Celebration of 8th International Day of Yoga on 21st June, 2022

Celebration of 8th International Day of Yoga on 21st June, 2022

Today, the Ministry of Tourism celebrated the 8th International Day of Yoga at Parade Ground, Secunderabad, Telangana. The event was led by the Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, Shri. G Kishan Reddy. The Chief Guest of the event was the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu. The event was attended by more than 15,000 participants which included  Badminton Player, Padma Bhushan, and Arjuna Awardee Ms. PV Sandhu, and Film Actor Shri. Adivi Sesh, Members of Legislative Assembly,  President of Telangana Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Institutes and association, Colleges, Schools, Para Military forces, Media, local administration, and other dignitaries.

Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Culture and DoNER, Shri. G Kishan Reddy welcomed the guests and talked about the importance of yoga in everyday life. Thereafter Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi virtually addressed the gathering from Mysuru.

Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu performed yoga and addressed the participants. Describing the meaning of Yoga as ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’, He said it emphasizes the unity and harmony between the mind and body, and man & nature. “On this occasion, I would urge everyone to work for the unity and harmony among all sections of the society.”

The Vice President stressed the need to take inspiration from our ancient philosophy and work for not just transforming our minds and bodies but also the overall transformation of the nation. Quoting from Gita, he described ‘Yoga’ as ‘Excellence in action’ and wanted this to be the ‘mantra’ for every Indian to take the country forward. “If you excel in your chosen field and perform your duties honestly, the nation will certainly progress faster”, he added.

Emphasizing the importance of good health in one’s life, Shri Naidu highlighted the importance of events like ‘International Yoga Day’ in promoting good health and happiness among the citizens.

Mentioning this year’s theme for Yoga Day – ‘Yoga for Humanity’, the Vice President underlined the role of Yoga in ensuring holistic physical and mental health and well-being among the masses. Referring to increasing mental health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that the pandemic has made Yoga altogether more important to build resilience and improve our health

After the address of the Hon’ble Vice President, all the participants performed yoga as per Common Yoga Protocol.  

A two-day conference of Tourism and Culture Ministers of North Eastern States begins today in Guwahati

Tourism can be a game-changer that can bring socio-economic change in the nation especially in NE region: Shri G. Kishan Reddy

Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned under PRASHAD scheme for a number of projects in the region: Shri G. Kishan Reddy

Infrastructural development in North East will enhance the tourism potential: Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country is seeing development in every sector: MoS, Tourism Shri Ajay Bhatt

“Tourism can be a game-changer that can bring socio-economic change in the nation especially in NE region,” said Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism, Culture, and DoNER while addressing the inaugural session of a conference here today. The two-day conference of Tourism and Culture Ministers of North Eastern States has been organized under the Chairmanship of Minister of Tourism, Culture, and DONER, to discuss the development of tourism and issues related to connectivity in the North Eastern Region. Chief Minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Shri Ajay Bhatt also graced the inaugural session of the conference.

While addressing the forum, Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which focuses on integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits, the Ministry has sanctioned 16 projects in the North-Eastern region. He further added that his ministry is giving special emphasis on developing infrastructure, ground capacity, and skills in the Northeast region. He said that the tourism ministry is also providing branding and marketing assistance to the northeast region through its various schemes and flagship initiatives.

Shri Reddy informed that under the PRASHAD schemes the ministry has sanctioned a number of projects in the region. Approximately Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned for these projects, he added.

Talking about the initiatives under DoNER ministry the minister informed that in the budget of 2021-22, the budget allocation to Northeastern states is Rs 68,020 crore. He urged all the state governments in the region to submit viable proposals so that the full amount allocated across various ministries can be successfully utilized.

Chief Minister of Assam Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that a holistic approach is required for the development of the tourism sector in NE zone. As a whole, the North East as a brand has to be promoted, and connectivity and infrastructure facilities need to be developed, he added.

Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwalin his address said that tourism development is the core subject of this conference and North East has all the potential for it. The North Eastern States has made their own identity in various sectors and each State has unique talent and potential, he said. Asserting that the infrastructural development in North East will enhance the tourism development the minister said that the development in the tourism sector will automatically help the other allied sectors to develop and it will help the nation to grow. Talking about Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision he said that according to our Prime Minister without the development of North East India the overall development of the country is not possible.

Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Shri Ajay Bhatt said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership the country is seeing development in every sector.

In today’s event, a MoU between the Ministry of Tourism and IRCTC was signed for cooperation in promoting domestic tourism and development of new tourism products.

Senior officials from various Central Ministries, State Governments in the region as well as industry representatives participated in the conference. The conference aimed to apprise the participants about the several projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Central Government for the development of the northeast region.