A special series from the Honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for us to spread the connect of India’s greatness and depth with the vibrant youth of the country. A focused interview with Shri Venkatesan Dhattareyan, Regional Director – (West and Central Region), Indiantourism, Mumbai, Government of India.
Can you throw some light on the initiative `Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav’?
Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav is an initiative to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. It’s over the last 74 years where we have come now. We have climbed several milestones and we have achieved several peaks. India is in the process of making and we have to march to another 25 years. The honourable PM has again spelt out in his initial discussion of the 5 pillars of the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav. We are trying to work around these principles and see how we can reach the youth, especially the students because these are the students who will be the future travellers, they will be the future citizens. They will be shaping the nation. At that point, we are aiming to educate them with the entire cultural heritage and also the various offerings the states have and so have a sense of pride in the places where they live. Actually, we don’t get to explore our own neighbourhood. So the travel should start from the neighbourhood.
Can you throw some light on the Ministry of Tourism’s online learning management system, called the Incredible India tourism facilitators certification programme?
Also, the (Ministry of Tourism) has also launched another online learning management system called Incredible India tourism facilitators certification programme which again helps you to learn about the country sitting at your home, at your own pace and you also get a certificate. This is also picking up a lot across India. We will also be continuously engaging with various colleges, institutions, schools, especially with Kendriya Vidhyalayas our engagement is continuous in this region. We on a weekly basis involved and touched 2000 plus students across the schools, It has also gone to the North East, where we are talking to Kendriya Vidhyalayas children in Shillong and other places.