Tourism ministry sanctions 15 projects in southern states worth Rs 1,088 crore

Reddy noted that the conference was in line with the Prime Minister’s idea of cooperative federalism. He said the southern region is unique in its offerings and that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, which focuses on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits, the Ministry has sanctioned 15 projects in southern states worth Rs 1,088 crores. “Under the PRASHAD scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality, Heritage Augmentation Drive), the Ministry has sanctioned 6 projects in the region that amount to 15% of the entire scheme budget,” he added.

The Minister noted that the Ministry of External Affairs, on the request of the Ministry of Tourism, has appointed 20 dedicated Tourism Officers in Indian missions in countries such as Australia, Canada, the US, France, Germany and the Gulf countries. “India’s civilizational heritage goes back many thousands of years and this ‘Azadi Ka Amrit’ Mahotsav is also an opportunity to pay a tribute to all those people that fought for the preservation of our heritage,” he added.

MoS for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and I&B Dr L Murugan highlighted the importance of religious and spiritual tourism. He said the PM’s vision of developing India as a multi-modal tourist destination is now being executed. He said that as we are celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit’ Mahotsav, it is our duty to encourage the younger generations to visit the memorials of these freedom fighters and devote themselves to the service of the nation.

MoS for Tourism and Defence Ajay Bhatt said, “Culture and tourism complement each other in today’s changing world. If culture is the soul of any society, tourism is the medium of understanding and knowing that society. The people of south India have understood this very well and that is why there has often been very good development in the field of tourism here.”

‘Develop Bidar’

MoS for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwant Khuba spoke of the historical significance of Basavanna Kalyan in Bidar, Karnataka and Lord Basaveshwara. Khuba urged the Ministry of Tourism to develop Bidar through tourism schemes like PRASHAD.

ADG of the Ministry of Tourism Rupinder Brar gave a presentation on the various projects/initiatives/programmes being undertaken in the southern region. Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India and Ministry of Tourism V Vidyavathi gave a presentation on heritage projects, monuments and other cultural initiatives in the southern region.