Tag Archives: Narendra Modi

In a strong message to the world at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India, said, “It is India’s clarion call to the world to come together to promote each other’s heritage and amplify the spirit of human welfare, encourage tourism and create more job opportunities. There was a time when heritage was ignored in the pursuit of development, but today, India’s vision is development as well as heritage – ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’.”

PM Narendra Modi said we should use emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and argumented reality to drive innovation. “Collaboration among governments, entrepreneurs, and investors, can boost technology implementation in tourism, ” he added.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated various development projects in Varanasi, which includes Tourist Facilitation Centre under the Project ‘Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme – Phase II’ and operation of Cruise Boat from Assi Ghat to RajGhat under the Project ‘Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme’. Anandiben Patel, Governor, Uttar Pradesh; Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; and Minister Nilkanth Tiwari and M. P. Surendra Narayan Sinha were also present on this occasion The project “Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD Scheme – Phase II” was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of Rs. 44.69 crores in Feb. 2018. The components viz. ‘Panchkoshi Path’, ‘Pilgrim Facilitation Center’, ‘Rameshwar’, ‘Road Development’ and ‘Signages’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation. The project ‘Development of River Cruise in Varanasi under PRASHAD Scheme’ was approved by the Ministry of Tourism with the cost of Rs. 10.72 crores in Feb. 2018. The components viz. ‘Passenger Cum Cruise Vehicle’, ‘Modular Jetty’, ‘Audio Visual Interventions’, and ‘CCTV Surveillance’ have been successfully completed and dedicated to the nation. Prime Minister praised the state government for the optimum use of the funds released by the Government of India for creating the facilities of international standards.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Sarnath light and sound show in Varanasi among many other projects through video conference. In his address, he said that tourism is also a part of the development plan of the city and countryside in Varanasi. He also stressed that the connectivity of Varanasi has always been a top priority of the Government. Also, he added that new infrastructure is being constructed so that the people of Kashi and the tourists don’t waste their time in traffic jams.

The deepening work of the Ganges is underway and big ships will be able to cruise on the Ganges by 2021, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while briefing about his government’ integrated waterways policy in Kolkata. He also said that 625 projects worth Rs. 6 Lakh crore have been identified under the Sagarmala Scheme of the government to improve connectivity as well as infrastructure of ports, out of which 200 projects worth Rs. 3 lakh crore are already underway. He revealed that 125 projects have already been completed by the government by modernising existing port infrastructure and integrating it with other modes of transport in a seamless way. Commenting about Kolkata’s unique positioning as the ‘Sangam Sthal’ of the Sea and the River Ganges, Modi said that Kolkata will be the biggest beneficiary of the connected and integrated transport policy of the government. Ports, he said, have always been considered to be the gateways to prosperity in India.

India has a lot of potential for festival tourism, said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his montly radio programme Mann ki Baat. Modi also said that India presented immense possibilities for festival tourism as it is called ‘land of festival’. He added, “We must try to popularise our festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Onam, Pongal and Bihu and invite people from other states and countries too to join the festivities.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Jewar Noida International Airport (JNIA), also known as the New Greater Delhi Airport redevelopment project between February 23-25, 2019 by laying a foundation stone for the USD 3.1 billion project, which will be the largest airport in India by surface area. JNIA, set to become operational in 2022, will provide the National Capital Region with a second facility after Indira Gandhi International Airport. The GMR Group holds first right of refusal for any new airport in Delhi and in February 2018, GMR Infrastructure’s director K Narayan Rao confirmed GMR’s plans to participate in the project. Rao said that a coordination committee should be established with representatives of the Union Government, Uttar Pradesh State Government and private sector to oversee the project and avoid delays. He also called for the development of metro rail connectivity to the planned airport.

The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with other central ministries is organising the fourth edition of ‘Bharat Parv’ showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat at Red Fort in Delhi from January 26-31, 2019. Inaugurated by Satyajeet Rajan, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, the five-day event is a part of Republic Day celebrations with an objective to generate a patriotic fervour, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and ensure wider participation of the general public. Bharat Parv will be open for public from 12 noon to 10 PM every day. The entry will be free. However, identity proof is to be carried for entry to the event. The major highlights of this year are the replica of the Statue of Unity created by sculptor Ram Vanji Suttar and a Gandhi Gram in which 10 painting artists will create paintings on the theme of ‘Ideology of Mahatma Gandhi’. Organised by the Ministry of Tourism other highlights of this year are the display of Republic Day parade tableaux, performances by the Armed Forces Bands (Static as well as dynamic) and photo exhibition by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP).

In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is set to introduce an air cargo policy in January 2019. In a video message to the winners at India Cargo Awards, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu said, “We are currently working on a comprehensive strategy to create logistics hubs. I have already talked to several countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman as well as far away countries like Russia for creating the integrated corridor for transportation along with finding out ways of exporting certain niche products. All of this is going to bring about a huge change in the way we do logistics in India.” Prabhu further said, “Logistics as a subject has been put, for the first time, in the Ministry by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we are working on it to create an integrated strategy to make it happen. We hope to have a seamless, cost-effective and efficient cargo movement soon which will bring in more economic benefits to the country as a whole.”

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Korea for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism. The main objectives of the MoU are to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism sector, increase exchange of information and data related to tourism, encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders including hotels and tour operators, establish exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resources Development, encourage investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, exchange visits of tour operators/media/opinion makers for promotion of two-way tourism, exchange experience in the areas of promotion, marketing destination development and management, encourage participation in travel fairs/exhibitions in each other’s country and promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism. India and Korea have enjoyed a strong diplomatic and long economic relationship. The two parties now desiring to strengthen and further develop the established relationship for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism. Korea is one of the leading tourist generating markets for India from East Asia. Signing of the MoU with Korea will be instrumental in increasing arrival from this source market.