Seychelles, an island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean, topped Travel & Leisures list of Best Islands in Africa & the Middle East in 2016, and thats not all. At the recent Travel Show hosted by the New York Times, the destination ranked in the top 10 of client-pleasing takeaways.

There are any numbers of reasons to feel lucky to live in New York City. One is being on location for the annual 3-day New York Times Travel Show, this year drawing a record number of participants: 9,253 from the travel industry and 20,846 consumers. Some 170 countries participated from A (Argentina) to Z (Zagreb), so one will understand the dilemma of picking just 10 client-pleasing takeaways, says Carla Hunt, from Recommend Magazine, USA.

Making the list at number 8: Seychelles Opens New Resorts

This is all good news to David Germain, Seychelles Tourism Bureau Director for Africa & the Americas. The Seychelles are attracting more U.S. visitors, mostly those in search of a beautiful place in the sun following an African safari, or an idyllic addition to a Middle East business or leisure stay, Germain reports. Dotted among islands and private islands are some of the worlds most beautiful resorts with new openings including Six Senses Zil Pasyon on the private island of Felicite, which opened last year, and Desroches Island Resort, re-opening as a Four Seasons this year, with 40 beach suites. According to Germain, the Seychelles are in a cyclone-free zone, so any times a good time to visit; however, the optimum time is for the spectacular annual Creole Festival, held on Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue islands from October 25-31 in 2017.

Mr. Germain said: The North American market contributes significantly towards overall tourism arrivals to Seychelles each year. Arrivals from the Americas continue to increase with a 58% increase in arrivals to date for 2017, compared to the same time in 2016.

For more information, visit seychelles.travel

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Destination Seychelles: Topping travel lists in the US - eTurboNews

During a courtesy call of the Mauritian Minister for Ocean Economy Marine Resources Fisheries and Shipping, Remdut Koonjoo, on Minister Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Minister Loustau-Lalanne said air connectivity between Seychelles and Mauritius is vital, and there is a need to increase the flights between the two destinations.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne, has made a proposal for Mauritius to look at the possibility of having daily flights between the two islands. He added that if needed, a code-share agreement between their national airline, Air Seychelles, and Air Mauritius could also be signed.

The two ministers spoke on the latest developments relating to the sectors under their ministries. Mr. Koonjoo briefed Minister Loustau-Lalanne on the new developments in the Mauritian ports, adding that the aim is to double the capacity, as ports are vital in the development of the marine and blue economy sectors.

Minister Loustau-Lalanne said tourism is very important for their region and outlined the importance of the Vanilla Islands Organization and the need to keep working together to promote tourism within this group of islands.

The two ministers also talked about cruise tourism sector. Also present during the meeting held at Minister Loustau-Lalannes office in the Espace building were the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Michael Benstrong.

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Seychelles Tourism Minister works for daily flights with Mauritius - eTurboNews

The Indian Ocean island of Seychelles has the potential to become a strategic springboard for KwaZulu-Natal, particularly for Durban as a premier east-coast commercial and logistics hub of three million people, when Air Seychelles touches down for the first time later next month, writes Marlan Padayachy, a South Africa journalist, writes.

He continues: Seychelles foray into this geo-political region earmarked for massive economic overhaul and growth is likely to push back the frontiers of tourism, travel, trade and socio-cultural between these unique multicultural tourism hotspots.

Stakeholders behind the wheel of driving closer socio-economic cooperation with the independent island nation strategically situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean Rim are optimistic about this inter-regional development.

Beyond the direct route, between Mahe and Durban, ushering a string of tourism, cultural and sports events, politically-connected Seychellois Hindus, are keen to foster socio-religious and cultural links with Indian citizens here. These Indian Ocean Rim neighbors could become a microcosm for multicultural social cohesion and cooperation, hence the significance the arrival of the Airbus A320 jetliner bringing passengers on the inaugural flight to King Shaka International Airport on March 30.

Historically, South Africa and Seychelles have not been close, unlike the Durban-Mauritius relationship. A new era of diplomatic relations began with iconic president Nelson Mandela welcoming world and regional leaders to the new South Africa in 1994.

In the 1980s, both independent island nations were controversially interlocked with the apartheid South Africa.

In 1981, South African mercenaries stormed Seychelles to stage a coup dtat that went horribly wrong, resulting in the mercenaries hijacking an Air India 707 Boeing plane and commandeered it to Durban.

In 1987, SAA Boeing 747 flight 295 from Taiwan crashed over Mauritius after an in-flight cargo fire downed the Helderberg, killing all passengers and crew.

Now a refreshing new era is unfurling its colorful flags in the Southern African Development Community and Indian Ocean Rim.

Air Seychelles will now compete directly with Air Mauritius for bums on seats. Port Louis was once the popular stopover to India and favorite resort destination for all-race South Africans.

Air Seychelles, flying five times a week out of OR Tambo International Airport, has flown 10 000 South Africans to Mahe, the islands capital, an almost 20% increase last year.

The direct flight is expected to increase significantly once King Shaka is on the flight plan.

Airline and tourism officials said the Airbus A320 jetliner will seat 120 economy class passengers and 16 in business class, in a twin-cabin configuration and flying time between Durban and the mid-ocean paradise island would be five hours.

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Air Seychelles touches down for first time in Durban - eTurboNews

A new blog designed by Seychelles Tourism was created to engage with readers and drive tourism business to the destination.

As part of its ongoing drive to raise its profile across social media platforms and fill the all-important knowledge gap about the islands, the Seychelles Tourism Board has launched a new blog.

We are always looking for new ways to create interest about our islands, explains the manager of the digital marketing section, Vahid Jacob.

Blogging has become a very effective way of reaching our audience as it touches consumers at a very personal level, allowing us to impart knowledge about Seychelles and what it offers to tourists in a way that they can relate to, and also react to, by leaving comments on the blog.

The new Seychelles Diary blog presents a fresh, user-friendly interface with a category section for quick identification of the readers specific interests and a galley featuring enticing images of the destination.

Resources allows access to various downloads and tips while the latest tweets about Seychelles appear conveniently in a box along with all of the islands social media platforms.

Completing the comprehensive design of the landing page is information about visitor arrivals to the archipelago and also an archive section. Every week, a new article covering the many attributes of the destination will be posted to the blog.

We are confident that this new additional to our social media arsenal will become an important influencer when it comes to choosing a tourism destination, adds Mr Jacob.

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New Seychelles Diary blog enhancing tourism - eTurboNews

Latest Articles

The pirate said $1.5 million had been paid for the release of the sailors, seized in 2012 and among the few hostages still in the hands of Somali pirates.

The head of Lindblad Expeditions on finding rare natural wonders by ship and promoting conservation consciousness.

By ELAINE GLUSAC

The deal for Columbus International, a privately held company based in Barbados, is valued at $1.85 billion, including the assumption of debt.

By CHAD BRAY

Autopsies of Jeffrey Reynolds and Mark Kennedy, the former SEALs, revealed that the men died of respiratory failure and possible heart attacks.

Troubling questions surround how two former Navy SEALs working as ship guards ended up dying inside the Maersk Alabama, the ship made famous in the movie Captain Phillips.

The two men, who had been hired to protect a ship that was attacked by Somali pirates in 2009, were found dead while the ship was docked in the Seychelles.

Two Americans providing antipiracy security on the Maersk Alabama, a ship made famous by the 2013 Hollywood film, were found dead on the vessel, a shipping group said Wednesday.

Genetic research reveals a surprisingly high level of monogamy and paternal diversity in hawksbill sea turtles, hinting that populations may be on the rise.

The worlds poor will be more affected as resources grow scarce, Mr. Singh said.

The movement of the 15 men from Djibouti to the Seychelles was a welcome development for the United States in a high-profile case with no clear legal resolution.

An unarmed American military drone that had been used to monitor piracy off the East African coast crashed Tuesday at an airport on the Seychelles during a routine patrol, officials said.

China is considering an offer from the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles to allow Chinese naval ships to visit for rest and resupply there, Chinas Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Paradise is paradise, even if there are problems.

The Seychelles has a population of around 90,000 and a small real estate market. But size has been a significant factor in keeping prices stable, despite the global downturn.

Somali pirates released 36 crew members of a Spanish fishing vessel Tuesday after the government paid a ransom of nearly $3.5 million.

European Union naval officials announced they had captured seven pirates who had attacked a fishing ship a day before the British couple went missing at sea.

A couple sailing from the island nation of Seychelles vanished after a distress signal was picked up.

Seychelles took custody of nine piracy suspects on Tuesday, accusing them of trying to hijack a cruise liner carrying 1,000 tourists.

Explore temples of indulgence in Bhutan, Zambias less-beaten jungle path, and other exotic destinations.

James Michel, the longtime vice president, was sworn in as president of the Indian Ocean archipelago of 90,000 people, replacing France Albert Ren, who seized power in a 1977 coup. Mr. Ren, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, announced his retirement last year but said he would remain chairman of the governing Seychelles Peoples Progressive Front. Marc Lacey (NYT)

The pirate said $1.5 million had been paid for the release of the sailors, seized in 2012 and among the few hostages still in the hands of Somali pirates.

The head of Lindblad Expeditions on finding rare natural wonders by ship and promoting conservation consciousness.

By ELAINE GLUSAC

The deal for Columbus International, a privately held company based in Barbados, is valued at $1.85 billion, including the assumption of debt.

By CHAD BRAY

Autopsies of Jeffrey Reynolds and Mark Kennedy, the former SEALs, revealed that the men died of respiratory failure and possible heart attacks.

Troubling questions surround how two former Navy SEALs working as ship guards ended up dying inside the Maersk Alabama, the ship made famous in the movie Captain Phillips.

The two men, who had been hired to protect a ship that was attacked by Somali pirates in 2009, were found dead while the ship was docked in the Seychelles.

Two Americans providing antipiracy security on the Maersk Alabama, a ship made famous by the 2013 Hollywood film, were found dead on the vessel, a shipping group said Wednesday.

Genetic research reveals a surprisingly high level of monogamy and paternal diversity in hawksbill sea turtles, hinting that populations may be on the rise.

The worlds poor will be more affected as resources grow scarce, Mr. Singh said.

The movement of the 15 men from Djibouti to the Seychelles was a welcome development for the United States in a high-profile case with no clear legal resolution.

An unarmed American military drone that had been used to monitor piracy off the East African coast crashed Tuesday at an airport on the Seychelles during a routine patrol, officials said.

China is considering an offer from the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles to allow Chinese naval ships to visit for rest and resupply there, Chinas Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

Paradise is paradise, even if there are problems.

The Seychelles has a population of around 90,000 and a small real estate market. But size has been a significant factor in keeping prices stable, despite the global downturn.

Somali pirates released 36 crew members of a Spanish fishing vessel Tuesday after the government paid a ransom of nearly $3.5 million.

European Union naval officials announced they had captured seven pirates who had attacked a fishing ship a day before the British couple went missing at sea.

A couple sailing from the island nation of Seychelles vanished after a distress signal was picked up.

Seychelles took custody of nine piracy suspects on Tuesday, accusing them of trying to hijack a cruise liner carrying 1,000 tourists.

Explore temples of indulgence in Bhutan, Zambias less-beaten jungle path, and other exotic destinations.

James Michel, the longtime vice president, was sworn in as president of the Indian Ocean archipelago of 90,000 people, replacing France Albert Ren, who seized power in a 1977 coup. Mr. Ren, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, announced his retirement last year but said he would remain chairman of the governing Seychelles Peoples Progressive Front. Marc Lacey (NYT)

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Seychelles - The New York Times

South African Airways has announced a new codeshare route with Air Seychelles from Seychelles to Durban.

Air Seychelles will be introducing direct services between SEZ-DUR effective 30th March 2017. The flight will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The codeshare partnership between South African Airways and Air Seychelles was established back in October 2013 with SA as a marketing carrier between Seychelles Johannesburg and Seychelles Praslin Island operated by HM.

As South African Airways, we value our current relationship with Air Seychelles. We look forward to strengthening this partnership and creating a seamless travel experience for our customers travelling to various destinations on the African continent and the Indian Ocean subcontinent, says Aaron Munetsi, SAA Acting Chief Commercial Officer.

Air Seychelles has been a marketing carrier on the following domestic services operated by South African Airways: Cape Town (CPT), Durban, Port Elizabeth (PLZ) and East London (ELS).

The ties between South Africa and Seychelles are strong and evident for everyone to see, linking leisure, trade and commerce and visiting family and friends opportunities, saysRoy Kinnear, Air SeychellesChief Executive Officer.

Building on these strong ties and the existing five weekly services between Seychelles and Johannesburg, Air Seychelles has taken the commitment to start the twice weekly operation to Durban on 30 March, 2017.

Our codeshare relationship with South African Airways is an incredibly strong partnership and we are extremely pleased to work with South African Airways team in developing our codeshare relationships even further, for the mutual benefit of both airlines. We are confident these air links will bring our countries closer and contribute to the development of our respective economies and tourism industries.

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South African Airways announces codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles - BizNis Africa

Details February 18, 2017

Crystal Cruises said its Crystal Esprit yacht conducted a rescue at sea yesterday (February 16) after responding to a distress call in the Seychelles Islands. The ship rescued 12 French nationals and brought them onboard -- three children and 9 adults.

The groups catamaran was dragged from their mooring buoy and ran aground close to shore. The area was experiencing extremely inclement weather yesterday, causing fatal damage to the catamaran which the group ultimately had to abandon, and faced potential loss of life.

The crew aboard Crystal Esprit along with the Seychelles Coast Guard operated under darkness, heavy rain and high swell but carried out the operation efficiently, and safely transferred the group onto a Zodiac and they yacht before they were relocated to land, according to a statement.

Crystal Esprit departed as planned this morning, heading for Aride Island. The rescued passengers from the catamaran were transferred to Praslin Island.

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Crystal Esprit Performs Seychelles Rescue - Cruise Industry News ... - Cruise Industry News

VISAKHAPATNAM: After completion of her medium refit, Seychelles Coast Guard Patrol Ship (SCGPS) Topaz was handed over to Colonel Simone A Dine, Commander Seychelles Coast Guard by Rear Admiral Narayan Prasad, NM, admiral superintendent, Naval Dockyard, here on Thursday. The ship underwent a medium refit at the Naval Dockyard from March 2016 to January 2017. An event was held at the naval jetty inside INS Circars and attended by dignitaries from Seychelles Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. SCGPS Topaz arrived in Visakhapatnam during the International Fleet Review and subsequently the refit programme commenced. Various upgrades in machinery, equipment and habitability were undertaken as part of the refit. The ship is now fitted with latest navigation, communication and weaponry to enhance performance of the ship in the years to come. The event commenced with the introduction of the officers and crew of SCGPS Topaz to Colonel Simone A Dine Commander Seychelles Coast Guard and Rear Admiral Narayan Prasad ASD (V). Commodore IB Uthaiah, general manager (refit) gave a brief account on the progress of the refit, which was followed by an address by Lieutenant Lyndon Lablache, commanding officer SCGPS Topaz. The event concluded with customary exchange of crests between the dignitaries and a walk around of the ship. This event marked the culmination of the refit of SCGPS Topaz undertaken by the Indian Navy as a diplomatic courtesy to strengthen relations between India and the island nation of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. SCGPS Topaz, formerly called INS Tarmugli, was gifted to the Government of Seychelles by India in 2005 to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations and work together to ensure the safety of the Indian Ocean region. The ship, used as a patrol vessel by Seychelles Coast Guard is a fast attack craft which served the Indian Navy from 2001 to 2005 before being handed over to Seychelles.

Originally posted here:

Navy completes Seychelles ship refit - Times of India

2017-02-17 14:32 - Unathi Nkanjeni

(iStock)

Cape Town - The South African Airways (SAA) withAir Seychelles have announce another code-share routeservicefrom Seychellesto one of South Africa's largest city, Durban,starting from March 30, 2017.

The new service is scheduled to operate twice a week, Thursdays andSaturdays and is already open for sale,offering a greater travel choice to guests travelling between South Africa and Seychelles.

The code-share partnership between South African Airways and Air Seychellesdates back to October 2013 with SAA as a marketing carrier between Johannesburg and Seychelles - with a five weekly services between Johannesburg and Praslin Island operated by Air Seychelles.

Added to this, Air Seychelles has already been the marketing domestic services operator for by South African Airways on its Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London routes.

SEE:WATCH: Forget driverless cars, Dubai has built a taxi drone

Chief Executive Officer of Air Seychelles, Roy Kinnear, saysthe ties between South Africa and Seychelles are strong and evident for everyone to see.

"Building on these strong ties and the existing five weekly services between Seychelles and Johannesburg, Air Seychelles has taken the commitment to start the twice weekly operation to Durban on 30 March, 2017."

"We are confident these air links will bring our countries closer and contribute to the development of our respective economies and tourism industries, says Kinnear.

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SAA adds new code share route with Air Seychelles - News24

These are numbers many tourism boards are dreaming to have. A total of 24,920 visitors arrived in Seychelles in January, showing an increase of 33% compared to the same period last year which was at 18,760. According to the statistical bulletin released at the end of last month, by the National Bureau of Statistics, 93% of visitors in January were on holiday while 2% were on business or combining business with a holiday. It has also been recorded that 56% of visitors were from Europe, 11% from Africa, 28% from Asia and 4% from America.

The leading six markets in January were Germany, China, France, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Italy.

The latest statistical bulletin presenting visitor arrivals for the week ending February 5, shows that a total of 6,996 tourists arrived in Seychelles during that period.

Hence, the overall figures for that week were at 30,300 visitors which was an increase of 35% above that of 2016. With this increase, changes in the top leading markets were seen as China managed to climb up to first position and Germany became the second leading market. France, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Italy remained the other four leading markets.

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33% increase in tourism arrivals in Seychelles: True! - eTurboNews

The government has deported four foreigners suspected to be drug barons following their arrest in Mombasa on Saturday.

Multiagency detectives apprehended two South Africans and two Seychellois at an apartment adjacent to Nyali Beach Hotel.

They were identified as Dominguez and Nedy Micock (Seychelles) and Barend Nolte and Marc Faivelewitz (SA).

More on this: Four suspected foreign drug barons arrested in Mombasa

The four were flown from Mombasa to the JKIA in Nairobi on Saturday night, for deportation and possible prosecution inSeychelles.

Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet confirmed their departure.

Source indicated that four were linked to the Akasha brothers and two foreigners who were extradited to the US for allegedly running an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, and foreigners Vijay Goswami (Indian) and Hussein Shabakash (Pakistani) were secretly flown to New York on January31.

[VIDEO] Akasha sons, two foreigners extradited to US - police source

An Italian man who runs several companies in Mombasa and Kilifi was termed key to the arrest of the four.

A US drugs enforcement agency officer said businessman Paolo Basta informed police of the whereabouts of the suspects after he was told he risked being linked to drug trafficking syndicate.

Read more: How Italian Paolo Basta helped arrest Akashas, two foreigners

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Four suspected foreign drug barons deported to Seychelles - The Star, Kenya

Four foreigners suspected to be drug dealers were arrested in Mombasa and an unknown quantity of narcotics seized.

Detectives from various agencies apprehended two South Africans and two Seychellois at an apartment near Nyali Beach hotel yesterday morning.

They were identified as Dominguez and Nedy Micock from Seychelles and Barend Nolte and Marc Faivelewitz from South Africa.

The suspects were taken to Port Police Station.

Regional police boss Philip Tuimur said the Government Chemist will confirm the quantity and type of narcotics police found.

But lawyer Cliff Ombeta told The Standard on Sunday that the South Africans had come to work as bodyguards of Vicky Goswami, an Indian who was extradited recently.

ALSO READ: Mombasa Deputy Governor and officials in row over Sh4m county cash

Goswami, brothers Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, and Gulam Hussein (Pakistani) were extradited to the US to face drug trafficking charges.

The arrests came as police hunt for two other foreign nationals wanted for serious crimes.

Muhammad Nadeem Iqbal and Waseem Iqbal from Pakistan are wanted by the Government of Pakistan for serious crimes.

The Pakistan embassy in Kenya has twice written to the Kenyan authorities on the issue.

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Republic of Kenya and has the honour to forward herewith extradition documents in respect of Mr Muhammed Nadeem Iqbal and Waseem Iqbal received from the Federal Investigation Agency Islamabad. The extradition documents were requested by Interpol Kenya. The esteemed ministry is requested to kindly forward the extradition documents to Interpol Kenya.

Muhammad Nadeem Iqbal and Waseem Iqbal from Pakistan had been deported by the National Security Intelligence (NIS) four years ago.

It is not clear how the duo re-entered Kenya.

ALSO READ: Governor Joho kicks out security officers reassigned to him

On July 29 and August 16, last year, Interpol published on their website fugitive wanted for prosecution control number: A-6929/7-2016 IQBAL Waseem and Muhammad Iqbal control number A-7490/8-2016.

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SA, Seychelles nationals held in narcotics crackdown - The Standard (press release)

Seychelles News Agency

A fern named Kati: Small plant in Seychelles named after conservationist Seychelles News Agency The new fern is called "fouzer Kati" (Katy's fern in English) in honour of Katy Beaver for her extensive contribution toward the study of plants in Seychelles, popularising scientific research and developing educational material for children and young ...

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A fern named Kati: Small plant in Seychelles named after conservationist - Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles' former President launches James Michel Foundation to continue promoting the blue economy Seychelles News Agency (Seychelles News Agency) - The former president of the Seychelles, James Michel, has launched his foundation earlier this week. The James Michel Foundation aims to promote and fund projects that are related to the blue economy, climate change and the ...

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Seychelles' former President launches James Michel Foundation to continue promoting the blue economy - Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles News Agency

Central Bank of Seychelles warns of temporary interruption to online banking platform Seychelles News Agency (Seychelles News Agency) - The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) said on Friday that the online banking platform linked to the Seychelles Electronic Fund Transfer (SEFT) system may experience interruptions this weekend following an upgrade.

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Central Bank of Seychelles warns of temporary interruption to online banking platform - Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles News Agency

2 Russian nationals in Seychelles illegally are deported Seychelles News Agency (Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles' immigration officials have deported two Russian women who were in the island nation illegally. According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Evgeniva Sorodina and Viktura Gorbunova were both ...

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2 Russian nationals in Seychelles illegally are deported - Seychelles News Agency

Kochi, Feb 11 (PTI) For Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) is an event that gives people the hope to live by putting art at the centre of life.

Among a host of high-ranking officials and foreign representatives to visit the ongoing third edition of the Biennale over the past week, Meriton spent time looking at the exhibits at primary venue Aspinwall House in Fort Kochi on Thursday, organisers of KMB said today.

The Biennale puts art at the centre of life, something that one would have never thought was possible. The event allows us to dwell not only within the realms and mind spaces of the artist, but of everybody who visits this space.

We need hope to appreciate each other irrespective of the boundaries and differences between us. And this festival keeps our hopes alive, Meriton is quoted as saying a release here.

He noted that he was especially moved by Chilean poet Raul Zurita s installation Sea of Pain and Hungarian artist Istvan Csakany s Ghost Keeping .

Through hopelessness and hope, these works shed light on the cries of the souls who have departed, which are being represented by those who are left behind. It also conveys that while modernisation has helped a lot, we have also lost a lot.

The work conveys that we should keep our humanity even when we are chasing profits, Meriton added.

The list of visiting dignitaries include Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu, Belgian diplomat Ilse Dauwe and Sultan Saif Al-Mahrouqi, a government representative of the Sultanate of Oman.

I am very impressed by the collection of artworks at the Biennale, which demonstrates how exciting the Indian art scene is at the moment. Australia has been participating in the event since its inception and this year we have three artists from Australia.

Events like the Biennale give us a platform for the exchange of arts and culture, which is very important because we get to understand each other much better and more deeply, a KMB release quoting Sidhu said.

Al-Mahrouqi said that he saw the Biennale as representational of the cosmopolitan nature of Indian civilisation and expressed his admiration for choosing to the host the event in venues and sites that are of great historical importance.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.

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Seychelles Vice President spent time at KMB - India.com

Seychelles News Agency

Hundreds of whales wash up dead on New Zealand beach Seychelles News Agency Dead pilot whales lay on a remote beach at Farewell Spit at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island on February 17, 2015 after beaching themselves on February 13. This year more than 400 whales has also been left stranded on beaches of New ... Mass whale stranding on Farewell Spit: Media release 10 February 2017 - Department of ConservationDepartment of Conservation all 390 news articles »

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Hundreds of whales wash up dead on New Zealand beach - Seychelles News Agency

Hi! Im Mimi Shaftoe, and Im currently living in the Seychelles. Im here with my friend Olivia for a four month internship withthe Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles, a local NGO dedicated to providing environmental conservation education to children and youth in schools. I cant wait to share my adventures with you in this blog!

Also check out our new Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles Instagram accountfor more about what Olivia and I are doing here.

********

Its so funny how much more you notice about your surroundings when youre away from home. The plants for instance seem more alive, and they have such huge leaves! The vibrant greenery here is a striking contrast to the grey winter city landscapes in Canada where the trees are sleepily awaiting spring. Even commonplace creatures here like the giant tortoises my aunt has as pets, crow-sized fruit bats, house geckos, and the small orange birds called fodies, which are as common here as sparrows back home, are exciting for Olivia and I. Already, in the three weeks Ive been here Ive seen so much beautiful wildlife.

TheSeychelles are made up of many small islands. (Photo: Mimi Shaftoe)

On a hike up Morne Blanc mountain, we saw native thief palms, named Lattanyen in Creole, with black spikes on the stems of their leaves, and soaring tropic birds with their long white tails. We heard the loud peeping of one of the worlds smallest species of frog: the tiny sooglossids, though weve yet to see one. Kayaking up a river near Port Launay, we saw colourful red and blue fiddler crabs waving their one oversized white claw, and various types of mangroves with their complex root systems. On our first few snorkeling ventures so far, we had not made it all the way out to the reef before getting distracted by the multi-coloured tropical fish, electric blue, bright red and yellow, darting among seaweed and coral.

Underneath the amazement and awe I feel at seeing these incredible animals and plants is a quiet but persistent undercurrent of urgency. These ecosystems are fragile, after all. Next time I come, how much more will be gone? The country is made up of many small islands, so the endemic wildlife here is particularly susceptible to introduced species, habitat destruction, and the effects of climate change. Before human settlement, there were no land mammals in Seychelles besides several species of bats, so the arrival of black rats for example, has wreaked considerable havoc on endemic birds and invertebrates. Human construction projects, from hotels to reclaimed land, have destroyed many important habitats, and coral reef bleaching events are becoming more of an issue.

Citizens taking action - and taking to the streets -to protect it for future generations. (Photo: Mimi Shaftoe)

But the Seychellois people are proud of their natural heritage, and they are taking action to protect it for future generations. For instance, hotel projects are now required to undergo rigorous environmental impact assessments, and theres a new ban on plastic bags coming into effect this summer. In the few weeks weve been here, weve visited school wildlife clubs, attended the national World Wetland Day and Protected Area Day events, and been to the launch of a community-based conservation organization. Seeing so many passionate students, teachers and citizens working towards a more sustainable future is inspiring. Im looking forward to seeing what adventures the next few months hold!

Visitingschool wildlife clubs. (Photo: Mimi Shaftoe)

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Getting to know the Seychelles - Alternatives Journal (blog)

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and its partners took part in another holiday fair that was held from February 2-5, 2017 at the Brussels Expo fair ground in Belgium.

The four days were the most crowded and busiest days with the Belgians coming out in full force looking for their next holiday destination.

Among those visiting Seychelles stand were the Seychelles Ambassador in Belgium Selby Pillay and his wife.

STB was represented at the fair by senior marketing executive Christine Vel based in Paris along with two representatives of the trade Eddie dOffay from LArchipel Hotel and Carl Lacoste from Air Seychelles.

In general there was a good turn out and we had a lot of clients stopping by who had already gone through the first steps of booking their flights and accommodation and were needing some advice on learning more about the destination, getting around, sight-seeing, excursions etc, said Miss Vel.

Most of the people who came around were mostly looking for small family friendly hotels, guesthouses and self-catering and were happy to learn that these are available in Seychelles, she added.

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