belarus through the Minsk National Airport. It makes visiting the country as simple and easy as possible. The period of visa-free travel for tourist purposes is up to 30 days. This applies to both solo travelers and organized groups. The only exception is that foreign citizens must arrive on flights not from the Russian Federation.

India is among these 76 countries. Indian citizens should have the following documents to travel to Belarus without applying a visa:

1) A valid multiple-entry visa of the EU or Schengen states with a mark of entry into their territory;

2) Air ticket with confirmation of departure from the Minsk National Airport within 30 days from the date of entry.

As in all countries of the world, COVID-19 has imposed certain restrictions on travel to the Republic of Belarus. For foreign citizens entry into Belarus through land checkpoints is temporarily suspended. But fortunately, the entrance is still open through air checkpoints.

When arriving through air checkpoints, all tourists, who have reached the age of six, should have a negative PCR test performed no later than 3 days before crossing the border and vaccination certificate. Self-isolation is necessary only for tourists who have COVID-infection.

The situation with COVID-19 in Belarus is developing in accordance with global trends. The number of new infections is falling, and the vaccination campaign is being actively pursued.Moreover,there is an opportunity to get a vaccine for foreign citizens. For these purposes, a special 5-day visa-free regime was introduced.

It is important to note that Belarus did not introduce a lockdown and did not suspend the activities of economic entities, which helped to avoid a significant negative economic effect. Among the current restrictions are only mask modes in transport and public places, social distancing.

Promotion activities on to international target markets continue. Belarus made it to the top ten countries to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2019 list.

The publishing house welcomed the 30-day visa waiver and praised Belarus’ art and café scene. Describing Minsk, the travel guide pointed to ‘its impeccably restored Old Town centered around the graceful town hall’, where travelers can visit fashionable cocktail bars and join summer street parties.

Belarus is a clean and safe country, which is also an important part of tourists’ considerations. Cleanliness and safety are becoming Belarus’ competitive advantages on the global tourism market.

The Belarusian capital was named among the three cleanest cities in the world by the Street Digital Financial Media Company. Singapore and Tokyo went first and second.

Minsk topped the list of The Best European Cities to Visit in 2019 compiled by the British newspaper The Independent.

Two Belarusian restaurants got the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for extraordinary wine programs. The award was instituted by the New York-based Wine Spectator Magazine.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha made it into the list of 25 best trips to take in 2020 by National Geographic. National Geographic advises to
visit Belovezhskaya Pushcha in September-October.

Cooks in cafes have made delicious draniki, guides have prepared fascinating tours across picturesque locations, festivals have been organized in cities and villages, and the stoves in farm stays have been warmed up for tired travelers. Belarusians are ready to share the kindness and warmth of their hearts with their guests!

(Credit: Materials were provided by the Department of Tourism of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus)

PANAMA, THE HUB OF THE AMERICA

Being a logistics hub for the world requires not only the privilege of being in a perfect geographical position gifted by nature but demands onwards by their leaders a long-lasting strong logistic strategy and a practical infrastructure with diverse transportation channels.

The famousPanamaCanal cataloged one of the 7 Wonders of Engineering in the World is one of them. This inventive and majestic work has shortened the maritime distances, ships all over the world transit the canal in less than 24 hours. The Panama Canal is a symbol of global trade, through which flows 5% of all the world’s goods. Each year, over a million people visit the canal and can witness this engineering marvel at work and much more.

In 2009, Panama leaded one of the most ambitious megaprojects in the world, the expansion of the canal with a new third lock. Since its inauguration on June 26, 2016, the Expanded Canal not only exceeded traffic expectations but also reaffirmed its environmental leadership in the maritime industry, prioritizing water savings and contributing to the reduction of CO2, being a shorter route, and offering greater cargo capacity to its customers.

To achieve cargo transportation excellence, Panama handled the largest volume of cargo containers in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our world-class ports system handled a volume of 7.3M TEUs in 2019. Complementing this Maritime Infrastructure, we count on the first interoceanic train: Panama Railway Company that serves as a dry canal moving containers at land level connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The connection is our strength that is why we also take it at the air level. Panama has more than 34 countries’ destinations and 90 connections throughout America thanks to the extension of terminals on the Tocumen International Airport.

With so much movement we must have a free zone for the capacity of our trade, being the Colon Free Zone the second-largest duty-free in the world.

But Panama is much more than being a place of Connections, is just because of this that Business and Investment locate Panama on the spot.

With a Political, Economic, and having a dollarized economy with almost no inflation since 1904, this has helped Panama achieve solid financial stability, backed by a well-developed and long-established international banking center with over 60+ licensed international banks.

Panama counts with a great portfolio of attractive regimens and laws for investment. More than 170 multinational headquarters companies had already trusted in Panama and the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum have forecast a growth in Panama for 2021 of 10% to 12%.

PANAMA: A MUST STOP FOR ANY TOURIST

Besides Commerce and Investments Panama means also fun! Why choose one ocean, when in Panama, you can experience two? Plus, not only will you find over 3,000 kilometers of coastline along both sides of the mainland, but Panama is also famous for beautiful beaches and over 1,400 tropical islands featuring stunning scenes that you may have thought only existed in postcards. Also, we have the second biggest reef in the Oriental Pacific, perfect for whale watching, diving, and snorkeling.

But counting with these resources gave us a responsibility on conservation, and already this year we raised the protection of our marine areas to 30% – 2nd Latin American nation to achieve this within the framework of the UN’s 30×30 Initiative.

Panama accommodates huge tropical forest national parks ideal for observation, birdwatching, and a lot of adventures. To start, Panama has more bird species and plants than North America; this incredibly rich biodiversity—incorporated with the fact that Panama is the most forested country in Central America at 63% coverage—has made the tropical rainforests of Panama the most researched in the world. The Smithsonian has been studying the tropical biology of the area for over 100 years. And, you can come
to see it, too! The most valuable coffee in the world, the awarded and famous“Geisha Coffee” comes from one of these natural fields.

Panama is also a Cosmopolitan Country, a fusion of different cultures. Because of our connection to history and the titanic construction of the Panama Canal, a lot of people have passed through Panama and decided to stay. Panama City is the most cosmopolitan capital in Central America and a must-visit for any traveler in the area. The capital of Panama is 3 cities in one, with a historic district, a rebuilt district, and very modern areas. In the historic district experience the historical, charming and vibrant neighborhood of Casco Antiguo. Casco Antiguo, also known as Casco Viejo, or the ‘old quarter,” is Panama City’s historic district.

Considered a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, the district dates back to 1673, and features vibrant plazas and picturesque brick-paved streets surrounded by colorful buildings. The area is ideal for walking, discovering history and enjoying a variety of fine cuisine. Come for some of the city’s best gastronomy, culture and photo shots, and stay to mingle with the locals in the heart of the nightlife scene. Panama city is a vibrant and dynamic urban center and truly a cosmopolitan city in the middle of the tropics, so expect to see massive skyscrapers surrounded by breathtaking nature. Panama is a peaceful country that welcomes tourists from all over the world. Security is another important competitive advantage that Panama offers over most of the other countries in the region. According to the Global Peace Index of 2020, Panama is the fourth safest country in Latin America. We have the privilege of being a country with a stable climate through all the year and one of the three carbon negative countries in the world (Source: the second biennial update report). From the most researched tropical rainforest in the world; to breathtaking beaches; to a modern, skyscraper-filled Business District and a huge logistic hub. Therefore, the founders of this nation had the great vision and proclaimed on the national shield the motto of our country: For the benefit of the World.

Q. Hon’ble Minister Sir, we really appreciate the fact that you are popularly addressed as the Infrastructure Man of India and are even nicknamed as ‘Roadkari’ and ‘Flyover Minister’ owing to your great vision with regard to national development through which you have totally transformed the transport infrastructure landscape in the country today. Please share with our viewers some of the key strategies which you have employed to emerge as the top-performing minister in the Modi Government.

A. Actually, infrastructure is the heart of developmental for every country of the world. I always remember the famous statement from the American President John F. Kennedy, that “American roads are not good, because America is rich, but America is rich, because American roads are good” and the prosperity is coming from the road – water, power, transport and communication – these 4 things are very important without which we cannot develop industry. Without industry, we can’t get foreign investment or capital investment. And without that, we cannot create employment potential, we cannot get more market, more export and without that, we cannot increase growth. So, for sustainable growth, it is very important that you develop good infrastructure, water, power, transport and communication. Regarding the transport sector, India has a huge potential. It is the fastest growing economy and one thing which is very, very clear, is that the number of people, particularly the population and the number of vehicles every time have been increasing. And that is the reason that we need expansion of roads. So, we are making Green Express Highways. We are making New Express highways, we are converting existing roads into six lane, eight lane.

Today, I just attended the inauguration function of Suzuki in Noida and took the Delhi Metro Express Highway – the 14 lane road. I don’t know whether you know it or not – 3 years ago there was a usual traffic jam there. But today the traffic is smooth. So it was a great pleasure for me to see that. It was exactly the same for Meerut to Delhi route, which was earlier covered in 4 and a half hours. Now people are commuting in 45 minutes. Earlier Delhi to Dehradun was 8-9 hours. Now people are commuting in 3 hours and I’m making new roads to Dehradun from Akshardham, where travel time will be around 2 hours; 2 hours Delhi to Dehradun, 2 hours from Delhi to Haridwar, 2 hours from Delhi to Chandigarh, 2 hours from Delhi to Jaipur, and 4 hours from Delhi to Amritsar and 6 and a half hours to Srinagar and Jammu.

So the way in which the infrastructure is being developed in the country now, it is really a great thing which is important for trade, business, industry, every sphere good roads are very important. Good roads are not only the roads, but they are the growth engine for the economy. And that is exactly the vision when I’m working on this subject and I’m confident that in due course of time, we are the fastest growing economy. The mission of our country is to make the Indian economy as Aatma Nirbhar (self reliant) as possible. And 100% we are on that path, I assure you that we will develop the infrastructure in India at par the infrastructure of European standard, US standard and within 3 years, we will be equal to them. That is exactly the mission! When I took charge as the Minister, the development rate was 2 kilometer per day. Now it is 38 kilometers per day. We have already succeed in making world record, one in Mumbai-Delhi Express Highway, it’s a big highway, the longest highway in the world – of 1350 Kilometer Mumbai-Delhi, within 12 hours you can come from Mumbai to Delhi and that highway in Vadodara, Mumbai Delhi highway in Vadodara section, one part where we have completed 2.5 Kilometer four-lane Portland cement concrete road in 24 hours, it’s a Guinness Book of World Record, just see the distance!

The second important thing is that we already made world record in Bijapur-Solapur Road, one lane bitumen road spanning 26 kilometers was constructed in 22 hours. We are making 38 kilometer per day and our road construction is highest in the world. So, this is the thing, the way in which the infrastructure is changing. And I’m confident that it is not only that the infrastructure is changing, but the infrastructure is changing the economy of the country.

We have already (it’s not my department) but we have already successfully implemented 100 New airports, we are taking the trial of big aircraft, we use road as airstrip in Rajasthan near Pakistan in Jalore area. So everywhere we are now making logistic parks, we are making 35 logistic parks in the country. At the same time we are moving towards e-vehicles, I’m in charge for that we want to make our present import of fossil fuel is eight lakh crores my idea is to make Ethanol, Methanol, biodiesel, bio-CNG, LNG, electricity, and green hydrogen as the fuel. My aim is that we need to encourage the Indian people to make an Indian fuel in India. We aim to promote Swadesi and that is important for the country and we are planning for that.

And I’m confident that we will succeed in that now, we are launching electric cars, electric bikes, electric two wheelers and three wheelers, electric buses, then also we are working on green hydrogen, we are working on battery chemistry, and not only that of lithium ion but steel ion, aluminum ion, then Zinc ion. Everything we are making the research is on it at the IITs (the research institution) and regarding Green Hydrogen – my dream is to make India as an exporter of Green Hydrogen to the world. Presently, the size of our petrol industry is 7.5 lakh crores and within 5 years, we will make it 15 lakh crores and we will be the number one manufacturing hub of automobiles in the world.

All big reputed brands now are present in India, we are developing vendors, the raw material developed because of the scrapping policy, the copper, aluminum, steel, rubber, plastic will be available with 50% cost and that is going to reduce the cost of production for the automobiles and we can be more competitive in the international market. So, the way in which we are moving I’m confident that we will be 100% successful in this mission to make India as ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.’

Q. Sir, you have come a long way from being the State Minister of Maharashtra, where, under your leadership, a series of roads, highways and flyovers across the state were constructed – including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, India’s first 6-lane concrete, high-speed expressway. Today, you have the credit of changing the face of the nation with major infrastructure development projects being completed at a record speed. Please share with our readers any one special project which is close to your heart and why?

A. Actually, we’re making a lot of projects now, we’re making 26 Green Express Highways. Delhi Mumbai Express Highway, the costing is one lakh crore, we are making Chennai Bangalore Express Highway. We are making lot of Express highways in the country starting from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Tripura, everywhere. So I’m confident that we are adding value through our work, be it in Arunachal Meghalaya, Tripura or even in Jammu Kashmir, we are making Zojila Tunnel, where we save 5000 Crore rupees on that project, that tunnel they say is 13.5 Kilometer (highest in the Asia) and just near to Kargil Valley, we are making that connecting Ladakh, Leh to Sri Nagar. So, we are making only the tunnel project of two lakh crores in the country. We’re making Chardham project, all season connectivity to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yumnotri. We are making to Maan Sarovar from Pithoragad, Uttrakhand where 80% of work has been already completed. So these projects are of great pride for the country. And every project is a pride for me. Every project is for my country, and I got an opportunity to do something for the people. I’m doing it. I’m happy that 100%, the people expectation is very, very important and to fulfil the expectations of the people is the mission of our government under the leadership of our prime minister and we are working fast on that.

Q. Sir, with regard to the current scenario, what are your views on our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for “Vocal for Local” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”? Please also throw light on the ways in which you plan to further this agenda.

A. Already our sector will create a lot of employment potential. Now our construction equipment machinery industry is increased by four times. Now my idea is to use biofuel, alternate fuel, electric in the construction machinery. One of the reputed companies has now started production, we’re making electric trucks. We want to make e-highway. So anywhere in the sector now we want to do develop industrial clusters, logistic bars near to road by which we can contribute for our economy. So 100% new innovation, new research, new policy is the strength of my department. I always keep telling the people that Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Research, skilled and successful practices, we name it as knowledge and conversion of knowledge into wealth is the future. And a second important thing, which we are always insisting on is that no one is the best, it is depending upon the leadership, the vision of leadership and appropriate technology, you can convert waste into wealth, we are using waste plastic, waste rubber, we are using now steel fiber for making of strong bridges in precast, earlier we weren’t using steel fiber, today, we are using soil stabilizing technology. So, the different technology by which we are developing, I am confident that 100% our people our engineers are very, very competent, and India has got the highest manpower of engineering talented youth in the world. So, there is a huge opportunity and I really feel that we are very much confident that we will succeed in this call.

Q. Sir E-vehicles are the future for the world and will surely help in containing pollution in countries where emissions are high; especially in Asian countries like India where demand is going to be high for both 2 wheeler and 4 wheeler E-vehicles. What roles and expectations can the industry and consumers have from your Ministry for this future mode of transport?

A. Actually, frankly speaking, the future of E vehicle 100% is very bright. Now, for example, if you have a petrol car going by petrol car the cost is 10 rupees per kilometer, going by a diesel car is seven rupees per kilometer and moving by electric is one rupees per kilometer and within two years, the cost of petrol car and electric car will be the same. We are now adding flex engine technology already in Brazil, US and Canada they have a flex engine. The meaning of flex engine is that you can use 100% petrol or 100% bioethanol. So, we are encouraging the ethanol industry from sugarcane juice, molasses, from rice, from corn, food grain, we are making bio-ethanol, we have surplus sugar, surplus wheat, surplus rice, surplus corn, we are facing crucial problem in agriculture. So, diversification agriculture towards energy and power sector is our plan. So, 100% electric, ethanol and green hydrogen is the future and we are working on that and I feel that within two years total picture will be changed. Already there is more than expectation rise in e-vehicles, two wheelers, three wheelers, cars and buses or public transport now, and one of the companies is making luxury buses on electricity. So, 100% within two years, the cost of diesel bus will be equal to cost of electric bus. No one will purchase diesel. And the pollution is a big concern. The ethics, economy, ecology and environment, these are the four important things for all of us, out of which ecology and environment is very important. We’ll take just take the example of Delhi, because of air pollution, what type of problem Delhi people are facing. So this is the time for the country, for the society, for the government to think seriously on air pollution, water pollution and sound pollution. And I’m working hard on these 3 particularly important subjects and 100% as far as the international benchmark is concerned and already the Prime Minister has given us a task for 2070 zero emission, after we have successfully implemented the Euro VI emission norms in the automobile sector. So, I am confident that the things are moving now, in our power basket, 38% of the power in the solar power, we are encouraging solar power, hydropower, then green power, by wind power and 100% I’m confident that for green, we are very much committed and ecology and environment is the mission for us. We want development, but at the same time we have to protect ecology and environment that is the highest priority for all of us.

Q. Sir, we acknowledge the fact that the Indian Automobile Industry is generating the highest number of jobs, exports and revenue to state and central governments. Your vision to make the Indian automobile industry the number one in the world, for export of electric vehicles including electric cars, scooters, buses, auto rickshaws and trucks, in 5 years time, is indeed commendable. Please elaborate.

A. Actually the scrapping policy is already implemented. Just today, I inaugurated the scrapping center of Suzuki and Toyota in Noida, now, it is already started by which we will reduce the cost of components, the 50% cost of the raw material will be reduced copper, aluminum, steel, rubber and plastic by which we will be more competitive in the international market. So, now we have a lot of scrapping vehicles available and even will allow the scrapping vehicles from abroad like Indonesia, Malaysia, then even from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, we can get this as we have already included the drop power port in Tuticorin, Kandla and even in Jawaharlal Nehru Port by which we will receive the big size of the ship, Panama-size ship by which two tons of material will be transported.

So, 100% the price economics is there, by taking all this scrapping material from the world, we will be again making the recycling of that material, our components cost will be less, we will be more competent to international market. The present size is 7.5 lakh crore of this industry and we want to make it 15 lakh crore. Now, in India, our two wheelers, Bajaj Hero, TVS, 50% of two wheelers we are exporting. So, there is a huge potential. Maruti is exporting the car from India, even the Mercedes, BMW all are now here, our tractors are popular in the world. So, this is the opportunity for the Indian automobile industry to increase their volume by reducing the cost, and the government is supporting them.

Q. Sir, under your praiseworthy leadership, today India is constructing roadways at a record speed – the fastest not only in Asia but the world! What are your suggestions for private sector companies and may be other ministries so as to how they may use this development for further prosperity? In other words, in which ways road development can further prosper economic development of the nation?

A. 100%! Water, Power, transport, and communication is very important and as far as the transport sector is concerned, the waterways, roadways, highways, e-ways and at the same time airports. At the time when I was the Shipping Minister, we launched this amphibious seaplane where seaplane can land on the airstrip at the same time on the water also, that was also launched by me. So, I’m confident that there is a lot now that we want to make it a public transport on electricity like Hyperloop, roadway, cablecar funicular railways now, with my department, we want to encourage the people particularly in hilly area, in place of taking bus taking, time consuming diesel, creating pollution, in place of that directly there will be a ropeway, cablecar, funicular railway. We are already in considering the proposal. 20 proposals are there from Himachal Pradesh we have a lot of proposals from Uttarakhand, Kashmir, we are working on them.

Q. Sir, under your exemplary leadership, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has constructed 13,394 km of highways in the fiscal year 2020-21. We, at AsiaOne, really appreciate the fact that the pace of highways construction in the country has touched a record 37 km per day in the financial year 2020-21 despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Please share with our readers the mantra for your outstanding success!

A. Actually, this is not the success of an individual Nitin Gadkari. This is a success of team spirit. I always tell it to my people that a square and b square, its total is a square plus b square. But when A and B comes together, thinks together, converse together A plus B bracket square equals to a square plus b square plus twice A B. And this twice AB is the top collective team spirit. I always support my engineers, my officers and contractors. I resolve their problems. I have always taken review meetings and created a spirit that we have worked for the country. You got the opportunity to work for the people, work for the country. And that was exactly the spirit behind it. Because I’m not an engineer, but in 1995 I was a PWD Minister in Maharashtra, I got a call to construct Mumbai Pune expressway, Bandra-Worli sea link project, 55 flyovers in Mumbai. And because of that my name was now linked with the infrastructure. But I’m not an engineer. I’m not an expert. But inspiration and motivation to work for the country is there. That is the mission. And after that Atal ji gave me an opportunity to appoint a committee under my leadership. I got an opportunity to make Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak yojna. That was the report I had given to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at that time. At that time I prepared one report for NHS. And today I’m the Minister at this department.

So as I always say that there will be some people who get the opportunity. And that is very important. Some people convert opportunities into problems and some others convert problems into opportunities. My experience is to convert problems into opportunities. That is exactly my strength. Neither I’m a knowledgeable man, neither I’m an expert engineer, neither I’m an economist or a chartered accountant. I’m a very, very common person who gets the opportunity to do something for the country. I’m doing it.

I kept on getting the opportunities, and I kept on working. And I didn’t get time to calculate how much work I have done and the credit given for it. I am a workaholic and want to do something for my country. If I get time after managing my family and home, then we have to contribute to this nation, ‘Mathrubhumi.’ ‘Hum Do Chaar Rahe na Rahe, Par Tera Vaibhav Rahe Ma,’ this is the learning that we were taught in the RSS.

That is the spirit that we have to work for the country, we have to work for the society. The people who are socially, economically, educationally backward, those who don’t have house, food, shelter, and cloth on the their body, we need to work for them. That is the socio-economic thinking behind Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay’s Antyodaya. That is the spirit when all of us, we are working, ‘Charewati, Charewati – Chalte Raho’, now you people are important people who can analyze the thing, who can make the review who can make the auditing, I am always telling to people the financial audit is very, very important, but the performance audit is more important than financial audit. In government, it is very important, it needs positivity, transparency, Fast Track decision making process and corruption free system. I have already awarded more than works of more than 50 lakh crores in the seven years from our own Ministry, but there is not a single allegation from anybody about corruption. We are very transparent, very quality approach we have and we are very committed for the development. This is a development of our country. This is the asset of our country, asset of people, that is the spirit in way which we are working.

There are many people who had worked more than me and I guess I haven’t worked that much. But I feel I play cricket. So, I really like one-day cricket. At that time there were players like Dileep Vengsarkar, Sandeep Patil, Sachin Tendulkar who score at every ball. So life should be like that only. One has to play even with cross bat and score a boundary to make a record.

Q. As a Leader who leads by example, you yourself use an EV and have been an ardent advocate of the production of biofuels (Bio-Diesel, Bio-CNG, Bio-Methanol, Ethanol) in the country by using the stubble of certain crops to reduce the dependence on the import of crude oil and fuel gases. In fact you have asserted that India’s automobile sector can become the number-1 in the world in the next five years by using alternative fuel sources. What all policies and initiatives do you plan to bring about to further this agenda?

A. Already ethanol policies are there, they’re making ethanol from sugarcane juice, ethanol from molasses, ethanol from BAV molasses, ethanol from corn, ethanol from Rice, ethanol from wheat, food grade. Now, the second generation ethanol from biomass already there, even we can make five ton of ‘parali-rice straw’ is giving one turn of bio CNG. We can make Bio-LNG because LNG in transport is easy. So, now the projects are started. So the way in which now my own tractor we have converted it to Bio-CNG. We are saving one lakh rupees per year in place of diesel and even the pollution is negligible. So this is the time for e-vehicles, and using ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, CNG, electric and green hydrogen for long term transport. We can use LNG as a fuel. If suppose one diesel truck converts into LNG, the cost is 10 lakh rupees, and you will get your money back within 295 days. So, this is the economics. So, the technology is very important. And every time whatever the successful practices in the world, the best technology, we have to conduct research on it, and we have to accept that it is the way by which we can make socio-economic transformation. And we can increase the growth rate, we can create more employment potential, and we can eradicate the poverty.

Q. Sir, please throw light on National Automobile Scrappage Policy.

A. Actually, frankly speaking, the policy has already been passed. Now it is to be well received by the industry. And today (23rd November’21), I also inaugurated one scrapping center of Suzuki and Toyota; one centre of Mahindra is there. Already 100s of new scrapping centres are in the process. And I’m confident that the capital cost is not more than 30-35 crore. So it can give you the golden opportunity for employment. It’s a profitable industry, huge potential is available at the fitness centers, scrapping centers, driving training centers. Our plan is to expand all these initiatives by taking the private sector into confidence. We want to start this and we are in the process and people are giving a good response. 100% I’m sure, probably within two years, there will be a lot of things on the cards.

Q. We, at AsiaOne, value your contribution in making India one of the greatest brands in the world with world-class infrastructure amenities – making it a popular investment destination. In fact you are a role model for umpteen others especially the business community who look up to you for inspiration. What’s your message to them?

A. India is the best destination for investment. Actually, whatever the return you are getting in dollars, the interest cost is 1%-2%. In India, it is 6-8%. So, Indian scenario returns are good. My suggestion and request to all of the investors particularly from abroad that invest in stock exchange. Now, the MSMEs are also on the stock exchange and India is the fastest growing economy. India’s exports are increasing and India has a huge potential and after COVID, there is a huge response for the Indian industry from the world. So, for making any investment, India is secured 100%. You will get good returns, and I’m confident that it is to be beneficial for all the investors, even you can come with the technology to India, you can make joint ventures, you can start your own business, you can make the upgradation of existing industry by giving us a technology, you can add your capital into the industry, the different options are open and India is the fastest growing economy.

It is a golden opportunity for the people who want to invest in India, the stable government is there, government is pro-development and supporting the development. So, these are the plus or positive factors. I will request all those who have got potential of investment, to invest in India. It is the best time for them, they are welcome in India, we have red carpet for all of them, come to India invest in India, it will be a great opportunity for them. And it will be a secured investment that will have no problem. And there is a good support from the government also for that.

Q. During the pandemic, in June 2020, we launched the Greatest Brands And Leaders TV series, which is reaching to 39 million viewers in 79 countries of the world. In that series, we not only promote business and social leaders, but also political leaders like you who are doing something really great for the nation. So what’s your message for AsiaOne magazine?

A. Actually, I feel that entrepreneurship is very important. I agree that knowledge and technology are important. But entrepreneurship is very important. Through AsiaOne, you are encouraging entrepreneurship, and that is very important. We have institute of management, human resources and others, so different things we have, but we don’t have institute of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship is very important. And you are encouraging entrepreneurship in India. This is really a great pleasure for me. And we are doing excellent jobs. And reputation is good. You are taking the successful people to the masses, to the society, and where they are going to inspire and motivate them to do something like them. That is exactly the spirit behind the media. And you’re doing it. It’s a really excellent job. I’m giving my all best wishes to this project and your initiative. 100%, this is all a success story! And I am giving my all good wishes to AsiaOne, the viewers, the readers and the proprietor.

“Increase our faith!’. The Lord replied: “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Luke 17, 6 From the Gospels, on a flying carpet, I travel through time and space to Baghdad; an Arab Baghdad named Agraba; here there is a boy whose memory has crossed seas and mountains, time and space: Aladdin. He owns a lamp, and has 3 wishes available to him which are not bound by any limit – except the formula with which they must be pronounced: ‘I want …’

Continuing on my spacetime journey, I arrive at the Italian winter of 2018; it was morning, and, having breakfast with a friend for the first time, I came in contact with the ‘101 wish’ theory.

A technique that immediately resonated with the Iraqi’s story of the young thief and his genius.

I would need two notebooks – one for the final draft and one for the preliminary version – and a lot of patience to write 150 wishes according to the following 10 rules:

1. All wishes had to follow the famous formula of Aladdin: ‘I want …’
2. It was forbidden to use the word ‘don’t’ – and moreover, after many years spent in the Indian subcontinent, the reason is clear to me: the unconscious is not able to understand negations, it does not absorb the term ‘not’; this obviously also entailed having to avoid terms that contain negation.
3. It was forbidden to use the word you wanted to avoid; ‘In the beginning was the Word … and the Word was God’ thus begins the fourth gospel, presenting itself as a grammar of religious language, and meaning, with this term, the power possessed by the word itself to create. If we add a reflection – to pronounce the word is to fixate on it – the reason for this rule begins to become clear.
4. Among the listed directives, there was also that of expressing the desire in 14 words, for which commas were counted as words themselves.
5. It was necessary to focus on the fact that every wish was new – serial wishes were not allowed.
6. The means were required to be forgotten, the focus being only on the end. This means that the command was to formulate the desire without setting the path that would have to be followed to obtain it. In plain English, I shouldn’t have asked for a love story with a specific person but only a beautiful and full love story.
7. I couldn’t even ask for money, no money; only concrete things and, according to this discipline, the right amount to realise it will follow.
8. No diminutives could be used; however always wrapped in a particular sweetness, a diminutive always carries with it a sense of smallness.
9. Comparisons were not allowed -to go forward, you cannot look to the sides, you cannot lose yourself in another person; the imperative is to focus on ahead, on our path, and to want what physiologically brings the smile to our lips, without being distracted by what we are convinced we want because we are inspired by the desire of others.
10. It is not possible to ask for others -because in our ignorance we do not know what is good for them; we are the protagonists for every desire.

So, after writing 150 wishes, I should have selected 101 and copied them in the second notebook, leaving some space so that if they had become reality, I could have replaced them with the 49 that I had left out in the final draft.

The last instruction was to read them in full once a day for 365 days: I would have to devote an average of 5-7 minutes to this reading daily.

Somehow, and honestly, although that technique had piqued a part of my curiosity, I didn’t have the courage to put it into practice at that time. The reasons for this were apparently clear: having spent so many years in contact with the Tibetan community, and being a ractitioner of the rules of Buddhism, this technique seemed to break with teachings that until then I had thought, in the presumption of my ignorance that I had understood.

I saw desire as a problem because the act that involved it set in motion a self-feeding mechanism: as if it was salt water.

The more I drank it, the more I would be thirsty, the more I would carve a particular thing, the more I would become dependent on it, abandoning myself to the causes of suffering.

So, for a year I decided to forget about it.

As often happens, however, what affects us is what must be – to help us grow on our path. Consciously I had forgotten that Italian theologian who exposed this thesis on the phone screen, but unconsciously I had kept his words with me, and slowly, in the dark of my ‘Self’ I worked out this limit in my understanding, fought between the obstinacy of not scratching my conviction and my inability to surrender to this abysmal difference between the two beliefs. I, a ferocious follower of the wonder of seeing similarities in different cultures, could not accept such a sharp discrepancy of concept between the old Asia and New Europe.

Another morning, this time Indian and hot, I took back those readings that speak of the Buddha and his middle way. I saw the limits that I had imposed on myself, I saw the blindness created by the fear of taking a step further, I saw the blocks that told me why I had created these boulders, believing them external and, I understood that those desires that I did not pronounce (thinking they would hurt me) were actually a shadow guardian who didn’t want me to cross my borders.

Tibetan Buddhism spoke of another method of approaching desires, a more subtle, more difficult strategy.

If I had carefully examined my emotions, I would have discovered that, like musical notes, they have various harmonics: just as anger has a clear aspect, desire has a component of bliss that is distinct from craving.

If I had known how to distinguish these aspects, it would have become possible to experience a happy mental state without being influenced by the illusory aspect of the grip. I would have realized that emotions are not inherently afflictive, but only become emotional when we identify with them and grasp them.

How could I really believe for all these years that the middle way philosophy was an exclusive and non-inclusive philosophy?

So, I saw that the path of happiness refused both the imprisonment from compulsion to realize desires and also their repression. Buddhism did not advocate the suppression of all desires, but was rather offering me the means to obtain freedom from afflictive emotions. Like other emotions, desire could be constructively experienced; it could be the vortex that destroys life and the catalyst for it.

It was March 2019 when, absorbing this new understanding, I returned for a few days to the Himalayan heights of Dharamsala and I took the courage to, in front of the boundlessness of the valley, overcome my fears and start thinking about my desires.

The landscape opened up in front of me and the more I stared at it, the more it seemed to allow me to see beyond that limit of the horizon. The further I saw, the more the blank sheet asked me if what I wanted was just what I was starting to list.

“Don’t get blocked”, it whispered, “but scrutinize, think, concentrate and want”. The more I did it, the more I understood that that technique, as happened to my eyes when they were lost in the horizon, allowed me to take a step further, inside myself.

It was not a mere list of things coveted, but rather it was a way out of the world I knew, it was a path that led me to detach myself from the known and to expand; that place where a new part of me opened up and allowed me to think differently. It was a growth.

I entered another path that led to the same goal I had previously aspired to, while teaching me that the different methods of getting rid of destructive emotions were like keys – it didn’t matter if a key was made of iron, silver or gold, as long as it opened the door to freedom.

In this new perspective, desire no longer came close to the idea of craving but, relying on the Latin meaning, took the meaning of “lack of stars”; “perceiving the lack of the stars”, of those good omens, of good wishes and therefore – by extension – also assumed the meaning of a lack and, consequently, a feeling of passionate research.

I, then, went back to that enchanted place in the mists of time. I closed my eyes and, looking closely at Aladdin, I did not see the genius with the naked torso, with the waist belt and golden bracelets on his wrists. He was no longer present externally: he was there, but he had been incorporated into Aladdin himself – the wish-taker had become a part of the disjointed boy who had now matured, had grown up.

Aladdin had discovered more of himself: by explaining his inner currents, having decided to show the infinite meanders of himself, with courage, resourcefulness, abundance, having accepted himself simply for what he was, he had broken the chains of fear, he had become great.

In short, the New Christian Testament, that fairy tale of One Thousand And One Nights and Tibetan Buddhism, reinserted in the here and now, were not and are not out of tone but, they take each other by the hand and offer us a new way to expand and discover parts of ourselves. I, thanks to this union, made peace with the limits I had inside; I grew up and overcame the fears that have gripped me for years.

I hope that you too will be able to travel those deepest and most feared steppes of yours, because they are new and creative. I wish you to rediscover that magic lamp, not only to obtain concretely what you have in your heart but also to understand what your heart contains, reminding you that if a desire is within you it is a premonition of the next stage of your being.

A wish that smells of the Iraqi desert, of the incense from the ‘altar of the world’, which is enveloped in the mystery of the Gospel and which becomes magic because it is possible in the present of this life. A wish from a life that has given me many desires of my heart, and continues to give them to me.