Gujarat Chief Minister greets pilgrims from Gujarat on return from Kailash-Mansarovar
“India has potential to attract more tourists than Europe, capable of contributing to nation’s economy too”
“Centre should create am independent authority to promote tourism”
“Gujaratis make great tourists; need to make Gujarat a destination”
– Narendra Modi
He was speaking at a function to mark felicitation of Gujarati pilgrims on their return from Kailash-Mansarovar. The function was organized by Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board.
He said that the people of Gujarat are known to be great tourists. What is needed is to develop the entire Gujarat, extending from Ambaji to Umargam as a great world tourism destination.
Mr. Modi said that 439 pilgrims from Gujarat have made it to Kailash-Mansarovar during the last three year. Gujarat Government presented a token memento of Rs.20,000 as encouragement to each pilgrim.
The Chief Minister described the event as linking of two languages of Gujarati and Chinese across the majestic Himalayan mountainous ranges. He said that Gujaratis comprised the maximum number of pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar.
Mr. Modi recalled that he too had visited Kailash-Mansarovar long back. Now there are many modern facilities available for the pilgrims. The pilgrimage provides a unique spiritual experience to the daring pilgrims in search of nearness to Nature. There is a difference between the concept of tourism in the West and that of Hindustan.