Tag Archives: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

India’s strength & cultural excellence at display during Maha Kumbh: Shekhawat

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the world will have a glimpse of India’s strength and cultural excellence at the upcoming Maha Kumbh that will be held in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district from January 13 to February 26.

Speaking to the press, Shekhawat said, “The history of Maha Kumbh is thousands of years old. Maha Kumbh has been mentioned in Vedic period as well as in Mahabharata, during Gupta Empire, Chalukya dynasty and in the pages of medieval history.”

According to the Union Minister, when Kumbh was held in 2013, around 20 crore devotees came for holy dip and darshan. In the Ardh Kumbh of 2019, the number of devotees increased to 25 crore and this time, it is estimated that 45 crore people will participate in the Maha Kumbh, Shekhawat said adding that the Uttar Pradesh government and Centre are working together on a large scale to make this a grand event.

The number of Kalpavasis coming to the Maha Kumbh is set to double from 10 lakh to 20 lakh, he said. The Kalpavasis will stay at the mela ground for the entire period and perform meditation.

The Union Minister asserted that the Ministry of Culture has prepared various platforms to display Indian culture at the Maha Kumbh. The Uttar Pradesh government has provided 14 acres of land to the Ministry, where handicrafts, culture and dishes from all the provinces will be displayed. Famous artists across the country will perform at the Maha Kumbh and handicraftsmen will display their skills. “This time the Maha Kumbh will be an opportunity for the world to see the strength and cultural power of India together,” he said.

If You Wish to Explore India, Come to Mahakumbh: Gajendra Singh Shikhawat

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department hosted the ‘Mahakumbh 2025 Prelude’ on November 29 at The Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi. The event, attended by Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, UP Minister Jaiveer Singh, and key dignitaries, showcased the spiritual essence of Prayagraj, the host city for the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025. Serving as a curtain-raiser to the world’s largest spiritual gathering, the event highlighted cultural, spiritual, and infrastructural preparations for the gathering, expected to attract over 40 crore devotees globally.

Shekhawat emphasized India’s unique spiritual heritage and invited global tourists to experience the transformative power of Mahakumbh. “It is an ancient celebration of India’s rich and diverse culture and humanity. As we prepare to host the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela 2025 at Prayagraj, I extend an invitation to people across the world to participate in this monumental event that symbolizes the spirit of global unity and cooperation that is much needed in today’s geopolitically turbulent times. We see the Mahakumbh as an opportunity for cultural exchange. If you wish to see India in one place, then Mahakumbh Mela is the place. We are working diligently to provide all the support for accommodation, transportation, and guided tours around the Mahakumbh Mela grounds and in its vicinity, making the experience of each traveller as unique as it can get”, he said at the prelude event.

Jaiveer Singh, Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism Minister, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Mahakumbh-2025 is not just a spiritual gathering but a rare alignment that embodies India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family). It will be a monumental event where diversity converges into unity.” He invited international visitors to witness the grandeur of this event, which will not only showcase India’s cultural depth but also set new global benchmarks in religious tourism.

Principal Secretary of Tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, outlined the infrastructural advancements being made in preparation for Mahakumbh. He shared that an ultra-modern tent city near the Parade Ground featuring luxury accommodations such as villas, Maharaja tents, and deluxe tents is under construction. Additionally, 1,600 Swiss cottages are being set up in Arail, along with 200 cottages in Jhunsi and another 200 at parade ground to accommodate the influx of pilgrims. Thrilling activities like helicopter rides and water sports will further enhance the visitor experience.

The event featured an engaging exhibition, cultural performances, and the screening of films related to Mahakumbh 2025. Ambassadors and dignitaries from countries including Suriname, Malaysia, Seychelles, Nepal, and Switzerland, among others, attended the event, showcasing the global interest in this monumental gathering.

The Mahakumbh 2025 Prelude concluded with vibrant discussions, a review of the tent city’s models, and an invitation to all to partake in this unparalleled celebration of spirituality and culture.

 

Tourism sector contributed 5% to India’s GDP in 2022-23: Tourism Minister

The contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) for 2022-23 stood at five per cent, the Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The tourism sector’s contribution to India’s GDP saw a spark rise from 1.50 per cent during the Covid pandemic to 5 per cent in FY 2022-2023.

Further, the tourism minister quoted initiatives taken by the Centre to enable the lawful inward movement of foreigners including foreign tourists. According to Shekhawat, the government has implemented the facility of e-Visa for 07 sub-categories i.e., e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa, e-Ayush Visa, e-Ayush Attendant Visa, and e-Conference visa for the nationals of 167 countries. Besides, the visa fee has also been substantially reduced.

To improve air connectivity to important tourist destinations, the Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with the Ministry of Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As of date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalised.

“Financial assistance has also been provided to the State Governments/UTs for organizing fairs/festivals & tourism related events under Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme,” according to the Union Minister of Tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism has revamped its Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist and destination-centric approach, he added. (Source: PTI)

 

Tourism will be key driver towards Viksit Bharat: Shekhawat

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism and Culture emphasised the crucial role tourism will play in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bhaarat) by 2047.

Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum on Saturday, he said, “By 2047 when India becomes developed, one of the big drivers of developed India (Viksit Bhaarat) will be the tourism sector.”

Shekhawat emphasised India’s rapid progress over the past decade, attributing it to strategic reforms and advancements in infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shekhawat said, “The way India has developed its infrastructure, established new benchmarks across various sectors, and embraced cutting-edge technologies has transformed the global perspective towards our nation. Today, India is recognized as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.”

Highlighting recent acknowledgements of India’s economic growth, Shekhawat referenced Moody’s recent rating.

“Moody’s acknowledgement of our economic growth is a testament to the positive trajectory India has been on in recent years,” he said.
Shekhawat also pointed out the massive scale of infrastructure development in India, including the construction of over 1,50,000 kilometers of highways, the electrification of the entire rail network, and the introduction of advanced train systems like Vande Bharat.

He noted that while India’s tourism sector currently contributes 7.9 per cent to the global economy–below the global average of 10.4 per cent–there is significant potential for growth.

“The total number of inbound tourists in India is concentrated in just seven states, from Rajasthan to Delhi. As we move towards 2047, tourism will be one of the key drivers of India’s development,” Shekhawat said.

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, echoed Shekhawat’s sentiments on India’s growing global economic presence.
He said, “India is on the world map as far as economy is concerned. We are getting all the attention from every corner of the world. When it comes to tourism, there is a lot we still need to do. While domestic tourism is on the growth path already, international tourism is also on the growth path.”

He added, “The inbound tourism, given the COVID situation, we still had bought 85 per cent of recovery as compared to 2019 levels. We get about close to 10 million tourists and we used to be at about 11 or a little over 11 million foreign tourists in 2019. The 2023 over 2022 was like 300 per cent growth. We are finishing the recovery path and getting into the growth zone even for the foreign tourist arrivals as well.”

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), highlighted the integral relationship between infrastructure growth and the hospitality sector.

He said, “Single biggest beneficiary of the growth of infrastructure is Hospitality. When hospitality grows, it creates a lot of jobs. It is the biggest multiplicator of jobs in the world.”

Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager for India and South Asia at VISA, discussed the emerging trends in health and wellness tourism.

“Health tourism, wellness tourism is on the uptick. This is a huge opportunity for the government to leverage on the Ayush initiative to grow this segment further”, Ghosh said.

Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Promoter of HRH Group of Hotels, praised the global recognition of Indian heritage hospitality, particularly by Tata and the Taj Group of Hotels.

“Indian company today has knocked the doors of World forum as far as Heritage hospitality Is concern is non other than Tata and the Taj group of hotels”, he noted. (Source: ANI)

MMT partners with MoT for ‘India: The Homecoming’ campaign

MakeMyTrip (MMT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has launched a campaign called ‘India: The Homecoming’ on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, inviting Indians worldwide to reconnect with their heritage.

As a central piece of the campaign, an online film is being unveiled that beautifully captures India’s transformation, brought to life through the evocative words and voice of the legendary lyricist Gulzar.

Highlighting the importance of the campaign, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, said, “In our efforts to enable Indian diaspora become Incredible India Ambassadors through the Chalo India initiative, the call to encourage Indian diaspora to rediscover their homeland and experience a transformed India, is paramount. This Independence Day, we call upon Indian diaspora across the globe to take a trip back home, and experience Incredible India in all its richness, not just for themselves – but for everyone whom Incredible India awaits.”

Rajesh Magow, co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “We are thrilled to launch the ‘India: The Homecoming’ campaign, aimed at inviting the Indian diaspora to rediscover a transformed India. By highlighting the progress, beauty, diversity, and rich heritage, we aim to inspire a sense of pride and nostalgia, encouraging the global community to visit and explore the nation. This initiative is about celebrating the unbreakable bond that every Indian, no matter where they are in the world, shares with their homeland.”

Following the recent announcement of MakeMyTrip’s global accessibility, which enables travellers worldwide to use the platform easily, this campaign builds on last year’s successful Independence Day initiative, ‘The Traveler’s Map of India.’ This initiative showcased over 600 lesser-known travel destinations in the country, promoting domestic tourism and highlighting hidden gems.

Kashmir sees 15% growth in tourism post Covid: Union Tourism Minister

The Kashmir region has experienced a surge in tourism, with footfall increasing by over 15% since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Speaking at the 25th Annual National Convention of the Tourist Guides Federation of India, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Shekhawat emphasised the robust growth in domestic tourism across India.

He noted that popular tourist destinations are witnessing unprecedented crowds and stressed the need to redirect both domestic and international tourists to lesser-known, offbeat locations. Shekhawat highlighted lavender cultivation in South Kashmir as a key attraction, revealing that more than 2.5 million visitors have flocked to the region recently to witness its beauty.

The Minister’s remarks underscore the importance of the tourism sector’s readiness to accommodate the increasing number of travelers, ensuring sustainable growth and balanced distribution of tourist activity across the country.