UPSC Current affairs - Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains

Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains

Context:

  • Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER, Shri G. Kishan Reddy along with Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train from Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station today.
  • For the first time it will connect India and Nepal with a tourist train.

What are Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains?

  • The Indian Railways introduced the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains with the aim of showcasing the country’s historical places and the rich cultural heritage to the citizens of India as well as to tourists from across the world.
  • These trains are theme-based tourist circuit trains. The trains have been launched under the central government’s “Dekho Apna Desh” initiative.

About the Ramayan Circuit:

  • Under the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains initiative, the Ramayan yatra has been flagged off.
  • The yatra which happens for 18 days will also cover the religious destination of JANAKPUR (in Nepal).
  • In India it covers important destinations in India including Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhui, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Pancvati (Nasik), Hampi, Rameshwaram and Bhadrachalam

Other Aspects:

  • The Ministry of tourism along with Ministry of Railways and IRCTC has proposed the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains for other circuits also.
  • They include the Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and many more.
  • This is an initiative by the Ministry of tourism and Ministry of Railways to promote the cultural heritage of India.
  • This provides an opportunity for the citizens o India to explore the rich architectural, cultural and spiritual heritage in the country.
Way Forward:
  • Apart from promoting the architectural, cultural and spiritual heritage, a boost to tourism sector will result in increasing opportunities economically.
  • This spiritual circuits are untapped, they have huge potential to grow as tourist hubs.
  • This can also be seen as an employment generating opportunity across the country, as tourism can provide employment to lakhs of people across the country.

  Source The Hindu