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New Delhi : The ‘Paryatan Parv’ by the Ministry of Tourism was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of K J Alphons, Union Minister for Tourism, Rashmi Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and other dignitaries from participating Central Ministries and State Governments at Rajpath Lawns, New Delhi, on September 16, 2018. This is the second edition of “Paryatan Parv”, a nationwide celebration of Tourism, from September 16 to September 27, 2018.
Inaugurating the Parv, Rajnath said that India is the only country where all major religions of the world, diverse culture, customs and cuisines are found and, we should see and experience this Incredible India. The Home Minister added that the Government has ensured ‘ease of travel’ through various steps like simplification of process of e-tourist visa application. The Minister also urged Indians to visit various places in the country to understand its rich and varied culture & heritage, and enjoy its natural beauty.
Alphons said that Indians have made 1.8 billion domestic trips in the last one year and added that the Ministry is aiming to double these visits in next 3 years. The Tourism Minister also called upon everyone to see, experience and get transformed by travelling across India.
The Home Minister also released the Paryatan Parv event calendar. The Ministry of Tourism also signed the MoU with Apeejay Group of Hotels and V Resorts for adoption of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, and Surajkund, Haryana, respectively, under its Adopt-a-Heritage scheme.
The highlights of the event at Rajpath Lawns, New Delhi, was participation of a record number of 32 States / UTs who have put up their best foot forward, which include 18 Theme Pavilions, a Food Court with 54 Stalls bringing in the cuisine from across India, a Kitchen Studio by Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi, Crafts Bazaar with 76 Handicraft & Handloom Stalls, Yoga Demo & Training, Performances by Armed Forces Bands and an Exhibition on the theme “Saaf Niyat Sahi Vikas” by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, according to a PIB release.
The 250 delegates from 60 countries, participating in the International Tourism Mart, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, also had an opportunity to savour the flavour of the Incredible India on showcase at the Rajpath Lawns. Over 3,150 activities and events are taking place across the country during the 12-day event.
Various Paryatan Parv activities began across the country along with Delhi on September 16 with The Patliputra Heritage Walk, flagged off from the Patna Museum premises at 7 am by the Commissioner, Patna Division. The Walk organized by India Tourism Patna covered important heritage sites of Patna like Patna Museum, Dr Sachchidanand Sinha’s House, Sikandar Manzil, Gandhi Statue, Gandhi Museum, Gandhi Shivir and Golghar.
Earlier in the day, India Tourism Kolkata, along with IHM, Kolkata, and other stakeholders organized a Heritage Walk, from iconic Victoria Memorial Hall after a Swachhata activity, walking through the famous Queensway, Cathedral Road, Chowringhee covering Heritage monuments like St Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata Race Course and Indian Museum.
India Tourism Delhi, in association with Yes Global Institute & INTACH, organized a Cycling and heritage walk in Lutyens, New Delhi, with the message, ‘Save the environment, be healthy and let others be healthy’.