Showcasing the benefits of tourism

The month of October becomes 'Tourism Month' as the 'Paryatan Parv' entered into its third week of celebrations. The objective of the programme is to draw focus on the benefits of tourism, showcase the cultural diversity of the country and reinforce the principle of "Tourism for All".

The highlights of the countrywide celebrations included Yoga session and community and stakeholder sensitization programme for homestay owners in Jaipur, street food vendors in Goa, shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers and auto-rickshaw drivers in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The cleanliness drives were undertaken in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, Gwalior, Trivandrum, and Hyderabad. The Institute of Hotel Management across the country also distributed specially designed trash bags as part of this drive to tourists at various locations in the country.

The Nehru Yuvak Kendras organised youth Parliament with lectures and discussions on the importance of tourism and youth involvement at Gaya and Sitamarhi, district level cultural programmes in East Champaran, walk along the river course, and water bodies in five districts of Odisha.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDONER) organised tourism rally in Itanagar, adventure activities in Shillong, promotion of water sports at Umiam in Meghalaya. The state governments of Haryana, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala organised cultural evenings, tourism exhibitions, workshops for tourism industry stakeholders, essay and painting competition for students.

The Ministry of Culture along with the Ministry of Tourism organised a grand classical dance titled 'Krishan Lilla' by the famous classical danseuse and guru Dr Sonal Mansingh at Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur.

Other central ministries are also participating in 'Paryatan Parv' by organising various activities. The Railway Ministry has illuminated some of the major railway stations in the country. Under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, some of the major airports in the country have also been illuminated.

The Online contests on MyGov platform for Dekho Apna Desh Photo Contest, Incredible India Quiz, Dekho Apna Desh Blog Contest have elicited a tremendous response. Smile India Smile, a Photographic Competition is underway on Doordarshan.

India Tourism Offices in association with IHMs has organised various activities like sensitization programmes, nukkad natak, heritage walks, workshops for local public and stakeholders at locations across the country.