Indian Railways Announces Summer Special Tourist Train to Kashmir & Vaishno Devi with 33% Subsidy

Bookings Open for 18-Day All-Inclusive Package Beginning April 11

In a major boost to summer tourism, Indian Railways, in association with South Star Rail — India’s first private sector service provider under the Bharat Gaurav Train scheme — and Ministry of Tourism-recognised Tour Times, has announced a special tourist train to the Kashmir Valley and Vaishno Devi.

The 18-day all-inclusive summer special tour will commence on April 11, with bookings now open.

Unlike regular train services, this exclusive tourist train will not be available on the IRCTC website. Reservations can be made directly through Tour Times by contacting 93550 21516.

Two Curated Pilgrimage & Holiday Circuits
The train will board passengers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with stoppages at Penukonda, Dharmavaram, Anantapur, Gooty, Dhone, Kurnool, Gadwal, Mahabubnagar and Secunderabad.

Kashmir Valley Tour (13 Days)
The itinerary covers Agra, Srinagar, Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Amritsar and Delhi.
Package pricing starts at:
₹42,400 – Sleeper Class
₹54,000 – Third AC
₹61,000 – Second AC
₹68,200 – First AC

Vaishno Devi Holiday Special (13 Days)
This route includes Agra, Mathura, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kurukshetra, Vaishno Devi, Amritsar and Delhi.
Package pricing begins at:
₹36,800 – Sleeper Class
₹48,700 – Third AC
₹54,300 – Second AC
₹65,700 – First AC

Comprehensive Onboard & Travel Facilities
The special tourist train is equipped with a range of amenities including:
Public announcement systems
Dedicated coach security
Tour managers
Travel insurance
Sightseeing and transfers
Unlimited meals onboard and offboard
Hotel accommodation

Passengers are encouraged to carry only essential luggage required for overnight stays and sightseeing, ensuring a hassle-free journey. The package is also eligible for LTC/LFC benefits.

33% Subsidy Under Bharat Gaurav Initiative
This summer package comes with a 33% subsidy supported by Indian Railways under the Bharat Gaurav Train initiative.

South Star Rail and Tour Times have so far operated 52 departures, covering nearly 2,97,130 kilometres and facilitating travel for 24,980 pilgrims and tourists.

Officials said the special train service has been introduced specifically for the convenience of passengers from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, offering a comfortable, organised and spiritually enriching travel experience this summer.

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From Fresh to Fabulous—Lulu Daily Opens at Global Malls Divinity

Lulu Group India marked another milestone in its Karnataka growth journey with the grand launch of its fifth Lulu Daily Hypermarket in Bengaluru. The newest store opened its doors on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Global Malls Divinity, strengthening the brand’s footprint in the city’s fast-developing western corridor.
Spread across an expansive 21,500 sq. ft., the hypermarket made an impressive debut, drawing thousands of eager shoppers from early morning. By 11:00 AM, the aisles were buzzing with excitement as families from Nagarbhavi, Nayandahalli, and neighbouring areas gathered to experience Lulu’s signature retail atmosphere-vibrant, value-driven, and customer-centric.

The inauguration was led by Ashraf Ali M. A., Executive Director, Lulu Group India, alongside senior leaders and dignitaries from the organisation. Speaking at the launch, he described the moment as a proud step forward for the Lulu family, acknowledging the overwhelming love and trust shown by Bengalureans across all five stores. He reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to being closer to its customers while consistently delivering quality, affordability, and wide-ranging choice under one roof.

Designed to offer a complete shopping experience, the new Lulu Daily Hypermarket features a farm-fresh produce section with direct sourcing from Karnataka farmers as well as international suppliers. Shoppers can explore premium meat and seafood counters known for hygienic processing and variety. The store also houses an extensive assortment of fresh groceries, gourmet selections, household essentials, electronics, apparel, and more-blending everyday convenience with global retail standards.

Beyond shopping, the launch is set to create over 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, contributing significantly to the local economy. Special inaugural promotions and attractive launch offers added to the festive spirit, ensuring an enthusiastic response from day-one customers.

The event was attended by Nishad M A, Director and CEO, Lulu Group India; Fahaz Ashraf, Director and COO; Anand AV, Director of Lulu International Holdings; Swaraj NB, Media Head; Shereef K.K., Regional Director – Karnataka Region; Jamal K P, Regional Manager – Karnataka Region, along with other Lulu dignitaries.

With this new addition, Lulu Group India continues to redefine the retail experience in Bengaluru -combining scale, service, and savings in a way that feels both global and deeply local.

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Countdown Begins for 405th Pattabhisheka and 431st Jayanthi of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji

Laksha Pushparchane to be Performed by Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha of Udupi Pejawar Mutt

Bengaluru: Preparations are underway at the Nanjanagudu Sri Raghavendra Swamiji Mutt in Jayanagar 5th Block for the grand celebration of the 405th Pattabhisheka Mahotsava and the 431st Jayanthi of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji. The six-day spiritual event will be held from February 19 to 24 under the guidance of His Holiness Sri Subudhendra Theertha Sripadangalavaru, with administrative leadership by senior manager R.K. Vadindra Acharya.

Special rituals and religious programmes have been scheduled on all days of the celebrations. On February 19, marking the Pattabhisheka day, the festivities will commence at 7.00 am with Ashtottara Sahita Sahasra Kalasha Ksheerabhisheka to the Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji. At 11.00 am, the Swarna Padukas of the saint will be ceremoniously placed on a golden throne, followed by a traditional Pattabhisheka ritual accompanied by a showering of flowers.

Mahamangalarati will be offered thereafter, and prasada (annasantarpane) will be served to thousands of devotees. Evening programmes will include religious discourses, devotional singing, and cultural presentations.

On February 24, commemorating the Jayanthi, a special Laksha Pushparchane will be offered at 11.30 am to the Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji for universal welfare. At the request of Sri Subudhendra Theertha, the ritual will be performed by His Holiness Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha of Udupi Pejawar Mutt. The announcement was made by Sri Nandakishore Acharya.

Devotees wishing to participate in the various sevas during the celebrations may register online through WhatsApp at 9449133929. Participants will receive Shesha Vastra, Phala Mantrakshate and other prasada as blessings of Sri Raghavendra Swamiji.
Cultural programmes form an integral part of the celebrations. On February 19, “Dasavani” will be presented by Yogashree and troupe, while on February 24, students of Natya Shankara Nrityalaya will stage a Bharatanatyam performance. Daily evening bhajans by various devotional groups and pravachanas by scholars are also scheduled.

For further details, devotees may contact: 080-22443962, 9449133929, 9945429129 or 8660349906.

City Today News 9341997936

ಮಾನವೀಯ ಸ್ಪರ್ಶದ ಜೊತೆ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ: ಮಯ್ಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಹೊಸ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ

ಮಯ್ಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲ ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳ ಅನಾವರಣ

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಪರಂಪರೆಗೆ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಬಲ

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು, ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 14:
ನಗರದ ಹೆಸರಾಂತ ಮಯ್ಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ತನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿರುವ ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ಡಯಾಗ್ನೊಸ್ಟಿಕ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಶಸ್ತ್ರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ ಅಧಿಕೃತವಾಗಿ ಅನಾವರಣಗೊಳಿಸಿತು. ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಸಚಿವ ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ ಅವರು ನೂತನ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿದರು.

47 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಸೇವಾ ಪರಂಪರೆಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಮಯ್ಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ, ಜಾಗತಿಕ ಮಟ್ಟದ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡುವ ತನ್ನ ಬದ್ಧತೆಯನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ದೃಢಪಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆಯ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ, ಮುಂದಿನ ಕೆಲವು ದಿನಗಳ ಕಾಲ ಸಿಟಿ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನ್ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಶೇ.50ರಷ್ಟು ರಿಯಾಯಿತಿ ಘೋಷಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ನೂತನ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳು – ಮುಖ್ಯಾಂಶಗಳು
ಅಡ್ವಾನ್ಸ್‌ಡ್ ಸಿಟಿ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನ್ ಯಂತ್ರ:
Siemens ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನದಿಂದ ಚಾಲಿತ 96-ಸ್ಲೈಸ್ ಅಲ್ಟ್ರಾ ಲೋ ಡೋಸ್ ಸಿಟಿ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನ್ ಯಂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಕಡಿಮೆ ಕಿರಣೋತ್ಪ್ರೇರಣೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟತೆಯ ಚಿತ್ರಣ, ವೇಗದ ಸ್ಕ್ಯಾನಿಂಗ್ ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ನಿಖರತೆಯನ್ನು ಇದು ಒದಗಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಹಾಗೂ ವೃದ್ಧರಿಗೆ ಇದು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಅಡ್ವಾನ್ಸ್‌ಡ್ ಡಯಾಲಿಸಿಸ್ ಘಟಕ:
ಮೂತ್ರಪಿಂಡದ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಗಳಿಂದ ಬಳಲುವ ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ 24×7 ಸೇವೆ ನೀಡುವ ನೂತನ ಡಯಾಲಿಸಿಸ್ ಘಟಕವನ್ನು ಆರಂಭಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅನುಭವೀ ನೆಫ್ರಾಲಜಿಸ್ಟ್‌ಗಳ ಮೇಲ್ವಿಚಾರಣೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸೋಂಕು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣ, ರೋಗಿ ಆರಾಮ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿರಂತರ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಗಮನಕ್ಕೆ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ಲ್ಯಾಪರೋಸ್ಕೋಪಿಕ್ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ:
Karl Storz RUBINA ಲ್ಯಾಪರೋಸ್ಕೋಪಿಕ್ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಮ್ಯುನೋ-ಫ್ಲೊರೆಸೆನ್ಸ್ ಆಧಾರಿತ ದೃಶ್ಯೀಕರಣದಿಂದ ಸಂಕೀರ್ಣ ಶಸ್ತ್ರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ನಿಖರತೆ, ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆ ಮತ್ತು ರೋಗಿಗಳ ವೇಗದ ಚೇತರಿಕೆಗೆ ನೆರವಾಗಲಿದೆ.

ಸಚಿವ ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, “ದಶಕಗಳಿಂದ ಮಯ್ಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಾರ್ಹ ಹೆಸರು. ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ನವೀಕರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಮಾನವೀಯ ಸ್ಪರ್ಶವನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿರುವುದು ಪ್ರಶಂಸನೀಯ. ಬೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ನಗರದ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಅಗತ್ಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಇಂತಹ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಅಗತ್ಯ” ಎಂದರು.

ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಡಾ. ಅಜಯ್ ಸಿಂಗ್ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, “ಈ ನವೀಕರಣಗಳು ರೋಗಿ ಫಲಿತಾಂಶವನ್ನು ಸುಧಾರಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹತ್ವದ ಪಾತ್ರ ವಹಿಸಲಿದೆ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲದೆ ಸುತ್ತಮುತ್ತಲಿನ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳ ಜನರಿಗೂ ಅಗ್ಗದ ಹಾಗೂ ಗುಣಮಟ್ಟದ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯನ್ನು ಇದು ಒದಗಿಸಲಿದೆ” ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

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‘Nothing’ opens first India flagship store in Bengaluru, signals long-term bet on market

Nothing opens first India flagship store in Bengaluru, signals long-term bet on market

Bengaluru, February 14, 2026: London-based consumer technology brand Nothing on Friday opened its first flagship store in India, choosing Bengaluru as the launchpad for its physical retail journey in the country. The store was inaugurated by CEO Carl Pei along with co-founder and India President Akis Evangelidis, underlining the company’s growing focus on the Indian market.

Spread across 5,032 sq ft, the new flagship brings together the full range of Nothing and CMF products, along with official merchandise such as apparel. More than a retail outlet, the space is positioned as a community hub designed to encourage hands-on exploration, interaction and storytelling around the brand.

The store’s design reflects Nothing’s unconventional philosophy, drawing inspiration from the retro-futuristic assembly lines of the 1970s. With exposed concrete, aluminium, steel and glass, the space embraces raw materials and visible structures, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on transparency—both in design and intent.

“This flagship is a major milestone for us in India,” said Evangelidis. “We didn’t want to create a traditional retail store. Our aim was to build a space where people can experience our products, understand our design thinking, and form a deeper connection with the brand. Indian consumers value physical interaction and design-led innovation, and this store allows us to engage with them more meaningfully.”

Beyond product displays, the store features several experience-led elements, including a creator studio for content shoots, location-exclusive customised products, interactive installations such as vending machines and claw games, and conveyor-belt style product showcases. A dedicated community area for events and casual meet-ups, along with complimentary refreshments, adds to the immersive experience.

Located on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar, the Bengaluru store is part of Nothing’s expanding global retail presence, following its London outlet in Soho and ahead of planned launches in New York and Tokyo. The store will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
The launch comes at a time when Nothing has been gaining strong traction in India. According to Counterpoint Research, the brand has emerged as the fastest-growing smartphone company in the country in seven of the last eight quarters, driven by its community-led approach, distinctive design language and focus on long-term brand building.

City Today News 9341997936