Latest news with #SwadeshDarshan
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
Porvorim town square, creek circuit works to be ready by Mar '26: Khaunte
Panaji: With the cabinet approving the Porvorim town square and the development of a creek circuit, the tourism department hopes to issue the work order to Bagkiya Constructions Pvt Ltd by next week, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The minister said both projects will be completed by March 2026. Khaunte said Porvorim town square is inspired by New York's Times Square, San Francisco's Union Square, and London's Piccadilly Circus. 'When we travel around the world, we realise that open spaces are developed, where people come together and where activities are held,' said Khaunte. 'The Porvorim square will have a performance theatre, market area, musical fountains, movie court, heritage area, the Ashoka Stambh, and basement parking. ' The Porvorim town square is being built on three plots repossessed by govt from private developers after a legal battle and handed it to the tourism department. 'Work will start soon and should be completed by March 2026. The work order is to be issued next week. At the same time, work on the Porvorim creek will also start,' said Khaunte. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, a rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be created, enhancing the Porvorim creek experience by encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa, and Pomburpa Spring, and extending up to Harvalem, Khaunte said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo The minister said the proposal to revamp Colva under Swadesh Darshan is being finalised and will likely be placed before the cabinet next month. Also announced were the beautification of Porvorim creek and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi to boost cultural tourism. The press conference was attended by Shri Kedar Naik, director of tourism, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD GTDC, and Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager GTDC. The Porvorim town square, spread over 11,000sqm, is a first-of-its-kind heritage-linked public space aimed at promoting economic growth and year-round public programmes. Khaunte said nearly Rs 400 crore is being spent to revitalise Goa's tourist spaces with Central support under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) scheme.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
A museum that promises a peek into the past but is caught in a legal tangle
The museum building is almost ready, the catalogue of artefacts to be displayed has been prepared, the access and exit are also set. But, the entrance to the interpretation centre of the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park in Hyderabad remains locked up. As the world celebrated World Museum Day on May 18, it was one more year that the museum, financed through Swadesh Darshan grant, and constructed by the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation with design by award-winning architect Siddhartha Talwar, remains in a limbo. The museum at the Qutb Shahi Heritage Park almost mimics the one at the Humayun's Tomb that was inaugurated recently by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Sunk into the ground like the stepwells of Telangana, the museum building does not block the view of the tombs. In Delhi, the Humayun's Tomb World Heritage Site Museum has been receiving rave reviews, including from Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who now appears keen to get the museum at QSHP up and running. Both have been executed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Listed for display in the museum are the rare artefacts from the collections of the State Museum, never before seen Qutb Shahi manuscripts, textiles, armoury, paintings, stone inscriptions, and inscriptions. The fabulously rich and cultured Qutb Shahis ruled Golconda and Hyderabad between 1518 and 1687. But there is not a single museum that showcases or conveys the grandeur or information about that period. So near yet so far The site photographs juxtaposed with the architect's drawings make the museum appear like the adage 'so near yet so far'. The building's shell is already built and exposed to the rain – raising the fear that the building built at the cost of crores will start to deteriorate. 'We have the catalogue ready. We have the artifacts ready. An interpretation centre is one of the keys to make sense of such a vast heritage site with layers of history and archaeology. I have been promised by the local legislators that they will make the legal hurdles disappear,' informed Ratish Nanda, CEO of Aga Khan Trust for Culture which has worked on the project with the Telangana State Tourism Department.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi chairs meeting to review progress in tourism sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of work in the country's tourism sector, officials said. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, his deputy in the Tourism Ministry Suresh Gopi, Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi and top PMO officials attended the meeting. "The Prime Minister chaired a meeting today to review the progress of work in the tourism sector," a senior official said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also shared a short video on its YouTube page. "Attended the review meeting chaired by honourable PM Shri @narendramodi to assess the progress in the #Tourism sector. His visionary leadership is the guiding force for all our efforts in making Bharat a top global tourist destination," Mr. Shekhawat posted on X. Several senior officials of the Tourism Ministry also attended the meeting which lasted over an hour, a source in the Union Tourism Minister's office said. It is learnt that besides touching on the broader contours of the tourism sector, two flagship schemes of the Ministry — PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan — were also discussed.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hoteliers seek central scheme benefits to improve business
Panaji: Faced with a scarcity of financial resources, low visibility, and infrastructural challenges, Goa's small and medium hoteliers have urged the tourism department to use the Centre's schemes to improve the situation. A proposal was submitted to the tourism director outlining how schemes like Swadesh Darshan , Prashad, solar incentives, Mudra, and Skill India could benefit the sector. The proposal details several key areas where central schemes could provide support. 'This segment requires strategic support to overcome structural challenges such as limited access to finance, lack of visibility, infrastructural gaps, and the need for eco-compliance. The tourism department must proactively engage with various Central govt schemes and align them with a localised roadmap for strengthening small and medium hoteliers,' said Santosh Divkar, the president of Small and Medium Hoteliers Association of Goa. The association highlighted the potential of the ministry of new and renewable energy's (MNRE) rooftop solar subsidy scheme for small hoteliers to adopt green energy practices and meet environmental regulations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Что о вас может рассказать поза во время сна? Удивительные Новости Undo Divkar proposed the establishment of a green hospitality transition grant to provide a 50% capital subsidy under the MNRE's rooftop solar programme so that it aligns with benefits offered to domestic consumers. Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and Prashad, the association suggests enabling the participation of smaller hotels in tourism circuit development and supporting village-level clusters for homestays and cultural accommodations. 'Funds could also be used for community rest areas, signage, and infrastructure in less popular destinations,' said Divkar. For green initiatives, beyond the solar subsidy, the proposal includes incentives for solar water heaters, energy-efficient lighting, and net metering. It also suggests promoting 'solar villages' powered by micro-enterprise homestay operators. To enhance compliance with environmental norms, Divkar suggested that the state must facilitate partnerships with agencies for eco-certification and subsidised provisions for composting, grey water reuse, and waste segregation infrastructure. Skill development is another urgent requirement, said Divkar. He recommended district-level training in housekeeping, online booking, local cuisine, and eco-tourism operations under central schemes like 'Hunar Se Rozgar', Skill India, and PM Vishwakarma Yojana. The latter could also upskill local artisans, he said. The association said that a digital onboarding drive to register smaller hotels on online platforms and the Goa tourism app will benefit the sector. Access to finance would be improved by promoting Mudra loans and utilising PMEGP for new or renovated homestays. Integrating agri-tourism through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), supporting women entrepreneurs, and enhancing disaster preparedness are also part of the association's comprehensive proposal. The SMHAG believes that a strategic alignment of central schemes with a localised roadmap is crucial for strengthening small and medium hoteliers in Goa.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- The Hindu
Technology-driven revamp of State museums in the offing
Museums in Karnataka are set for a revamp with plans for their modernisation and introduction of interactive features. This was stated by A. Devaraju, Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage, here on Sunday. Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of International Museum Day, Mr. Devaraju said there are 16 museums and an art gallery under the department and they are undergoing infrastructure upgrades. He said renovation work of some of the museum buildings at Basavakalyana, Athani, Madikeri, Gadag, and Mangaluru have been completed. 'We are prioritising infrastructure and curation. At Madikeri, interiors are being revamped. Work at Athani and Basavakalyana is nearly complete,' he said. The department was also exploring augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to make the visitor experience at museums more immersive and interactive. The objective is to engage with the young minds and instil interest in them in areas of art and cultural heritage as depicted by the artifacts and the exhibits. Mr. Devaraju said a tech firm, Apozee, has been roped in to prepare concept ideas and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for digital walkthroughs and interactive experiences. 'They have been asked to visit sites and submit proposals soon,' he added. Meanwhile, plans are also under way to redesign museums at Yellandur and Srirangapatna, the latter struggling with visibility issues despite its location near the iconic Ranganathaswamy Temple. On the proposed museum near Chamundi Vihar Stadium, which received budgetary support from the State government, the Commissioner said the concept was yet to be finalised. The department will not rush into preparing a DPR until there was clarity on the concept and it was being worked out, he added. Another mega project is also on the cards as the old Deputy Commissioner's office in Mysuru may soon transform into a full-fledged museum under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, according to the Commissioner. Incidentally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that a museum showcasing the evolution of the Indian Constitution will be established. Minister for Tourism H.K. Patil had stated sometime ago that the archaeology department, if provided with some space for a couple of galleries, could exhibit the rich collection of artifacts in its inventory, encompassing various dynasties in the same building. Mr. Devaraju also confirmed that the Archaeological Survey of India has given its approval for taking up excavations at Rajghatta and Lakkundi, and it would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 3, 2025.
