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  • Best Monsoon Trip Destinations in India and How a Personal Loan Can Help

    Best Monsoon Trip Destinations in India and How a Personal Loan Can Help

    India, with its diverse landscapes, offers some of the most breathtaking destinations to visit during the monsoon season. The rains bring a new life to the surroundings, making everything look lush, green, and mesmerizing. While monsoon travel can be a unique and beautiful experience, it can also come with unexpected expenses. This is where a personal loan for travel can help make your dream monsoon trip a reality without financial stress. Here’s a look at the best monsoon destinations in India and how a personal loan can facilitate your travel plans.

    Best Monsoon Trip Destinations in India

    Munnar, Kerala

    Why Visit: Munnar, with its rolling tea plantations and mist-covered hills, is a visual treat during the monsoon. The rain enhances the greenery, and the waterfalls are in full flow, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

    Top Attractions: Attukal Waterfalls, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Peak, and tea gardens.

    Goa

    Why Visit: Known for its beaches, Goa transforms during the monsoon with lush greenery and fewer tourists. It’s the perfect time for a serene vacation, enjoying the scenic beauty and monsoon festivals.

    Top Attractions: Dudhsagar Waterfalls, spice plantations, and the vibrant monsoon festival of Sao Joao.

    Lonavala, Maharashtra

    Why Visit: A popular getaway for residents of Mumbai and Pune, Lonavala offers picturesque landscapes, misty mountains, and numerous waterfalls that come alive during the monsoon.

    Top Attractions: Bhushi Dam, Karla and Bhaja Caves, and the lush greenery of the Sahyadri range.

    Coorg, Karnataka

    Why Visit: Known as the Scotland of India, Coorg’s lush coffee plantations and misty hills are breathtaking during the monsoon. The rain enhances the natural beauty and tranquility of this region.

    Top Attractions: Abbey Falls, Raja’s Seat, and coffee plantations.

    Udaipur, Rajasthan

    Why Visit: While Rajasthan is known for its arid climate, Udaipur during the monsoon is a sight to behold. The lakes fill up, and the surrounding Aravalli Hills turn green, offering a refreshing change.

    Top Attractions: Lake Pichola, City Palace, and Monsoon Palace.

    Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

    Why Visit: One of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji showcases the monsoon in all its glory. The lush landscapes, living root bridges, and numerous waterfalls make it a unique destination.

    Top Attractions: Nohkalikai Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, and Mawsmai Caves.

    Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

    Why Visit: A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Valley of Flowers blooms in vibrant colors during the monsoon, offering a magical landscape of diverse flora against the backdrop of the Himalayas.

    Top Attractions: Trekking trails, a variety of wildflowers, and the serene beauty of the Himalayas.

    How a Personal Loan Can Help

    Covering Travel Expenses

    Airfare and Transportation: Monsoon travel can sometimes mean higher transportation costs due to fewer flights and trains. A personal loan can cover these expenses, ensuring you reach your destination comfortably.

    Local Travel: Hiring cabs or renting vehicles for local travel can add to the cost. A personal loan can help manage these additional expenses without hassle.

    Accommodation Costs

    Comfortable Stays: Monsoon destinations might require you to stay in well-equipped accommodations to avoid any inconvenience due to weather conditions. A personal loan can help you book comfortable and safe lodging.

    Upgraded Experience: Opting for better accommodations with amenities can enhance your travel experience. A personal loan can provide the extra funds needed for such upgrades.

    Emergency Funds

    Unexpected Expenses: Travel plans can sometimes face unexpected disruptions like road closures or medical emergencies. Having a personal loan can provide a financial cushion for such unforeseen events.

    Medical Emergencies: Monsoon travel can sometimes lead to health issues. A personal loan can cover medical expenses, ensuring you get the necessary care without worrying about costs.

    Travel Insurance

    Comprehensive Coverage: Travel insurance is crucial, especially during the monsoon. A personal loan can help you purchase a comprehensive insurance policy that covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and other travel-related risks.

    Peace of Mind: Knowing that you are covered financially in case of any mishaps allows you to enjoy your trip without constant worry.

    Activity and Sightseeing Costs

    Tours and Excursions: Monsoon destinations offer unique experiences such as boat rides, guided tours, and treks. These activities can be expensive, and a personal loan can help you indulge in them without straining your budget.

    Entry Fees and Tickets: Many tourist spots charge entry fees or require tickets for specific activities. A personal loan can cover these costs, allowing you to explore all attractions.

    Conclusion

    Monsoon travel in India offers a unique and enriching experience with its lush landscapes, vibrant cultures, and serene surroundings. However, the associated costs can sometimes be daunting. A personal loan can help cover these expenses, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable trip. By understanding the benefits and managing your finances wisely, you can embark on a memorable monsoon adventure across India’s most beautiful destinations.

  • China’s maiden ‘Big Brother’ shot on Endemol Shine India’s sets

    China’s maiden ‘Big Brother’ shot on Endemol Shine India’s sets

    MUMBAI: The Indo-China memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was signed between the two countries while Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China earlier this year probably showed its first practical prominence as Endemol Shine shot China’s maiden Big Brother season in India.

     

    Big Brother’s Indian adaptation – Bigg Boss is shot in Lonavala, which is in the outskirts of Mumbai. The sets in Lonavala are erected at a factory leased by Endemol. However, the set, which was used to shoot for the first ever Chinese edition was that of the Kannada version of Big Boss. It was on these sets, which were rebuilt to suit the international version where Chinese contestants dramatically fought to win the first ever title.

     

    Endemol Shine India, which has a rich experience of producing eight seasons of Bigg Boss so far with the ninth season set to launch in October, facilitated the Chinese branch of the production house with a 400 member crew. There were 40 representatives from China and together they executed the first edition of Big Brother China, which will be telecast by online platform Youku Tudou.

     

    This is the first time in the show’s global history that it will beam on a digital platform. China’s Youku Tudou platform garners traction of 580 million unique visitors every month and was the ideal choice to showcase the show in order to get maximum eyeballs.

     

    According to sources close to the development, the planning was going on for a very long time and the two counterparts held rounds of talks before the final execution. The decision to shoot in India under the guidance of experienced people who have been associated with various editions of Bigg Boss was primarily to use the infrastructure and expertise, which will eventually result in huge cost savings.

     

    The Chinese team brought in their creative directors, story editors, and remote camera operators, whereas the rest was executed by the Indian crew. The huge lingual differences within the team comprising members from the two respective countries were erased by translators. “Most of the communication were happening in English,” a source present on the sets of Big Brother China in India informs Indiantelevision.com.

     

    According to a senior official in the production fraternity, the two most populous country of the world shaking hands to execute an entertainment project is massive boost for the media and entertainment industry. “I hope this is just the beginning and we have many more such collaborations going forward. Such associations are rejuvenating and certainly a matter of pride for the industry,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

     

    In India, Bigg Boss 9 is set to unveil soon on Colors and the show with Salman Khan as the host is eagerly awaited. “It was not the Bigg Boss India sets, which were used for the Chinese edition shoot. The India set is exclusively used only for India edition,” said a source close to the development.

     

    Endemol Shine China managing director William Tan, Youku Tudou senior director Amy Shundong Xu, Rebecca De Young, who was once a producer of Big Brother UK and Endemol India CEO Deepak Dhar were amongst those spotted around the sets. Big Brother China shoot got over on 18 September, 2015 and the Chinese team will be flying back immediately.

  • Bigg Boss Seven plays with hell and heaven

    Bigg Boss Seven plays with hell and heaven

    MUMBAI: Each year they try to take it up a notch, and it’s not getting any easier. But Bigg Boss never fails to surprise and entertain TV viewers and Hindi GEC Colors believes that this year as well, the seventh season, will ring well with TV audiences.

    And it introduced it to the media on 11 September evening with a high profile launch with oodles of glam themed around a mix of heaven and hell, which is the signature for the year. And of course with the announcement that long time loyal backer Vodafone has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the fifth year.

    Admits Vodafone chief commercial officer Vikas Mathur: “The program has huge followers and it gives us good impact and reach making it valuable for Vodafone.”
    Deepak Dhar, Vivek Mathur, Salman Khan and Raj Nayak at the launch of Bigg Boss Saath Saat.

    With the set in Lonavala once again, 80 to 90 cameras have been rigged to give audiences a peep into the lives of the 14 contestants who will this time face ‘jannat’ and ‘jahannum’ as part of the deal.

    The show produced by Endemol takes up a good 300 days annually to be put together by a dedicated bunch of 150-170 professionals right from creatives to the casting and technical crews.

    Like in the case of most international formats, the creative folks at Endemol India (the producer of the show) and Colors rely heavily on the Big Brother bible to add elements which have worked elsewhere where the show is telecast globally. The ‘Global Creative Team’ is also constantly working at coming up with new and different ideas. This team meets up twice in a year to look at the progress and variety in Big Brother across the globe.

    “We are constantly looking at what are the best elements and we add to it as well as adapt,” says Endemol MD Deepak Dhar.

    Once the conceptualization has been done, the art director and set designer moves the ship forward to create the set which takes up about four months in all. “It’s less of a set and more of a house because people have to live in it,” adds Dhar.

    Today, Bigg Boss has moved beyond being produced for Hindi audiences; language editions in Kannada and Bengali have also aired on television, the credit for which Dhar attributes to Colors CEO Raj Nayak.

    “We are slowly paving our way into the regional markets of India as well,” reveals Dhar.

    The show has already started making a buzz in the digital sphere with the Facebook and Twitter engagement activities in the form of heaven and hell anecdotes.

    “The fact that there is so much of expectation from Bigg Boss puts a lot of pressure on the digital team because we need to ensure it matches to it,” admits Colors digital head Vivek Srivastava.

    The most important and integral part is prior to the launch when the curiosity needs to be built without giving away names or details about the show. “It gets easier once it has launched but then the workload is more as well,” adds Srivastava. The current idea is using cartoons to get across the dual nature of the show to the viewers.

    The marketing mix seems to be the usual 360 degree campaign involving a lot of focus on TV, on both, Network18 group channels and other channels. “We believe we can reach many viewers through TV,” says Colors marketing head Rajesh Iyer.

    Salman Khan has been the host for four seasons of the show and this is his fifth stint. He gleefully says that he will continue with Bigg Boss till the time Colors gets tired of him. Not much has been revealed about this season although rumors are floating aplenty.

    “The beauty of this show is the surprise and suspense,” says Nayak.

    The launch date has been fixed for 15 September at 9 pm. And as Bollywood’s biggest Salman says audiences will definitely tune in. Says the man: “Why should you watch my shows or movies? Because I’m in them!”

    The coming weeks will reveal whether they are falling for his lines!