Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Jaipur, "I sometimes think of leaving it, but the chief minister's post doesn't leave me," <keyword id="49103" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ashok-gehlot" source="Orion">Ashok Gehlot</keyword> famously said earlier this year, in part as a signal to the Congress top brass not to pick someone else for the job if the party wins the assembly polls. Over the past several months Gehlot, 72, tried every trick up his sleeve -- he has his magician father's blood running through his veins, after all -- to retain the post. Last year, MLAs loyal to him even defied the party high command by boycotting the Congress Legislature Party meeting summoned in Jaipur to possibly pave the way to the CM's post for Sachin Pilot, who in 2020 led a rebellion against the older colleague. The Gandhis wanted Gehlot to quit state politics and become the next national president of the Congress. But Gehlot succeeded in staying put. He then set himself on the task of trying to get the Congress back in a state that for the last three decades has never returned the same party to office twice in a row. Gehlot introduced a slew of welfare measures, including cheaper cooking gas for the poor and a Rs 25-lakh medical insurance scheme. The old pension scheme was back for government employees. And the Congress stalwart ensured that he was identified with each scheme. Had the Congress won, most observers feel, it would have been forced to pick Gehlot over Pilot again as CM. But the 'kursi' did leave him this time. On Sunday evening, Gehlot conceded defeat even as the final results of the counting in Rajasthan were yet to come in but it was clear that the BJP was set to cross the majority-mark. Polling was held in 199 of the 200 seats in the assembly. Gehlot's "failure", however, cannot erase his past successes, attributed mainly to his mass connect. He has been the state's chief minister thrice, in 1998-2003, 2008-13 and 2018-23. Only three other leaders have done this -- Mohan Lal Sukhadia of the Congress was the CM four times, while Haridev Joshi (Congress) and Bhairon <keyword id="3468188" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="singh-shekhawat" source="Orion">Singh Shekhawat</keyword> (BJP) were chief ministers thrice. Gehlot began with student politics. He became the president of the Rajasthan unit of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) in 1974, a post he held up to 1979. He has represented Jodhpur in the Lok Sabha five times. In Jodhpur's Sardarpura assembly segment, he had won five times in a row since 1999 before these elections -- and was on course for the sixth success. Gehlot, the story goes, came to then prime minister Indira Gandhi's notice for his work with refugees from East Bengal. He remained in the good books of Rajiv Gandhi as well. The party acknowledged his leadership as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Gujarat, when he led a tough fight on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home turf in 2017. Next year, he was appointed AICC general secretary (organisation). Earlier at the AICC, he has been in charge of the Seva Dal and the party's Uttar Pradesh and Delhi units. Gehlot has been the <keyword id="5569832" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajasthan-congress-committee" source="Orion">Rajasthan Congress Committee</keyword> president thrice, the first time when he was just 34. In 1980, Gehlot became a Member of Parliament for the first of his five times. At the Centre, he has been the junior minister for <keyword id="9363621" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tourism-and-civil-aviation" source="Orion">Tourism and Civil Aviation</keyword>. He has also led the Sports and Textiles ministries. He is married to Sunita Gehlot and the couple has a daughter and a son. His son <keyword id="578912" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vaibhav-gehlot" source="Orion">Vaibhav Gehlot</keyword>, who is the president of the <keyword id="73403" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajasthan-cricket-association" source="Orion">Rajasthan Cricket Association</keyword>, contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Jodhpur but lost to BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who later became Jal Shakti minister in the Modi government. Gehlot and Shekhawat don't tire of running each other down. The outgoing CM has accused the Union minister of trying to topple his government, and of being involved in the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society 'scam', an allegation over which Shekhawat has taken him to court. As the counting trends came in, Shekhawat alluded to Gehlot's early days as his magician father's assistant, and also to the politician's reputation for out maneuvering his rivals. "The magic has ended and Rajasthan has come out of the spell of the magician," he said.

Ashok Gehlot: Magician leaves centre stage in Rajasthan

<ul><li>The <keyword id="10517" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="International-Kite-Festival">international kite festival</keyword> ‘Uttarayan’ is held annually in January in <keyword id="5065" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</keyword> city of <keyword id="6354766" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, India. </li><li>The kite festival began in 1989 to mark the beginning of summers, according to the Indian Calendar. </li><li>Kite shapes range from footballs, dolphins, tigers, mermaids, pandas, horses to even rubik's cube.</li></ul>Have you ever seen flying kites in different shapes like footballs,dolphins, tigers, mermaids, pandas, horses or even a rubik’s cube? Over the next eight days, the Gujarat sky will full of these floating shapes as the ‘Uttarayan’ festival is underway. This is the 30th edition of the international kite flying festival, which brings together 128,000 kite makers from the western state in India as well as thousands of enthusiasts both from within and outside the country. Here’s a look at the ongoing fest- 
	
	<div type="Slideshow" msid="67453779" hostid="261" title="A master kite-flying festival is underway in India — check out these spectacular photos" firstImageMsid="67453780" slideCount="10"></div>

A master kite-flying festival is underway in India — check out these spectacular photos

<ul><li>The Gujarat Forest Department is reportedly relocating as many as 500 crocodiles from two ponds located near a dam on the Narmada river. </li><li>Until Tuesday, the forest authorities were able to evacuate nearly 15 crocodiles. </li><li>The Forest Authorities and Gujarat government are trying to bring a <keyword id="138635" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="seaplane">seaplane</keyword> service so tourists can visit the ‘<keyword id="1704539" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="statue-of-unity">Statue of Unity</keyword>,’ the world’s tallest statue. </li></ul>In a bid to boost tourism around the Statue of Unity, the Gujarat Forest Department is in action to evacuate as many as 500 crocodiles from two ponds located near a dam on the Narmada river, Indian Express<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/15-out-485-more-to-go-crocodiles-removed-for-seaplane-to-unity-statue-5554420/"> reported.</a> The forest authorities have been able to evacuate nearly 15 crocodiles but are unsure where to release them, according to the report. The crocodiles in the ponds are being trapped in cages for moving them to another location. The two ponds are said to contain crocodiles as big as 10-feet. The <keyword id="6710591" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mugger-crocodile">mugger crocodile</keyword> or broad-snouted crocodile (scientifically known as Crocodylus palustris) is listed as an endangered species in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. While the plan may boost tourism around Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, some of the top officials have reportedly been questioning the idea. According to them, removing these crocodiles from Narmada and bringing them back to a human habitat will affect the natural balance. According to one forest official, the crocodiles will likely be released in a reservoir around the dam but the scale of the evacuation could potentially harm their breeding cycles. India’s Civil Aviation Department and the Gujarat government have been working on a plan to build a seaplane terminal near Pond 3, also known as Magar talav (crocodile pond). The seaplane terminal will connect the Sardar Patel statue site with other cities in Gujarat. India launched the seaplane service with much fanfare last year and was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-tallest-statue-in-the-world-cost-30-billion-to-build-500-million-to-maintain-now-the-government-is-spending-even-more-money-on-advertising-it/articleshow/66448908.cms">The tallest statue in the world cost ₹30 billion to build, ₹500 million to maintain — now the government is spending even more money on advertising it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/India-is-already-divided-over-its-gargantuan-Statue-of-Unity/articleshow/66454129.cms">India is already divided over its gargantuan 'Statue of Unity'</a>

India is moving 500 endangered crocodiles to launch a seaplane service near the Statue of Unity: Report

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> just unveiled the <keyword id="6191084" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tallest-statue-in-the-world">tallest statue in the world</keyword> on World Unity Day as a tribute to country’s first Deputy Prime Minister, <keyword id="6358976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sardar-Vallabhbhai-Patel">Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel</keyword>.</li><li>The statue stretches to 182 meters, looking over the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat. </li><li>The government is expected that the new tourist spot will attract nearly 15,000 visitors on a daily basis. </li></ul> India’s ‘<keyword id="1704539" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="statue-of-unity">Statue of Unity</keyword>’, unveiled earlier today, is now the tallest statue in the world overtaking China’s Spring Temple Buddha. At 182 meters, it’s even twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. That means if you’re standing anywhere within the radius of 7 kms, you’ll be able to see the statue towering down on you. And, the best part is it’s not just something to stare at. You can actually go inside the statue and climb up the viewing gallery at 153 meters. Since the statue has been constructed on the Sadhu Bet Island on the Narmada River, visitors can see the Sardar Sarovar Dam laid out in front of them from there. The government said that it took over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforced steel and 6,000 tonnes of structural steel to put the statue together. Even the outer layer of statue required over 1,700 tonnes of bronze. The Statue of Unity has been built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was key to unitiing the princely states after the India-Pakistan partition in 1947. It’s more than just the statue During the unveiling of the Statue of Unity, more tourist locations were also introduced in and around the location. First off, there’s a 17 kms long valley of flowers in the vicinity. Second, and more importantly, there’s a ‘Tent City’ around the statue where visitors can stay. While the launch of the statue was a big event, one can’t help but wonder if this tourism attraction is going to bring in competition for Gujarat’s most popular winter festival that’s famously known for its tent city, the Rann Utsav. The government’s even come out and said it expects 15,000 tourist visitors on a daily basis. The Indian Railways, to support this venture, is running a special train today called the ‘Unity Express’ that will run from Rajkot to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, within the state of Gujarat.

India’s ‘Statue of Unity’ is now the tallest in the world — It's twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty

Ahmedabad, Feb 13 () Gujarat Chief Minister VijayRupani on Thursday said tradition, talent and trade andcrucial factors in boosting tourism activity.He was speaking after inaugurating, along with UnionCulture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, a two-daymeeting of states and Union territories on 'TourismDestination Management and Community Participation' at TentCity in Dhordo, Kutch district.In his address, Rupani invoked the '3T' mantra givenby Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give boost to the tourismsector in the state.He said Modi, as Gujarat chief minister, helped Kutchto stand up on its feet with the help of tourism after thedevastating earthquake of 2001."Modiji always says tourism involves three Ts -tradition, talent and trade. They are very crucial forboosting tourism activity."Modiji has gave a new dimension to tourism by weavingGujarat's traditions and culture with this sector," Rupani wasquoted as saying by a Gujarat government release.In his address, Patel dubbed the Rann of Kutch as a'heaven of earth'.The tent city is situated in this white desert (Rannof Kutch) and attracts thousands of tourists every year."Our PM's tireless efforts has converted this placeinto a famous tourist spot and a heaven of earth. I amconfident that other parts of Kutch district would bedeveloped on the same line," said Patel.During the two-day meet, government officials, tourismindustry entrepreneurs and other stakeholders would speak ondifferent aspects of tourism.Best practices as well as case studies from variousstates and Union territories in the related field will also beshared during the event, said a release by the PIB.Based on recommendations and discussion here, a taskforce would be constituted to document the benefits,challenges, recommendations, case studies and to prepare anaction plan to assist in policy formulation, it added. PJTPDRSY RSY

Rupani, Patel inaugurate two-day tourism event in Kutch

<keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword> Chief Minister <keyword id="43868" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mamata-Banerjee">Mamata Banerjee</keyword> is trying hard to re-brand the state as an investors’ paradise. In the past decades, Mamata’s way of doing politics has earned her a bad repute among investors. During her regimes, she has tried to wipe away the ill-repute. The ongoing Lead <keyword id="6356978" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengal">Bengal</keyword> Summit, a Vibrant <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> inspired conference to invite investors for the state has earned investment promise worth Rs 2.35 lakh crore despite demonetization. 
 
At such a juncture, the tourism department of the state has released a video to promote the travel and hospitality industry of Bengal. The creative done by ad agency <keyword id="111408" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ogilvy-Mather">Ogilvy &amp; Mather</keyword> has <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> actor <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword> in it. Rebranding the state as ‘The Sweetest part of India’, the ad showcases the heritage of <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> and <keyword id="103057" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bishnupur">Bishnupur</keyword>, major tourist attractions like the hills of Darjeeling, islands of <keyword id="63330" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sundarbans">Sundarbans</keyword>, tea gardens and forests of Dooars, tribal and natural beauty of the <keyword id="700480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Junglemahal">Junglemahal</keyword> area and cruising in the river <keyword id="79976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ganges">Ganges</keyword>, according to A R <keyword id="23940" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bardhan">Bardhan</keyword>, principal secretary, West Bengal tourism department. 
 
“The idea is to project Bengal as the sweetest part of India. Whether it is in the culture, food, nature of people, language, music or in gestures, everything is very sweet. This is what makes it unique,” Sumanto Chattopadhyay, the adman who is shooting the promotional, told the press. 
 “We want tourists from India and the rest of the world. Our unique selling point is that you get the Sundarban low-lying forests and the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword> in Darjeeling in one state,” a tourism department official told the agencies. 
 According to the <keyword id="344829" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-ministry-of-tourism">Union Ministry of Tourism</keyword> data, West Bengal stood at the sixth position, a rank above <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>, in getting the most foreign tourists during 2014. 
 
However for a state that is ambitious enough to grow in tourism, experts believe, would need to pen better reforms. With internal political issues, lack of good roads and a tech awareness, West Bengal government needs to look deep inside. 
 
Watch the full video here:

West Bengal tourism
TVC featuring Shah Rukh Khan rekindles DDLJ on a Kolkara tram

New Delhi, Feb 1 () The Finance Minister's focus to provide impetus to the travel and tourism sector along with development of transportation infrastructure will accelerate the sector's contribution towards country's economy, according to industry players.
 "Increased allocation of funds for the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture, development of financial roadmaps for tourist destinations and plans to assign specified grants for states will go a long way in accelerating the contribution of the sector towards India's economy," MakeMyTrip Co-founder and CEO-India Rajesh Magow said.
 Presenting the Budget for 2020-21, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said Rs 3,150 crore has been allocated for the Ministry of Culture and Rs 2,500 crore for the Ministry of Tourism.
 "Additionally, development of five iconic archeological sites across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu comes as a strategic step towards boosting domestic and inbound heritage tourism to these states," Magow said.
 According to Thomas Cook India Chairman and MD Madhavan Menon said, "... an Indian Institute of Heritage and Conservation will be set up with the status of a deemed university, and this is an imperative towards education and skill development of our sector that contributes a significant 10 per cent to India's GDP".
 The Union Budget intended to give impetus to the Travel and Tourism sector with the allocation of Rs 2,500 crore and equally critical allocation of Rs 1.7 lakh crore towards transportation infrastructure in 2020-21, he added.
 In similar vein, ITC Ltd Executive Director and Chairman-FAITH Nakul Anand said "the allocation to develop 100 new airports by 2024 and the soon to be introduced Tejas trains for iconic destinations are advancements in modern infrastructure that augur well for Indian tourism."
 InterGlobe Hotels President and CEO J B Singh said, "we are hoping that this budget will help in creating and developing new and iconic destinations, thereby redefining the tourism industry, for the better and further improve spending, domestic travel and all this will have great long term benefits for the economy".
 Stating that the vision of government to invest in the tourism sector will be a great push for the hospitality sector, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels MD Vijay Dewan said: "India's heritage and culture rich experiences have always attracted tourists to the country and government's plan to develop five archaeological sites at iconic sites with on-site museums will attract more tourists from India and globally."
 Sterling Holidays CMD Ramesh Ramanathan said: "We are pleased with the proposed budget, as it will play a pivotal role in the hospitality and domestic tourism sector, and will have a multiplier effect across the board."
 Travel Food Services COO and Business Head Gaurav Dewan said: "The government's focus on development is clear and reinforced with the allocation of additional funds to the Airport, Railway and the Highway sectors."
 This will boost business and leisure travel thereby generating employment, connectivity and overall economic development of catchment areas, he added.
 "The government's push for infrastructure development by building more airports and the announcement of new Tejas trains will boost tourism outside the main centers. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on the hotel sector," Cygnett Hotels and Resorts Founder and MD Sarbendra Sarkar said.
 It is heartening to see a budget that focuses on improving standards of living as well as economic development, OYO, India South Asia CEO Rohit Kapoor said. AKT DRR

Govt's focus on providing impetus to travel, tourism sector positive move: Industry

<ul><li>The UP government is seeking funds under the Companies Act of 2013, which requires companies to allocate 2% of their average net profit for three years to <keyword id="6354502" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="CSR">CSR</keyword>. </li><li>The 86 <keyword id="776573" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-tourism">religious tourism</keyword> projects require an investment of 2,725 crores. This includes the proposed construction of a 100-metre statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya for 330 crores. </li><li>The funds are better spent elsewhere. <keyword id="6357713" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> lags behind the rest of the country on a number of important <keyword id="6355210" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="development">development</keyword> indicators. </li></ul> India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, falls short on a number of important development indicators. According to <a href="http://rchiips.org/NFHS/pdf/NFHS4/UP_FactSheet.pdf">data</a> from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, only 43% of households in the state have electricity, 45% of the women are literate, 23% of babies are immunised and 30% of the men have knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, 4 of the 10 least developed districts in India are in the state, as per a <a href="http://niti.gov.in/writereaddata/files/AspirationalDistrictsBaselineRankingMarch2018.pdf">baseline ranking</a> by Niti Aayog. And yet, the UP government’s main priority seems to be the appeasement of its Hindu vote bank. The Yogi Adityanath-led administration is seeking funds for 86 religious tourism projects under <a href="http://www.mca.gov.in/SearchableActs/Section135.htm">Section 135</a> of the 2013 Companies Act, which orders companies of a certain size to allocate 2% of their average net profit for three years to corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The projects require an investment of 2,725 crores, according to an investment prospectus prepared by the state government with Ernst and Young. A key project is the construction of a 100-metre tall statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, which is expected to cost 330 crores. This is nearly triple the amount of funds that the government allocated to providing books and uniforms to school kids in its <a href="http://budget.up.nic.in/budgetbhashan/budgetbhashan2018_2019.pdf">budget for 2018-19</a>. The project, which was <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/yogi-adityanath-government-proposes-grand-statue-of-ram-at-ayodhya-river-banks-in-uttar-pradesh-4882631/">first announced </a>in October last year, brings to mind the spending spree of Mayawati, the former chief minister of UP, whose investments in parks and statues cost the state an estimated <a href="http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/mayawati-memorials-cost-rs-5919-cr-says-lda/951755/">5,919 crores.</a> Other projects in the prospectus include the 100-crore redevelopment of a pilgrimage route in Varanasi and 45-crore additions to the Gorakhpur Temple, where Adityanath is the head priest. When <a href="http://finance.bih.nic.in/documents/csr-policy.pdf">the CSR policy</a> was drawn up, it was envisioned as a way to get corporate India to contribute to social causes and improve development outcomes. Under a prescriptive (but not exhaustive) list, the major CSR activities recognised were eradicating hunger, promoting education, encouraging gender equality, improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare, protecting the environment and skill development. However, the act has consistently been used to divert funds to unnecessary ends, even at the behest of the government in some cases. In October last year, four public sector oil companies - ONGC, HPCL, Indian Oil Corp and Oil India Ltd- spent a combined total of <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Companies/X0jTp5bYxHuPWGvmsJVvHP/PSUs-devote-over-Rs121-crore-of-CSR-funds-towards-Statue-of.html">121 crores</a> on the construction of a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat. The funds that the UP government is asking for are better spent elsewhere. Perhaps in <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/with-shoes-worth-rs-266-cr-in-tatters-up-kids-walk-barefoot-to-schools/story-STKRcOIz7MhufYXVBWIUbP.html">providing better footwear </a>for schoolchildren or effectively implementing <a href="https://thewire.in/labour/mnrega-continues-to-fail-common-man-rural-up">work guarantee schemes</a> in villages or providing <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttar-pradesh-physically-challenged-son-takes-man-on-cart-to-health-centre-ferries-body-back-5113823/">community health centres with vans.</a> However, this is the same administration that has allocated 98.5 crores to cow shelters and 1,500 crores to Kumbh Mela festivities in its budget for next year. It clearly needs to get its priorities straight.

Yogi Adityanath administration looking to tap development funds for statue building

The <keyword id="644076" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-tourism">Indian Tourism</keyword> Ministry released a data on most preferred destinations by domestic and foreign travellers in 2015 and Tamil Nadu emerged as the winner for the second consecutive time. 
 
As per the data, India’s southern Tamil Nadu state received 4.68 million foreign tourists and 333.5 million Indian tourists in 2015. 
 
The contribution of top 10 states was about 88.4% to the total number of foreign tourist visits in the country during 2015, which rose from 22.3 million in 2014 to 23.3 million in 2014. 
 
Domestic tourists by far overshadowed foreign tourists' flow with 1432 million tourists in 2015 as compared to 1282 million in 2014 registering a growth of 11.63%. 
 
Apart from Tamil Nadu, Indians travelled to Uttar Pradesh (204.9 million), Andhra Pradesh (121.6 million), Karnataka (119.9 million), Maharashtra (103.4 million) and Telangana (94.5 million tourists). 
 
Madhya Pradesh (78 million), West Bengal (70.2 million), Gujarat (36.3 million) and Rajasthan (35.2 million) are the other states in the top 10. 
 
The contribution of top 10 states was about 83.62% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2015. 
 
Meanwhile, foreign tourists thronged Maharashtra that came second with 4.41 million foreign tourists, Uttar Pradesh for famous Taj Mahal (3.1 million), Delhi (2.38 million) West Bengal (1.49 million), Rajasthan (1.48 mill), Kerala (0.98 million), Bihar (0.92 million), Karnataka (0.64 million) and Goa(0.54 million). Goa returned to the top 10 after a year's gap. 
 
The contribution of top 10 states was about 88.4% to the total number of foreign tourist visits in the country during 2015.

These Indian states are most preferred destinations by domestic and foreign travellers

What is the best gift you gave someone on his/her birthday? Can’t remember! Well it’s definitely not as grand as what <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> has given their beloved leader. <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> on his birthday has been gifted a mobile app, which lets people wish him on his birthday. Anyone can download the app in their phone and wish <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> on his birthday. Moreover, as a return gift the users will receive a personalized ‘Thank You’ video from the Prime Minister himself. Our tech savvy Prime Minister should be much elated to get this. 
 
The messages from top 50 prominent personalities of the country have gone live on the app today. 
 Some of the messages were accessed by the <keyword id="6474066" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-times">Economic Times</keyword> before they go live on the mobile app. <keyword id="6357912" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="amitabh-bachchan">Amitabh Bachchan</keyword>, Madhuri Dixit, <keyword id="31278" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lata-Mangeshkar">Lata Mangeshkar</keyword> and <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword> have written in, so have <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> and <keyword id="9171" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anil-Ambani">Anil Ambani</keyword>, Uday Kotak, <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, <keyword id="190960" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Baba-Kalyani">Baba Kalyani</keyword>, Venu Srinivasan, Chanda Kochhar, <keyword id="45634" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jagdish-Bhagwati">Jagdish Bhagwati</keyword> and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Shashi Tharoor, Vinod Rai, Sanjay Baru and Sri Sri Ravishankar have also sent in their greetings. Sports people like PV Sindhu, P Gopichand, Saina Nehwal and <keyword id="487" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sania-Mirza">Sania Mirza</keyword> have shared their reflections of experiences with PM. 
 
Here's a look at how a entrepreneurs wished the Prime Minister on his birthday 
 
Anand G. Mahindra Over a decade ago when Narendra Modi visited Mumbai and invited businessmen to invest in <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>, I remember thinking to myself: 'This man is different'. And over the ensuing years, PM Modi has indeed proved that he is a different kind of man. He is a man in a hurry to transform India. 
 
Sunil <keyword id="272096" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharti-Mittal">Bharti Mittal</keyword> 
The last couple of years have been quite revealing. Under a visionary leader, India's potential, which was never quite in doubt, has suddenly found new meaning, and more importantly, acceptance and respect among global audiences at the highest level. The eloquence with which the PM communicated India's vision for the world...the way his charismatic statesmanship gets applauded, it makes each and every Indian proud. 
 
Cyrus P Mistry One of my first meetings I had, along with <keyword id="3660053" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mr-ratan-tata">Mr Ratan Tata</keyword>, after assuming a new role in <keyword id="8555" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata">Tata</keyword> group in 2012, was with Mr Narendra Modi. I remember going into the meeting thinking that this would entail the standard exchange of pleasantries. That day, I came out of the meeting having learnt an important lesson in leadership. 
 
Anil Ambani I recall the first time I met <keyword id="1267365" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendrabhai">Narendrabhai</keyword> in the 1990s when my father <keyword id="6418409" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhirubhai-Ambani">Dhirubhai Ambani</keyword> invited him home for dinner. At the end of the conversation, Papa remarked: "<keyword id="110806" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lambi">Lambi</keyword> race no ghodo chhe, leader chhe, PM banse - he's a thoroughbred for the long run, a true leader, he will be prime minister. In the words of my father, Narendrabhai "dreams with his eyes open" and with <keyword id="6359315" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="arjuna">Arjuna</keyword> like clarity of vision and purpose. 
 
Kumar Mangalam Birla 
Today, there is an air of confidence, a 'can do' feeling. Narendra Modi's has put in place the foundation for strong and sustained economic growth that benefits everyone. Not surprisingly, there has been a distinct improvement in the ease of doing business in India. Above all, Mr Modi is a man of integrity, a man of character, and that is what resonates the most. 
 
 Here’s how <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> wished the Prime Minister on his birthday on the app 
 
Lata Mangeshkar 
You were opposed a lot but you have kept on walking on the path of truth. The whole world in the grip of violence but I am sure your policies will win over this violence. 
 
Aamir Khan 
I always pray that your health always remains fine and you get all your desired happiness. This year has been more memorable for you compared to your earlier years. 
 
 
Amitabh <keyword id="6354348" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="bachchan">Bachchan</keyword> 
I first met you at your CM residence, Gujarat to seek tax exemption for Pa. An ordinary house, an ordinary room...you said let's watch the fi lm, took me along to a theatre and saw the film. Spoke a bit about Gujarat tourism... and Surprise, within a week Gujarat tourism offi cials were at my home in Mumbai to speak to me...and within a few days work started.

​ Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday

<keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> is keen on bolstering water infrastructure to boost tourism for which he is planning to develop 1,000 islands and 300 lighthouses across India. 
 Addressing a national conference on Inland Waterways organised by FICCI, Road Transport and Highways Minister <keyword id="26680" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nitin-gadkari">Nitin Gadkari</keyword> said that the Indian Government will seek Parliament nod on a bill for converting 101 rivers into waterways on which Rs 50,000 crore will be spent in next two to three years. 
 
Gadkari informed that Modi had asked the ministry to include the proposal to develop 300 light houses and 1,100 islands in a Cabinet not. 
 
This move could lead to augmentation of water infrastructure in the country. 
 
“A pact between India and Bangladesh is also likely on transportation of goods through waterways between both nations during the PM's visit to the country,” said Gadkari in New Delhi. 
 
On waterways, Gadkari said the government will seek PPP model. 
 
"The government is planning to develop these waterways through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, which is picking up after a slump," added Gadkari. 
 
He informed that out of 101 rivers to be converted into waterways, detailed project reports (DPRs) for 16 were likely to be completed this month itself. 
Government is setting up four multimodal hubs at Varanasi, Haldia, Sahebganj and Kolkata of the 1,620-km Varanasi to Haldia stretch. 
 
Shipbuilding yards and repair hubs in Assam, Andaman &amp; Nicobar and Kandla in Gujarat are also on the list. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

India to soon have 1000 new ‘tourist friendly’ islands

Madhya Pradesh is the only state in India which provides subsidy to an airline operating regional flights, and now other states may follow suit soon. 
 The <keyword id="58151" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="civil-aviation-ministry">Civil Aviation Ministry</keyword> wants states to underwrite a fixed number of seats per flight operated by local airlines to boost intra-state connectivity. 
 
"We have told states that regional connectivity cannot be achieved without states pushing for it. They have been asked to study the MP model to ensure smaller cities in their respective states get air connectivity," a ministry official told Economic Times on the condition of anonymity. 
 
Last month, the ministry held a meeting that was attended by representatives of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan on the matter. 
 The Government of central Indian state provides financial backing to airline company <keyword id="880675" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ventura-Airconnect">Ventura Airconnect</keyword>, which connects cities including Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Satna, Khajuraho and Rewa. 
 
However, industry executives and experts stressed on other initiatives also, in a bid to ensure profitability on regional routes. 
 
"Apart from underwriting seats and infrastructural support, state governments should provide capital side subsidies in the form of access to cheaper capital or lower interest rates, which will help operators add more aircraft to the fleet and expand route deployments," Jayant Nadkarni, president of Business Aircraft Operators' Association, told ET. 
 
Nadkarni said states should share an updated list of all operational and uncontrolled airports and appoint a single point of contact in each state aviation department. 
 
He also suggested states should tighten the evaluation process and focus on core operations and financial strengths apart from the lowest commercial bidder for subsidies and underwriting seats. 
 The financial daily reported <keyword id="95016" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Madhya-Pradesh-government">Madhya Pradesh Government</keyword> underwrites three seats on each sector, reimburses VAT on the fuel uplifted from any city within the state, provides free security for operations to airstrips owned and operated by the state government, and offers marketing support by <keyword id="849128" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="MP-State-Tourism-Development-Corporation">MP State Tourism Development Corporation</keyword>. 
 
The ministry official informed that the state government paid an average Rs 4,402 per seat subsidy towards underwritten seats and Rs 1.49 crore towards VAT reimbursement to the private operator in the past three years that it has implemented the scheme. 
 
Madhya Pradesh Government has sought concession in landing, parking and air traffic control charges from the Airports Authority of India for the first five years of operations to make the assistance viable. 
 
The provincial government subsidises operations of Ventura Airconnect, which says on its website that it is the first intrastate airline in the country and operates in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. According to a message on the website by the airline's chairman Pradeep Agarwal, the carrier has operated 8,000 flights with 35,000 passengers since it commenced operations in Madhya Pradesh in 2011. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Madhya Pradesh is leading by example in air-connectivity. Here’s how

The <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> government has signed three pacts with <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> – two agreements and one memorandum of understanding (MoU) – in the presence of visiting Chinese President <keyword id="191809" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Xi-Jinping">Xi Jinping</keyword> and Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> in <keyword id="5065" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</keyword>. 
 
One pact was signed between China Development Bank and Industrial Extension Bureau of the Gujarat government for developing industrial parks in Gujarat. Chinese investors from electrical, electronics, plastic and other sectors will establish their units in these industrial parks. 
 
Another pact was signed between China's Guangdong province, which is the most populous province of China, and the Gujarat government for developing a 'sister province.' It would promote cooperation in trade and industry, environmental studies, science and technology, health, culture and tourism, waste water management, sports and infrastructure in the sister province. 
 
“Gujarat is promoting manufacturing sector in a big way and Chinese firms have shown interest in setting up their manufacturing units in the state,” said Gujarat’s Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) J Pandian. 
 
“Gujarat has received Rs 700 crore investment from two Chinese firms which have opened their factories in Gujarat. Now, in the proposed industrial park, likely to come up near Vadodara, many companies will set up their factories and Gujarat authorities will facilitate them,” he added. 
 
The third MoU was inked between Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Guangzhou for information sharing on various issues such as health, culture, science and technology, environment and education.

You Searched For "Gujarat Tourism" and got 13 results

Ashok Gehlot: Magician leaves centre stage in Rajasthan

PTI

A master kite-flying festival is underway in India — check out these spectacular photos

BI India Bureau

India is moving 500 endangered crocodiles to launch a seaplane service near the Statue of Unity: Report

BI India Bureau

India’s ‘Statue of Unity’ is now the tallest in the world — It's twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty

Prabhjote Gill

Rupani, Patel inaugurate two-day tourism event in Kutch

PTI

West Bengal tourism TVC featuring Shah Rukh Khan rekindles DDLJ on a Kolkara tram

Suchayan Mandal

Govt's focus on providing impetus to travel, tourism sector positive move: Industry

PTI

Yogi Adityanath administration looking to tap development funds for statue building

Dilsher Dhillon

These Indian states are most preferred destinations by domestic and foreign travellers

BI India Bureau

Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday

BI India Bureau

India to soon have 1000 new ‘tourist friendly’ islands

BI India Bureau

Madhya Pradesh is leading by example in air-connectivity. Here’s how

BI India Bureau

Gujarat-China Create History: Sign Three Agreements For A Better Tomorrow

BI India Bureau

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

You Searched For "Gujarat Tourism" and got 13 results

Ashok Gehlot: Magician leaves centre stage in Rajasthan

PTI

A master kite-flying festival is underway in India — check out these spectacular photos

BI India Bureau

India is moving 500 endangered crocodiles to launch a seaplane service near the Statue of Unity: Report

BI India Bureau

India’s ‘Statue of Unity’ is now the tallest in the world — It's twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty

Prabhjote Gill

Rupani, Patel inaugurate two-day tourism event in Kutch

PTI

West Bengal tourism TVC featuring Shah Rukh Khan rekindles DDLJ on a Kolkara tram

Suchayan Mandal

Govt's focus on providing impetus to travel, tourism sector positive move: Industry

PTI

Yogi Adityanath administration looking to tap development funds for statue building

Dilsher Dhillon

These Indian states are most preferred destinations by domestic and foreign travellers

BI India Bureau

​ Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday

BI India Bureau

India to soon have 1000 new ‘tourist friendly’ islands

BI India Bureau

Madhya Pradesh is leading by example in air-connectivity. Here’s how

BI India Bureau

Gujarat-China Create History: Sign Three Agreements For A Better Tomorrow

BI India Bureau

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Here's how Mukesh Ambani, Uday Kotak, Anand Mahindra and other Indian leaders wished Narendra Modi in his birthday