It is that time of the year when the traveller in you would have already taken up resolutions for the complete calendar year. With trips ranging from the nearest wildlife sanctuary to the Eiffel, you would have added them all to your to-visit list. That is a great start.

EaseMyTrip Travel Sale 2018 (Credit: EaseMyTrip)

The next step in any travel plan includes the flight and hotel bookings. Since they form the significant part of the total budget of the trip, it is necessary to save as much as possible. This is where one must look for exclusive offers and discount coupons. One such opportunity is now.

EaseMyTrip, a leading travel-booking portal, is welcoming the new year by running a sale for its customers. Termed the "Biggest Travel Sale", the website is offering an instant discount along with cash backs. The deal covers both flight offers and hotel bookings, including bus tickets in case you need them, so they have you covered for the trip you have in mind.

Moreover, anyone who books through them is automatically entered into a lucky draw and is entitled to win a free trip to Europe, a brand new Honda Activa, and discount vouchers for other partner platforms.

To avail all that is up for grabs, the promo code to be used is "WELCOME2018" (without quotes). It is working on all their channels, including Android and iOS apps, and the web. The offer is valid for old customers as well, so there is nothing to be disappointed about. The only catch is that it is a limited period offer. So, if you are interested in availing its benefits, you might need to hurry and swipe your cards till the 11th of this month.

Happy travelling :)

After more than half a million online votes and over 350 entries received, Aloft and MTV revealed the winners of the second annual Asia Pacific edition of music talent discovery competition Project Aloft Star. The contest aims to identify and support the hottest emerging music artists throughout Asia Pacific, with three competition clusters.

This year’s cluster winners are:

Gusian Yu (China) – View his winning entry.
The judging panel comprised the following representatives from Aloft Hotels, MTV, celebrities and music industry experts:

For Southeast Asia

1. Paras Sharma, Vice President, MTV and Comedy Central Brands and Digital Media, Viacom International Media Networks Asia

2. Vincent Ong, Senior Brand Director, Asia Pacific Brand Management, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

3. Aliff Aziz, a Singapore born singer and actor who won the reality TV singing competition, Anugerah when he was 16 years old, making him the competition’s youngest winner. He is currently working on his fourth album, having just released his current single “Selayaknya Aku”

4. Aziana Ali, General Manager – Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia

5. Valent Soisuvarn, Executive Director, MTV Thailand

For China

1. Charles Chan, Creative Director, Head of Content Production, MTV China

2. Master Dong Shan, a pop singer who won multiple newcomer awards when he debuted. His fourth and latest album《四张机》 was released this year.

3. Shan Qi, renowned planner-musician-producer-director who is also known as ‘China Fashion Festival Godfather’

4. Sofia Wong, Hotel Manager, Aloft Guangzhou University Park

For India

1. Bobin James, Head of Programming and Artist Relations, MTV Indies

If you have been sincerely following my blog, you would be aware that I won a contest arranged by BlogAdda in association with Renault. The prize was a weekend trip to Goa, and a drive in their latest vehicle - the Renault Lodgy. Last week I wrote an article describing my experience of that wonderful trip. This post is dedicated to that awesome car we drove in Goa.

The following is a brief review of the car. The views presented are my own, and you may or may not agree with them. And that's completely okay. I would also like you to know that I'm no auto expert (yet! I maybe, some day!). So forgive me for any errors. Whatever knowledge I have of the domain is from my 3 years experience working at Bosch.

Credit: Jobo Kuruvilla/Twitter

Before I begin, I would like to state that this car is launched as a MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle). Talking about Renault's success in the Indian market, Duster is the only vehicle which has managed to stay them afloat (note that it was a 5-seater compact SUV). The French OEM would definitely like some of that magic to work for Lodgy as well.

Exteriors and Styling

Credit: Jimmie Luthra/Twitter

As far as the exteriors are concerned, I didn't find anything out of the box. But still, the car is charming at the same time. The style followed is standard European. But it has got an Indian touch, which is expected since they are targeting the Indian market! When I say it is Indianized, I refer to the lot of chrome used all around the car. To begin with, the Lodgy branding at the rear is completely made in chrome. The side body mouldings are also made up of chrome.

Credit: Jimmie Luthra/Twitter

The front of the car is attractive. The tail lamps give a unique look. Overall, it is an elegant 8-seater MPV from the house of Renault.

Interiors and Comfort features

Interiors of this car is what I liked the most. There are loads of features, including touch screen audio-video-navigation system, steering mounted audio controls, cruise control, tilt-steering, driver side seat height adjust, arm-rest for driver, plenty of storage space, deep door pockets, charging ports in all 3 rows, roof mounted AC vents for all 3 rows. Not to forget the most important ones - ABS and airbags - after all safety is the foremost concern.

The car is spacious . Believe me. The wheelbase is long enough (2.8 m to be accurate). The overall headroom is ample. Sitting in the third row is comfortable, with enough legroom, unlike XUV 500. If compared to Ertiga or Mobilio, Lodgy definitely takes the lead as and when the third row is concerned, which plays a major role in a 8-seater car. If compared to Innova, it is at par for the head and leg room in the third row, but lacks in width!


Talking about boot space, one can get approximately 1861 litres of boot space by completely removing off the third row, and folding the second one.

Overall, I will give full marks to this car for its interiors.

Ride and Handling

Well, I did not drive the car myself. So, I'll share what others who did, felt about the ride. The suspension is well tuned. This in turn leads to good handling, and hence, a smooth ride. The steering wheel is well-weighted.

What I liked?

1. Touchscreen ICE, cruise control and safety features

2. Spacious third-row seat

3. Ample boot space

4. Outstanding ride quality

5. Balanced dynamics and handling

6. Smartly priced

What I didn't like?

1. Common style and exteriors, nothing outstanding.

Verdict

If you are looking for a family car,
You do not have to look any far.
Get this one with awesome interiors,
And let everyone see what you are.

I was a part of the #LiveLodgycal Drive by BlogAdda.com in association with Renault India.

It's not funny, and there's no twist,

That morning of August, covered in hazy mist,

Ever since I've started this blog, I had wished to participate in contests arranged via BlogAdda. But due to my busy schedule (at least I thought so), was never successfully able to write a contest post in time.

One fine evening at work, I was browsing through the internet, when I came across a contest whose winners were to fly to Goa for a fun-filled weekend. I checked the end time, and it was midnight. That means I had only a few hours left to write a post, and not just write any post, I had to make it stand out in order to win. By 8 in the evening, I was home. After dinner, I started writing at 9. And successfully submitted this post by 10. Honestly speaking, I wasn't expecting to win since I thought I wrote in a hurry, and couldn't do justice with the post. But hope, that never dies!

Few days later, the team at BlogAdda announced the results. And I was one of the winners. It was a moment of sheer joy. Joy for not just winning, or visiting Goa for that matter, it was the joy of getting to meet various bloggers across the country. It had to be a lifetime experience; time to make new friends. A series of emails and phone calls from the team at BlogAdda got me going. I was prepared to rock the weekend. They also sent across the following custom-made banner:


Just a couple of days before we had to fly, I received the names of my team members. Jobo, Piyush, Ayan and yours truly were a team. We called ourselves #TeamPenDrive, courtesy Piyush.

I met Piyush and Jobo at the Bangalore airport itself. Our first task was to take snap of the boarding pass:

Here I come @blogadda @RenaultIndia #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive pic.twitter.com/iBPbc3opW5

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

At the Goa airport, buses were arranged to take us to our destination - the Leela Kempinski Hotel located in Cavelossim, Goa. We received a warm welcome by the staff there:

So a warm welcome at @TheLeelaHotels in @TourismGoa #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive @blogadda @RenaultIndia #fb pic.twitter.com/7dBLfjTpk9

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

We were then handed our room keys. Piyush was my room mate. After the tiresome journey, all I was craving for was some tea. The awesome team at BlogAdda had already anticipated that! Evening tea and snacks were waiting for us. After having those delicious samosas and tea, we were headed to our rooms to relax.

In the evening, there was a small meet-and-greet arranged at The Hampi - the conference hall in the premises. There we got to know that Archana was our host for the event. After all the introductions were done, there was a small treasure hunt game. Guess what, our team, won it and topped the leaderboards. That was the end of the first logical day.

Day 1 of #LiveLodgycal was interesting. Thanks to @blogadda @RenaultIndia n @Archanaapania Looking fwd to the drive tomorrow :)

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 19, 2015

Next day, myself and Piyush got ready early and went to The Restaurant for breakfast. A mandatory selfie was clicked:

The morning selfie at The Restaurant #LiveLodgycal #TeamPenDrive @blogadda pic.twitter.com/7XricZxcYc

— Garg Ankit (@graciousgarg) June 20, 2015

After we were all done eating, it was time to drive. The Renault Lodgy was waiting for us:

The Lodgy waits for #TeamPenDrive @blogadda @RenaultIndia #LiveLodgycal pic.twitter.com/4hsgoiIJrX

— Jobo Kuruvilla (@jobokuruvilla) June 20, 2015

The amazing photography also made the above tweet the best tweet of the event. Well done Jobo :)

The drive began from the hotel premises. There were 10 teams with a total of 40 bloggers. Each team had a Renault Lodgy to drive. The idea was to drive all the way down to The Lalit Golf and Spa Resort located in Canacona, Goa. It was around 37 kms from our source. There were a lot of tasks which were to be done on the way. We clicked a lot of photos and also made a few videos with the car.

Watch our team's impromptu skits:


I was a part of the #LiveLodgycal Drive by BlogAdda.com in association with Renault India.

Cheese and wine counter

Cocktails and beyond

Retail (market)

Salads

Live Chaat

Live Indian counter

Live egg counter

Live Asian Sushi counter

Desserts

I've already stated (and proved) in my previous post the importance of cricket in the life of an average Indian. With the last season of the world cup not ending so well for the national cricket team, people are eagerly waiting for the next one, with memories still fresh from our last win - the cup in 2011. But do you know what really happened on the night of 2nd April, 2011? Well, you are about to find out.

As you might be aware, India was playing Sri Lanka in the final match. It was being held in Mumbai, and hence, we had the home advantage. Both these countries had won the cup once before (India in 1983 and Sri Lanka in 1996), and so the stakes were equal for either side.

The match began with a controversy over the toss. The match referee couldn't hear the visiting side captain's call for the first time. There was a re-toss, which was won by the opposition. The fans from either side were unhappy, claiming that their team won it in the first go. One side was happy after the re-toss, while the other obviously wasn't. But the stakes were too high, and everybody got tensed. Winning a world cup is like a dream come true for a cricketer.

The match started with Sri Lanka batting first, and asking India to chase down a target of 275 runs. The response appeared quite shake, at least in the beginning. They had lost both their openers at a meager score of 31 runs. The dressing room was losing its charm, its energy to take on the opponents.

The next pair of batsmen tried their best to reduce the damage and get as close to the target as possible. By the time they were walking back to the pavilion, India had scored 223 runs, and required another 52 from as many balls to clinch the title. On the crease were captain cool and Yuvi. The pressure was on them now. They had to win. They had to do something, err everything, to win. The hopes were held high. But after all the toiling that they did in the field the whole day, they were exhausted and really low on energy. Twelfth man was seen carrying some energy drinks towards the pitch. Ironically, neither Urzza nor Red Bull came to their rescue.

But where there's a will, there's a way. And we Indians are well-known for our Jugaad concept. The team management noticed the falling energy level of their captain, reported it to their bosses at BCCI, and urged them to do something.

Unlike a spineless management, the President of BCCI decided to take things under his control. He was aware of the captain's fondness of music and dance, and he also knew who his favorites were.

The match was paused, and a stage was set up. Without much delay, it was occupied by none other than Allu Arjun and Anushka Manchanda. Now, you really have no idea how much money BCCI has got, do you?

The superstar hero danced his heart out on a few singles sung by the heartthrob singer. One of them included the song "Dance Basanti" from the film "Ungli". This was itself a little awkward, coz the Basanti there was singing, while a man was dancing! If you are thinking that this isn't possible since the movie was released in 2014, you really have no idea how much money BCCI has got! ;)

All this while MSD enjoyed the iconic dance moves coupled with a melodious voice, and was all pumped up after the fifteen minute show. Now was the time for another excellent show, one which the captain was going to put out. He hit a six off a pace bowler to complete the proceedings for the day. India had won the match, and the cup of course, with 10 balls to spare.

This is how the tensed and dull situation during the 2011 Cricket World Cup final changed because of the legendary dance moves and enchanting voice of the superstar duo.

...And this is how India won the Cricket World Cup.

P.S.: Dear Sri Lankan brothers, this is a piece of fiction. Do not cry foul like our brothers in Bangladesh did for that no ball.

I am blogging for #MaxFreshMove activity at BlogAdda.com. Are you?