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New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Akhilesh takes torch against EC forward
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has mounted a sharp challenge against the Election Commission of India (ECI). His move coincides with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, a 16-day, 1,300 km campaign through more than 20 districts. The SP has doubled down on its 'vote chori' allegations, accusing the EC of hiding facts. When Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar denied receiving affidavits on voter fraud from Uttar Pradesh, Yadav demanded that the poll body itself submit an affidavit to back its claim. 'If the EC says it has not received our affidavits, what about the receipts we hold?' he asked. Karikot carves a niche for itself in rural tourism Karikot, a village near the India-Nepal border in UP's Bahraich district, has become a beacon for rural tourism. Its recognition by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, India Foundation Award 2025, has placed it on the global map. To be conferred in New Delhi on Sept 13 at the BLTM Trade Show, the award honours community-driven models. The villagers, with the backing of the tourism department, have opened homestays and launched border tourism projects. Women and youth have gained livelihoods through showcasing cuisine, crafts, and folk traditions. The Tharu tribal community's involvement has been crucial.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
UP's border hamlet on global map: Karikot village wins responsible tourism award
Karikot village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the prestigious Indian Subcontinental Responsible Tourism (ICRT) Award 2025. This remote village, nestled near the India-Nepal border and adjacent to the lush Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, will be honoured at a ceremony in New Delhi on September 13. Karikot village is situated near the Indo-Nepal border (HT Photo) Once a lesser-known village, Karikot has emerged as a rural tourism success through locally driven efforts, particularly by the Tharu tribal community by promoting homestays, cross-border eco-tourism, and cultural immersion experiences. These initiatives have not only created livelihood opportunities for women and youth but have also revived indigenous crafts, cuisine, and folk arts, turning the village into a living museum of Tharu heritage. Karikot was chosen for demonstrating innovation, community ownership, sustainability, and the ability to inspire scalable models of tourism across rural India. The award will be conferred at the BLTM Trade Show in New Delhi, where 17 trailblazing institutions from the Indian subcontinent will be recognised under categories like 'One to Watch,' 'Silver,' and 'Gold.' The jury for the ICRT Awards includes international tourism experts such as Professor Harold Goodwin, founder of ICRT Global; Manisha Pandey, MD of Village Ways; and Charmarie Maelge, director of ICRT Sri Lanka. The panel evaluated entries based on authenticity, replicability, impact, and community involvement. Rural tourism vision gets a boost UP tourism principal secretary Mukesh Kumar Meshram noted that Karikot's recognition reflects the government's broader push to make rural tourism a cornerstone of development. 'This is not just about one village, it's the result of long-term, focused policy interventions like the UP Bed & Breakfast and Homestay Policy 2025 and eco-tourism promotion initiatives,' he said. Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said, 'With community-led models and the participation of marginalised groups, Karikot now stands as a model to be replicated across the state.'
