A new year brings new horizons and that familiar sense of wanderlust! The December 2025 – January 2026 edition of Outlook Traveller stands out because it isn’t just about expert opinions—it is a beautiful collection of real stories from travellers like you and me.

This month’s theme, "The Readers’ Issue," celebrates the community by bringing their personal memories and journeys to the forefront under the banner: "Your Stories, Our Pages."

🌟 The Soul of This Issue: "It’s Not Where, It’s How"

This edition emphasizes that travel is more than just checking off a destination on a map; it’s about the "how"—the experiences, the people we meet, and the memories we carry back. It’s about the depth of the journey rather than just the coordinates.

📍 Global Highlights in This Edition

If you are planning a winter getaway, this issue shines a spotlight on some truly unique corners of the globe:

 * Ancient Stones (Matera, Italy): Discover the city where history is carved into stone. Its "cinematic charm" will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a classic movie set.

 * Diving Dream (Sipadan, Malaysia): A true paradise for ocean lovers. Dive into the depths of Malaysia for an underwater experience that is on every diver's bucket list.

 * Spooky Stop (Maine, USA): Looking for something unconventional? The feature on the Herbert Grand Hotel offers a mysterious and "spooky" vibe for those who love a bit of thrill.

 * Earth’s End (Antarctica): Exploring the icy wilderness of Antarctica at the age of 72? This inspiring section proves that the spirit of adventure has no age limit.

🎁 Exclusive Bonus: Free Dubai Guide Book

Planning a trip to the city of gold? This issue comes with a Free Dubai Guide Book, providing you with a perfect roadmap to explore the glitz, glamour, and hidden gems of Dubai during the New Year season.

🛣️ New Year Road Journeys

There is nothing quite like ringing in the New Year with a long drive. This issue features a special New Year Road Journeys segment, highlighting the best driving routes across India and the world for your next great road trip.

> Final Thought:

> This edition of Outlook Traveller reminds us that every traveler has a story worth telling. Whether it’s the ancient streets of Italy or the deep waters of Malaysia, travel is ultimately a way to find ourselves.

IIIT Kota to Become a World-Class Hub: Student Intake to Hit 25,000

IIIT Kota to Become a World-Class Hub: Student Intake to Hit 25,000

NEW DELHI – In a landmark meeting held at the Parliament House, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan finalized a transformative roadmap for the educational landscape of the Kota-Bundi region. The centerpiece of the discussion was the strategic expansion of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kota, with a goal to elevate it to the prestige of the country’s premier IITs.

Massive Capacity Expansion at IIIT Kota

The Union Education Minister announced a 10-year vision to increase the student capacity of IIIT Kota to 25,000 seats. Currently a growing institution, this expansion aims to accommodate the massive influx of talent in Kota, which already serves as a preparation ground for nearly 1.5 lakh competitive exam aspirants annually.

> "Kota is already a national education powerhouse. By upgrading IIIT Kota on the lines of the elite IITs and improving air connectivity, we are positioning the region as a global leader in technology and higher education," stated Speaker Om Birla.

> 

Curriculum Focused on the Future

To ensure students are ready for the global job market, the institute will introduce a range of futuristic and specialized courses. The meeting highlighted the region's natural advantages—such as the Chambal River and the Rawatbhata Atomic Power Plant—as catalysts for technical studies.

Key Futuristic Programs to be Launched:

 * Artificial Intelligence (AI): Setting up dedicated AI research centers.

 * Green Energy: Programs focused on sustainable power and renewable resources.

 * Atomic Studies: Leveraging proximity to nuclear facilities for practical learning.

 * Pumped Storage & Hydro Technology: Specialized courses in modern energy storage solutions.

School Education: From "No Bag Day" to "Know Your Constitution"

Beyond higher education, the meeting focused heavily on reforming school-level learning in the Kota-Bundi constituency. Speaker Om Birla emphasized that the foundation of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) begins in the classroom.

| Initiative | Objective |

|---|---|

| Know Your Constitution | To teach students core constitutional values and democratic rights. |

| No Bag Day | Encouraging vocational skills and creative learning without the burden of heavy bags. |

| PM Shri Schools | Increasing the number of high-quality, tech-enabled schools in the region. |

| Parliament Visits | Inviting students to visit the Parliament to foster awareness of democratic institutions. |

The One-Month Action Plan

To ensure these plans do not remain on paper, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has directed the formation of a special committee. This committee is tasked with submitting a comprehensive implementation report within one month. The report will detail the phase-wise expansion of IIIT Kota and the integration of new curricula in local schools.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to increase central grants for Rajasthan’s education budget, ensuring that the Kota-Bundi region becomes a model for the entire nation.

Would you like me to draft a formal proposal or a social media thread based on these educational reforms?

Bangal plants welfare board for traders

 Bangal plants welfare board for traders 

Calcutta: Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the formation of a welfare board for traders, aimed at creating a structured interface between the state government and the trading community to address business concerns.

Speaking at a conference organised by the consideration of West Bengal Trade  Association, Banerjee said the proposed board would function as a single window mechanism for resolving issues faced by traders and facilitate dialogue between industry and government officials.

"We have decided to set up a West Bengal Traders Welfare Board. The board will meet monthly and organise energy events," she said while inviting chambers of commerce across districts to participate. 

As part of a forest to improve the case of doing business, the chief minister announced the establishment of two export facilitation centres at Calcutta and Siliguri. The centres will showcase Bangle's geographically indicated products and other goods exported from the state, while providing support in packaging, branding, digital marketing and export-related training.

Banerjee is also in a grade A Trade Receivable Discounting System(TReDS) hotel to address short-term liquidity constraints faced by traders and manufacturers executing government contracts.

Under the system, registered MSMEs can upload details of completed work, enabling banks and financial institutions to process payments quickly.

Rob Reiner's son booked for murder

 Los Angeles: 17 December 2025 

Prosecutors in Los Angeles on Tuesday formally charged Nick Reiner with murdering his parents, the Hollywood fixtures and democratic party haviny weights Rob Reiner and Michael singer Reiner.

The son fishes to counts of first degree murder. With prosecutors requesting they be considered under "special circumstances", in part because there were multiple murders. 

Special comes down says can add time to a sentence if convicted. 

Nick Reiner, if convicted,could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of Parul or the death penalty, altho prosecutors have not safe whether they would seek the death penalty. 

Nathan J Hochman, the loss Angeles County district attorney ,announced the charges 2 days after Reiner's parents were discovered that at their home in Brentwood. Prosecutors said that Reiner killed them using a knife and that the corner was still determining weather they guidance Saturday or Sunday.

On Tuesday afternoon,Hochman told her packed room of reporters that the case would be particular difficult to prosecutor because of this intimation between the victims and the accused.

"These cases , involving family members ,are some of the most challenging and most heart- reaching cases that our office faces ,"Hochman said.

He emphasized that ,given the high-profile nature of the case, remus and speculation were likely to spread and he owls the public to use  caution.

Chief jim McDonald of the Los Angeles police department told reporters on Tuesday the offers were call to the Reiner's home on Sunday afternoon, and that Nick Reiner was arrested without incident near the University of Southern California later that night.

Reiner appeared briefly in court on Wednesday morning, a day after he was charged with murder in the death of his parents. 

Reiner had been scheduled to appear in loss Angeles superior court on Wednesday for an arraignment, during which  he was expected to enter a plea. But his lawyer, Alan Jackson, told the court that it was " too early"for a plea and that he had agreed with the prosecution to delay the arraignment it is now schedule for January 7.

Rashmi Ranjan

Security Alert in Dhaka

 

Security Alert in Dhaka: Protesters Attempt to Storm Indian High Commission Amid Rising Diplomatic Tension

DHAKA / NEW DELHI — The Indian High Commission in Dhaka was the target of a high-intensity protest on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as hundreds of agitators attempted to breach security barricades surrounding the diplomatic mission. The incident has triggered a sharp diplomatic response from New Delhi, leading to the temporary closure of Indian visa services in the Bangladeshi capital.

The Incident: Siege at the Diplomatic Enclave

A group operating under the banner of "July Oikyo Mancho" (July Unity) organized a massive march towards the Indian High Commission located in the Baridhara diplomatic zone. The protesters, demanding the extradition of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, engaged in a standoff with local law enforcement.

 * Breach Attempt: Demonstrators successfully dismantled the first layer of police barricades and attempted to push through a secondary human wall formed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

 * Hostile Rhetoric: Videos from the scene showed protest leaders issuing threats to enter the mission premises, citing "Indian imperialism" and alleged interference in domestic politics.

 * Visa Center Shutdown: Following the escalation, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park was abruptly shut down at 2:00 PM for the safety of staff and applicants.

India’s Diplomatic Response

In response to the security threat, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner, M. Riaz Hamidullah, in New Delhi to register a "strong protest."

> "India expects the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations," the MEA stated, rejecting what it called a "false narrative" being spread by extremist elements.

> 

The MEA emphasised that the security environment in Dhaka has become increasingly precarious for Indian officials, citing recent inflammatory speeches by political figures, such as Hasnat Abdullah of the National Citizen Party (NCP).

Context: Strained Ties

Relations between the two neighbours have remained tense since the August 2024 uprising, which led to Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India. Key points of friction include:

 * Extradition Demands: The interim government and various student groups have consistently demanded that Hasina be returned to face trial for "crimes against humanity."

 * Anti-India Rhetoric: Recent speeches by NCP leaders have threatened to support separatist movements in India’s Northeast if the current political transition in Bangladesh is destabilised.

 * Security of Minorities: Continued concerns from New Delhi regarding the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Current Status

While the protest was eventually contained by police, security around all Indian installations in Bangladesh has been significantly beefed up. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry described the summoning of its envoy as a "normal diplomatic practice" but acknowledged the prevailing tension.

Rashmi Ranjan 

मार्केट अपडेट: 'इटरनल' (जोमैटो) के शेयर पर ब्रोकरेज की पैनी नज़र

मार्केट अपडेट: 'इटरनल' (जोमैटो) के शेयर पर ब्रोकरेज की पैनी नज़र

JM फाइनेंशियल ने घटाया टारगेट प्राइस, पर 'Buy' रेटिंग बरकरारदिग्गज ब्रोकरेज फर्म JM फाइनेंशियल ने जोमैटो की पेरेंट कंपनी, इटरनल (Eternal) के शेयरों के लिए अपने पिछले टारगेट प्राइस में कटौती की है। ब्रोकरेज ने लक्ष्य को ₹450 प्रति शेयर से घटाकर ₹400 कर दिया है। हालांकि, फर्म ने स्टॉक पर अपनी 'बाय' (Buy) रेटिंग को बरकरार रखा है, जो यह दर्शाता है कि लंबी अवधि में शेयर में मजबूती की उम्मीद है।

क्विक-कॉमर्स में बढ़ती प्रतिस्पर्धा बनी मुख्य वजह

टारगेट प्राइस में इस 11.1% की कटौती का मुख्य कारण क्विक-कॉमर्स (Blinkit) क्षेत्र में बढ़ती प्रतिस्पर्धा को माना जा रहा है। विश्लेषकों का मानना है कि प्रतिस्पर्धा और उच्च बेस (base) के कारण चालू तिमाही (Q3FY26) में ब्लिंकिट की ग्रोथ की रफ्तार थोड़ी धीमी पड़ सकती है। इसके अलावा, बाजार में स्विगी (Swiggy) और ज़ेप्टो (Zepto) जैसी कंपनियों की सक्रियता भी एक बड़ी चुनौती है।

41% की भारी बढ़त का अनुमान: निवेशकों के लिए मौका?

भले ही टारगेट प्राइस घटाया गया हो, लेकिन नया लक्ष्य (₹400) बुधवार, 17 दिसंबर 2025 के बंद भाव (लगभग ₹284.45) से करीब 41% ज्यादा है। इसका मतलब है कि ब्रोकरेज को अभी भी मौजूदा स्तरों से शेयर में बड़ी उछाल आने की संभावना दिख रही है। इटरनल के शेयरों ने पिछले एक साल में निवेशकों को शानदार रिटर्न दिया है, हालांकि हाल के दिनों में इसमें कुछ गिरावट देखी गई है。

समाचार का सारांश (Summary)

 * रेटिंग और लक्ष्य: JM फाइनेंशियल ने 'Buy' रेटिंग बनाए रखते हुए टारगेट प्राइस ₹450 से घटाकर ₹400 किया है।

 * कारण: क्विक-कॉमर्स मार्केट (Blinkit) में बढ़ती प्रतिस्पर्धा और ग्रोथ रेट में संभावित कमी।

 * वर्तमान स्थिति: बुधवार के बंद भाव की तुलना में शेयर में अभी भी41% की बढ़त की गुंजाइश बनी हुई है।

* संदर्भ: जोमैटो ने मार्च 2025 में अपना नाम बदलकर 'इटरनल लिमिटेड' कर लिया था।

रश्मि रजन

कोलकाता के न्यूटाउन इलाके में कल शाम भीषण आग

 

कोलकाता के न्यूटाउन इलाके में कल शाम (17 दिसंबर 2025) एक भीषण आग लग गई, जिसने सैकड़ों लोगों को बेघर कर दिया। 

कोलकाता ब्रेकिंग: न्यूटाउन की बस्ती में भीषण आग, सिलेंडर ब्लास्ट से मची अफरा-तफरी

इको पार्क के पास बस्ती में लगी आग

बुधवार शाम करीब 6:45 बजे, न्यूटाउन के इको पार्क गेट नंबर 6 के पास धुनी (Ghuni) गांव से सटी एक झुग्गी बस्ती में अचानक आग लग गई। देखते ही देखते आग ने विकराल रूप धारण कर लिया और पूरी बस्ती को अपनी चपेट में ले लिया।

20 दमकल गाड़ियों ने पाया काबू

शुरुआत में दमकल की 5 गाड़ियाँ मौके पर पहुंची थीं, लेकिन आग की तीव्रता और सूखी हवाओं के कारण स्थिति बिगड़ती गई। बाद में 20 दमकल इंजनों को तैनात किया गया। तंग गलियों और बस्ती में मौजूद ज्वलनशील पदार्थों की वजह से दमकलकर्मियों को आग बुझाने में काफी मशक्कत करनी पड़ी।

सिलेंडर ब्लास्ट और तबाही

प्रत्यक्षदर्शियों के अनुसार, आग लगने के दौरान बस्ती में कई LPG सिलेंडरों में धमाके हुए, जिससे इलाके में दहशत फैल गई। हालांकि राहत की बात यह है कि इस घटना में अब तक किसी के हताहत होने या जानमाल के नुकसान की खबर नहीं है, लेकिन करीब 250 से ज्यादा लोग बेघर हो गए हैं।

प्रशासन की कार्रवाई

राज्य के अग्निशमन मंत्री सुजीत बोस ने रात में ही घटनास्थल का दौरा किया और स्थिति का जायजा लिया। पुलिस और स्थानीय प्रशासन बेघर हुए लोगों के लिए अस्थायी आश्रय और भोजन की व्यवस्था करने में जुटे हैं।

मुख्य बातें (Summary)

 * स्थान: न्यूटाउन, इको पार्क गेट 6 के पास स्थित बस्ती।

 * समय: बुधवार शाम करीब 6:45 - 7:15 के बीच।

 * कारण: प्राथमिक जांच में सिलेंडर ब्लास्ट को आग की वजह माना जा रहा है।

 * नुकसान: 250 से अधिक लोग बेघर, सैकड़ों झुग्गियां जलकर खाक।

 * राहत: किसी की जान जाने की खबर नहीं है।

रश्मि रंजन