Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism Identify Areas of Convergence

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture Shri Shripad Yesso Naik here today chaired a meeting of the senior officers of both the Tourism and Culture Ministries to discuss the possible areas of convergence. Addressing the meeting, the Minister said, coordination issues in existing projects should be sorted out and both Ministries should take up new projects in which they can converge. He further directed that while making the Ministry’s presentation before the Prime Minister of India the areas of convergence should be highlighted. Shri Naik specifically mentioned the areas of organizing Festival of India/ Road Shows, projects related to Archaeological Monuments and Heritage Sites, ‘Clean India’ campaign and publicity and image building and building ‘Brand India’.

During the meeting, the following areas of convergence were identified jointly by the officers of both the Ministries:

(i)          Ministry of Culture will conclude MoUs with Ministry of Tourism and various State Governments for improvement of visitor amenities at Monuments and Heritage Sites.

(ii)  Publicity may be ensured by Ministry of Tourism wherever Festivals of India are organized.

·           Publicity material will be supplied to our Mission abroad by Ministry of Tourism.

·           Tour operators will be allowed to set up counters at Festival venues.

·           Both Ministries will collaborate for food festivals.

·           Both Ministries will coordinate with Indian Council for Culture Relations (ICCR).

(iii) Common Calendar for Road Shows and Festival of India will be developed.

(iv)              Publicity and branding of Festivals promoted by Ministry of Culture particularly the

·        “Decennial Exposition of St. Francis Xavier, Goa” in the month of November 2014 including Publicity in Lusophone Countries and in target countries like Russia, England and Israel.

·        Nabakalevara Festival at Puri Jagannath Temple in June 2015.

(v)  Admission Fees of ASI protected monuments will be revised by the Ministry of Culture.

(vi)              Rates charged for film shooting will be reviewed by Ministry of Culture from time to time in consultation with Ministry of Tourism. Format will be developed for inviting application. Time-bound disposal will be ensured.

(vii)      E-ticketing facilities will be initiated in collaboration with the travel booking sites such as irctc.co.in. Other such avenues will be explored.

(viii)      Signages in various monuments will be prepared by Archaeological Survey of India, after consultation with Ministry of Tourism. 

(ix)       Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Clean India’ campaign will be implemented in monuments under ASI in a phased manner.

(x)        Developing Tourist Circuits such as Gandhi Heritage Circuit and Buddhist Circuit.

(xi)       A Joint-Action Plan may be formulated for guide training programme of Ministry of Tourism.

Courtesy: Press Information Bureau (pib.nic.in)