Now a ‘magic of Ramayana’ plan for Ayodhya

Even as controversy surrounds the NDA Government’s stand on the Ram temple issue, the Union Ministry for Tourism and Culture is all set...

Even as controversy surrounds the NDA Government’s stand on the Ram temple issue, the Union Ministry for Tourism and Culture is all set to launch its development plans for the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad.

An eight-pronged plan, the ministry is spending a sum of Rs 5 crore on the project which aims to recreate the ‘‘magic of Ramayana’’ for the modern man.

Flaying all speculations, however, Tourism Minister Jagmohan said: ‘‘We have had the plan in mind for a long time and are developing Ayodhya like other hubs being developed in Varanasi, Hampi, Ajanta, Ellora, Mahabalipuram.’’

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The Ayodhya plan ‘‘falls under the same category as the creation of the Buddhist circuit, Gandhi yatra, Shankara circuit, Kanyakumari circuit and the Vivekananda yatra,’’ Jagmohan added.

Decisions taken after the Minister’s visit included the allocation of Rs 1 crore for the restoration and renovation of the Ram ki Paidi.

He has also ordered the Rs 1.2 crore development of a seven-km stretch of the Saryu riverfront into a wallway between the river and the green belt. Further, two long parikrama-routes, with one as long as 14 km, will be developed in two phases.

Jagmohan added that a sound and light show, recreating the epic Ramayana, on the lines of the one in Kurukshetra, will also be organised at the Ram ki Paidi. A sum of Rs 2.5 crore will be spent on this.

For Jagmohan, it’s Croatia calling

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NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture is now looking at Croatia. And in the offing is a roadshow promoting tourist destinations in India, a cultural delegation and cultural exchange before the year-end.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan, sees it as the ‘‘beginning of a new chapter between the two countries’’. He added: ‘‘There has been no cultural exchange between India and Croatia…but we are now opening options.’’

The Ministry’s tourism office in Frankfurt has already begun looking after affairs in Croatia and its neighbours. Initiating the process of expansion of cultural activities, Jagmohan met met his Croatian counterpart Pave Ruckovic on Monday. Speaking about the new initiative, Ruckovic said: ‘‘The Indian tourism industry is going up. Given the Indian cultural heritage and tradition, it is an attractive package for tourists.’’

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