Another feather was added to the cap of HImachal Tourism ...

Dharmshala--Another feather was added to the cap of HImachal Tourism with the launch of second publication ‘Unforgettable Himachal’ a Coffee Table Book, by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, at a fabulous function organised at Hotel Dhouladhar, Dharamshala, last evening. He was joined by Smt. Vidya Stokes, Leader of Opposition in HP Vidhan Sabha, Shri Khimi Ram, President, State BJP, Shri Kaul Singh Thakur, President, HP Congress Committee, Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister, Shri Vijay Singh Mankotia, former Tourism Minister, Smt. Rajwant Sandhu, Chief Secretary, Dr. D.S.Manhas, DGP, Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary Tourism and others in unveiling the book. The book has been brought out by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation and was second to the first publication ‘ Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai’ brought out by the department depicting historical aspects related to various heritage buildings of the capital town of Shimla which had acclaimed appreciation at national and international level.

Congratulating Tourism Department, Chief Minister, said that the publication would go a long way in opening new vistas to the tourists from the world over and attract them to visit different destinations in the State. He said that Himachal Pradesh has been blessed with immense natural potential to attract any person to experience close encounter with the mother nature and get themselves re-energised when they return home. He said that the first publication ‘Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai’ had been received by people interested in knowing about the historical aspects related to various heritage buildings in the capital town of Shimla enthusiastically. He said that even people who were brought up, educated and dwelled in Shimla and now living abroad had shown keen interest in the stories related to their birth place and the town they adore for spending memorable days in their early childhood. He said that Himachal Pradesh had been adjudged as Best Destination for tourism in the country for catering to the requirements of visitors through the quality services and infrastructure created for them.

Prof. Dhumal said that new milestones were being added to attract the visitors to HImachal Pradesh and prolong their stay at different destinations. He said that a prominent business house had volunteered to install the world’s largest statue of Lord Hanuman at the highest of altitude of Jakhu, where it is believed that Lord Hanuman had rested a while on His way back to Lanka after he had carried ‘Sanjeevani Booti’ with Him to cure Lord Laxman gain conscious. He said that the idol was visible from distance and different parts of Shimla. He said that recently a statue of Rani of Jhansi had also been installed at the park named after her at The Mall in Shimla which had further added to the attractions of the tourists visiting Shimla. He said that the State Government was endeavouring to make Himachal Pradesh leader in tourism development as well where local youth could find ample opportunities to grow economically and prosper.

Chief Minister was presented a cheque of Rs. 5.00 lakh by Shri Virender on behalf of Shri Vikas Goel, a resident of Shimla, now Singaporean NRI, for the ‘Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai’ Coffee Table Book as a token of gratitude since the book had revived his old memories of Shimla.

Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister and local MLA, also thanked the CM for launch of an important publication from Dharamshala which he hoped would give further boost to the tourism potential in the area. He said that the Kangra Tourism Circuit would be implemented at a cost of Rs. 70 crore which would add to quality infrastructural facilities in the region and more tourists would be coming to visit such places. He thanked CM for including Kangra district in the heli-taxi service network and would explore the region to the high end tourists thereby boost the economy of the people engaged in tourism promotion activities.

Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary Tourism, welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries and thanked them for their presence at the launch ceremony of the ‘Unforgettable HImachal’ publication. She detailed the tourism promotion activities being undertaken by the State and future plans to make tourism a popular household affair.

Shri R.S.Gupta, D.C, Kangra, proposed vote of thanks and said that the initiative of the tourism department was bound to benefit the hospitality industry in marketing the locations described and photographed in the book. He said that new dimensions would be given to tourism sector after people come across the unexplored tourist destinations in the State.

Dr. Arun Sharma, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation, also welcomed the CM and other dignitaries and gave a brief presentation over the contents of the Coffee Table Book. He said that presenting tourism facet of Himachal Pradesh in an unique and attractive way, the Coffee Table Book ‘Unforgettable Himachal’ capture the essence of HImachal from tourism promotion point of view He said that the book contained 180 pages with 300 beautiful and unique pictures that were compatible with international standard and matched with interesting text. He said that the book was being presented under the umbrella of the Incredible India brand image to place HImachal Pradesh in wider context of national tourism scenario, followed by a comprehensive introduction to Himachal and its tourist sites, destinations, lesser known areas, pilgrimage places, fair, festivals, adventurous sites and other tourism activities. He said that the book would go a long way in the promotion of tourism in Himachal Pradesh. He said that the state aimed at enhancement of state tourism share in State Gross Domestic Product from 8 to 15 percent in coming few years.

Cabinet Ministers, Members of State Legislative Assembly, former Members of Parliament, former MLAs, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, Principal Secretaries, secretaries, Heads of various departments, senior officers and prominent people of the town were witness to the unveiling ceremony.

Posted by BIJENDER SHARMA on 8:58 AM. Filed under breakingnews, feature, gallery, tourism . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0