FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: EARTH DAY - EARTH DAY IN 2022 - DATE, SIGNIFICANCE, FUN FACTS, ACTIVITY IDEAS AND QUOTES - Earth Day is widely recognized and celebrated every year on April 22, as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and provoke policy changes; INCREDIBLE INDIA: VICTORIA MEMORIAL, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA - The Victoria Memorial, one of the top historical places in Kolkata, is the brainchild of Lord Curzon, a Viceroy of India.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: EARTH DAY - EARTH DAY IN 2022 - DATE, SIGNIFICANCE, FUN FACTS, ACTIVITY IDEAS AND QUOTES - Earth Day is widely recognized and celebrated every year on April 22, as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and provoke policy changes; INCREDIBLE INDIA: VICTORIA MEMORIAL, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA - The Victoria Memorial, one of the top historical places in Kolkata, is the brainchild of Lord Curzon, a Viceroy of India.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: AGASTHYA - THE HINDU SAGE WHO DRANK THE OCEANS - According to Tamil tradition Agasthya was instrumental in the creation of Tamil language and literature. He is believed to be still dwelling on the mountain Agasthyamalai. Agasthya is also identified with the star Canopus which is the brightest star in the south Indian sky. He is worshipped as a deity in some temples of South India; PEACE IS THE EVENING STAR OF THE SOUL: DISCOVER PEACE OF MIND THROUGH POSITIVE MINDSET - Eternal happiness resides in peace. The desire for peace should be the way to happiness.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: AGASTHYA - THE HINDU SAGE WHO DRANK THE OCEANS - According to Tamil tradition Agasthya was instrumental in the creation of Tamil language and literature. He is believed to be still dwelling on the mountain Agasthyamalai. Agasthya is also identified with the star Canopus which is the brightest star in the south Indian sky. He is worshipped as a deity in some temples of South India; PEACE IS THE EVENING STAR OF THE SOUL: DISCOVER PEACE OF MIND THROUGH POSITIVE MINDSET - Eternal happiness resides in peace. The desire for peace should be the way to happiness.

Lonely Planet’s India is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore the magnificent monument to love that is the Taj Mahal, climb into the high Himalaya and Ladakh’s moonscapes, and experience the dramatic rock-cut grottoes in the caves of Ajanta; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of India and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet’s India Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak Top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of India’s best experiences and where to have them What's new feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas Pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel Planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Over 200 maps Covers Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata, West Bengal, Sikkim, Northeast States, Gujarat, Odisha, Mumbai, Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s India, our most comprehensive guide to India, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Best of India, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

Using microdata from nationally representative household and labor force surveys, we study the impact and drivers of poverty and inequality in India during the pandemic. We have three main findings. First, India has made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades, but the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have temporarily increased poverty and inequality. Second, education and employment status seem to be the main factors associated with poverty and income/consumption changes. Finally, the government’s expansion of food subsidies has likely played a significant role in mitigating the increase in poverty during the pandemic.