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Jharkhand Drama: OATH DELAY, POACHING THREAT, By Insaf, 5 February 2024 Print E-mail

Round The States

New Delhi, 5 February 2024

Jharkhand Drama

OATH DELAY, POACHING THREAT

By Insaf 

High drama engulfs Jharkhand. The Champai Soren-led coalition government must win the trust vote on Monday, which looks certain, but not after guarding itself against BJP’s alleged attempts of ‘poaching’ some of its MLAs or indulging in now familiar horse-trading? This, as past week saw political twists and turns. On Wednesday, ED arrested JMM leader and then chief minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering and land mafia case. He resigned before ED took him and senior leader and aide of Shibhu Soren, Champai was named his successor. However, it took two days for Raj Bhavan to administer him oath, unlike Nitish Kumar, back with BJP in Bihar who was re-administered oath hours after breaking ties with RJD. 

Anxious over the delay, JMM-Congress-RJD alliance flew its MLAs (43 in 81-member Assembly) to Hyderabad, Congress-ruled Telangana soon after the swearing-in fearing poaching threat and chose to prove its majority within 48 hours instead of ‘10 days’ given. Predictably, lady luck shall be on Champai’s side given the ‘resort politics’, unlike his predecessor, wherein the Supreme Court refused to entertain Hemant’s writ petition and interfere with his arrest, “a well-orchestrated conspiracy” by Centre ahead of general elections and asked it to approach the High Court. When his lawyers persisted saying “We are dealing with a chief minister who has been arrested. See the evidence. This is not fair,”, the top court advised it was at liberty to seek expeditious listing of his petition before the Jharkhand HC.   Sooner the better.

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Puja At Gyanvapi Mosque

Muslim organisations under umbrella of AIMPLB (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) are seeing red. following developments in mosque case. With Varanasi court allowing puja in the Gyanvapi mosque’s southern cellar and Allahabad High Court refusing interim stay, the Board said it would go up to Supreme Court. Said its President Maulana Rahmani: “The court (Varanasi) ruled in haste and other (Muslim) side wasn’t even given a chance to put arguments in detail. This has hurt minorities confidence in judiciary.” Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Madani said: “If such a big minority says it’s losing faith in judiciary, it’s not good for country.” Noting ‘nation’s dignity and impartiality of judicial system and administrative affairs being grossly compromised’ the group urged all constitutional officials to take timely notice of it.” While that’s uncertain, security was stepped up at the mosque on Friday for prayers as attendance was at its capacity. Shops in the city and nearby vicinity remained closed as mosque committee called for a shutdown. Growing tension needs to be nipped in the bud.   

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‘Fraud & Forgery’ Poll

The Chandigarh Mayoral elections continue to be dogged by controversy. AAP-Congress bloc, confident of victory has alleged the polls were rigged by presiding officer Anil Masih. BJP  BJP candidate Manoj Sonkar won the top post with 16 votes of 35-member corporation, and bloc candidate Kuldeep Kumar got 12 votes, with Masih rejecting 8 votes as ‘invalid.’ Alleging  ‘complete fraud and forgery’, Kumar promptly petitioned Punjab & Haryana High Court seeking setting aside of poll; holding fresh polls under retired HC judge’s supervision; restraining Sonkar from his mayor’s functions and asking respondents to preserve/present before it entire poll process, including ballot papers’ record and videography. With the court refusing interim stay and issuing notices to Chandigarh administration, corporation, Masih and Sonkar, among others, to file replies within 3 weeks, Kumar approached Supreme Court for ‘urgent hearing’, challenging HC order ‘as the returning officer was caught on video smudging the ballots.” The court said it would consider it. Whoever said time is of the essence.

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Never Ending Woes

Delhi AAP’s woes are never ending. On Saturday last, a Delhi police crime branch team went to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence to serve him a notice regarding investigation over his claim that BJP was trying to buy AAP MLAs. But he refused to take it. At the same time, Kejriwal has refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate, its fifth summon for questioning in Delhi excise policy scam. Recall, that he has termed these notices “illegal” and not in ‘consonance with the law’ and these be withdrawn. Indeed, AAP fears that the ED shall arrest the leader, as it has done in Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh’s case till now and the party would be at a loose end with general elections round the corner. Worse, AAP itself could be made party to the case and could face prospects of losing recognition by the Election Commission, though there hasn’t been such a case before it. The fear is not unfounded as developments in Jharkhand and the arrest of Hemant Soren ring warning bells. All eyes will be on far the cat and mouse game will be played out.   

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From Films To Politics

Tamil super star Vijay has decided to script a new role for himself. On Friday last, the 49-year-old actor announced the launch of his political party ‘Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’ as people of Tamil Nadu, he said were yearning for a change. However, it will pan out slowly as he will neither be contesting nor supporting any party in ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The new role, from cinema to politics, is aimed at 2026 Assembly polls given his concern over “administrative deterioration, corruption and divisive politics.” ‘Thalapathy,' as he is addressed by his ardent fans, called for a people’s movement, as it can only usher in the much-needed political change –'a selfless, transparent, visionary and efficient administration that is free of corruption, and caste and religious differences.’ Dialogue oft heard. An application has been submitted to Election Commission for registration, following which policies, flag symbol, among others, would be planned. Will he succeed as MGR or Jayalalitha did or will his fate be like Rajnikanth and Kamal Hasan, time will tell. For will there be takers to his commitment:  “Politics is not just another profession, it’s a sacred service to the people…”---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

FM Promises Golden Era: HI DEBT FUNDS Rs 47tr BUDGET, By Shivaji Sarkar, 3 February 2024 Print E-mail

Economic Highlights

New Delhi, 3 February 2024

FM Promises Golden Era

HI DEBT FUNDS Rs 47tr BUDGET

By Shivaji Sarkar 

It is a sparkling poll budget right from the President’s address of Draupadi Murmu harping on the economy, to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman harping on the need to give hope to the people, attract investments, highest capital expenditure, focus on rural recovery with housing, post-harvest activities unveiling series of programmes for farmers, women, middle class and dream GDP growth of 7.3 per cent. 

The election emphasis was sharper in the President’s speech as she unfolded the narrative of space to the economy and the finance minister announced bringing a White Paper on mismanagement of the economy till 2014, which marks an era of one of the five fragile economies led by Congress-led UPA. It may also illustrate how it is becoming one of the top five economies. 

The President in her ceremonial address to the joint session of Parliament in the new building presented the government’s achievements over 10 years across a variety of areas, offering a glimpse into the issues the BJP-led NDA might focus ahead of the 2024 elections. “Since childhood we have been hearing the slogan of “Garibi Hatao” (Indira Gandhi’s plank in 1971), now for the first time in our lives, we are witnessing eradication of poverty on a massive scale” adding that the poor people, youth, women, and farmers would be the four ‘strong pillars’ of Viksit Bharat. 

Repeating the “four pillars”, Sitharaman stressed on the various programmes on the path to progress and growth. She repeatedly harped on all kinds of farming classes – farmers, fishermen and dairy developers, the potential voters. 

The interim budget is not without its focus to impress. It has large figures such as Rs 47.65 lakh crore expenditure (about Rs 3 lakh crore more than 2023-4), Rs 30.8 lakh crore revenue including Rs 26.06 lakh crore from taxes, capital expenditure outlay rise by 11.1 per cent to Rs 11,11,111 crore, 3.4 per cent of GDP, a 50-year-interest free innovation loan and foreign direct investment of $596 billion – twice the inflow during 2005-2014, the UPA period, inflow. 

But a matter of concern is its fiscal deficit and maturity of dated securities, long term bonds that are to mature and have to be repaid. Though technically fiscal deficit comes down to 5.1 per cent from last year’s 5.8 per cent, she said gross and net borrowings through dated securities would be Rs 14.25 and 11.75 lakh crore. Total debt, external and internal, at Rs 168.72 lakh crore on 31 March 2024 is set to rise to 183.67 lakh crore. Outstanding debt has increased by Rs 15 lakh crore entailing the higher interest liabilities. 

One interesting factor is the technicality in economic terms, and she is right. Debt is earning and boosts GDP. The Finance Ministry so far has never reneged on its repayment commitments. The debt burden seems higher than revenue earnings. 

The finance minister has cut Rs 32000 crore subsidies in food, fertiliser and petroleum. The food subsidy cut comes amid the rising minimum support prices. It banks on reduction of numbers of beneficiaries following Adhar linkages. The allocation to MNREGA, however, is raised to Rs 86000 crore from Rs 60000 crore of the current fiscal.

Outgo to States as their share of revenue is Rs 22.22 lakh crore. Interest payment liability has been budgeted at Rs 11.90 lakh crore, 10.18 per cent more than 2023-24. The innovation funding as interest free loans for 50 years may be reviewed. The timeframe is too long though and may give a psychological edge. 

Sitharaman has not announced any concession on the tax front. The highest income tax rates remain at 39 per cent while corporate tax remains at 22 per cent and a new venture 15 per cent. Her core supporters are critical as she ignored the “middle class” facing high cumulative inflation of 27.5 per cent in five years at the rate of Reserve Bank’s India’s 5.5 per cent a year. One comment is interesting. It says, “We are clearly not a vote bank that needs to be appeased”. 

Expectedly her focus is on climate, farmers, agriculture growth and other measures that would immensely improve the conditions of the people as per the principle of ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ and goes on to include MSMEs, aspirational districts, the Eastern region, and its people – Bihar and West Bengal, key electoral targets! Other than the PM housing for rural area, for the first time she mentioned housing for the middle class “living in rented houses, or slums, chawls and unauthorised colonies” to buy or build their own houses. 

Along with are mentioned agriculture and food processing to employ 10 lakh persons, post-harvest activities including aggregation, modern storage, supply chains and marketing, intense dairy development, setting up of fisheries department to boost Matsya Sampada, five aquatic parks and sea food exports. Also announced was the Atmanirbhar Oilseeds Abhiyan. The premise is that these sectors would transform critical sectors and please the crucial electorate in the farm sector in various parts of the country. However, difference of farmgate prices and high retail for consumers has yet to be bridged. 

Women have been wooed in different ways. A laudable scheme of course is vaccination for girls in age group of 9 to 14 for prevention of cervical cancer. Similarly, maternal and child health care is being brought under one comprehensive programme. Anganvadis are upgraded as centres for nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development. Ayushman Bharat benefits are being extended to all Asha, Anganvadi and helpers. It is expected to incentivise the grassroot workers. 

Overall health has got Rs 1095 crore more at Rs 90,170 crore and education Rs 13000 crore at Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The budget also effects cut in Rs 32000 crore subsidies in food, fertiliser and petroleum. 

The government is adhering to the fiscal glide path, retaining the capex focus offering as much as trillion rupees in 50-year interest-free loans to private players to take up scientific research. The finance minister is buoyant on consumer confidence and has subtle satisfaction of inflation being in the 2 to 6 per cent range even though the RBI has been insisting on 4 per cent target for stabilising the economy. 

The government’s growth strategy seems to be one that will kickstart a virtual cycle while guarding against fiscal slippage, in view of international war situations. The budget has many promises making good noises, but one only hopes that the final July budget would be different.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

Macron & Modi: SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE, By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri, 2 February 2024 Print E-mail

Round The World

New Delhi, 2 February 2024

Macron & Modi

SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE

By Prof. (Dr.) D.K. Giri

(Secretary General, Assn for Democratic Socialism) 

French President Emanuel Macron was the Chief Guest on the 75th Republic Day celebration of India, stepping in for American President Joe Biden, who had declined the invitation. In addition to growing proximity between France and India, Macron was perhaps reciprocating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the Bastille Day celebration in Paris, on 14 July last year. Macron’s last-minute response to Modi’s invitation bespeaks French willingness to stand by India in symbolism as well as substance of India-France bilateralism. 

Interestingly, France, although a member of NATO as well as European Union, has been taking, at times, a strategic posture, independent of the United States. That is why it aligns with India’s ‘strategic autonomy’ in her foreign policy. New Delhi may not have common ground with USA and Russia, but it is on the same page with France. Modi-Macron interactions resulted in a joint statement that carries the convergence of perspectives like – condemnation of terror attack in Israel, the need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and Ukraine, nuanced differences on the war in Ukraine, concerns over the attack in Red Sea, attitude towards Houthis and Hezbollah’s etc. 

What is of major interest is the reiteration of French support to the newly-planned India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) during the G-20 Summit last September. Macron, once again, applauded the leadership of Modi, on successful conduct and conclusion of the Summit. Both leaders agreed that project IMEC would be of great strategic importance and would significantly enhance the potential and resilience of the flow of commerce and energy between India, the Middle East and Europe. To many observers, it is obvious that the proposed IMEC is an alternative to the Belt and Road Project of China. 

In the current volatile international political situation, France and India have decided to stand by each other. This is quite an encouraging development for both Paris and New Delhi as there is grave tension from Morocco to Iran, in South-East Asia due to Chinese hegemony. In South Asia, Beijing plans to encircle India by seducing her neighbours. China is ‘gobbling up’ Maldives inch-by-inch, having gripped Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Sri Lanka is resisting but as India is jittery, Colombo might also fall for China. For India to resist Chinese expansionism, it needs strong partners and France is proving to be one. Apparently, the French President instructed his officials in multiple sectors to allow India ‘no limit’ in accessing its technologies and know-how. 

Scanning the agreements arrived at during Macron’s visit, there were number of deals done. In principle, France decided to support India in developing top-of-the-line defence platforms such as fighter aircraft engines, nuclear attack submarines, underwater drones, all of which are to be locally made. The idea is to make India self-reliant with a robust industrial base. A Letter of Intent on defence partnership was signed between Union Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France. Another unprecedented defence agreement for Space, which has not been reported widely, was signed between the two countries. 

From the available information, as President Macron was at the ‘At home’ reception in Rashtrapati Bhawan, this important deal was signed by the French Defence Minister Sebastian Locornu and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on 26 January. This agreement will facilitate protection of communication and surveillance satellites and will make the battlefield more transparent in air, land and sea. This agreement will also help develop and launch military satellites to protect the national security of both countries. Moreover, this will not only protect the space assets of India but track the movement of adversaries. Similarly, another important agreement was signed for South-West Indian Ocean. This will build on joint surveillance missions carried out from the French Island territory of La Reunion. 

More important for New Delhi, it was decided to jointly manufacture in India and to export the products to third countries. As an example of collaboration in third countries, it was decided to set up a solar academy in Senegal under the star-C programme of international programme of International Solar Alliance, which was primarily jointly created by India and France. Overall, in industrial defence cooperation, both countries would co-design, co-develop and co-produce defence hardware for the air, land and the sea. 

A Memorandum of Agreement between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Airbus was signed to set up an assembly of civilian helicopters in India. A Declaration of Intent was signed between Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity of France for cooperation in the field of health and medicine. There was a renewal of agreement between the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France on the cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development. 

For Indian students, good news is in store. President Macron declared that he would like to have 30,000 Indian students by 2030. He said, “When this target is met, I will be the happiest President”. There would be special Classes Internationales for Indian students to learn French, necessary for admission into various colleges and universities. Macron said that this was a new initiative called French for All, French for Better Future. France will continue to offer scholarships to meritorious Indian students to be able to study there. So far, India is the largest beneficiary of French scholarships. Furthermore, France will offer five-year short stay Schengen Visa for alumni of French educational institutions. 

Modi spread a red carpet for Macron by receiving him personally in Jaipur and asking his Foreign Minister to accompany Macron from his arrival to departure. Macron landed in Jaipur and was taken to Jantar Mantar, a world heritage site since 2010. Modi and Macron had tea at a Jaipur teal stall on 25 January, where Macron paid for it by using the UPI. Both had a road show from Jantar Mantar to Sanganeri state with a stopover at Hawa Mahal. Macron was impressed by the huge turnout of people to greet them as well as the pro-incumbency of Modi government weeks before the elections. 

Overall, Macron’s visit was a success from the Indian point of view as well as for Macron who is trying to re-establish his political popularity after a shaky start to his second term. The reception and the publicity he got from India may stand in good stead for him back home. However, a closure look at the two-day visit of the French President shows a lot of symbolism as well as some substance. Interestingly, quite a few observers argue that any warmth and goodwill coming India’s way is a function of the defence deals that India makes with those countries. France is India’s second largest arm supplier and of course, has been the closest partner in Europe. 

While there may be multiple interpretations of India-French relations including the latest visit by French President, which, in fact, is the third one by Macron, France is a solid partner of India. At the end of the day that is what should count for New Delhi in its undeclared rivalry with Beijing. ---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

Environmental Balance & Growth: POPULATION MAIN CONSTRAINT, By Dr S.S Chhina, 1 February 2024 Print E-mail

Spotlight

New Delhi, 1 February 2024

Environmental Balance & Growth

POPULATION MAIN CONSTRAINT

By Dr S.S Chhina

(Senior Fellow, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi) 

India surpassed China in the race of population on March 3, 2023, and is still growing at the rate of 0.68 per cent annually. If not checked it would become a nation of 1.66 billion by 2050 and have a cascading effect on both environment and development.  

While the United Nations report on population puts India as a nation of 1.42 billion against 1.41 billion of China, the country is bearing three times more burden than its neighbour. Note that density of population in China is just 148.58 per sq.km as against 431.11 of India. Even in the past, four decades ago, India was over-burdened because of the lack of resources, whereas China has plenty. Geographical area of India is just 2.4 per cent of the world, whereas the population constitutes about 17.7 per cent. Even the water resources are only 4 per cent of the world. 

Since 1980, the era of Sanjay Gandhi, India could not adopt a policy to address this big rise in population. There were proposals such as the two-child norm, but these were not pursued. Looking at the burden on the resources, the country needs to adopt a prudent and effective policy to control population, otherwise it would continue to create havoc instead of it becoming a blessing. 

The perpetual rise in the import of food articles including pulses, and oil seeds and wasting trillions of foreign exchange on the one hand, and depleting average size of holdings even below to one acre on the other would, further thrive its constraints to import and the real development for prosperity stands discarded. Looking at the availability of water as a necessity of life, the scenario is most discouraging and would emerge as a major problem in the future. 

In 1950, the per capita availability of water was 5300 cubic feet, whereas in most of the countries it was below 2000 cubic feet. But with the rapid rise in population, it became only 2300 cubic feet in 1991, which is still not satisfactory. But in 2020 it depleted to 1500 cubic feet, and still declining. According to experts, the countries which are having per capita water availability below 1700 cubic feet are under lot of stress. Today, not only in cities but even in villages the water shortage is reaching alarming levels.  

Prior to 1970, though 70 per cent of the population was engaged in agriculture, the country was compelled to import food, thus not only spending huge amount of foreign exchange but putting burden on the purse strings. The green revolution ushered in the late 60s, was based on more and more use of chemicals, albeit staggering results were obtained on the yield front and dozens of chemicals had to be resorted to every year because of the application of the law of diminishing marginal returns in agriculture. 

The chemicals started penetrating air, water, and soil and subsequently food. The toxins of these chemicals remained as residues in food and are causing ailments. The application of chemicals has become a constraint only because of the huge needs of food that is the result of over burden of population on land. 

The burden of population had created an imbalance in the natural environment. The application of chemicals or fertilizers require adequate irrigation water to yield best results so the areas where the ground water was available easily, tubewells were installed to pump out the water. In Punjab and Haryana 60 per cent of irrigation is dependent on ground water. In 1960, in Punjab there were only 5000 tubewells, whereas at present this number has risen to 1.4 million, pumping out water day and night. 

The water level has depleted to over 150 feet in most of the areas. Water has become undrinkable in some area because of the penetration of chemicals along with depleting water table. So many birds have extinguished along with very useful micro-organism in earth, which were helpful to raise the level of fertility. The rain circle has been disrupted, and now untimely and unseasonal rains are frequent, causing damage to the crops. 

While India adopted planning for development in 1950, top priority was given to agriculture instead of industry, although the country was much backward in industrialisation. This was largely because of the scarcity of food for an over-burdened population. India thus remained much behind in industrialisation, and industrial goods had to be imported, which caused the slow growth of industry impacting employment.  Today the number of unemployed is about 80 million. 

The priority to generate employment, industrial goods and services, social security and moreover the need to shift population from farming to non-farming professions was discarded due to the constraint of feeding the billions and farming took centre stage. The country also remained far behind on the front of providing social security as the main factor for consideration was food, given the huge and over-populated country. Other social evils, particularly child labour, raised its ugly head as unemployment or under employment forced families to get maximum earning hands. 

Population is a natural resource of the country, but if it is not productive, it becomes a burden. Even the unemployed in large number require to satisfy their daily needs, where the country had to depend either on foreign imports or had to discard those needs. Unemployment, over-crowding, shortage of houses, child labour, among other social evils in the society etc. are the off shoots of this huge size of population. 

There are two popular theories on population. The first, the Malthusian theory of population, that states that if the population would not be controlled by artificial means, then the natural checks such as famine, epidemic, floods etc. would check this rise. Similarly, the optimum theory of population states that the size of population is optimum for the country, where the per capita output is maximum. According to both these theories, the size of population in India is much higher than the optimum and must be addressed at priority.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

                  

 

 

 

Religious Tourism: BIG BOOST AFTER AYODHYA, By Dhurjati Mukherjee, 31 January 2024 Print E-mail

Open Forum

New Delhi, 31 January 2024

Religious Tourism

BIG BOOST AFTER AYODHYA

By Dhurjati Mukherjee 

Religious tourism, which has always attracted both domestic and foreign tourists, is expected to get a big boost in the coming years. There are expectations that this will attract more and more tourists. Spiritual tourism has evolved as a concept and is significantly contributing to the overall revival of India’s tourism industry. With the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, demand trends indicate increased interest for the destination from customers across segments with an uptick of 150 per cent. 

According to the research wing of State Bank of India expects the total expenditure by tourists, both domestic and foreign, in Uttar Pradesh may cross Rs 4 lakh crore mark by the end of this year. SBI Ecowrap estimates that Yogi Adityanath government earn an additional tax revenue of Rs 20,000-25,000 crore due to a huge spurt in several tourists during fiscal year 2025. 

Global brokerage firm Jefferies has predicted in a report that the Ram temple could lead to “unlocking of India’s tourism potential” by attracting over 50 million tourists a year. It said the grand opening of the temple “is a big religious event. It also comes with a large economic impact as India gets a new tourist spot which could attract over 50 million tourists per year. A Rs 85,000-crore makeover (new airport, revamped railway station, township, improved road connectivity etc) will likely drive a multiplier effect with new hotels & other economic activities. It can also set a template for infra driven growth for tourism.”   

The Modi government has started improving infrastructure and most of the pilgrim centres are now a better place compared to what they were a decade ago. Data reveals that there has been a 97 per cent growth in searches for spiritual destinations on the platform in the last two years, and the searches for Ayodhya from India increased by more than 1,800 per cent since the inauguration announcement, with the peak searches on December 30, which was when the Ayodhya airport was inaugurated. 

According to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism in March 2023, places of religious tourism earned Rs 134,543 crore in 2022, up from Rs 65,070 crore in 2021. It can thus be presumed that spiritual/ religious tourism is a significant player in India’s travel recovery after the post pandemic years. 

Way back in 2015, the government launched the ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) scheme of the tourism ministry and in 2016 focussed on developing pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience. It aimed to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience through better and easier transportation systems -- roadways, railways and waterways. 

Moreover, the demand for visitors’ spiritual journeys is no longer restricted to traditional pilgrimages but a combination of spiritual breaks with unique local experiences and outdoor adventures like white-water rafting and night trekking in Vaishno Devi, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, boating on the river Ganga, visiting a heritage crafts village in Puri or learning a local art like Kalayaripayattu in Kerala. According to SOTC, hotel occupancy in these destinations is almost around 100 per cent on weekends and holy dates, while on average occupancy levels stand at 60-80 per cent. 

Coming to Ayodhya, it has witnessed a surge in hotel construction and development. Currently, the city has approximately 17 hotels with around 600 rooms. To meet the anticipated increase in tourist arrivals, 73 new hotels are in the pipeline with 40 of them already under construction, as per a report. Several renowned hotel chains and hospitality companies, including IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited), Marriott International, Wyndham, and OYO Rooms, are planning on creating more hotels in Ayodhya. The hospitality projects are expected to add significant room capacity to accommodate the growing number of tourists and pilgrims that are expected to visit Ayodhya. 

Phase I of Ayodhya's the new airport is operational, becoming a milestone in facilitating air travel to and from the city. This has been built at a cost of approximately $175 million and has an annual handling capacity of 1 million passengers. Meanwhile, the town’s tourist footfall has already shot up from nearly 3.5 lakh in 2019 to over 2 crore in both 2022 and 2023. Experts in this sector feel that the Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj triangle could drive Uttar Pradesh’ trillion-dollar economy dream. This could possibly surpass the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur tourism circuit shortly. 

In popular tourist places such as Rishikesh, Varanasi, Ujjain and Vrindavan, hostels are being set up to attract tourists along with improving infrastructure. Recently the Jagannath Heritage Corridor was inaugurated by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Transformation of the iconic temple site is intended to improve facilities for visitors and pilgrims. The revitalisation of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor also led to a huge spurt in tourist growth. 

It is evident that even general tourism sites in many states are being given a religious touch. Though this may be a good measure to attract more tourists, specially in a deeply religious country like India, these centres need to have other places of attraction such as museums, monuments, children’s parks etc. 

The pandemic has changed the perception of travellers and there has been a shift in consumer behaviour. While spiritual tourism was once associated with the senior citizen segment, over the past two years, there has been a significant uptick in demand from multi-generational families, couples/honeymooners, groups of friends and millennials as well. Reports coming in from Ayodhya indicate that young people are visiting the temple in large numbers. Does it indicate that Modi has instilled a religious fervour among the young generation? 

An important aspect that needs to be pointed out is that promotion of religious tourism is necessary as it has a multiplier effect in creation of jobs and overall development of the region. But religious tourism should not mean just promoting the Hindu places of worship. The Muslim and Christian religious places as also those of other communities like Sikhs and Jains should also be developed through a judicious plan. 

However, tourism in India does need to catch up still. The contribution of this sector to India’s GDP is just around 6.8 per cent and India is positioned below most of the emerging and developed economies. The last Union budget of 2023 had allocated ₹2400 crore to the tourism sector, but it cannot be denied that requirements are much more. It is, however, encouraging to note that the private sector has been coming in a big way to invest in this sector, specially manifest in the investments at Ayodhya. 

Ayodhya it is said could even surpass the Vatican City and Mecca in terms of the number of visiting devotees, if infrastructure and stay facilities are upped on the same trajectory over the coming months. On the first day alone there were 5 lakh visitors to the temple. The Tirupati Balaji in Andhra Pradesh attracts 2.5 crore devotees yearly, similar to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and the Vatican gets about 90 lakh visitors annually. The other top destinations are the Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu & Kashmir which gets 80 lakh people yearly, whereas the Taj Mahal attracts 70 lakh people. Indeed, development of tourism, both religious or spiritual, would bring in valuable foreign exchange and lead to economic development.---INFA 

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)

 

 

 

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