Madhya Pradesh congress plays religious tourism card

  • | Friday | 14th September, 2018

Congress will prepare a roadmap to restore ancient temples and monuments and develop various sites for religious tourism,” said state Congress media committee chairperson Shobha Oza. This proposal is likely to be included its manifesto.“PCC chief Kamal Nath is determined to develop and establish MP as an international religious tourism hub. It was during the Congress regime that the tourism department first constructed hotels. If our party forms the government, MP will be known for its temples and culture, just like Rajasthan,” Gupta said. “Congress will also develop Ram Gaman Path, crossing through nine districts of the state,” she added.Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh, a former tourism minister, said, “MP is famous for its temples and wildlife .

BHOPAL: With assembly elections just two months away, the state Congress seems to be getting more religiously inclined.Less than 72 hours after PCC chief Kamal Nath announced that Congress will undertake 'Ram Gaman Path', the party on Thursday declared that if it comes to power, it will develop the state as a “religious tourism hub”. This proposal is likely to be included its manifesto.“PCC chief Kamal Nath is determined to develop and establish MP as an international religious tourism hub. Congress will prepare a roadmap to restore ancient temples and monuments and develop various sites for religious tourism,” said state Congress media committee chairperson Shobha Oza. “BJP has used Lord Ram as a tool to grab political power. Their thoughts on Ram and religion are limited to garnering votes. In the 15 years of BJP rule in MP, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has completely neglected ancient temples and left them in ruins,” she alleged.Oza argued that that with two Jyotirlingas — Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain and Omkareshwar — and holy rivers of Narmada, Tapti and Kshipra, the state is ideal for religious tourism. “There are historic temples in Datia, Maihar, Orchha, Chitrakoot, Maheshwar and Bhojpur,” Oza pointed out, adding that Congress will also develop Sanchi Stupa, where thousands of Buddhists visit from all over the world.Congress promises to build rest houses and public toilets for devotees all along the 3,300-km route of Narmada Parikrama. “When former chief minister Digvijaya Singh took part in the Narmada Parikrama last year, he realised that pilgrims were forced to walk through difficult terrain,” Oza said. “Congress will also develop Ram Gaman Path, crossing through nine districts of the state,” she added.Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh, a former tourism minister, said, “MP is famous for its temples and wildlife . If there is development around the temples, it will surely increase footfall of pilgrims. Previously, there were no places for pilgrims to stay in Chitrakoot and Amarkantak. It was during the Congress regime that the tourism department first constructed hotels. Once the government takes interest in developing a place for tourists, it gives a massive boost to travel and tourism industry.”State Congress media cell vice-president Bhupendra Gupta said, “The state today has over 70 lakh unemployed youths. The question is, how to generate large-scale job opportunities? The answer is, go back to the traditional roots of the state where religion and allied work can engage a lot of people.”Along with religious tourism, the state can also develop Maheshwari, Chanderi and Bagh textile industries, Gupta suggested. “The zari work of Bhopal and supari handicrafts of Rewa can surely reach international platforms. If our party forms the government, MP will be known for its temples and culture, just like Rajasthan,” Gupta said.

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