Khushboo Gujarat Ki (fragrance of Gujarat) could not find a place from the India Promotion Calendar 2012 released by Indian
Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai in New Delhi on December 14, 2011. The
Calendar projects India’s cultural diversity by showcasing the rich
architectural heritage of the country, its natural beauty and the multitude of
faiths, through various tourist destinations in the country. The Minister
expressed the hope that the calendar will play an important role in promoting
tourism in India.
Each leaf of the calendar carries a border depicting the
traditional fabric of the represented States alongwith a brief descriptive. The
12 page calendar depicts Taj Mahal of Uttar Pradesh, the back waters of Kerala,
Lotus Temple of Delhi, Golden Temple of Amritsar, Mahabodhi Tree of Bodhgaya in
Bihar, Tso-Moriri Lake of Ladakh, Kedarnath Temple of Uttaranchal, Victoria
Memorial of West Bengal, Gurudongmar Lake of Sikkim, Hampi Ruins of Karnataka, Jaisalmer
fort of Rajasthan and the National animal - Tiger.
The promotional calendars of the Ministry of Tourism of the
Indian Government are widely distributed in India and Overseas, with the
objective of promoting the tourism destinations and products of the country.
They are sent to the trade and media in India and Overseas, Foreign Missions in
India and Indian Missions Overseas, India tourism Offices in India and
Overseas, etc.
Meanwhile, the India Promotion Calendar invited a severe criticism from the people of Gujarat which could not find any place in the Calendar.
“It is unfortunate” said a supporter of Gujarat Tourism adding
“here in Gujarat you will discover centuries of history as spanning the
geological core of the earth onto a fascinatingly vibrant future.”
Union Government led by Congress, should not play politics
with its political rival BJP which rules Gujarat when promoting the country as
a preferred tourist destination, said a tourist service provider from Gujarat.
It is said that Gujarat is unique in its geological and
topographical landscape. From volcanic outpourings through bedrock to fossil fields
of indegenous dinosaurs; from the art of the neolithic cave painter to the
stone masterpieces of a series of civilized architecture. Gujarat has it all.
Earlier in 2010, noted actor Amitabh Bachchan had been roped to be the brand ambassador of the Gujarat Tourism. Since taking over the brand ambassador of Gujarat, Amitabh Bachchan promoted places like Kutch, Dwarka, Somnath and Gir National Park.
All these destinations are seeing double digit growth in
tourist arrivals including 30 per cent increase in foreign tourists. In
2006-07, the figure stood at 1.27 lakh, which increased to 1.70 lakh in
2009-10. In 2010-11, nearly two lakh tourists arrived.
In the second phase of campaign, Bachchan is promoting
places like Saputara, Ambaji, Adalaj step wells and the Buddhist circuit.
Gujarat Tourism Corporation is expecting sharp increase in tourist arrivals for
these places as well.
Over the next two years, the Gujarat Government
will pump in Rs.650 crore towards developing tourism activities and promoting
tourism infrastructure.
