Chief Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his resolve to develop Kutch as the Tourism Capital of Gujarat, making all efforts to attract at least one lakh tourists with many more features during 2011.
Enthused by the positive response from the visitors during the Rann Utsav, especially the visitors’ first choice for stay in traditional ‘Bhunga’ rather than tents, he said the vast expanse of this westernmost district has opened up new avenues of tourism-related job opportunities.
Mr. Modi was speaking during the lunch break of the BJP Executive Committee meeting being held in Kutch to take stock of the good work done by the karmayogis of the district administration during the Rann Utsav.
He suggested starting beach adventures in the sparkling white sands of the Rann, setting up handicrafts village, resort at the foothill of Kala Dungar, combining Rann Utsav with the Kite Festival, training local youth in hospitality management as tourist guides, elocution and essay competition in schools and colleges.
He also suggested that Border Security Forces allow tourists view and take pictures of the tanks, bunkers and other features on the India-Pakistan border. He said the Shyamji Krishna Verma Memorial, Sand Sculpture Township and sea beach at Mandvi have already changed the face of the region.
Those present on the occasion included Minister of State Vasanbhai Ahir, Collector Thennarsan, and senior officers of the district police and development offices.
January 20, 2011
