With the objective of putting Telangana state on the global tourism map and promoting community development through tourism, the government of Telangana organised a series of events in the capital to celebrate the World Tourism Day.
The festivities, which culminated in a grand event with the State Tourism Awards presented at Paryatak Bhavan at Begumpet here by IT& Panachayat Raj minister KT Rama Rao were marked by a series of programmes.
The theme of the celebrations was tourism and community development focusing on the ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities.
Speaking at the event, the minister noted that the government was extremely focused towards a cultural renaissance and establishing an identity for Telangana, which according to him were the principles of fighting for a separate state.
KV Ramanachary, advisor to the Telangana government, said that citizens need to take up promotion of Telangana state tourism with the same urge and vibrancy as Bathukamma is being celebrated at present.
Excursion Packages for students
Meanwhile, the tourism department, to commemorate world tourism day, launched excursion packages for school students from the city. The two packages were Hyderabad-Kalanupaka-Warangal-Ramappa and Hyderabad-Medak-Singoor exclusively for educational institutions and groups on a special rebated rate.
Open House at State Museum
Department of Archeology and Museums along with INTACH Hyderabad conducted an Open House at the State Museum in the Public Gardens. The Open House was observed at all museums across the state on Saturday. Several competitions for children from city schools were also held on the occasion.
Tourist facilities inaugurated
Irrigation minister T Harish Rao inaugurated the TS Tourism Development Corporation’s facilities in Siddipet which includes Banquet hall, auditorium, food court building, pathways, parking area, landing scaping, boating, and water supply with an budget of `123.16 lakh around Komaticheruvu lake in Siddipet.
First ever Kayakathon
The Telangana tourism department along with The Yacht Club of Hyderabad and the Greater Hyderabad Adventure Club (GHAC) conducted the first ‘Kayakathon’ here on Saturday. “Let us conduct these activities at Hussainsagar and Durgam Cheruvu on every second Saturday and Sunday and reclaim our lakes,’’said Tourism principal secretary BP Acharya. The events included kayaking, canoeing, sailing etc in different categories like relay kayakathon for beginners, round the lake kayakathon, sprints, Omega sailing, Optimist Sailing etc. EME sailing association, 1 EME centre Secunderabad, Telangana state police also participated in the events. About 90 youngsters, all beginners, participated in the relay K-3 kayakathon.
Special Award
B.Shekar Babu, Transcend Adventures Pvt Ltd, Hyd for contribution in Adventure Tourism including Rock & Mount climbing and coach for the Mount Everest climbers M Poorna and S Anand.
Source: The New Indian Express