Shillong, Sept 4: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday made an appeal to tourists to experience the cultural and natural richness in Meghalaya.
Making the remark during his visit to South West Khasi Hills, Sekhawat reiterated that the country’s maximum tourism potential lies in the North East, particularly Meghalaya.
“Meghalaya has an immense potential of growing tourism. Come let us all visit and experience Meghalaya, its culture and the natural beauty,” said the Union minister, who visited Hot Spring at Jakrem, Synrang Mawrin at Mawten, Mawkyrduk Monolith (Tynrong) at Mawlangwir, and Mawranglang Viewpoint at Mawranglang during his visit to the district.
Appreciating the state government’s efforts to boost tourism in the state, he said, “Development of tourism is going to bring a big change in the life of the local community. Their economic wealth will rise, their living conditions will change for better.”
He also underscored the pivotal role that the tourism sector would play in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047 under the leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Union minister was in Shillong on Monday to attend a meeting with tourism ministers of the north-eastern and eastern states and union territories to understand and further develop the tourism potential of region.
Cultural performances, including songs by Ki Sur Ki Nongkyndong and traditional dances by Ri-Maram Folk Academy of Mawlangwir, were showcased during his visit to the tourist spots.
During the visit, he also chaired a review meeting to assess tourism-related schemes in the district.
He inquired about tourist influx and operation of homestays in the district and assessed various schemes, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY), Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Community-Led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme and other initiatives aimed at boosting tourism in the district.
Memorandums were also submitted to the Union Minister by local MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, along with representatives from Dorbar Shnong Mawten, Principal of Sngap Syiem College Mawkyrwat, and local headman of Dorbar Shnong Mawlangwir.
