A new series of tours based on the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi is being developed to increase tourism to India.
The ‘Gandhi Tour’ is part of the Central Government’s initiative to bring tourists to the nation who are interested in Gandhi’s work, following a recent surge in interest that has seen Gandhi’s name being mentioned in speeches by United States President Barack Obama, among others. Development of the project is being overseen by Gandhi’s grandson, West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas states: “Gujarat has places linked to the important stages of Gandhi’s life. It begins with his birthplace Porbandar, followed by Rajkot and Ahmedabad from where he started the freedom movement and where his ashrams still exists. Finally, it ends at Dandi where he broke the salt law that shook the British Empire. There is also the old Circuit House where he was tried by the British.”
These three areas will feature on the tour, while the adjacent Ram Tour will operate on the same line to link places with mythological associations to the deity.
Mr Vyas explains: “There are areas in the southern districts of Dangs, such as Gautam Ashram, which are mythologically associated with Lord Ram. There are other places on the border as well where lakhs of people come each year. We will capitalize on those areas as well.
“If Sri Lanka can cash in on Ramayana to promote tourism, then why not Gujarat? We have old temples and sites which have been mythology woven around them. These will be of interest to both domestic and international tourists.”
