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Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Centre reviews tourism devpt projects in Varanasi, Sarnath
Varanasi: Union Govt's additional secretary Subhashish Panda on Saturday evening reviewed the ongoing development work at key tourist destinations in Varanasi and Sarnath. The review meeting, held at the Commissionerate auditorium, focused on transforming both heritage-rich locations into world-class tourist hubs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam presented a detailed progress report on various initiatives underway in the region. He informed that 18 major tourist sites in Varanasi have been identified for focused development, with nodal officers appointed and work already in progress. Among the key initiatives highlighted were comprehensive cleanliness drives, removal of unauthorised hoardings and banners, hygiene training for hotels, eateries, and street vendors, and installation of uniform signage at prominent locations. The municipal corporation and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are jointly conducting training sessions to raise hygiene standards. To ease congestion and improve the visitor experience, a no-vehicle zone will be created between Maidagin and Godaulia, with provisions for golf cart services for senior citizens. Efforts are also underway to identify parking areas near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Panda stressed the need to upgrade tourism information centres at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals, along with the inclusion of digital maps and improved public facilities. The review also included plans for Sarnath, where a modern light and sound system is being introduced. Discussions covered issues such as improved cleanliness, standard signage, cultural programming during festivals, training of local guides, beautification of tourist spots, improved lighting, and measures to extend the average duration of tourist stays. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Later, Panda conducted field inspections of major sites in Varanasi. His itinerary included visits to Varanasi Junction (Cantt), Bharat Mata Temple at Vidyapith, Anand Van Park, Durgakund, Tulsi Manas, and Sankat Mochan temples. At Assi Ghat, Commissioner Rajalingam briefed him on the cultural significance of local events such as the Ramnagar Ramlila, Nakkatayya fair, and Bharat Milap. Panda also visited Dashashwamedh Ghat, where he was informed about the Dashashwamedh reservoir, Sheetla Mata Temple, and Hanuman Temple. At the Man Mahal Museum, he viewed 3D displays, historical video clips, and wall engravings portraying the spiritual, cultural, and religious legacy of Kashi. He later visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Annapurna Temple, and Kal Bhairav Temple to offer prayers. Panda also visited the Urban Haat at Chowkaghat and then toured key Buddhist heritage sites in Sarnath, including the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Archaeological Museum, and various viharas. He examined murals, sculptures, and displays related to Lord Buddha and the development of the ancient Nagari script.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
Chief minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches border tourism initiative in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will launch the Border Tourism initiative from Shipki-La, a prominent frontier village, during his upcoming two-day visit to Kinnaur district. A govt spokesperson said on Sunday that the Border Tourism initiative, launched in coordination with the Union Govt, will enable regulated tourist access to strategically important yet culturally vibrant locations such as Lepcha-La, Shipki-La, Gue Monastery, Khana, Dumti, the Rani area of Sangla, and Chitkul in Kinnaur district, along with selected areas in Lahaul-Spiti. The spokesperson said that the objective is to promote sustainable border tourism while ensuring national security and preserving the unique tribal heritage of the region. 'Access to these areas, which previously required special permissions from the ITBP and Indian Army due to their strategic locations and security, is now eased under revised protocols,' he said. As per the new guidelines, local residents and bona fide tourists can now visit these locations by presenting valid identity documents. The ITBP and Army will continue to facilitate smooth and secure movement in alignment with prescribed protocols. The initiative is expected to strengthen local infrastructure, enhance livelihood opportunities through responsible tourism, and foster a deeper sense of national integration for communities residing in remote tribal belts, said the spokesman.
India Today
27-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
No more surgical strikes, reclaim POK: Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee to PM
Days after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 people, Trinamool Congress leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday asserted that it is time to teach Pakistan a lesson and reclaim the portion of Kashmir occupied by the neighbouring also said this is "not the moment for more surgical strikes or symbolic threats to Pakistan"."It's time to teach them a lesson in the language they understand. It's time to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Period." the TMC MP wrote on He said that it is time to rise above "petty politics and confront the issue decisively once and for all."Claiming that he has been "closely following the conduct of the mainstream media and those at the helm of Union Govt" over the past few days, the TMC leader said, "Instead of deeply investigating the lapses that led to this unprecedented terror attack in Pahalgam, they seem more focused on pushing a narrative that benefits a particular political party.""It's time we rise above such petty politics and confront this issue decisively, once and for all," the TMC's national general secretary a dastardly terror attack, 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed in Kashmir's Baisaran near Pahalgam on April Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated that the terrorists behind the Pahalgam terror attack and those involved in the conspiracy will be served the most stringent punishment, asserting that the victims will receive his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Modi said the solidarity of Indians in the war against terrorism is the country's biggest InMust Watch
