Taj: Forget GoM, Renuka plans own fest starter

The Tourism Ministry will go it alone on the first day of the Taj Mahal’s 350th anniversary celebrations as the Prime Minister’s h...

The Tourism Ministry will go it alone on the first day of the Taj Mahal’s 350th anniversary celebrations as the Prime Minister’s handpicked GoM is yet to meet. Skirting the GoM, Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdhury has decided to hold the event in Delhi, though she had planned it for Agra.

The celebrations begin on September 27, Taj Anniversary Day and World Tourism Day. Chowdhury was set to release a stamp commemorating the Taj on the day, an add-on to her Incredible India campaign. However, with the day fast approaching and no signs of the GoM meeting in a fortnight, Chowdhury has decided to go ahead with the stamp release in Delhi.

‘‘We will now hold the gala at Purana Quila in Delhi, where I have invited ambassadors of many countries to come and join us in the celebrations,’’ says Chowdhury. The Minister admits it was the GoM delay which forced her to change the location. ‘‘We would have liked to hold World Tourism Day at the Taj but it was not possible. I have to carry on with my obligations and cannot wait forever.’’

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Besides, there are other promises to keep. Says Chowdhury: ‘‘There is a 25 per cent increase in the number of tourists in the last month and a 39 per cent increase in revenue generation from January to August, touching Rs 14,000 crore. We are now the no. 2 destination in the world.’’

Chowdhury announced measures to boost and improve tourism infrastructure, on the eve of her departure to Europe. ‘‘We are now shifting our focus from the masses to the classes. Gallerie Lafayette in Paris will be doing an India theme in their store next year. We have developed various packages and I am confident it will be a success.’’

These include an NE tourism package; a North-East festival in Delhi to bring home its unique culture and a massive domestic awareness campaign on how to play host. ‘‘We have 19 agencies vying with each other to make their presentations on the awareness campaign…including spreading civic sense…importance of cleanliness… Given a chance, I would run the public toilets too,’’ says Chowdhury.