Celebrating Visit India Year 2023

India is inviting Canadians to visit the Asian nation, saying getting to the country has become significantly easier in what has been declared Visit India Year 2023.
Apoorva Srivastava, India’s consul general of India In Toronto, told a Friday Toronto gathering that a revamped visa system enables Canadians to apply for visas online, and expect that they’ll be delivered within 2 weeks.

The visas cost $18 and are valid for 5 years.

Srivastava also noted that both Air Canada and Air India have direct service from this country to New Delhi, with flights available from Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Air Canada also has winter Toronto-Mumbai service.

Srivastava labelled her homeland “one of the most diverse countries in the world … Every state has diversity.” That diversity is underscored by differences in food, dance, music and other cultural expressions in a country that has “5,000 years of history, ” she added.

Northern and Southern India differ noticeably, and the country also offers beach and watersports enthusiasts the “beautiful ” Andaman Islands, she continued.

Srivastava said those visiting India will find plenty of vacation options available, among them desert safaris, adventure itineraries and trips that showcase the environment in a country where landscapes include jungle, desert and the Himalayas.

Tourists can also explore India on upscale trains, she noted.

Srivastava noted that India is the home of yoga, making it attractive to yoga practitioners. “Yoga for us is a way of life.”

June 21 has been declared International Day of Yoga and there will be festivities at downtown Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square, she reported.

August will see a celebration of Indian food in Toronto as well.

In the Photo

Seen here, from l to r, are David McClung, president Baxter Media; Srivastava; and vice-consul Hitesh Singh Mehra.