Category: Life & Style

Thailand is expected to adopt an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt tourists by June 2025. A trial program will begin in December 2024, allowing travelers and immigration authorities to adapt to the new system. This measure aligns Thailand with nations such as the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, and Russia, where digital pre-approval is now necessary before admission.

Under the new approach, tourists from qualified countries must apply online before traveling. Once granted, they can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, with the opportunity to extend for 30 more days. While the ETA is expected to be free initially, this may change over time. Diplomats and select travelers will be exempt.

Thailand is also updating its Automated Passport Control (APC) system to speed up airport access. With multiple governments implementing similar practices, the development raises concerns about whether traditional visa-free travel is becoming obsolete. Instead of spontaneous travel, guests must now get digital approval in advance.

As countries continue prioritizing security and efficiency, ETA systems are becoming the standard. Thailand’s adoption of this concept reflects a global trend in which unrestricted travel is being replaced by digital authorisation. The future of international travel is changing, with convenience weighed against stricter controls.

The SCES has announced plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, on April 19, 2025. The initiative intends to ignite students’ interest in space science and technology by organising a variety of events throughout SCES-managed institutions.

Celebrations will be held at all SCES-managed educational institutions, including nine schools. These institutions, spread across Telangana’s coal belt region, will actively participate in the golden jubilee celebration.

Quiz challenges, essay writing, and drawing contests will be among the interesting activities planned for the celebration. These festivities, part of the Satellite Technology Day celebrations, will commemorate the historic launch of Aryabhata, a historic moment in India’s space voyage.

According to G. Srinivas, secretary of SCES, the event will not only honour Aryabhata’s legacy but will also showcase the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) significant contributions to space exploration. Students will learn about ISRO’s achievements and prospective space missions, stimulating scientific curiosity and innovation.

By organising this festival, SCES hopes to motivate young minds to pursue professions in space exploration and contribute to India’s expanding scientific and technological breakthroughs.

International schooling in India was once considered an elite choice, but it is now widely accepted. India now has the world’s second-largest number of foreign schools associated with global education boards such as the IB and Cambridge. A decade ago, these schools were uncommon, but now, parents across the country are discussing whether to use Indian boards or foreign curriculums.

At the start of the twenty-first century, only eight Indian schools provided the IB programme, and the presence of Cambridge IGCSE was too minor to mention. In 2011-12, there were 197 Cambridge and 99 IB schools. Today, India has 972 foreign schools, up 10% over the last five years compared to an 8% global rise. Maharashtra leads with 210 such schools, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

Rising wages and aspirations drive this need. International schools have extended beyond metropolitan areas, now serving tier 2 and 3 cities. Parents prefer smaller class sizes, inquiry-based learning, and worldwide career options. Experts remark that international education is now strongly ingrained in India, with the majority of students choosing to stay for further courses. International education in India is no longer the exception; it is the future.

India has approved a major defence procurement, purchasing 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) ‘Prachand’ from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This momentous transaction, at Rs 62,500 crore, is the highest ever for indigenous defence procurement. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the order, which included 66 helicopters for the Indian Air Force and 90 for the Indian Army.

HAL will build these advanced helicopters at its Bengaluru and Tumkur plants in Karnataka, with deliveries beginning within three years and continuing for the next five years. The ‘Prachand’ is uniquely capable of operating at high elevations of 5,000 to 16,400 feet, making it perfect for deployment in difficult terrains such as Siachen and Eastern Ladakh.

The LCH Prachand is equipped with air-to-ground and air-to-air missile-launching capabilities, providing increased operational flexibility. Integrated data chips enable network-centric operations, which are critical for modern warfare. Since their introduction into the Air Force in October 2022, these helicopters have been seen as a substantial increase to India’s aerial warfare capability. 

This contract is part of India’s larger effort for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with over Rs 2.09 lakh crore in defence contracts signed this fiscal year, boosting domestic production and potentially creating thousands of employment in the aerospace sector.

During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the UAE Ministry of Finance conducted four humanitarian and social programs to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and volunteerism. These activities are consistent with the goals of the “Year of Community 2025,” which seeks to enhance social cohesion, provide assistance to vulnerable populations, and improve their quality of life.

The four major initiatives—Ramadan Mir, Supporting Humanitarian Cases, Inspired by Zayed’s Generosity, and “Eid Gifts on Us”—reflect the ministry’s efforts to promote generosity and inclusivity. Undersecretary Younis Haji AlKhoori emphasised that these efforts not only directly assist individuals in need, but also foster a culture of volunteerism and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Over 50 Ministry volunteers distributed food baskets to underprivileged families in Abu Dhabi as part of the “Ramadan Mir” program, which was organised in partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent. The “Supporting Humanitarian Cases” initiative gave medical and financial assistance to those in need. Nearly 1,500 blue-collar workers were provided with Iftar on Zayed Humanitarian Day, which was organised by the Ministry in conjunction with several other NGOs.

Singapore has established a cutting-edge training facility to strengthen maritime cybersecurity defences. This effort intends to provide industry personnel with the necessary capabilities to combat growing digital threats that may disrupt maritime operations.

The facility, called the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), is the world’s first cyber-physical training platform. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) collaborated on its development. The facility is designed to imitate real-world ship settings and allows students to participate in hands-on cyberattack simulations.

Mock exercises will expose participants to potential cyber dangers, such as system breaches that allow attackers to modify navigation settings. For example, a ship’s course may be altered, resulting in serious consequences such as collisions. This immersive method ensures that trainees acquire rapid response strategies.

Professor Zhou Jianying, Director of SUTD’s iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security, emphasised the initiative’s importance in training students for marine employment. He emphasised that knowing cyber dangers is critical in this era of increased digitalisation.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor stressed the necessity of cybersecurity training for maritime workers to retain Singapore’s position as a leading global maritime hub robust to new threats.

France plans to strengthen its academic and scientific presence in the Asia-Pacific region by attending the 2025 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) conference in New Delhi. The five-day event, organised by Campus France, will bring together around 35 French higher education institutions from March 24 to 28 at Yashoboomi. The campaign complements France’s overarching goal of attracting 30,000 Indian students by 2030.

Under the French Pavilion, the conference will accommodate 120 French participants as well as five Asian diplomatic representatives. APAIE, a worldwide-recognised higher education expo that began in Seoul in 2004, is expected to attract over 2,000 participants from more than 60 nations. The 2025 edition focuses on how higher education may help address global concerns through research and collaboration.

Campus France’s Director of Geographic Coordination, Olivier Chiche-Portiche, emphasised the strategic relevance of the Asia-Pacific area in student mobility and scientific research. A Campus France poster session on March 26 will present results from a study of 10,000 Asia-Pacific alumni educated in France, which revealed a high employment rate and favourable student experiences.

With approximately 400 MOUs between French and Indian schools, the event focuses on expanding mobility.

On April 6, which is the auspicious day of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Tamil Nadu. During his visit, he would pay respect at the Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and inaugurate the long-awaited Pamban Bridge. The new construction, India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, will replace the existing bridge, which was closed in 2022 owing to serious corrosion.

According to sources, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to Rameswaram from Sri Lanka in April, following a bilateral visit. He is expected to visit Thailand on April 3 and 4 for the BIMSTEC conference.

RVNL built the Pamban Bridge, which spans 2.5 kilometres and cost ₹535 crore. Designed to allow quicker trains and greater cargoes, the bridge intends to improve connectivity between the mainland and Rameswaram.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw earlier praised the bridge as a symbol of India’s advancement in engineering and infrastructure. Southern Railway General Manager R N Singh revealed that PM Modi is scheduled to open the bridge on April 6, with further details of his visit to be determined.

According to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, Andorra is the safest country in the world, with an amazing score of 84.7 out of 100. The study compared 146 countries based on a variety of safety criteria, including crime rates, personal security, and public perception. The tiny European country, tucked between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, is famed for its beautiful scenery, robust economy, and almost nonexistent crime.

Andorra’s low crime rate, along with its growing tourism economy and long life expectancy, make it an appealing destination for those seeking protection. The country’s devotion to security has helped it acquire an international reputation.

The UAE ranked second with a score of 84.5 due to stringent rules, modern surveillance, and effective law enforcement. Qatar ranked third with 84.2 points, cementing its reputation as a safe Middle Eastern destination. Taiwan came in fourth position, earning 82.9, owing to low violent crime rates.

Meanwhile, Venezuela was ranked as the most dangerous country, finishing last with a score of 19.3. The rankings show shifting travel habits, with safety-conscious tourists preferring secure places like Andorra, the UAE, and Qatar.

The inaugural Festival of Indian Cinema in Seattle began with a grand opening, honouring India’s rich cinematic tradition and cultural diversity. The inaugural event featured a short documentary about the just finished Mahakumbh, as well as parts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s podcast with Lex Fridman. The podcast focused on India’s founding ideals and its central message of unity in diversity.

The three-day event, organised by the Consulate General of India in Seattle in partnership with the Museum of Pop Culture, kicked off on Friday with a special proclamation. In honour of Indian cinema, March 21, 22, and 23 were formally recognised as ‘Indian Cinema Festival Days’ in all 39 communities of King County, including the Greater Seattle area.

The festival’s main attraction is a special photo exhibit called ‘History of Indian Cinema,’ which depicts the evolution of Indian cinema. This show, which includes iconic milestones and great movies, will be on display at MOPOP Seattle until March 23.

King County Executive Dow Constantine hailed India’s vibrant and diversified culture, noting that Indian film had considerably improved the region’s artistic environment.

Three critically acclaimed Indian films—English Vinglish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Raksha Bandhan—will be presented at the event.