Prime Minister inaugurates and dedicates PRASHAD projects in Varanasi

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has inaugurated the Tourism Facilitation Centre and operation of Cruise Boat in Varanasi. These projects have been developed under the PRASHAD Scheme.

About the PRASHAD Scheme:

• The National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive(PRASHAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15.
• Purpose: It is a Central Sector Scheme launched with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
• Objectives of the Scheme:
  • To enhance tourism attractiveness in a sustainable manner.
  • To harness pilgrimage tourism so that it directly affects and multiplies employment generation and economic development.
  • Furthermore, to promote local art and culture, handicraft and cuisines, etc.
  • To develop world-class infrastructure in religious destinations.

Other Tourism Scheme:

Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-2015
• Aim: It is a Central Sector Scheme with the objective of integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
• Objectives:
  • position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation
  • Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritized manner;
  • Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions.
• Thematic Circuits under Scheme: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Heritage Circuit, Sufi Circuit, and Tirthankar Circuit.