Latest news with #SwadeshDarshan2.0
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
BHU faculty, alumni win Naimisharanya logo, tagline contest
Varanasi: Assistant professor of the department of Applied Arts, faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University, and two alumni secured the top three positions in the logo and tagline design competition for Naimisharanya, Sitapur organised by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, the UP State Tourism Development Corporation organised a national-level logo and tagline design competition for Naimisharanya, Sitapur. The department of Applied Arts, BHU made history by securing the first, second, and third positions in the contest. Alumnus Nikhil Kumar Rai secured the first position, assistant professor of the department Ashish Kumar Gupta secured the second position, and alumnus Uday Prakash secured the third position. Located in Sitapur district, about 90km from Lucknow, Naimisharanya is mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata and puranas. It is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra fell on the earth, and where 88,000 sages led by Shaunak Rishi performed the great yagya. The place remains to be a centre of faith for spiritual seekers, pilgrims, and cultural lovers. "It is a matter of great pride for the entire faculty that alumni and an assistant professor dominated the top three positions in this national-level competition, in which entries were received from all over the country, including Uttar Pradesh. This is the first time that Guru and Shishya of the same department have won all the top prizes in a national competition," said the dean of the faculty of visual arts, prof Uttam Dixit, congratulating all the winning participants. Head of the department of Applied Arts, prof Manish Arora said that it was a matter of joy for the department for winning all the positions in the national competition of logo design. The competition was organised under the guidance of the chief development officer of Sitapur, and the winners were selected by the district evaluation committee. The objective of the competition was to develop a strong and culturally relevant visual identity for one of the holiest spiritual places in India, Naimisharanya. The logo design and tagline prepared by the winners will be used by Naimisharanya, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh State Tourism.
India Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
How Goa plans to take tourism beyond sea and sand
Tourists visiting Goa will have more destinations on their to-do list in the coastal state in the future. The state cabinet has approved tourism infrastructure projects, such as Rs 121 crore town square project in Porvorim and the development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi near Ponda in North Khaunte, minister for tourism, said the town square in Porvorim is conceptualised as a first of its kind in the country. The town square, which is inspired by international landmarks such as New York's Times Square and London's Piccadilly Circus, will be designed as a community hub, and will host local artisans and create opportunities for employment and cultural town square will have a market court, welcome court, fountain court, movie court, heritage court, an Ashoka Stambh, and a clock tower. Of the estimated Rs 120.97 crore cost, Rs 90.74 crore will come from the Union government and the rest from the state government. It is expected to be completed by March who is a three-term MLA from Porvorim, said the town square will provide new avenues for artists and cultural entrepreneurs, and offer a modern space rooted in Goan heritage. This will be a heritage-linked public space that also promotes economic growth. It will be spread across 11,000 sq metres and operate round the year. Khaunte also announced the beautification of the Porvorim Creek and development of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi. This will enhance Goa's cultural tourism the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, the rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be developed. This project will enhance the creek experience, encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa and Pomburpa Spring, extending up to Harvalem. Colva will also be redeveloped under the coastal component of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, and will be given upgraded facilities and public said around Rs 400 crore worth of tourism projects have been sanctioned for Goa by the Union government. He said it was important that tourists explore Goa beyond its sands and sea in order to develop deeper appreciation of the state's culture, heritage and hinterlands. The department has made efforts to showcase the state's tourism beyond its beaches and develop verticals such as eco-tourism, adventure tourism and 2023, Goa had 8.1 million domestic and 453,000 foreign tourists visiting. In 2024, Goa welcomed a higher 9.94 million domestic tourists and around 468,000 international tourists. 'The state has witnessed a notable 21 per cent growth in tourism, which promises a very positive trend for tourism in Goa. While domestic tourist footfall increased by 22 per cent, foreign tourist footfall increased by 3 per cent. These statistics unmistakably indicate a robust growth in Goa's tourism sector, reaffirming its position as a most preferred tourist destination,' said the Economic Survey of Goa for department of tourism has said that tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 have grown by 10.5 per cent year on year as compared to the same period in 2024. The first three months of this year have seen 2.85 million visitors come to Goa, up from 2.58 million in the first quarter of to India Today Magazine
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Key Colva units still not connected to STP
Colva: When chief minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Colva sewerage treatment plant (STP) in Jan, he had set a clear deadline of March 31 for all commercial establishments and households to be connected to the STP, failing which their water supply would be cut off. But five months have passed, and the deadline has quietly slipped. Nearly 30 commercial establishments under the tourism department along the Colva creek are yet to connect to the STP. Most notably, the Colva Residency, a flagship Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) property with over 50 rooms and a restaurant, is still off the grid. 'Even govt properties haven't complied. If this is the pace at which things move, how can we expect the public to take the initiative?' said one official overseeing the plant operations. The Colva STP, with a capacity of 7.5 million litres per day (MLD), was commissioned after a decade-long wait, at an investment of Rs 23 crore. Rs 11 crore is being spent on laying an 11km sewerage pipeline network. Technical assistant Sheetal Jagdari, who oversees commercial connections to the plant from the PWD (sewerage), said letters were sent to the tourism department's commercial units along the creek. In response, proprietors presented a letter from Rajesh Kale, deputy director of tourism (revenue), dated Sep 2024. The letter cited plans under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme to demolish and redevelop tourist shopping complexes, with work expected to begin by Dec 2024. Consequently, all current leases would be terminated, and shop owners were asked to vacate by Nov. 'Using this as justification, they're reluctant to apply for connections,' Jagdari said. Ironically, the shops continue to operate as usual, despite the impending redevelopment, buying time. Adding to the confusion is the case of Colva Residency. While GTDC's executive engineer E Balan asserts the property is connected to the STP, the PWD officials deny having any such records. Jagdari further revealed that a year ago, GTDC had only sent a handwritten request for connection. 'We asked them to follow official procedures. Since then, we've heard nothing.' The price may ultimately be paid by Colva's fragile environment and its overstretched infrastructure, said a local panch.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Address local issues before initiating new developments at Colva beach'
Colva: The Small and Medium Hotels Association has urged govt to address the long-standing issues faced by local businesses and the fishing community before initiating any new development projects at Colva beach. 'Colva beach, once known for its pristine charm that attracted people from all corners of Salcete, now lies in a state of neglect. This has led to a sharp decline in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly among the hippie crowd that once put Goa on the global tourism map,' Small and Medium Hotels Association vice president Dixon Vaz. Vaz, who is also Cavelossim sarpanch, said govt's recent announcement to develop Colva beach under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme must be preceded by consultations with local stakeholders. He said the local fishing community's concerns — especially regarding spaces for unloading and drying their daily catch — must be resolved first, with permanent solutions. He said govt should discuss the proposed developmental plans with key stakeholders, including restaurant and shack owners, taxi drivers, water sports operators, the public and the local panchayat. Vaz said he will also request the chief minister and the tourism minister to look into their grievances before proceeding with development initiatives.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
Porvorim town square, creek circuit works to be ready by Mar '26: Khaunte
Panaji: With the cabinet approving the Porvorim town square and the development of a creek circuit, the tourism department hopes to issue the work order to Bagkiya Constructions Pvt Ltd by next week, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The minister said both projects will be completed by March 2026. Khaunte said Porvorim town square is inspired by New York's Times Square, San Francisco's Union Square, and London's Piccadilly Circus. 'When we travel around the world, we realise that open spaces are developed, where people come together and where activities are held,' said Khaunte. 'The Porvorim square will have a performance theatre, market area, musical fountains, movie court, heritage area, the Ashoka Stambh, and basement parking. ' The Porvorim town square is being built on three plots repossessed by govt from private developers after a legal battle and handed it to the tourism department. 'Work will start soon and should be completed by March 2026. The work order is to be issued next week. At the same time, work on the Porvorim creek will also start,' said Khaunte. Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, a rural circuit from Porvorim to Harvalem will be created, enhancing the Porvorim creek experience by encompassing Torda Creek, Malim Jetty, Virlosa, and Pomburpa Spring, and extending up to Harvalem, Khaunte said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zumbido e perda de audição? Médico revela técnica caseira de 1 real para aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo The minister said the proposal to revamp Colva under Swadesh Darshan is being finalised and will likely be placed before the cabinet next month. Also announced were the beautification of Porvorim creek and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Farmagudi to boost cultural tourism. The press conference was attended by Shri Kedar Naik, director of tourism, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, MD GTDC, and Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager GTDC. The Porvorim town square, spread over 11,000sqm, is a first-of-its-kind heritage-linked public space aimed at promoting economic growth and year-round public programmes. Khaunte said nearly Rs 400 crore is being spent to revitalise Goa's tourist spaces with Central support under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI) scheme.
