TravTalk India Online Magazine
All three ministers of tourism will be leading the event at major sites across the country on behalf of the ministry on International Yoga Day 2022 on June 21, says Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General (ADG), Ministry of Tourism
Nisha Verma
Sharing details for International Yoga Day, Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General (ADG), Ministry of Tourism, reveals, “We are excited about the International Yoga Day 2022. To make sure that there is a lot of visibility and people join and know where the events are happening, there is a list of 75 locations that have been sent to us by the Ayush Ministry, the nodal ministry for this event.”
She added that all three ministers of tourism will be leading the event at major sites on behalf of the ministry. “Union Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy will be at the Anand Sagar Lake in Hyderabad and State Tourism Minister Ajay Bhatt will be at Wagah Border in Punjab since he handles both defence and tourism portfolio. Also, State Tourism Minister Shripad Yesso Naik, who also handles the portfolio of ports, will be taking it up from Churches and Convents of Goa in Old Goa. At the Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra, the celebrations will be led by the Home Minister. Apart from that, we will have people joining from all our offices across the country at various other locations, which would include our stakeholders, children, trade and as many people as possible.
Ayush visa
Speaking on how Ayush visa will help boost wellness tourism in India, Brar said, “Ayush is already working with the Ministry of Home Affairs on that and we are supporting the idea because one of India’s strength in terms of heritage is yoga, Ayurveda, alternative medicines and the whole way of life we have in our vedic traditional systems. We are supporting that and it will help. As seen in the last few years, e-visa facility has grown for not just tourism, but medical visa as well. It has only helped India forge its position in these sectors and we will be working closely with both Ayush and Home Ministry to make sure that this visa gets enabled very fast.”
Wellness campaign
The emphasis on wellness has grown manifold after the world was struck by COVID. Sharing her views on the same, Brar said, “Hence, we will expand our footprint in terms of creating the outreach in a number of countries, because wherever we are having a conversation on this, whether it is Japan, Korea, or Singapore, or the traditional markets from the West, including Western Europe, North America and Canada, all these countries are getting added to our list. Hence, we are in the process of making many more creative, campaigns and getting a lot more digital presence through social media for creating awareness for these products, which are truly India’s strength.”
Beyond borders
She revealed that there will be events happening at the international missions too. “Everyone, everywhere will be taking up international day of yoga, including the missions. Hence, our officers will be joining the forces with the local missions and we will be working together with them to make sure that there is maximum participation in whichever countries they are in.
Focus themes and sectors
The MOT will be focusing on other themes too. “We will be working on wellness in a big way, and apart from that we are also working on adventure. These are areas for which India has not been traditionally known. But now, with the improved connectivity in terms of international flights and highways, the opportunities are increasing. We propose to carry that story of India, the way it is unfolding, both for its tangible as well as intangible heritage, including the work of the artisans, the musicians, dance forms and the festivals of India. All these are important parts of the stories of our journey, which we will take forward directly and also through the Indian missions across the world,” she informed.
Events galore
Brar revealed that a lot of MOT events are on the anvil. “We are working closely with the trade to make the International Travel Mart happen soon. The Buddhist Conclave is also slated to happen somewhere during this year. A lot of virtual roadshows have already started with our overseas entities, which is also creating a lot of interest. Domestic tourism has been doing really well in the last few months, which is creating confidence for markets across the world,” he said. About the industry now looking at physical roadshows, Brar said, “Of course, we are in the process of making our schedules and we are hopeful that the real roadshow schedule would also start soon.”
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
She highlighted that the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav iconic week is coming up for MOT. “The dates for the same will be 18-24 July. Work is in progress,” she concluded.
