This week’s edition kicks off with a spotlight on South Korea, where the Korean Wave continues to transform global tourism. K-pop and K-dramas are enticing fans to visit cafés, concert venues, and filming spots that turn fandom into tangible travel experiences.
Next, we embark on a culinary journey across Asia, highlighting vegetarian-friendly destinations. We also delve into how a temple in Omkareshwar, MP, is turning acts of devotion into a life-saving mission by offering VIP darshan to blood donors, thereby bolstering local blood bank supplies. Lastly, we examine the heightened possibility of El Niño’s resurgence and its potential impacts on travel all over the globe, affecting everything from India’s monsoon patterns to African safaris and beach vacations in Southeast Asia.
Following this, we explore seven regions in India where food has historically served as medicine, long before wellness became a global phenomenon. We delve into why the consumption of alcohol often ignites cravings for salty, calorie-dense snacks. Additionally, this edition revisits one of the most haunting crimes in Delhi’s history—the 1978 case of Geeta and Sanjay Chopra—which remains vivid in collective memory and has now inspired Prime Video’s Raakh.
In our “What we read this week” segment, we review a locked-room mystery set aboard a luxury train in Murder on the Maharaja Express, alongside Liar Liar, a sharp and unsettling exploration of truth and deception.
Let’s dive in.
From BTS to blockbuster K-dramas: How the Korean Wave is reshaping travel
South Korea is drawing in visitors eager to step into the realms of their favorite K-pop idols and K-drama characters. From BTS-themed trips and fan cafés in Seoul to drama filming sites on Jeju Island, the country is leveraging global fandom as a major tourism catalyst, inspiring travelers to go beyond traditional sightseeing.
7 vegetarian-friendly destinations in Asia every food-loving traveller should visit
From Rishikesh’s spiritual kitchens and Kyoto’s Buddhist flavor to the vibrant street food scenes of Penang and Ho Chi Minh City, these destinations show that remarkable travel experiences can thrive without a meat-centric focus. Here’s a glimpse at some of Asia’s most appealing spots for vegetarian adventurers and food enthusiasts.
Donate blood, get VIP darshan: How an MP temple is turning faith into a life-saving mission
At the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Madhya Pradesh, donors of blood enjoy the privilege of skipping lengthy queues for VIP darshan. This initiative not only motivates countless devotees to participate in a noble cause but also aids local blood banks in building essential reserves of rare blood types to benefit surrounding districts.
El Niño is making a comeback: What travellers need to know
The World Meteorological Organization has announced a significant likelihood of El Niño’s return later this year, which could lead to droughts, floods, heatwaves, and various weather disruptions globally. From African safari locales to Southeast Asian beaches and Indian monsoon travels, the climatic phenomenon could impact travel plans far beyond the Pacific region.
Prix Versailles 2026: Four Indian landmarks among world’s most beautiful designs
India makes a notable mark in the Prix Versailles 2026 World Selection, with four remarkable entries acknowledged for their architectural and design excellence. Guwahati’s Terminal 2, Navi Mumbai Airport’s Terminal 1, The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho, and Rosso in Pune Wine Country have been highlighted under categories for airports, hotels, and restaurants for seamlessly fusing local identity with contemporary design aesthetics.
Concerns over screen addiction, harmful content, sleep disruption and online safety have been prompting governments across the globe to take tougher action on children’s digital lives
From Kerala to Sikkim: 7 Indian regions where food has always been medicine
Long before wellness emerged as a global industry, various communities throughout India established food traditions centered around healing, nutrition, and longevity. From Kerala’s Ayurvedic kitchens and Ladakh’s sea buckthorn berries to Rajasthan’s desert superfoods and Sikkim’s organic farming framework, these seven regions highlight how India’s culinary heritage has long intertwined food with wellbeing.
Why alcohol makes you crave chips, pizza and other junk food
The compelling urge to grab chips, nachos, or pizza while drinking might be more than mere habit. Studies indicate that alcohol can trigger biological hunger signals linked to protein cravings, making salty, high-calorie foods particularly appealing and increasing the likelihood of overeating.
FSSAI warns against a common kitchen practice that could contaminate food
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to food businesses, mandating the cessation of using rusted, corroded, chipped, or damaged knives and cutting tools, citing the risk of food contamination and violations of hygiene standards. The regulator has instructed state authorities to enforce strict oversight during inspections, warning that non-compliance could lead to consequences under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The crime that shocked Delhi: The real 1978 case behind Prime Video’s Raakh
Before inspiring Prime Video’s Raakh, the 1978 abduction and murder of siblings Geeta and Sanjay Chopra became one of India’s most notorious crime stories. The horrific act, the intense struggle for survival, and the nationwide manhunt that ensued altered Delhi’s perception of safety and left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory.
What we read this week
‘Wedding on the Maharaja Express’ review: Agatha Christie-style desi whodunit that doesn’t quite stay on track
Set aboard a luxury train filled with wedding attendees, family squabbles, ex-lovers, and buried secrets, Prakhar Vishwani’s debut novel brings the classic locked-room murder mystery into a distinctly Indian context. Although the central concept is captivating and the narrative flows quickly, an overcrowded cast and a predictable conclusion hinder the novel from fully realizing its intriguing premise. Still, Wedding on the Maharaja Express remains an enjoyable quick read for fans of Christie-style mysteries.
Liar, Liar review: Sharp, unsettling exploration of truth and deception
Rheea Mukherjee’s Liar, Liar revisits one of India’s most infamous digital scams through the perspective of someone directly affected. More than just a true-crime narration, the book delves into themes of trust, manipulation, and the emotional repercussions of deception by someone who constructed a false identity. Thought-provoking, unsettling, and deeply human, it explores why intelligent, empathetic individuals trust those they care for—and what ensues when that trust is shattered.
