Travel

It was a nondescript day in Chennai, with traffic humming to their corporate beat, when Vanathi S got the call that would plot the new map for her life. She left behind a software developer's position at Oracle that paid her a whopping Rs 30 lakh a year, moving into a world of backpacks, treks, sunrise edits, and tales that unfolded along the way.

Currently, Vanathi is a professional travel content creator with more than 1.6 lakh followers on Instagram. One year from having quit that lucrative tech job, she says it is “the most rewarding decision."

"For over a decade, I led a double life. The week was about coding, scrums, and meeting deadlines. Week-ends were when I escaped - traveling, trekking, shooting and editing into the wee hours of the morning," she says. "I ticked all the right boxes for over a decade. I got my degree, got a good job, got married, looked after my parents, saved money, purchased land, built a house. But then, somewhere down the line, it hit me-I was living my life as I should, not as I wanted.

That hustle finally got to her. Burnout set in, affecting not only her physical wellness but her passion for climbing the corporate ladder too. “The same meetings, the same sprints, the same code—it all started to feel like a loop I couldn’t escape,” she says.

“It wasn't easy to quit, but it was something I had to do,” says Vanathi. “When I did finally do it, I felt this weird sense of relief, fear, and calm that I never thought I would experience.” It meant accepting the uncertainty of finances into his life. It also brought freedom: no longer did shoots need to be slotted between appointments or editing done until midnight after work hours were over.

"Destinations, not deadlines": That would be the epithet for her life now. Mountains, unknown nooks of India-it is here that the journey of Vanathi is documented by her with the much-needed warmth-it speaks to thousands of people reading her posts from office cubicles or congested commutes. She is practical about this decision, too. If things do not work out in the years to come, she knows she could fall back upon her tech background. “What I cannot get back is this moment—the energy, the youth, the fire in me to explore the world,” she says. Social media platforms were abuzz in approval with a deluge of posts about her courage. “Welcome to the club,” one of her followers wrote. “After quitting corporate, it’s been the best decision of my life.” It is a journey that, for Vanathi at least, is not about places but the real-time recovery of time, curiosity, and guts enough to heed the small voice that calls one onto a less-worn path.

In a pioneering effort, Philippine IATA Travel Association (PIATA), in collaboration with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has brought much-needed mental health relief to the communities in Liloan, Cutcut, Toledo, and Bogo that had been badly hit by Typhoon Tino and recently by the earthquake that struck Bogo.

The two organisations are now introducing a team of therapists and counsellors for the first time in the industry to directly tackle the soaring post-traumatic stress disorder cases among children and adults. Survivors continue to grapple with anxiety, fear, and emotional distress that, if left untreated, may lead to long-term psychological challenges.

The country lies in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire and typhoon belt, where earthquakes and typhoons, aside from other strong weather disturbances, easily hit the land. While Filipinos are often credited for their resiliency, PTSD and other psychological aftereffects usually go unnoticed; this initiative by PIATA and PATA looks to break such a cycle by first acknowledging the psychological toll, then providing treatment by professionals.

"This is not about rebuilding homes; this is about rebuilding lives. We want survivors to know that their emotional wellbeing matters just as much as their physical recovery, said Maria Paz Alberto, PIATA president and PATA chairperson.

In the process, it should prove to be a celebration of resilience and a call to continue supporting the mental health initiatives in disaster-stricken communities. Appropriate for the lifting of spirits and creating awareness, the benefit concert shall be headlined by one of the most acclaimed singers and performers in the country-Lou Bonnevie-and shall take place on Dec. 10 at RJ Dusit.

The Uttarakhand government will sponsor the countrywide educational tour of 240 high-school toppers of the state who will visit key institutions like ISRO, SDSC Sriharikota and other major technological development centres of India.

Flagging off the students for excursion on Monday, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami asked them to write their tour experiences in the diary along with documenting his government's first-time achievements.

Dhami on Monday flagged off a contingent of 240 top-scoring students of Uttarakhand Board’s High School examination 2025 for the second “Bharat Darshan Educational Tour” of his government.

These students, according to the officials in the chief minister’s office, CMO, will travel separately in groups to visit various states, and the tour program will provide the talented students an opportunity to directly watch and understand India’s progress in science and technology, country’s history and culture.

CMO officials said this is the second edition of the government-sponsored educational tour for top performers of state high school board exams after 156 students visited the country's important scientific and technological institutions in the 2024-25 academic year.

This year, 240 participants are taking part. These meritorious students will go on a visit. The students will make a visit to the country's big technological growth centres like ISRO, SDSC Sriharikota, Professor UR Rao Satellite Centre, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, and other important places in different states.

Addressing the students at a congregation before flagging them off, Dhami exhorted the students to write not only about travel experiences in their diaries but also document innovations and achievements that have taken place for the first time in Uttarakhand.

While describing key first-time achievements of his government, Uttarakhand chief minister informed the students that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to implement the UCC and this provides a model to other states.

Dhami counted Anti-Copying Law, attaining Uttarakhand’s SDGs, first state to abolish State Madarsa Board, freeing 10,000 acres of encroached government land and providing jobs to 27000 youth in the last four years as first time achievements of the state in his regime. He laid emphasis that students should document these first time achievements of the state government.

The Chief Minister told the students that visiting these institutions will sensitize them to the pace at which ‘New India’ has made technological advances. Dhami said that though learning from books was important, direct experience multiplies understanding and perspective manifold. "The major benefit of this excursion will be the development of teamwork, social skills and self-confidence in the students. Students will remember the experiences of this educational tour for life and act as state brand ambassadors sharing its culture, nature, cuisine and tourism in various parts of the country" said Dhami.

India maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and no denial by the Chinese side will ever change this reality.

AS China denied allegations that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed at Shanghai airport recently, and said that it does not recognise the state “illegally established by India”, India asserted Tuesday that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India and no amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen statements made by the Chinese MFA on the arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh who was in possession of a valid passport and transiting through Shanghai International Airport during onward travel to Japan."

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is self-evident. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he said.

"The issue of the detention has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side. Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel. The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries," the MEA spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, China had denied allegations of harassment of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen who was travelling from London to Japan on November 21, saying the actions taken by the Chinese immigration officials were as per laws and regulations.

The Indian woman had claimed that her three-hour scheduled layover became a traumatising experience after immigration personnel declared her passport “invalid” only because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

Asked to comment on the ordeal Thongdok was put through, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said the woman was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment as alleged by her. “On the individual case you mentioned, according to what we’ve learned, during the entire time, China’s border inspection authorities carried out check procedures in accordance with laws and regulations,” said Mao.

Mao said the law enforcement was impartial and non-abusive, that "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected," no compulsory measures were taken on her, and there was no so-called "detaining" or "harassing".

"The airline provided her with resting facilities and meals," she said, denying Thongdok's charges.

Mao also justified the action taken against Thongdok, saying, “Let me point out that having border checks on people entering and exiting a country and carrying out law enforcement according to the specific situation of the entry or exit is the usual practice of border enforcement authorities of countries across the world.”

About India's demarche protesting the treatment meted out to Thongdok and New Delhi's firm assertion that Arunachal Pradesh is very much part of India, Mao reiterated China's claims over the area, which it calls Zangnan or South Tibet. "Zangnan is China's territory, and China does not recognise the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India," she said.

India lodged a strong demarche-a formal diplomatic protest-to China both in Beijing and in Delhi-on the very same day the incident took place, sources in Delhi said. India firmly conveyed to the Chinese side that Arunachal Pradesh is "indisputably" an Indian territory and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter locally and extended the fullest assistance to the stranded passenger, they said.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala signed an agreement on co-operation in several sectors including the blue economy, start-ups, tourism, and digital governance, among others. Official delegations from both States met in Chennai on Monday and deliberated on the possible areas of co-operation.

The teams were led by Tamil Nadu industries minister TRB Rajaa and his Kerala counterpart P Rajeeve. This meeting comes two weeks after they met in Delhi at the Udyog Samagam event held with the aim of promoting industrial growth.

"Delighted that Kerala & Tamil Nadu are building a model for inter-state cooperation that is collaborative, positive & focussed on results," said Rajaa in a post on X. He said it was only on November 11 that Rajeeve and he had discussed working together on industry and technology.

What was represented on Monday was real proposals with a clear way forward, said Rajaa. In his X post, Rajeeve added: What began as an informal Delhi conversation has graduated into a structured and forward-looking dialogue.

"Our recent meeting in Chennai, held in the presence of senior officials from both states, further reaffirmed the belief that true progress comes not from competition but from healthy, purposeful collaboration," Rajeev, who also holds the state law and coir portfolios, said. Both the ministers credited their respective chief ministers-MK Stalin and Pinarayi Vijayan-for nudging them towards a long-standing partnership. Stalin, Rajaa said, believed that cooperation between strong states would lead to an enduring partnership, while Rajeeve said the latest meeting reflected his CM's vision on partnering with other states to realize progress. 

Both the teams identified more than five important sectors, including PSUs, where they could collaborate and create new avenues for joint development. "Sectors like technology, startups, innovation, and advanced manufacturing offer enormous potential for shared growth. We will prepare a detailed master plan in due course, detailing the framework for cooperation. 

This partnership is the beginning of a shared journey that can strengthen industries, create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, and offer wider economic benefits across south India," the Kerala industries minister said. Rajeeve told ET that Kerala would host the next meeting in January and both the sides would form a team to take the initiative forward. At the Udyog Samagam in Delhi last month, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said each state in the country has evolved best practices in one area or another which could be a model for the others, and that the country can speed up industrial advancement by learning from each other.

As toxic smog blankets northern India and major metros continue to clock AQI levels above 200 — often spiking into the hazardous 300–500 range — a new travel trend is rapidly rising: clean-air tourism. More travelers are escaping polluted cities in search of destinations where the air is fresh, cool, and comfortably breathable. If you’re planning a healthy, mindful getaway, these top five Indian cities with the best AQI right now offer the natural detox and pollution-free escape every traveler is craving.

Shillong, Meghalaya – India's Breezy, High-Altitude Haven

Nestling at an altitude of around 5,000 feet above sea level, Shillong has naturally filtered air because of the dense forests and very negligible industrial activities. Crisp climate, clear blue skies, refreshing atmosphere-the city is still that, even as pollution spirals out of control everywhere. The tourists can go boating at Umiam Lake or trek along holy trails in Mawphlang Forest, come upon gushing hotspots like Elephant Falls, or simply relax in Lady Hydari Park. And just a short drive further away, there's also Mawlynnong, the Cleanest Village in Asia.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu – The Queen of Hill Stations

Ooty continues to be one of the most consistent clean-air destinations in India, with an AQI of approximately 33. Nestled amidst Eucalyptus forests and within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the spot is postcard-perfect with its cool mountain winds. Key experiences include strolling through the Botanical Gardens, boating at Ooty or Pykara Lake, hiking up to Doddabetta Peak, and exploring wildlife at Mudumalai National Park.

Madurai, Tamil Nadu: Heritage City With Cleaner Skies

Presently recording an AQI of about 68, Madurai is a great deal cleaner compared with most metros. One of the world's oldest living cities, it promises a deep dive into culture for the traveller. The prominent highlights of this place are: the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, the Gandhi Museum, and a hike up Samanar Hills. Quiet moments are best spent around the vast Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam tank.

Gangtok, Sikkim –

Himalayan Calm & Pristine Air With an AQI consistently at 30, Gangtok continues to be one of the cleanest capitals in India. Eco-friendly policies of the city and its altitude in the Himalayas ensure that the air is always fresh. One can travel to see the beauty of Tsomgo Lake, watch sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga at Tashi Viewpoint, relax at Ban Jhakri Falls, or explore Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Udupi, Karnataka –

Seaside Serenity With Clean Coastal Air All through the year, sea breezes sweep through Udupi, which stands well in comparison with major cities at an AQI of 95. From golden beaches like Malpe and Kaup to rainforest treks leading to Kudlu Theertha Falls and spiritual attractions such as Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, this region has a lot to offer. Basalt landscapes comprising St. Mary's Islands create a great coastal getaway.