Tag: Australia

Events

The Power Of Nine Nights – Happy Navratri!

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 12/01/2022

What is Navtatri?

Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights’, is one of the most auspicious and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in India. This year, starting April 13, the Hindu festival of Navarātri will begin and last till April 22. It is a time of celebration as well as of reflection for Hindus all across the globe. These nine days are truthfully devoted to Maa Durga and her nine incarnations, the epitome of sheer courage and strength. To offer gratitude to the goddess, people indulge all forms of fasting, spiritual practices, pujas, meditations and abstain from non vegetarian food and alcohol. All over India there is eruption of a nine-night dance festival and each night people assemble in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti. The Navratri pooja has an elaborate abhishekam of 11 offerings and a cheerful time of music and dance, singing the praises of the glory of Devi. It’s an explosion of energy and positivity.

Navratri celebration in Australia

Over the time, this festival has crossed boundaries of the nation and has become a reason to share smiles and joy all over the world. With millions of Indians living in Australia and many other countries, the festival is celebrated with utmost zest and zeal. A mother of two and a psychologist, Ms Khurana arrived in Australia in 2014 with her family. “We have formed a community group in which members host special prayers during Navratri at home and invite others. It’s a very important festival for us”, says Ms Kakkar. Today, Melbourne is home to the largest Hindu temple of the country and during busy festivals like Navratri, Shri Durga Temple at Deanside, hosts thousands of people (except for 2020 due to COVID-19). Pandit Sushil Shastri, a priest at the temple, says the festivities can even give you the illusion that you are in India.

In 2019, Indian Society in Australia hosted navtri nights In perth where people were dressed up in vibrant traditional attires of Ghagra-choli and Kurta – Pyjama. The delightful event was packed with the Garba fervour and great food. This is also a great time to travel to India, and be a part of the celebrations. Every part of India has a unique and beautiful way of honouring the occasion.

Here are a few Navratri events happening in Australia that might interest you :

Chaitra Navratri Garba

First time in History of Australia, a garba and dandia night proudly organised by GR Group( GR Events & GR Phones). The event is aupporting local and national artist and talents of Sargam Musical Forum. Join them for a blast of fun, dance and music.

When: 17 April 2021

Where : The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre – YMCA ,46 Cowan St, Angle Park SA

Navratri Celebrations 2021

An event curated by Jai Durga Sankirtan Mandal in Adelaide, this is a celebration of Navratri with special performances by kids and Maata ke Darshan (blessings of goddess).

When: 17 April, 2021

Where : Vietnamese Community Centre, 62, Athol Street, Athol Park, SA.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

As there are no quarantine or travel restrictions required in place, plan your journey to reunite with your family & friends with Gaura Travel in this year 2022. Find all available flights options with us.

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Melbourne to Delhi|Qantas– Singapore Airlines (Return) — Flights from Melbourne to Delhi

Delhi India — Flights from Sydney to Delhi

Tags Australia, covid-19, Devi, Ghagra-Choli, GR Events, Indians, Maa Durga, Maata ke Darshan, Navarati, Nine Nights, Sargam Musical Forum, Shri Durga Temple

Travel Guide

When Home Calls

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 12/01/2022

When COVID 19 happened, at first we did not know the extent of the impact it would have on us.

At that time my parents were with us and were scheduled to leave for India in a couple of weeks. We told ourselves that the pandemic might well be a blessing in disguise – it probably meant that we as a family would get to spend more time with each other. My 6-year old son was over the moon that he would get to go on more walks with his grandad and get to eat more sweets made by his grandma.

I wish we could have foreseen what lay head of us. The Victorian government went on to announce a strict lockdown. Within weeks, the very house that my parents loved, began to feel like prison. Wearing a mask became a thing of dread and going out for walks soon dwindled into oblivion.

Naturally, all of this resulted in one overwhelming desire – to go back to their home in India.

My parents longed to be reunited with the country that gave them everything, including me. I would see my mother control her tears at the sight of anything that reminded her of India. My father would watch every little piece of news about India with renewed vigour and interest.

The longing they had for their homeland, sat like a thorn that refused to go away. If anything it developed into a source of tremendous stress.

But with commercial flights grinding to a halt, there was no way back home. Not right then anyway. During a casual phone call, a friend of ours told us that Gaura Travel started operating charter flights from Australia to Delhi.

So what did we do? Well, I immediately took my phone and was about to call them when my wife reminded me that it was almost midnight! I recalled what my friend had said – that they were open 24/7. I flipped my laptop open and hit their website. And sure enough, I was chatting to them within seconds.

The lady chatting with us was professional, warm and reassuring. This was exactly what we needed to counter the anxiety my parents were going through and the stressful situation we found ourselves in.

Her accurate and timely responses meant we could take an informed decision – within the hour, we had booked our tickets. Given the extraordinary circumstances, we certainly did not expect to see things moving so fast. The next morning my father hugged me, thanking me. Yes, there were tears too.

Surprisingly, Gaura Travel offered to take that on for us as well and before I knew it they called me, letting me know that the exemption had been approved! This was 5-star levels of service.

The day arrived. That trip to the airport wasn’t easy. Just as we were about to check-in, we met someone from Gaura Travel there. I mean, seriously, since when did a travel agency take the effort to come to the airport and ensure that their passengers were being looked after?

They were able to get my mother, who suffers from acute arthritis a wheelchair. And the smile on her face, when my son was wheeling her around the airport…yes, priceless indeed.

They had an incredibly smooth flight back home and settled into their home quickly. Us on the other hand? Well, we got back from the airport to an empty house, filled with sweet memories of my parents.

And a heartfelt thank you to an organization that has made it their business to help families find a way back home. My parents were reunited with the life and the land they love so much.

And for this, I cannot be more grateful to Gaura Travel. I recently read that they reunited 10,000 families through their charter flights – well, I consider myself very luck that ours was one of those too.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Tags Australia, covid-19, Delhi, Guara Travel, Home, India, Lockdown, Pandemic, Parents, Victorian

Why Gaura

Celebrating 50 Charter Flights from Australia to India

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 12/01/2022

On 19 March 2020, Australia shut its borders to the world as a measure to fight COVID-19. No one saw 2020 coming. Panic clenched people as they suddenly found themselves stranded in Australia.

The First Flight (22nd of July 2020)

When no commercial flights were operating, Gaura Travel worked day and night with the authorities bearing only one aim in their hearts – “to reunite people with their loved ones”. With this firmness of purpose, the Melbourne based travel agency, operated its first charter flight to India, from Sydney Airport on 22 July 2020. The team of Gaura Travel provided incessant support to all the travellers at the airport and made sure everyone had a seamless journey.

10,000 Families Reunited (5th of February 2021)

On 5th February 2021 after 8 months of sheer hard work and courage, Gaura Travel accomplished the milestone of reuniting 10,000 families. Statistically, 18,000 passengers flew out of Melbourne: 15,000 by chartered flights and 3,000 under Vande Bharat Mission with Air India flying 17 sorties. From the 15,000, Gaura Travel accounted for 10,000.

The Wait is Over (27th of February 2021)

There was joy in the air, but the directors of Gaura Travel, Ashwini Sonthalia and Abhishek Sonthalia, knew that more had to be done. They resonated with the longing of those stuck in India, and now are back with a bang! On 27 February 2021, Gaura Travel announced the great news of special charter flights from India to Australia!

And now… 50 Charter Flights (19^th Mar 2021)

Flight after flight, the mission of repatriating people back to India became stronger and on the 19th March, Gaura Travel crossed another benchmark of operating 50 unstoppable charter flights! Keeping their customers first, Gaura Travel is doing everything they can to be your best way home, no matter if it is from India or Australia. In collaboration with Singapore Airlines, the 50^th charter flight has taken off from Melbourne Airport carrying 200 people to New Delhi.

Gaura Travel is continuing its mission to reunite people back to their homes. The next flight to India will be on 27^th of March from Sydney. The tickets are available to book now from India to Australia on www.gauratravel.com.au

Book your tickets from Australia to India on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Tags Australia, covid-19, Gaura Travel, India, Melbourne, reunite people, Sydney

Flight Deals

Special Charter Flights From India to Australia

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 12/01/2022

Australia’s remote location, backed up by some of the strictest border controls in the world, has helped it avoid the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. But that success has come at a steep economic and personal cost. Nearly a year after detecting its first coronavirus case, Australia’s border closures will remain in position at least the first half of 2021.

Connecting you back to the Land Down Under

In March 2020, when Australia shut its borders to the world, we were flooded with messages from people stuck in Australia, urging us to help them repatriate back to India. We resonated with their tremendous pain and left no stone unturned in finding a way to safely send them back home. Numerous hurdles came our way, but nothing stopped us from our mission to re-unify people back with their loved ones. Months later, on 5th of February, with extreme assiduous, we reached a milestone of Re-uniting 10,000 families, the largest repatriation flight operation to India. Having this enormous success, we knew a lot more had to be done.

The wait is over! Flights from India to Australia

We are working day and night to help thousands of people stuck in India, get back to Australia. Times are tough for travellers, but with the world preparing to reopen in 2021, we’re here with you, operating 24×7 to help you with your travel needs.

With extreme delight and joy, we are happy to announce that Gaura Travel is running Special Charter flights from India to Australia!

https://twitter.com/AusHCIndia/status/1369558502797025283

How to Book my Ticket to Australia

The flight operations to India from all the major cities of Australia are continuing with the schedule for March and April out now! However, at the moment the only people eligible to Travel are:

Australia passport holders
Indian Passport holders with Permanent Residency
People who hold an exemption from Australian Border Forces to travel to Australia.

If you are eligible to travel to Australia you can check dates available and book your ticket here: Charter Flights from India to Australia

Rain or shine, day or night we are here to provide you with a seamless and smooth travel experience. The charter schedule has been released on the official website of Gaura Travel, and tickets can be easily booked with all supporting information provided in the FAQ.

We took the matters into our own hands when no commercial flights were operating to India, and now we will do whatever it takes to connect you back with the land down under.

You tell us where home Is, and we will take you there.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Book your tickets from Australia to India on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME

Tags Australia, Charter Flights, covid-19, India, Pandemic, Passport, Permanent Residency

Why Gaura

Gaura Travel reuniting 10,000 families during COVID-19

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 12/01/2022

The start of the journey…

Gaura Travel a Melbourne-based travel company founded 14 years ago, decided in June last year to face the challenges that COVID-19 brought during 2020. When no commercial flights were operating to India and the whole world was in lockdown, Abhishek and Ashwini Sonthalia (CEOs & founders of Gaura Travel) repatriated Indian citizens from Australia with the help of their team. Since then, the agency has operated more than 40 charter flights reuniting 10,000 families.

Like any other travel company in Australia, Gaura Travel had to close its offices during the first lockdown at the end of march in 2020, however the contact center continued operating 24/7 to solve the doubts of the customers when the confinements started. The future looked tough; the sales decreased to zero and many refunds had been issued due to the unfeasibility of running flights. The uncertainty of this moment in time made the owners and their employees’ resilience more prominent than ever. They had to find new alternatives to keep the travel agency running. Ashwini and Abhishek started to knock on the doors of airlines and government institutions (in Australia and India) seeking for a way to help those in need of travel. After a couple of months, they got support from the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air to operate the firsts repatriation charter flights to India.

The idea was to create a couple of flights to find the best way home for Indians who wanted to return to their country. It was a big surprise for the company when those first two flights got booked out immediately. That was the moment when Gaura Travel opened more monthly flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide to the main cities in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and many more without knowing how long it would be possible to keep doing it for.

A milestone for Gaura Travel

Last Friday, February 5th 2021, Akash Rajput an International Student of Deakin University became the 10,000th passenger of the repatriation charter flights to India from Australia organized by Gaura Travel. This accomplishment made the agency the largest operator of this new charter flight industry. “We didn’t know when we started everything that it would get this far, so it’s all thanks to the support of our customers and our team… we are going to continue on this mission of reuniting as many families as we can…” said Ashwini at Melbourne Airport when he congratulated Akash for being the passenger 10,000 who also got an upgrade of his ticket to Business Class.

“Mr. Raj Kumar, the Consul General of India in Melbourne one day told me, you will get plenty of opportunities in your life to make money but take this as an opportunity to make blessings” expressed Abhishek later the same day during the celebration event of “Reuniting 10,000 families”. The event was organized by the agency which included the attendance of people from the Indian community, the travel industry, the presence of Raj Kumar (Consul General of India in Victoria) and the Gaura Travel team members.

10,000 families have been reunited in India during the last 7 months thanks to the effort of Gaura Travel and the support of the Indian Consulate in Melbourne, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air. The travel agency will organize charter flights for at least the next couple of months (February and March), trying to continue reuniting more than 10,000 families in India during the first quarter of 2021.

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Book your tickets from Australia to India on www.gauratravel.com.au
Gaura Travel – YOUR BEST WAY HOME

Tags Adelaide, Australia, Brisbane, covid-19, Deakin, India, International Student, Lockdown, Malaysia, Malindo, Melbourne, Reuniting Families, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sydney

Travel Guide

National Cabinet Meeting pursues to a suppression strategy

Post author By harshal shah
Post date 29/09/2015

Recently, National Cabinet met to discuss Australia’s Covid-19 retort and concern on new Omicron strain.

According to the update of Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly, WHO has declared the Omicron variant first found in Southern Africa on 24 November 2021 and currently six cases have been detected in Australia. All cases found in Australia have mild symptoms or asymptomatic and are in quarantine.

Australia’s Covid-19 vaccine roll out continue to increase and up to date over 39.2 million Covid-19 vaccines doses have been administrated in Australia. National Cabinet noted that majority of susceptible population have received their Covid-19 vaccines and Australia has sufficient supplies of booster shots available in regarding to vaccine roll out program.

Omicron variant and government response

Professor Paul Kelly further advised that Australia is in the initial stage of understanding the new Omicron variant, and at this stage there’s inadequate evidence that vaccines and treatments are less effective against Omicron than other variants. Hence, there’s no clear evidence at this stage that Omicron is a more acute disease.

Therefore, the Commonwealth and states have already acted on medical advice to implement travel restrictions, revised quarantine, and home isolation requirements. The Commonwealth has implemented a temporary travel ban on non-citizens from Southern Africa entering to Australia and Australians return from Southern Africa countries are required to undergo 14 days quarantine under state or territory public health requirements.

Further the Commonwealth has postponed the reopening to international skilled and student visa cohorts and humanitarian visa holders from 1 December up until 15 December as these are temporary precautions to safeguard the national boarders of Australia.

Though, existing plans will continue for Australians, permanent residents, immediate family including parents and other exempt visa holders including travelers through the New Zealand and Singapore safe travel zones and Pacific Labor Scheme participants.

Isn’t it exciting to hear that the National Cabinet agreed that the Commonwealth and the state governments will continue to pursue a suppression strategy, stating the objective is to limit the rate of Omicron invasions into Australia, rather than going back to lock downs?

Travelling in 2022 with Gaura Travel

https://gopio.gauratravel.au/flight-deals/

Tags Australia, commonwealth, covid-19, government response, home quarantine, omicron variant, suppression strategy, temporary precautions, travel restrictions

Reset Your Password

And now… 50 Charter Flights (19th Mar 2021)

Connecting you back to the Land Down Under

The wait is over! Flights from India to Australia

How to Book my Ticket to Australia

The start of the journey…

A milestone for Gaura Travel

And now… 50 Charter Flights (19^th Mar 2021)