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The North-East is not as much on the agenda of European tourists as it should be: Philipp Ackermann | Eye News
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Travelling in India is always rewarding, no matter where you go. Hence it is very difficult for me to decide where my favourite spot would be on the subcontinent— there is just too much to discover. But amongst the numerous trips I did in 2023, one of the most scenic led me to Assam. The North-East is not as much on the agenda of European tourists as it should be. After having spent a week in Assam, I would highly recommend a trip to the banks of the Brahmaputra and to the hills and parks of the State; it is a unique experience.
First, it is the river itself that is breathtaking: its sheer size and its width are as stunning as is its “wild” character. I spent two days on a beautiful wooden boat on the river, slowly moving up and down. The water seems to run slowly and peacefully, but un-channelised as it is, it changes its course regularly. New sand banks appear; others disappear. Quite a challenge for the boatmen on the river, we learned, as they have to manoeuvre their boats through the difficult current. During our boat ride, dolphins showed their noses every now and then, birds flew over the river and boats with fishermen crossed our way. From our boat, we could observe them catching their fish. The slow and majestic moving of the water had an impact on everybody – we became more and more relaxed and enjoyed the peaceful scenery. Chilling on deck! A dinner served ashore on a sandbank during sunset made the river trip certainly a high point of my stay in Assam.
The second high point was Kaziranga. It is a wonderful natural reserve, full of wildlife. The river and many wetlands are attractive to an enormous variety of birds. As I am a bird watcher, I was excited to see the great hornbill again (I had seen it in Periyar in Kerala before, where the species has a disjunct population). Different raptors and waterfowl are widely spread and I encountered several red jungle fowl, the ancestors of our domestic chicken. I am always surprised how similar the wild form looks to the chicken we know from European farms, although domestication happened more than 8,000 years ago.
We drove with our naturalist through the dirt roads and it took only a very short time to discover the “signature” animal of Kaziranga: the Indian rhino. What an impressive mammal! The most striking characteristic are its thick grey flaps of skin. They make the animal look like it wears a knight’s armour. To see these animals grazing from a close distance is literally jaw dropping – there are more than 2,000 of them in Kaziranga, which is more than 50 per cent of the world’s population of this endangered species. I kept thinking of the German artist Albrecht Dürer who in 1515 made a woodcut depicting the Indian rhino – he had never seen one but read a description of it by a traveller. Against this background, one has to say: it is pretty accurate.
The second big animal in Kaziranga is more widely spread in India and it is nothing short of fantastic: Elephants can be found all over the park. We walked for half a day through the hills when we suddenly had to freeze at the command of our rangers: 50 metres ahead, a big herd of elephants crossed our way, cows and calves and young bulls. I watched, fascinated – and I realised only later that the rangers were pretty nervous because of the closeness of the herd. Later, in the car, our naturalist again made us wait near a wetland with high reeds. He suspected elephants in the reeds (how on earth could he have spotted them I thought) and right he was. After a while, elephants came out and crossed the dirt road, amongst them two very young calves. A fabulous view.
A view of the magnificent Brahmaputra (Credit: Philipp Ackermann)
Outside Kaziranga, we visited tea plantations, where the tea grows in the plains and not on hillsides like elsewhere in India. Assam tea comes from a different tea plant variety; a variety that is indigenous to India (unlike the one in Darjeeling, for example). Strolling through the tea bushes protected by the shade trees feels great – again because of the many birds one can see. What is more: We had a quick glance at a group of hoolock gibbons jumping in the trees right across the plantation with their long arms and white eyebrows – a great sight of another mammal that is very rare.
But Assam is way more than wildlife and tea: It has a great and interesting history. With our naturalist, we discussed the 600 years of history of the Ahom kingdom and the battles against the Bengali sultanates and the Mughals. He knew all about the intricacies of the historical development of his state. We discussed the different layers and histories of Assam’s considerable Muslim population. We saw beautiful Hindu temples. And we had fabulous Assamese food: not overly spicy (good for me) but very hot, full of chilies (not so good for me). Assam is in a way a typical Indian state: a confluence of peoples, languages, religions, traditions and – at the same time – very distinct: With its own language, its own history and its own crafts and skills it is a unique part of the subcontinent, a wonderful travel destination full of surprises. I loved my stay and would strongly recommend going there. So maybe I do have a favourite state in India? Let’s wait for 2024…
The writer is German Ambassador to India and Bhutan
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According to recent reports, Circle to Search, a feature introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, might soon undergo an upgrade. Initially allowing users to copy text from selected areas, it’s now rumored to include the capability to capture and share screenshots of specific screen sections.
This enhanced functionality, observed in the latest version of Circle to Search, enables users to not only copy text but also capture and share screen images. A video shared by a tipster on X showcased this update, revealing new options of Copy and Share upon selecting an area. Even adjustments to the selected region don’t remove these options, ensuring a seamless experience. Users can either copy the image to the clipboard for further editing or share it directly through various apps.
Previously, the visual lookup feature solely facilitated text copying. While Android devices offer a three-finger swipe-down gesture for quick screenshots, it captures the entire screen, necessitating subsequent cropping. This new functionality streamlines the process, allowing users to select and share specific screen sections in just two steps.
Interestingly, Google recently addressed concerns about accidental activations of Circle to Search in a podcast featuring its developers. They acknowledged the issue and assured users of an impending fix. This indicates ongoing efforts to refine the feature for a smoother user experience.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has recently undergone another price reduction in India, marking a significant update for potential buyers. Initially introduced to the Indian market in June 2023, this smartphone received its first price adjustment in November of the same year. The base variant, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was notably listed at a price Rs. 2,000 lower than its launch price, signaling OnePlus’s commitment to providing competitive pricing to its customers.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and ships with the Android 13-based operating system. It boasts a triple rear camera setup, enhancing its photography capabilities, and supports SuperVOOC charging, ensuring rapid replenishment of its battery. The inclusion of these features positions the Nord CE 3 as a compelling option for smartphone enthusiasts seeking a balance between performance, affordability, and innovation.
The recent unveiling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in India marks the continuation of OnePlus’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to its users. Serving as the successor to the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new enhancements and features to further elevate the user experience.
When considering the revised pricing of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, it’s evident that OnePlus aims to make its devices more accessible to a wider audience. The reduction in price, particularly on platforms like Amazon and the OnePlus India website, presents an opportunity for consumers to acquire a high-quality smartphone at a more affordable rate.
Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 to understand its capabilities and appeal to potential buyers.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Price in India (Revised)
The base variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, was initially launched in India at Rs. 26,999. Following its first price cut in November, the price was reduced to Rs. 24,999. Now, the same variant is available on Amazon at Rs. 22,990, representing a Rs. 2,009 reduction from its previous price. Furthermore, customers can benefit from an additional flat Rs. 2,000 instant discount on ICICI and HDFC Bank cards, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 20,990.
On the OnePlus India website, the 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999, marking a Rs. 2,000 decrease from the November price of Rs. 24,999. It is worth noting that this discount is exclusively applicable to the 128GB model, as the higher-end 256GB variant is currently listed as out of stock.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Specifications and Features
Display:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 boasts a 6.7-inch full-HD+ fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,412 pixels. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, users can enjoy smooth and fluid visuals, enhancing their overall viewing experience.
Processor and Performance:
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers robust performance and efficient multitasking capabilities. With up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage, users can seamlessly navigate between apps and store their multimedia content with ease.
Operating System:
The smartphone ships with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1, providing users with a clean and intuitive user interface coupled with a plethora of customization options. OxygenOS is known for its smooth performance and timely software updates, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
Camera:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 features a versatile camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) support. Accompanying this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, allowing users to capture a wide range of subjects with stunning detail and clarity. On the front, the device houses a 16-megapixel sensor for high-quality selfies and video calls.
Battery and Charging:
Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers ample battery life to power through a full day of usage. Additionally, the device supports 80W wired SuperVOOC charging, enabling users to quickly replenish the battery and minimize downtime.
Connectivity:
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 supports a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Whether it’s streaming multimedia content, browsing the web, or staying connected with friends and family, users can rely on the Nord CE 3 to deliver seamless connectivity and performance.
Security:
For enhanced security, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 features an in-display fingerprint sensor, allowing users to conveniently unlock their device with a simple touch. This biometric authentication method adds an extra layer of protection to safeguard sensitive data and personal information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a compelling combination of performance, affordability, and innovation, making it an attractive choice for smartphone enthusiasts in India. With its recent price reduction and competitive specifications, the Nord CE 3 presents a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new features with each iteration, the Nord CE 3 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional devices tailored to the needs of its users.
In its largest market, Bengaluru, ride-hailing company Namma Yatri has expanded its services to include cab-hailing, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on auto rickshaws. Namma Yatri, known for pioneering a daily subscription model as opposed to the commission-based model utilized by competitors like Ola and Uber, had initially concentrated on auto rickshaws in Bengaluru. However, it now features a distinct section on its app dedicated to booking cabs in the city. Additionally, Namma Yatri already provides cab rides in Kochi and Kolkata.
The decision to venture into cab services follows Namma Yatri’s separation from its former parent company, Justpay, and comes on the heels of a reported expansion plan announced on April 1st. The move also aligns with the broader trend observed in the industry, as both Ola and Uber have recently introduced subscription-based plans for auto-rickshaw drivers on their platforms. This strategic shift towards subscription-based models, akin to Namma Yatri’s approach, as well as that of Rapido, highlights a growing preference within the industry for alternative pricing structures beyond traditional booking fees or commissions.
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