Tourism & Travel

New Delhi: Since the beginning of time, the Himalayas have been an attraction for pilgrims, spiritual pursuits, nature lovers, trade, scientific voyages, adventure sports, and mountaineering. The turbulent rivers are a dream for trekkers, rafters, campers, and mountain climbers. And Ladakh, the "land of high passes" is the gateway to this heaven. It was inaccessible to the world until the mid-1970s but today, tourism is its most promising sector.Ladakh is matchless in its biophysical and socio-cultural elements. The Vision Document for Ladakh promotes inclusive growth benefitting the local community.The Ministry of Tourism unveiled its unexplored potential and rebranded Ladakh as a sustainable eco-destination. The Union Territory (UT) is being transformed into a high-value low-impact tourism destination. Unfortunately, since the popularity of destinations is skewed, many remote areas have not received their due attention forcing their inhabitants to migrate. With development across all regions in the UT, more employment opportunities will be created for locals, and seeing the economic gains, migration will come to a halt. The tourist overrun zones like Leh and Diskit will be relieved and ecological, social, and cultural balance will be maintained in the region. This is the basis of the Tourism Vision Document.The Tourism Vision Document focuses on the topographical advantage and cultural heritage of Ladakh without jeopardising its delicate ecosystem and scaling tourism to contribute to the economic and social well-being of the people of this region. To achieve this, it is necessary to (i) Improve Infrastructure; (ii) Conduct an assessment of the carrying capacity of Ladakh; (iii) Discover new treks, construct new roads; (iv) Improve garbage disposal and sanitation facilities; (v) Ensure quick evacuation services in case of emergencies; and (vi) Provide facilities for tourists to stay in winter season.This plan will require effort and local collaboration. For that, the administration will (i) Build Local Capacity; (ii) Set up a specialised institute for professional training in hospitality management; (iii) Encourage local arts and crafts especially through the market for souvenirs; (iv) Encourage Community-Based Tourism; and (v) Decentralise tourism infrastructure to villages.The plan aims to (i) Expand the Tourism Package; (ii) Tap the market for winter tourism; and (iii) Explore ancient trade routes, pilgrimage tourism, eco-tourism.In 2018, the tourist count in Ladakh crossed three lakh which is higher than the population of this Union Territory. This is why a critical analysis of short- and long-term gains and losses is needed. The Vision Document aims to make Ladakh more self-reliant than self-sufficient. It will recall and strengthen Ladakh's traditional system of agriculture and livestock production, use the latest scientific technology for increased productivity, and bring more land under cultivation in Ladakh.Starting as an experiment, Astrostays first came up in Maan village in Ladakh, attracting more than 350 guests in a few months. Tourists stay with members of a certain community and learn about their culture and lifestyle. With this activity, Ladakh's potential for "Homestay Tourism" was discovered.Recently Ladakh administration invested its attention in "Astro-Tourism" in Hanle village by collaborating with Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh R.K Mathur aims to market this as a flagship tourism product of the UT based on its geography.Ladakh's Astrostay so far has witnessed more than 600 tourists, yielding over $25,000 in revenue. They are owned and operated by the natives, so the revenue generated gets reinvested in local infrastructure.Wellness Tourism is another area of interest for the Centre. In the last decade, Ayurveda retreats in South India have been a big hit. Similarly, Ladakh can be brought to light for spa and yoga retreats as it offers an ideal set-up for wellness centres.The upcoming event in this territory is the annual celebration of Ladakh's Hemis Festival on July 8 and 9. On the tenth day of the lunar month (known as Tse-Chu), the festival is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to the Himalayan region.Ladakh also witnessed its first-ever three-day International Music Festival in Leh. Local bands and troupes from across the country performed at this event. The event was in remembrance of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The Ministry of Culture and Ladakh Tourism Department will be putting up many such shows to spotlight the region's talent.Last year, post the global pandemic, Ladakh opened its doors with the "Zanskar Youth Festival 2021". During the 13-day festival, visitors were given a unique yoga experience in the quiet and pristine atmosphere, a trekking adventure over the frozen Zanskar River, savoring the local cuisine, and immersion in the native culture and festivals.On National Tourism Day 2021, an Ice Hockey Rink in Biamathang (Kargil district of Ladakh) was also inaugurated. In April 2020, the Ministry of Tourism had launched the "Dekho Apna Desh" webinar series and conducted its fifth webinar on the legacy of Ladakh titled "Ladakh: Explore the Unexplored".The region's most awaited construction, the Zojila tunnel (between Baltal and Minamarg on Srinagar-Leh section of the NH-1), will be Asia's longest (14.15 km) and highest bi-directional all-weather tunnel. On completion, it will surpass Atal tunnel at 11,575 feet above sea level. Zojila Tunnel (completion due in December 2023) will end all qualms of connectivity and uplift the socio-economic condition of the region. It will cut short the distance between Srinagar and Ladakh from 40 kilometers to 13 kilometers! —IANS

Since the beginning of time, the Himalayas have been an attraction for pilgrims, spiritual pursuits, nature lovers, trade, scientific voyages, adventure sports, and mountaineering. 

Exploring The New Ladakh: Tourism Vision Document

Jeddah: Following the re-outbreak of Covid-19 and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.The sixteen countries where the citizens of Saudi Arabia are banned to travel apart from India include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, Belarus, and Venezuela, reported Gulf News.Further, the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has assured the public that zero monkeypox cases have been detected in the country. Abdullah Asiri, Deputy Minister of Health for preventive health has said that the Kingdom has the capability to monitor and discover any suspected monkeypox cases and also to fight against the infection if any new case emerges."Until now, cases of transmission between humans are very limited, and therefore the possibility of any outbreaks occurring from it, even in countries that have detected cases, are very low," he added.Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and said they are working to better understand the extent and cause of the outbreak.In a statement issued on Friday, the WHO said the virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers.&nbsp;—ANI

Following the re-outbreak of Covid-19 and the rapid surge in the number of daily Covid infections over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to sixteen countries, including India.

Saudi Arabia Bans Travel To 16 Countries Including India Over New Covid Outbreaks

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Minister for Development of North East Region, Tourism and Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy addressed the ‘Round Table of Indian Foreign Service officers’, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India. The conference witnessed several dignitaries from the Union government, diplomats, senior officers and investors from different segments. The Minister spoke on the increasing opportunities for investors in the North East Region due to a positive growth-oriented environment established in the region. He also highlighted how improvement in the security situation, better connectivity and unparalleled political will central government’s focus on the region, has ushered in an era of development and growth.The Minister said that the recent Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – NE Festival, celebrated from 28th&nbsp;April to 4 May, helped initiate dialogue on many critical issues and proved to be of immense significance for the policy makers and general public alike. He further added that throughout the discussions, two aspects were found to be fundamental for strengthening the region - the need for greater Public Private Partnership and tapping into inherent potential of the region such as Tourism, organic farming, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, textiles, handicrafts, IT sector,BPO and services industry, were found to be common across.&nbsp;<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image001I71U.jpg"> He also remarked that there is considerable demand for NE products and interest of foreign investors in NER but there is lack of awareness and a lot of misconceptions exist.He called on all the IFS officers to leverage their global presence to spread the word and help build brand “North East India as Paradise Unexplored and a Land of Unlimited Opportunities”. He also urged them to become ambassadors of the huge cultural capital and tourism potential of the North East Region.The minister also emphasised the fact that the IFS officers must catalyse the global investment community and industry to turn towards North East India.He said that with collective efforts, India can make the most of the Amrit Kaal, unleash the power of North East and establish it as the growth engine of Atmanirbhar Bharat.Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India, the event was held as part of the Mid-Career Training program for senior IFS officers. The interactive session covered investment promotion and other initiatives of the government towards building brand India.

The Minister for Development of North East Region, Tourism and Culture, Shri G. Kishan Reddy addressed the ‘Round Table of Indian Foreign Service officers’, organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Invest India. The conference witnessed several dignitaries from the Union government, diplomats, senior officers and investors from different segments.

  Reddy calls on  IFS officers to leverage their global presence to help build brand 'North East India as Paradise Unexplored'

Religious Tourism

New Delhi (The Hawk): Ministry of Tourism has initiated establishing ‘YUVA Tourism Clubs’ as&nbsp;part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. The vision of YUVA Tourism Clubs is to nurture and develop young ambassadors of Indian tourism who would become aware of tourism possibilities in India, appreciate our rich cultural heritage and develop an interest and passion for tourism. These young ambassadors would be catalysts for promoting tourism in India. Participation in Tourism Clubs is also expected to facilitate development of soft skills like teamwork, management, leadership besides encouraging adoption of responsible tourism practices and concern for sustainable tourism.Central Board of Secondary Education has come forward to support the initiative of Ministry of Tourism and issued instructions to all CBSE affiliated schools regarding formation of Yuva Tourism Clubs.Speaking on this, Union Tourism Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that youth are the best Ambassadors of India and its rich cultural, spiritual and natural heritage. The Yuva Tourism clubs that are being set up in various schools will promote national integration and build on the Prime Minister's vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha&nbsp;Bharat.&nbsp;Shri Reddy further added that students will now be aware of domestic destinations and equipped with the tools to promote the tourism sector. The tourism clubs help children to be more aware about their states and neighborhood along with the cultural aspects. This further builds on the clarion call of Dekho Apna Desh by the Prime Minister.The young members of these clubs would gain exposure to the rich diversity of India, and its civilizational values, it would enhance their sense of belonging towards the nation. On the other hand, as the youth become tourist ambassadors, India will become the favoured tourist destination of the world which will then have a cascading impact on our economy.The Ministry of Tourism has shared a ‘Handbook for Schools for conduct of Tourism Clubs’. The Handbook reiterates the purposes, operational strategies along with specific guidelines and suggestions for conduct of various activities. The proposed sample of activities is suggestive and the teachers and schools are encouraged to incorporate allied activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) programme like excursion, online or e-tourism, pen pals in the paired State/UT, learning the language of the paired State/UT, having exposure to the diversity, natural resources and rich heritage of India.YUVA Tourism Clubs would also enable learners to appreciate the importance of travel and tourism, ignite a passion for tourism and its value in learners, sensitize learners to various elements of travel, encourage, teach and propagate responsible tourism practices, improve physical &amp; mental health through exploratory, adventure and sports tourism and spread awareness about tourism opportunities at an early stage and encourage learners to be skilled professionals and entrepreneurs in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Ministry of Tourism has initiated establishing ‘YUVA Tourism Clubs’ as part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations. 

Ministry of Tourism initiative of establishing ‘YUVA Tourism Clubs’ gets support from CBSE

Delhi (The Hawk): The&nbsp;Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its“Incredible India” brand line is participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai -2022 being held from 9th to 12th May, 2022 showcasing India’s rich &amp; diversified tourism potential and providing a platform to the tourism stakeholders to showcase the various tourism destinations and products including Niche products. Also, it is aimed to promote India as a ‘Must See, Must Visit’ destination.During the Mart the India Pavilion is showcasing India as a “365 Days Destination” a year-round multi-faceted tourist destination such as Culture, Adventure, Cruise, Golf, MICE, luxury, wildlife, wellness and medical tourism etc. India Reopening as a theme has been amplified during the mart with the ‘Namaste Campaign’ to welcome International Travellers showcasing must-visit destinations of India.The India Pavilion was inaugurated in the august presence of Mr. Satpal Maharaj, Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Dr. Aman Puri H.E. Consul General of India to Dubai, Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism &amp; MD, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board and Mr. Kitto Zhimomi, Commissioner &amp;Secretary, Government of Nagaland.Around 18 Participants from India representing the State Tourism Government of Kerala, Nagaland and Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hoteliers/Resorts, will be present in the India Pavilion showcasing the diverse tourism products and services. Apart from this, State Government of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka are also showcasing the tourism potential that States have to offer.The Indian tourism outlook is certainly very promising with an upward trend in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA)barring the period of Covid-19 pandemic since March 2020 when the international travel was suspended in majority parts of the world. As the situation is getting slowly &amp; steadily normalized and the international travel has resumed, India is seeing a positive response from most of the source markets. The Gulf and the Middle East region is one of the most important markets forvIndia. The availability of e-Visa facility in three different segments that is tourist, business &amp; medical segment makes it far more convenient for visitors to travel to India. Also, Ministry of Tourism has been undertaking focused campaigns to target the Indian Diaspora in line with the appeal Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of ‘ChaloIndia’ thereby urging Indian Diaspora to inspire at least five of their non-Indian friends every year to visit India, calling them 'Rashtradoot'.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image002393R.jpg">India is an experiential destination with its kaleidoscope of ancient culture and heritage, ancient systems of healing like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy, natural beauty including 70% of the Himalayas and over 7500 km long coastline, rich flora and fauna, world class medical facilities and many other aspects make India the favored destination for the discerning traveler. The enchanting backwaters, hill stations and landscapes make India a beautiful country.India’s rich and diverse natural, cultural, and religious heritage provides a unique opportunity for tourism, ranging from the architecture of palaces, forts, temples, to the grandeur of its sculptures, and the beauty of its paintings, the scenic landscapes all offering an unparalleled experience. The Indian Himalayas are a complete destination in themselves and span across six states of India namely Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and the hill regions of West Bengal.Theme based schemes for the integrated development of circuits for improvement of infrastructure in the country have been launched by the Ministry of Tourism to enable tourists experience the destination fully. The Ministry of Tourism has also taken the initiative of identifying, diversifying, developing and promoting nascent / upcoming niche tourism products. These have resulted in the development of unique products like Rural, Adventure, Eco, Wellness, Golf, MICE, Medical and Cruise Tourism.<img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image003GEFF.jpg">One of the regions in focus is the North Eastern region of India which comprises the eight States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Promotion of tourism of the North Eastern States of India with its rich and diverse tourism products, variety of flora and fauna, and also home to the unique Asian one horned Rhino, is being given special emphasis. This area is also becoming popular with tourists for River Cruises. In order to showcase the tourism potential of the region in domestic and key international markets, Ministry of Tourism in association with the North-Eastern States organizes the International Tourism Mart (ITM) annually in one of the North Eastern States.India has emerged as a Destination for Medical / Wellness Travel in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The percentage of Foreign Tourist Arrivals visiting India for Medical Treatment has been increasing over the years and growing rapidly. India is poised to become a hub for medical tourism because of several factors viz. world class hospitals with latest technology; highly skilled Indian physicians and surgeons; cost effective treatment; excellent quality of care and nursing; less waiting time for availing of medical services; traditional healthcare therapies like Ayurveda &amp; Yoga combined with allopathic treatment providing a holistic wellness destination.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under its“Incredible India” brand line is participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai -2022 being held from 9th to 12th May, 2022 showcasing India’s rich & diversified tourism potential and providing a platform to the tourism stakeholders to showcase the various tourism destinations and products including Niche products.

Tourism under its “Incredible India” brand line participates at Arabian Travel Market

&nbsp;New Delhi : Nothing beats packing your bags, planning your itinerary, and giving in to your wanderlust. Travelling to a new place full of endless adventures and possibilities is an unrivalled feeling that should be felt whenever the opportunity arises. While travelling has many advantages, there is one disadvantage that can put a damper on travel plans: the effect it has on the skin. If you frequently return from trips with irritated and flared-up skin, we've got you covered with the best travel skincare routine to follow.It is critical to first understand a problem before attempting to solve it. There are a variety of environmental factors that can cause skin problems when travelling. Changes in humidity, air quality, temperature, and even sun exposure can all have a negative impact on the skin. It can cause it to feel dry, irritated, itchy, red, flaky, or even break outs. Furthermore, factors such as travel stress and aeroplane dehydration can play a significant role in this. Changes in our external environment throw the skin off its usual routine and game, causing it to deviate from its normal health.While the causes, concerns, and treatments for these skin issues vary from case to case, there is a general skincare regimen and hacks that you can use to prevent damage and stay one step ahead. To begin, it is critical to maintain some consistency and familiarity in the midst of a lot of change. Pack one or two of your daily skincare products that your skin is familiar with and responds well to. Obtaining travel-sized versions of them or using mini travel containers and transferring some product into them is an easy way to accomplish this.One important skincare tip for travellers is to keep things simple but effective. Travelling may not be the best time to bring your 12-step skincare routine with you. What you require is a gentle cleanser capable of removing all dirt and excess makeup from your trip adventures. Following that, you'll need a light yet deeply hydrating moisturiser to restore the suppleness of your skin.The skin frequently becomes dehydrated while travelling for a variety of reasons. As a result, a variety of other skin issues arise. Keeping a highly effective moisturiser in your suitcase is the best travel companion you can bring along to maintain your vacation look every day while keeping your skin healthy.It is critical to scale back the regime and eliminate products that serve only a single purpose. The key word here is efficiency. You need products that contain all of the necessary ingredients and can assist you in addressing a variety of skincare concerns with the help of a single formula. This will save you space while also allowing you to maintain a minimalistic skincare routine that works wonders without breaking the bank.To name a few, essential ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid (to smooth and plump the skin), vitamin C (to reduce lines and boost radiance), activated C (to help increase skin clarity), salicylic acid (to visibly reduce discoloration and renew the skin's texture), and peony extract (to prevent oxidative damage). When combined with activated C, the last few ingredients work wonders. This ingredient list is also beneficial for a variety of skincare issues, including dark spots, sallowness, post-acne marks, uneven skin tone, and loss of radiance.Travel is meant to be a blessing that allows you to explore the world and all that it has to offer, and something so wonderful should not come at the expense of your skin's health. Following a minimal yet effective skincare routine while travelling is the key to overcoming these travel skincare issues—IANS

Nothing beats packing your bags, planning your itinerary, and giving in to your wanderlust. Travelling to a new place full of endless adventures and possibilities is an unrivalled feeling that should be felt whenever the opportunity arises.

Travel skincare woes solved with a moisture enriched regime

Medical Tourism

CHENNAI : The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced fare-free travel for children within 5 years of age in all kinds of buses operated by all the government-run transport corporations.Making announcements in the Assembly on new initiatives (2022-23) for his department, Transport Minister S S Sivasankar said children within 5 years of age would be allowed to travel without paying fare in all kinds of buses run by government transport corporations.Presently, for children between 3 and 12 years of age, 'half-fare' (half of the fare collected from adult passengers) system is operational.To increase revenue, a portion of the luggage space in long distance buses would be offered for a fee on a trial basis to parcel and courier services, he said.Introducing automated travel ticket system, integrating all public modes of transport, on the lines of the National Common Mobility Card norms, and setting up a centre to redress the grievances of passengers of government transport corporations were among his other announcements—PTI

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced fare-free travel for children within 5 years of age in all kinds of buses operated by all the government-run transport corporations.

TN announces fare-free travel in govt buses for children

Kullu (The Hawk): Sainj area of Kullu district would be developed from tourism point of view under the ‘Nai Rahaen Nai Manjilien’ programme, a combined office building would also be constructed at Sainj and bed capacity in CHC Sainj would be increased to 50 beds to facilitate the people of the area.&nbsp;These announcements were made by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while addressing a largely attended public meeting at Sainj in Banjar Vidhan Sabha area of Kullu district today on the occasion of Sainj Mela after laying foundation stones of Rs. 2.70 crore Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple Sainj and Rs. 2.07 crore WSS Larji Gram Panchyat Kotla under Har Ghar Nal Se Jal scheme. He also performed the opening ceremony of the Block Elementary Education Office at Sainj on the occasion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Minister said that fairs and festivals were the rich repository of the rich cultural diversity of the State. He said that fairs were also a major source of wholesome entertainment particularly in the rural areas. He said that organizing these fairs in a befitting manner not only help in conserving the rich traditions and culture of the State, but also helps in strengthening our roots. He said that one should always feel proud of their culture as only those societies progress that loves its culture.Jai Ram Thakur said that the people of the State during the last over four year have been immensely benefitted by various welfare schemes and developmental programmes of the State and the Centre Governments. He said that the Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna, Ayushman Bharat Yojna, Ujjawal Yojna etc. of the Centre Government have benefitted lakhs of people of the State. Similarly, Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojna, Sahara Yojna, HIMCARE, Mukhyamantri Sawablamban Yojna had benefitted almost every household of the State, he added. Chief Minister said that going a step forward, on the occasion of Himachal Day this year, he has announced to provide 50 per cent concession in fare to women in HRTC buses and free power upto 125 units per month to domestic electricity consumers. He said that the State Government has also decided that free water would be provided in rural areas of the State. He said that welfare schemes and initiatives of the present State Government were not going well with the Congress leaders. He said that the State Government also made a record enhancement in the honorarium of various para workers. He said that daily wages of daily wagers have also been enhanced by Rs. 50 per day during the current financial year which was a record in itself.Jai Ram Thakur said that during the corona pandemic the strong leadership provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that the minimum possible losses were caused to the lives and economy of the country. He said that the nation under the able leadership of Narendra Modi not only developed indigenous vaccine, but also successfully launched free vaccination campaign in the country. He said that the State also got a special assistance of Rs. 800 crore due to benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards people of the State.&nbsp;The Chief Minister announced upgradation of Government Middle School Sinhan to High school, Government High School Kanoun to Senior Secondary School, Government Primary Schools Manihar and Koishudhar to Middle schools.&nbsp;Various social, political and cultural organizations also honoured the Chief Minister on the occasion.&nbsp;MLA Banjar Surender Shourie, while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries to his home constituency, said that it was the blessings of the deities of the area that the Chief Minister has today laid foundation stones of Rs. 2.70 crore Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple at Sainj. He said that the area has witnessed unparalleled development during the tenure of the present State Government headed by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that Degree College and ITI in the area was possible due to the love and affection of the Chief Minister towards the people of this constituency. He said that the area has immense tourism potential, thus he urged the Chief Minister to develop it from tourism point of view.&nbsp;He also detailed various developmental demands of the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;Education Minister Govind Singh Thakur, District BJP President Bhim Sain Sharma, Senior BJP Leader Brig. Khushal Thakur, Mandal BJP President Baldev Mahant, Deputy Commissioner Kullu Ashutosh Garg, SP Gurdev Sharma, were present on the occasion among others.

Sainj area of Kullu district would be developed from tourism point of view under the ‘Nai Rahaen Nai Manjilien’ programme, a combined office building would also be constructed at Sainj and bed capacity in CHC Sainj would be increased to 50 beds to facilitate the people of the area.

Sainj Area Of Kullu District Would Be Developed From Tourism Point Of View: HP CM

Mathura: The Uttar Pradesh government will develop 14 tourist circuits to promote tourism in the state, a minister said on Friday.One of these 14 tourist circuits would be dedicated to martyrs, Uttar Pradesh Minister for Tourism and Culture Jayveer Singh said.Braj Bhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, would be developed as a new tourist hub displaying its ancient culture, the minister said after inaugurating the four-day Amrit Sangeet Utsav here.The state government will develop new infrastructure and provide a facelift to Mathura with the cooperation of people, he said—PTI

The Uttar Pradesh government will develop 14 tourist circuits to promote tourism in the state, a minister said on Friday.

UP govt will develop 14 tourist circuits: Minister

New Delhi (The Hawk) : Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will chair the meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC)&nbsp;on Friday, 6th May, 2022 at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi . The National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) is the apex body providing policy directions and guidance for port led development-Sagarmala projects and reviews its implementation. The NSAC was constituted on 13.05.2015 by the Union Cabinet and is chaired by Minister for Ports, Shipping &amp; Waterways with Cabinet Ministers from stakeholder central Ministries and Chief Ministers &amp; Administrators of Maritime States and Union territories respectively as members. This meeting&nbsp;&nbsp;will be attended by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport &amp; Highways, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce &amp; Industry, Consumer Affairs &amp; Food &amp; Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Skill development and entrepreneurship, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of civil aviation, Shri Ashwini Vaishnav, Minister of Railways, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekawat Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of environment, forest and climate change , Shri G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism ,Shri Pramod Sawant , Chief Minister of Goa ,Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.The committee shall review the Sagarmala program along with review of development of port linked Road and Rail connectivity project, development of Floating jetties and Inland waterways besides other agenda items. Holistic development of coastal communities through a new initiative ‘Sagartat Samriddhi Yojana’ will also be taken up for discussion in the meeting. In its previous two meetings, NSAC has provided the necessary platform and thrust for the Sagarmala initiative, this meeting will analyse the progress on various decisions taken during those meetings.Sagarmala is a National Programme aimed at accelerating economic development in the country by harnessing the potential of India’s 7,500 km long coastline and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways announced by the&nbsp;Prime Minister in 2014 and approved by the Union Cabinet on 25th March 2015. It holds a vision to reduce logistics cost for both domestic and EXIM cargo with optimal infrastructure investment.&nbsp;The projects under the scheme have been categorized into five pillars:<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Port modernization &amp; new port development,</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Port connectivity enhancement,</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Port-led industrialization,</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Coastal community development and</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Coastal shipping and Inland water transport</li></ol>Projects under Sagarmala are being implemented by relevant Major Ports, Central Ministries, State Maritime Boards, State Governments and other agencies. Sagarmala program was conceptualized in 2015-16 with 175 projects which increased over the years, in consultation with states and major ports, to 802 projects currently worth investment of Rs.5.48 lakh Crore. Addition of new projects in sagarmala is a continuous process in the ministry wherein states and implementing agencies progressively submit their new proposals which are taken for consideration for funding as per their requirement. Out of the total 802 projects, currently 202 projects worth Rs. 99,281 Crore have been completed, 216 projects worth Rs. 2.12 lakh Crore are under implementation and 384 projects worth Rs. 2.37 Lakh Crore are under various stages of development.This Apex committee meeting is expected to propel the Sagarmala Project implementation to further heights at a time when the Prime Minister is giving focused attention in ensuring timely completion of implementing projects and incorporating new projects for maritime development through PM GatiShakti initiative.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will chair the meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) on Friday, 6th May, 2022 at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi .

Sarbananda Sonowal to chair meeting of NSAC  on Friday, 6th May to review Sagarmala projects

Dehradun: Ahead of the Char Dham Yatra, which is set to begin on May 3, the Uttarakhand government has fixed the daily limit on the number of pilgrims.As many as 15,000 pilgrims will be allowed daily at Badrinath, 12,000 at Kedarnath, 7,000 at Gangotri and 4,000 at Yamunotri. This arrangement has been made for 45 days.It is not mandatory for the pilgrims to carry a negative test report or COVID-19 vaccination certificate this year.Earlier on Saturday, Chief Secretary SS Sandhu took a meeting of the concerned officers on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to clear the confusion regarding carrying out COVID-19 tests of the travellers and pilgrims coming from outside Uttarakhand.To date, it is not mandatory for passengers and devotees arriving from the state borders to undergo COVID-19 testing, and present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, the official said. However, it is mandatory for all the travellers and devotees to register on the portal operated by the Tourism Department for Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand. —ANI

Ahead of the Char Dham Yatra, which is set to begin on May 3, the Uttarakhand government has fixed the daily limit on the number of pilgrims.

Uttarakhand Govt Fixes Daily Limit For Char Dham Yatra

Uttarakhand Govt Fixes Daily Limit For Char Dham Yatra Pilgrims

Tehri Garhwal: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday inaugurated the Kaddukhal-Siddhpeeth Devi ropeway service and said that the ropeway initiative will be a relief to the devotees and tourists coming for the darshan.After the inauguration, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the Maa Surkanda Devi Temple and wished for the state's happiness and prosperity."The inauguration of this ropeway will be a relief to the devotees and tourists coming for the darshan of Maa Surkanda Devi. They had to walk on foot from here for around 2 hours, they can now go easily. This will also benefit the tourism sector," said Dhami.The Chief Minister said that the ropeway service will also increase the livelihood of the people at the local level and along with religious tourism, adventure tourism is also being promoted in the state."The ropeway project is a major means of pollution-free transport for commuters and tourists. Action is being taken by the state government for the construction of various ropeway projects in the districts under the Parvatmala scheme of the Centre. Various adventure water sports are being conducted in the giant lake spread over 42 square kilometers in the Tehri district. Other activities related to tourism are being planned in this lake," he said.Dhami further said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, development works are being done rapidly in all the areas of the state."In 2025, when we celebrate the silver jubilee of the establishment of the state of Uttarakhand, it will be among the leading states of the country in this area. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit Chardham Yatra this year. Every effort has been made to ensure that the devotees get every facility in the state," he added.The Chief Minister also directed the District Magistrate Tehri to identify land for the construction of a permanent helipad in this area.Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said "With the start of ropeway service for Maa Surkanda, there will be a rapid increase in the number of devotees. Efforts are being made to provide all possible facilities for the devotees in view of the Chardham Yatra. Religious and adventure tourism is also being promoted in other areas of the state." The length of the ropeway built at a cost of about 5 crores to reach the Surkanda Devi temple is 502 meters. Its capacity is about 500 persons per hour.Surkanda Devi Temple Ropeway Service is the first important ropeway project after the formation of the state of Uttarakhand, which has been constructed by the State Tourism Department. With the start of the Surkanda Devi Ropeway service, devotees will be able to easily have darshan of Mother Surkanda Devi throughout the year in just five to ten minutes from Kaddukhal. —ANI

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday inaugurated the Kaddukhal-Siddhpeeth Devi ropeway service and said that the ropeway initiative will be a relief to the devotees and tourists coming for the darshan.

Uttarakhand: Kaddukhal-Siddhpeeth Devi Ropeway Service To Boost Tourism

New Dehli (TheHawk): The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the inaugural ceremony of year-long joint celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya today at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. He also launched the logo for year- long joint celebrations. Both Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Brahma Vidhyalaya were started with the blessing and guidance of great social reformer Shri Narayana Guru. Apart from the spiritual leaders of Sivagiri Mutt and devotees, Union Ministers, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Shri V. Muraleedharan were among those present on the occasion.The Prime Minister expressed his happiness on receiving saints in his house. He recalled meeting Sivagiri Mutt saints and devotees over the years and how he always felt energized by the interaction. He recalled the time of Uttrakhand-Kedarnath tragedy when despite having Congress government at the centre and a Defence Minister from Kerala, he, as Chief Minister of Gujarat was asked to help Sivagiri Mutt saints by the Mutt. The Prime Minister said that he will never forget this privilege.The Prime Minister commented that celebrations of 90th anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya are not confined to the journey of these institutions but “this is also the immortal journey of that idea of India, which keeps moving forward through different mediums in different periods.” He continued “be it the city of Shiva in Varanasi or Shivagiri in Varkala, every centre of India's energy holds a special place in the lives of all of us Indians. These places are not mere pilgrimages, they are not just centres of faith, they are awakened establishments of the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.”The Prime Minister pointed out that while many countries and civilizations strayed from their Dharma and materialism took place of spiritualism, in India, said the Prime Minister, our sages and Gurus always refined our thoughts and enhanced our behaviour. The Prime Minister said that Shri Narayan Guru talked of modernity but he also enriched Indian culture and values. He talked of education and science but never shied away from raising the glory of the dharma, faith and thousand years old traditions of India. Shri Narayan Guru campaigned against stereotypes and evils and made India aware of its reality. He fought a logical and practical fight against the discrimination going on in the name of casteism. “Today, with the same inspiration of Narayan Guru Ji, the country is serving the poor, downtrodden, backward, giving them their rights”, the Prime Minister said, adding that the country is moving with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.Calling Shri Narayan Guru a radical thinker and a practical reformer, the Prime Minister said that the Guru Ji always followed the decorum of discussion and always tried to understand the viewpoint of the other and tried to convey his viewpoint collaboratively by working with the other person. He used to create an environment in the society that the society itself used to get in the direction of self-improvement with the right rationale. The Prime Minister elaborated that when we walk on this path of reforming the society, then a power of self-improvement is also awakened in the society. He gave the example of social adoption of the campaign of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao in recent times where the situation improved with speed as the government was able to create the right environment.The Prime Minister further said, as Indians, we have only one caste i.e. Indianness. We have only one religion – the dharma of service and duty. We have only one god – Mother India. Shri Narayan Guru’s exhortation of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’ gives a spiritual dimension to our patriotism, he added. “We all know that no goal of the world is impossible for the united Indians”, he said.In the backdrop of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister once again put forward his analysis of the freedom struggle which according to him always had a spiritual foundation. The Prime Minister said, “our freedom struggle was never confined to the expression of protest and political strategies. While it was a fight to break the chains of slavery, it was informed by the vision of how we will be as an independent country as, only what we are opposed to is not important, it what we stand for is more important.”Prime Minister recalled the epoch-making meetings of titans of the freedom struggle with Shri Narayan Guru. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhi Ji and Swami Vivekananda and many other dignitaries met Shri Narayan Guru on different occasions and in these meetings, the Prime Minister said, seeds of reconstruction of India were sowed, results of which are visible in today’s India and 75-year journey of the nation. Noting the fact that in 10 years Sivagiri Pilgrimage and in 25 years India’s freedom will celebrate its centenary. On this occasion our achievement and vision should be global in dimension, he said.Sivagiri Pilgrimage is held every year for three days from December 30 to January 1 at Sivagiri, Thiruvananthapuram. According to the Shri Narayana Guru, the aim of pilgrimage should be the creation of comprehensive knowledge among the people and the pilgrimage should help in their overall development and prosperity. The pilgrimage, therefore, focuses on eight subjects viz education, cleanliness, piety, handicrafts, trade and commerce, agriculture, science &amp; technology and organised endeavour.The pilgrimage started with a handful of devotees in 1933 but now has become one of the major events in South India. Every year, lakhs of devotees from all over the world irrespective of caste, creed, religion and language visit Sivagiri to participate in the pilgrimage.Shri Narayan Guru had also envisioned a place to teach the principles of all religions with equanimity and equal respect. The Brahma Vidhyalaya of Sivagiri was set up to realise this vision. Brahma Vidhyalaya offers a course of 7-years on Indian Philosophy including the works of Shri Narayan Guru and scriptures of all-important religions of the world.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participated in the inaugural ceremony of year-long joint celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Sivagiri Pilgrimage and Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya today at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. 

PM participates in the inaugural ceremony of   Celebrations of 90th anniv of Sivagiri Pilgrimage  & Golden Jubilee of Brahma Vidhyalaya    	

Dehradun: Enthusiasm among devotees coming for the Char Dham yatra beginning on May 3 is at its peak with more than one lakh pilgrims having registered so far for the pilgrimage.&nbsp;The Uttarakhand tourism department has made registration of pilgrims for the yatra mandatory this time for their safety and well-being. Pilgrims, therefore, are registering themselves online on the department"s website. Char Dham yatra begins this year on May 3 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi district.&nbsp;The portals of Kedarnath will open for devotees on May 6 and those of Badrinath on May 8. Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar said from May 3 to May 31, 15,829 pilgrims have registered for Yamunotri, 16,804 for Gangotri, 41,107 for Kedarnath and 29,488 for Badrinath. With the Covid pandemic situation returning to normal, pilgrims in large numbers are expected to come for the yatra this year, he said. It is for the first time that they are being provided the facility of online registration and verification.&nbsp;Their registration details are being shared with the district administrations concerned so that they know how many devotees visited the shrine on which day, the official said. It will also help the administration make better arrangements for devotees at the Himalayan temples, he said.&nbsp;—PTI&nbsp;

 Enthusiasm among devotees coming for the Char Dham yatra beginning on May 3 is at its peak with more than one lakh pilgrims having registered so far for the pilgrimage.   The Uttarakhand tourism department has made registration of pilgrims for the yatra mandatory this time for their safety and well-being. Pilgrims, therefore, are registering themselves online on the department"s website. Char Dham yatra begins this year on May 3 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi district. 

Over 1 Lakh Pilgrims Register For Char Dham Yatra In Uttarakhand

Jammu: The registration for the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir commenced across the country on Monday with enthusiastic pilgrims making a beeline for designated bank branches to secure a permit for undertaking the journey. The 43-day yatra is scheduled to start on June 30 after the coronavirus pandemic enforced break of two years. The journey will begin from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km from Nunwan to the cave shrine from Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, and 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.The government, this year, is also introducing a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system for pilgrims to track their movement en-route to ensure their well-being.Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which manages the annual pilgrimage, has designated 566 branches across the country for the registration of the pilgrims, in addition to the facility on its website.According to SASB, no one below the age of 13 years or above the age of 75 years, and no woman with more than six week’s pregnancy, shall be registered for the yatra.“The registration has started at our branches in Rehari, Katra, Reasi, Akhnoor and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir besides 316 other branches across the country,” Deputy General Manager, Punjab National Bank (PNB), Jammu Circle, Yatinder Kumar told reporters at Rehari branch here where several pilgrims registered for the yatra on the first day.He said the pilgrims have to submit an application, compulsory health certificate from SASB-designated hospitals, four photographs and a fee of Rs 120.However, those who have registered for the yatra last year, but could not undertake the pilgrimage have to deposit only Rs 20 as fees, the official said, adding that those pilgrims who have crossed 75 years of age would be refunded Rs 100 which have been deposited as registration fee with the application last year after depositing the permit slip.Kumar said each branch of PNB will register 30 intending pilgrims on a daily basis – 15 each for the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.“We are very happy over the restart of the yatra after a gap of two years… we are thankful to the government,” Ranjeet Singh, a local resident, said.He said he had already performed the yatra 14 times in the past from both the routes and had never faced any problem.“This time, the shrine board has made additional arrangements and we are eagerly waiting for the day to have ‘darshan’ (glimpse) of the naturally formed ice shivling,” Singh added.Besides the Punjab National Bank, the registration can also be done at designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, YES bank and State Bank of India.Officials further said the registration and issue of yatra permit will be done on a first come-first-serve basis for the yatra, which will commence on June 30 with all Covid protocols in place and will culminate, as per the tradition, on the day of Raksha Bandhan (August 11).The Amarnath Yatra was cancelled midway in 2019 ahead of abrogation of Article 370 in August that year, while only a symbolic yatra was observed during the past two years due to the outbreak of the pandemic.During this year’s yatra, SASB has decided to put in place a daily route-wise pilgrims ceiling to 10,000, excluding those travelling by helicopters.The board has also decided to extend the free-of-cost battery car service for the pilgrims at the 2.75 km-long Baltal to Domel stretch.—PTI

 The registration for the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir commenced across the country on Monday with enthusiastic pilgrims making a beeline for designated bank branches to secure a permit for undertaking the journey.

Registration For Annual Amarnath Yatra Commences