New Delhi: Every year on September 27, World Tourism Day is celebrated all over the world. In terms of tourism, India has immense potential and now steps are being taken to promote them, from the Ramayana Circuit to the branding of indigenous goods. India’s positive image and growing status around the world are helping to bring foreign tourists. This is why a record number of foreign tourists are visiting India.
The figures released in the Lok Sabha show that 1 crore 92 lakh foreign tourists came to India in 2023. At the same time, 85 lakh 87 thousand foreign tourists came in 2022 and 10 lakh 54 thousand foreign tourists came in 2021. Let us know what steps have been taken to promote India’s tourism sector.
Swadesh Darshan scheme launched
The central government has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme to promote tourism. It was launched for the integrated development of thematic tourist circuits. Its goal is to promote, develop and exploit the potential of tourism in India. Under the Swadesh Darshan Yojana, the Union Ministry of Tourism also provides financial assistance to different state governments and the administration of Union Territories for the development of thematic circuits.
Ramayana circuit: One of the popular 15 circuits
Swadesh Darshan Yojana was conceived to establish synergy with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India and Make in India. Under this scheme, 15 thematic circuits were identified to be developed. These include the Northeast India Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Jain Circuit, Mahatma Gandhi Circuit and the Ramayana Circuit.
Places in the Ramayana Circuit
In the Ramayana Circuit, places related to Lord Ram have been selected. These include Ayodhya, Shringaverpur, Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh, Sitamarhi, Buxar and Darbhanga in Bihar, the Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, Mahendragiri in Odisha, Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and Hampi in Karnataka. The purpose of developing these places is to promote religious tourism and to attract foreign tourists.
The importance of homemade products
The Swadesh Darshan scheme aims to promote India as a world-class tourist destination. This also includes giving a desi identity to a wide range of products which are indigenous but are considered foreign. One of these brands is Monte Carlo. This brand of sweaters and jackets was started in 1949 in Ludhiana. There is also the Arvind Mills of Ahmedabad which was once a part of the Swadeshi movement and is known today as the originator of the country’s first indigenous jeans brand Flying Machine. It was launched in 1980 when foreign jeans were mostly prevalent in the country.
Notably, PM Narendra Modi, during his foreign trips, takes homemade products and gives them as gifts to world leaders. Recently, during his US visit, PM Modi presented an antique silver hand-engraved train model to President Biden. Interestingly, artisans from Maharashtra have created it. The model shows the beauty and history of India.
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27. In terms of tourism, India has immense potential and now steps are being taken to promote them, from the Ramayana Circuit to the branding of indigenous goods. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
