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What is the news?
The Ministry of Tourism has constituted the Swadesh Darshan Awards.
What are Swadesh Darshan Awards?
Constituted by: Ministry of Tourism
Aim: To highlight best practices undertaken by the State Governments, Union Territories and various implementation agencies in planning, design and operations, efficient project monitoring, attracting private investments, operations and maintenance.
Categories: The award will be given under the following categories as: Best Tourist Interpretation Center, Best Log Hut Facility, Best MICE Facility, Best Cafeteria, Best Craft Haat. Best Sound and Light Show and Best Waterfront Development (Beach/ River/ Lake).
What is the Swadesh Darshan Scheme?
Launched by: Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15
Type: Central Sector Scheme
Aim: To develop theme-based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner.
Under the scheme, 15 themes have been identified.These themes include Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, North-East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit, Tribal Circuit and Wildlife Circuit.
The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance – CFA to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations for the infrastructure development of these theme based circuits.
Source: This post is based on the article “Ministry of Tourism starts Swadesh Darshan Awards in different categories, invites entries from States/UTs” published in PIB on 4th Mar 2022.
