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CHAPTER- 2

GROWTH AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM

INDUSTRY IN GUJARAT

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CHAPTER-2

GROWTH AND PROSPECTS OF TOURISM INDUSTRY IN

GUJARAT

2.1 INTRODUCTION OF TOURISM

The word tourism has its origin in a Latin word Tronos meaning a tool for

describing a circle or turns wheel. This refers to aping at the end of a stretched

string used to describe a circle. From the same Latin word, terms like round

tour or package tour have emerged to give essence to tourism. But this

etymology does not explain how tour comes to mean a particular type of trips

among various trips where itineraries are circular. It was only by early

eighteenth century that tour in modern sense of a temporary trip away from

home for some pleasurable purpose had become all established.

Tourist is defined as a visitor who visits in a region for at least one night to less

than a year, whose main purpose of visit is other than earning against what he

spends within the region visited.

2.2 DEFINITION OF TOURISM

Tourism has been defined in different ways for convenience of understanding

we may discuss the definition under three separate headings:-

• Technical

• Conceptual

• Economic

• TECHNICAL DEFINITION

The most widely used technical definition is one recommended by IUOTO in

1968, and which was originally arrived at the united Nation sponsored

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conference on travel and tourism in Rome 1963 in their recommendations, the

term tourist is subsumed under the border category of visitor. Visitor describes

a person visiting a country other than that in which he has his usual place of

residence.

• CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION

According to L.J. Lickorish, Tourim embraces all movement of people outside

their community for all purpose except migration or regular daily work. The

most frequent reason for this movement is for holidays, but it will also include

for example attendance at conferences and movement on sporadic or infrequent

business purpose.

• ECONOMIC DEFINITION

Tourism can also be defined from a strictly economic stand point as a business

industry considers tourism as an “umbrella concept” It comprises a series of

economically related business beginning for, advertising and promotion,

development of condo miniums, parks and shops, travelling agency and tour

operation, travel modes air, road, railway, business catering to vacationers like

photo chart, gasoline, stations, hospitality field hotels, motels, restaurants, and

a host of other economic activities are obvious although the economic

importance of the segments depend upon the particular destination.

According to the authors Tourism is composed of four elements.

• A dynamic element which involves travels to selected destination or

estimations.

• A static element which involves the stay in the destination.

• A consequential element resulting from the two preceding element, which is

concerned with effects on the economic, physical and social subsystems

with which the tourist is directly or indirectly in contact.

• The most impressive assumptions underlying the conceptual framework are:

impacts results from a complex process of interchange between Tourist,

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host committees, and destination environment, impacts linger and interact

with structural changes in the tourist industry.

2.3 FORMS AND CATEGORIES OF TOURISM

In relation to a given country the following forms of tourism can be

distinguished.

• DOMESTIC TOURISM

This is defined as comprising of the activities of residents of a given area

travelling only within that area but outside their usual environment.

• INBOUND TOURISM

This is defined a comprising of the activities of non-residents travelling in a

given area that is outside their usual environment.

• OUTBOUND TOURISM

This is defined as comprising of the activities of residents of a given area

are travelling to and staying in places outside that area.

Tourism is such adverse phenomenon that a single social theory may not be

explained. It is voluntary, outside ordinary life, limited in time and space,

surrounded by an air of mystery, utterly absorbing yet recognized as being

some which make believe, has something at stake an outcome in doubt and

may promote the formation of social groups.

2.4 INTRODUCTION OF THE STUDY

The entire economic activity of our business and industry is classified into two

categories one is manufacturing and the other is service industry. In the

manufacturing sector we process raw materials by using machinery and human

power in the service sector, mostly it is not exclusively men-machines interface

but of as men-men- interface.

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2.5 SEARCH FOR THE AUTHENTICITY

The Tourist wants to find what is real, poor, good or meaningful in the world,

The study attempts to be a procession. The procession perspective implies the

understanding of the process of tourism development in accounting for tourism

impacts. The procession perspective is not merely the temporal perceptive. It is

a kind of what Pearce calls the “aenetic approach which examines various

factors investigation in any contemporary situation. It also has the added task

of analyzing these developments and changing relationship through time in

terms of data collections it means administering interview, personal interview,

communications etc.

The study attempts to be contextual. In other words information is collected

about the different economic, socio-cultural ecological and political factors

which have contributed to the growth of tourism in the area under investigation

and which continue to shape its evolution and determine the impacts on the

social patterns. Thus tourism is not considered as a process in isolation but is

treated in a holistic fashion.

However the elements of tourism may be described in the conventional terms

of supply and demand. Supply involves the companies which deliver tourism

products and services, including tour operators and travel agents and

companies for business, but a component, such as accommodation, restaurants

and cafes.

The study attempts to integrate the various definitions to arrive at an

understanding of tourism as a multi composite activities. While its nature as an

industry cannot be overlooked as variety of economic activities. It has

ramification beyond the economic sphere. Development of a destination area

including tourism infrastructure in particular and other infrastructure facilities

like roadways, electrification of the area in general, development of TOPs

(Tourist Oriented Products) and ROPs (Resident Oriented Products).

Interaction effects among the local popular visitors and migration as a result of

economic exchanges which often have a strong socio cultural components.

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Moreover interaction with visitors is peculiarly different from other types of

economic exchange with consumer due to the visitor’s short duration of stay

loosing of ego inhibitions away from home, and in case of foreign visitors the

perception of socio cultural differences between the hosts and the guest.

While each of the above mentioned components from independent research

enquires the focus of the study consists in integrating these diverse components

of the tourism phenomenon in a single network to assess tourism impacts on a

destination area. This focus of our study is dilated by the concern over the

governments enthusiastic development and planning of Tourism without

undertaking scientific impact assessment studies at a micro level.

2.6 THE WORLD SCENARIO AND INDIA’S POSITION

In recent years tourism has emerged as a major economic activity that is

employment oriented and earns foreign exchange. Its share in the worlds GDP

in 1994-95 was 10% which is more than the world’s military budgets put

together. In global terms, the investment in tourism industry and travel trade

accounts for 7% of the total capital investment. Today 21.2 crore people around

the globe are employed in travel, trade and tourism. In future, this industry is

likely to see unprecedented growth. According to the World Tourism Council

at Bruseels, the revenues from travel and tourism in Asia Pacific region will

grow at the rate of 7.8% annually over the next decade Amongst the economic

sectors, the tourism sector is highly labor intensive. A survey by the

Government of India notes that the rate of employment generation (direct and

indirect) in tourism is 52 persons employed per Rs.10 lakh investment (based

on 1992-93 Consumer Price Index). This is much higher than the rates of

employment generation in most of other economic sectors.

Indian tourism industry has also recorded phenomenal growth. The rate of

international arrivals in India in recent years has been to the tune of about 19

lakh arrivals per year. The unprecedented growth in tourism in India has made

it the third largest foreign exchange earner after gem and jewellery and ready-

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made garments. This is not surprising since India possesses a whole range of

attractive, normally sought by tourists and which includes natural attractions

like Landscapes, scenic beauty, mountains, wildlife, beaches, kajor rivers and

manmade attractions such as monuments, forts, palaces and havelis. However,

in global terms, in spite of such attractions, tourist arrivals in India are a mere

0.30% of the world arrivals. Receipts are similarly low, just a 0.50% of the

world’s receipts. We are still quite far from the target of 50 lakh tourist arrivals

per year.

2.7 TOURISM IN INDIA14

The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and

Nepal. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where

foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south,

plateaus; palm-fringed beaches border tropical rain forests and sandy deserts.

Side by side with the country's staggering top chart variations is its cultural

diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local

traditions.

Thus, the towering temples of south India, easily identifiable by their ornately

sculptured surface, are associated with a great crafts and performing arts of the

region. In the desert of Kutch, Gujarat, on the other hand, a scattering of

villages pit themselves against the awesome forces of nature, resulting in

Spartan lifestyles made vibrant by a profusion of jewellery and ornamental

embroidery used to adorn apparel and household linen. In the extreme north is

the high altitude cold desert of Ladakh. Local culture is visibly shaped by the

faith - Buddhism -as well as by the harsh terrain. Yet another facet of Indian

culture is observed in the colorful tribal lifestyles of the northeastern states of

Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur with their folk culture. India's

mountains provide heisting, river rating, mountaineering and trekking. Its

Economic Times, Ministry of Tourism, Page 8, August’2009 14

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beaches provide lazy sunbathing as well as wind surfing and snorkeling, and its

jungles provide shooting wildlife -with a camera.

India's history goes back to 3,200 BC when Hinduism was first founded.

Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam

all exist within the country today. As a consequence of India's size, the history

of the country has seldom been the same for two adjoining territories, and its

great natural wealth has lured a succession of traders and foreign influences to

it, each having left their imprint in the country, however faint or localized.

Thus, Chinese fishing nets in Kerala are a throwback to that country's ancient

maritime trade, while in the north; terra-cotta figurines of the centuries BC bear

distinctly Greek traces. Modern India is home alike to the tribal with his

anachronistic lifestyle and to the sophisticated urban jetsetter. It is a land where

temple elephants exist amicably with the microchip. Its ancient monuments are

the backdrops for the world's largest democracy where atomic energy is

generated and industrial development has brought the country within the

world's top ten nations.

Today, fishermen along the country's coastline fashion simple fishing boats in a

centuries old tradition while, a few miles away. Motor vehicles glide off

conveyor belts in state-of-the-art factories Travel through Indian states and

cities bring to light, the cultural and the geographical richness of India. We

provide you a glimpse to the richness of tourism in India with information on

all the major tourist destinations of India and tourism services of India that will

take care of all your problems while you are in India.

Tourism in India was seen as a mere service sector for a long time. It has now

been recognised as an export industry due to its multiple advantages. Though

Tourism gained importance belatedly, it has grown at a rapid pace and

enhanced its share in international tourist arrivals as well as in foreign

exchange earnings.

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Now, it is one of the largest service industries in India, with a contribution of

6.23 per cent to the national GDP and 8.78 per cent of the total employment in

India. According to World Travel and Tourism Council, India will be a tourism

hot spot from 2009 to 2018 having the highest ten-year growth potential. The

Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007 ranked tourism in India

sixth, in terms of price competitiveness. Aggressive marketing, synergised

development of tourist infrastructure, dovetailing the resources of various

departments, motivating stakeholders, inculcating tourist friendly culture,

exploring new avenues like medical tourism and adventure tourism in the last

four years have helped Indian tourism to achieve more than twenty per cent

annual growth.

Tourism industry has the unique advantage of generating employment for

skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled persons. It ensures inclusive development

for the locals. India has got enormous potential to be tapped. In India, the

international tourist arrivals have crossed only five million as against a

population of more than one hundred lakhs which is a negligible ratio. India's

share of international tourist arrivals is 0.6 per cent. India's share in

international tourism earnings is 1.24 per cent.

The diversity of tourism products, increased period of stay and better spending

avenues have contributed to increase in tourist spending. India’s domestic

tourism accounts for 4.6 per cent in arrivals as compared to global-domestic

tourism. The foreign exchange earnings through tourism during 2009 was

Rs.54, 960 crores. A modest increase of 0.6 per cent will translate to fifty lakhs

more foreign tourist arrivals and additional Rs.54, 960 crores in foreign

exchange earnings. This can be achieved with least impact on ecology and

environment. It is therefore imperative that tourism sector should be a priority

sector and promoted in a big way.

The Indian tourism attracts both internal (Domestic) as well as international

tourist for the purpose of pilgrimagation and devotion, recreation, health

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aspect, environmental, cultural learning and for education. The reason for the

growth of Indian tourism is vested on the following reasons.

• The consuming power of individuals throughout the world has increased

and in specific the democratic profile of consumers changes, in general

and in particular in India. Especially the income pattern through out the

world has been changed.

• The family system and the nature of family web has reframed from joint

to nuclear.

• The mammoth penetration of technology and media bring forth volume

of information across the globe.

• The domestic infrastructural development viz. road, accommodation,

pollution control, modernisation rejuvenation of tourist spots has

augmented the intake of more number of tourist both from domestic as

well as international places.

• The growth of both inbound and outbound logistics

• The recent flexible policy structure and regulations of government of

India towards tourism sector

• Nowadays the tourism sector of India is being viewed as a separate

industry entity which attract more investment both from Indian

corporate and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

• The allied sector of tourism industry emerges with professional cum

commercial business entity.

• The revamped service cum marketing strategies offered by Department

of Tourism of India help to elevate the sector to the global outlook.

• Branding of Indian tourism like “Incredible India” makes tourist

aware about the benefits of visiting many places in India for different

purpose.

• The emergence of tourism activity as a separate academic discipline ( as

a course of degree, Post Graduation Degree, Diplomas) in core and

allied activities like tourism management, catering management, event

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management, hospitality management, administration, HRM, aviation

management, hotel management etc, brings assessable employees with

professional training to serve for tourist customers and help the concern

industry to retain tourist customers.

• Promotion of tourism as a “Product cum Service Mix” helps the industry

to bring tourist from both domestic as well as international level.

• The effective Employee Relationship Management (ERM) and

Customer Relationship, Management (CRM) with professional ethical

line help the industry to pave the growth way for Indian tourism.

2.8 ROLE AND EFFECTIVNESS OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN

INDIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY 15

“Man” blessed creation on the earth carries happiness and worries at different

circumstances from the childhood to old age. Both the happiness and sadness in

man naturally underlies the basic need system of sharing in the environment of

this real world comprises of family, friends, colleagues and society at large.

Besides the emotional psyche of human being, the practicality of man, life,

needs, occupation, prestige and social image, recognition and welfare.

Since the material world demands more efficiency at different situations, they

interact and encounter with environment, comprehensive knowledge, articulate

ideas, enhancing skills and favorable attitude which man can inculcate by the

way of meeting others in different part of the world, sharing their experiences,

understanding their culture, values and ethos that prevails. Life becomes more

interesting and dynamic for any man in the world only by experiencing the

various elements around him and understanding him. Man needs are highly

diversified and progressive attitude that stimulate and demand for various

products, services which are available.

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Ministry of Tourism of India, Vol – I, Hand book of procedures, 27th August 2009- 31st March’2014

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Today’s reality help the men beings as a form of consumer to access the

product and services with the support of advent technologies. The restless man

life deprives leisure and entertainments by the way of meeting others, visiting

places, understanding the wonderful creations, accumulating social and

experiential knowledge. Tourism is the oldest profession which updates to the

modern society and as a part of any man life devotes materialistic value with

aesthetic environmental creation.

Today’s modern man life is vested with mechanisation and stress at different

level irrespective of their age, gender, occupation, family system and

geographical conditions. Avoiding pain and stress, man requires movement

from one place to another for the purpose of occupation, entertainment,

learning, health management, recreation and so on. Tourism is the tenet, which

helps the man to manage their emotional integrity and material adage. This

paper tries to derive and understand the tourism and its background, growth of

tourism in general and India in particular, the various sectors involving in

tourism industry, the employment and deployment of manpower in tourism and

its related sectors, the present position of manpower in tourism sector, the

efficiency of tourism related employees and their contribution, the deficiency

among the various sector of tourism industry while utilise and channelize

manpower and remedies to revitalise the energy of man resources which help

them to elevate their efficiency and in turn achieve tourism to the height of

overwhelming brand image in general and India in specific.

In olden days tourism was imaged as a pure service entity with mix of product

cum service plethora, but in the millennium era it is perceived as a mixture of

product, concepts, ideas, events, landmark & locations, knowledge instrument.

All these elements comprised under a package of tourism with the balanced

support of services. For an example imparting of knowledge in India to the

students of abroad and vice-versa being conceived as a product with the

support of modern teaching methods & aids, add on value based services. So

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today any tourism is based activity functions with the support of allied sector

needs a balanced mix of product cum services.

Tourism can be termed as “Servuction process” because this service can be

delivered only by the presence of customers (tourist). Any servuction process

under service industry can be consumed and delivered effectively to the

maximum propitiation of consumers only by the support of employees (People

- 6th service mix) who deliver the service in a customised way. The

involvements of man resources are highly imperative in the process of

servuction in order to minimise service quality gap (SERVQUAL). As far as

the Indian tourism industry is concerned, the roles of man resources are

essential at the every stage of service activity. It requires an “Integrated cum

Collaborative Man Resource Approach”. Irrespective of the functional areas

where the man resources are serving in tourism industry and allied sectors

should have balanced attitude of customer satisfaction towards the services

they render. The following table shows the various tourism-allied sectors and

the importance of man resources towards the effective functioning and delivery

of services with respect to their organisation Hierarchy.

2.9 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HR INVOLVEMENT IN

TOURISM SECTOR

Tourist services, i.e. accommodation, catering, transport, in-house travel

agency, duty free shopping, entertainment, publicity, consultancy, etc. New

avenues/innovative services like full-fledged money changer services and

Western Union Money Transfer, Training Consultancy in hospitality sector,

event management and consultancy and execution of tourism and engineering

projects. Hotels, Restaurants (including one Airport Restaurant) Transport

Units, Tourist Service Station, Duty Free Shops at International as well as

Domestic Custom Airports, Tax Free outlet, Sound & Light Show and Catering

Outlets. World class duty free shopping facilities .Domestic/International

ticketing, hotel booking and tour packages, car and coach rentals, money

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changing services, money transfer services, overseas insurance and organizing

exhibitions. India’s travel and tourism sector is expected to be the 2nd largest

employer in the world which is likely to employ over 40,037,000 people by

2019 considering the way the travel and tourism industry has started growing,

according to a joint study conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce

and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and YES Bank. The share of India in the

world employment is expected to be significant as in the next couple of years;

India would have developed a good number of sites for travel and tourism with

an extensive focus on agriculture tourism. The study has projected that India

would get capital investment worth $94.5 billion by 2019 in the tourism and

travel sector since it is expected to grow at 8.8 per cent between the period

2011 and 2019. Besides, the two institutions are of the view that growing travel

and tourism industry will place India at the third position in the world in a

decade’s time.

The travel and tourism will finally transform not only the urban India but also

the rural part of the country and eventually promote agriculture tourism by

involving thousands of farmers into it and their farming will witness huge

changes. Tourism would be the largest service industry in the country. Its

importance would lie in being an instrument for economic development and

employment generation particularly in the remote and backward areas. The

increasing tourism activities will help India build environmental and cultural

awareness, provide positive experience for both visitors and hosts, and give

direct financial benefits for conservation. It will also provide financial benefits

and empowerment for local people and raise sensitivity to host countries

political, environmental and social climate besides supporting man rights and

labor agreements.

Agriculture tourism will be special beneficiary of development of tourism and

travel industry which will comprise agriculture museums, agriculture related

festivals and fairs, including farmers’ markets. Agriculture museums will have

the benefits for farm vacations, heritage trails, farm tours and farm activities.

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Growth in tourism and travel industry will stimulate investment and create

opportunities in ancillary and support line of business. It will showcase the

environmental, cultural and heritage aspects of the region as also further

showcase local cuisine and culinary practices, handicrafts and vernacular skills.

2.10 HUMAN RESOURCE PRACTICES IN INDIAN TOURISM

INDUSTRY

The pace of tourism development and its allied sectors with value added

services and competitions among countries to influx more number of tourist

visit to their countries and retain them to revisit continuously the various

existing and upcoming tourism services made this industry to execute and

accelerate professional tourism management practices. To perform all these

activities the support of man resources are highly demandable.

Right from creating the attitude of man resources to serve for tourism industry

and make them to continuously serve in the industry, the industry in general

and organisations in particular recapitulate modern HR practices. Today’s

employees and their employability have been widened and job switching from

one industry to another becomes very comprehensive. Majority of man

resources hesitate to involve in service sector and reframe their attitude need

high negotiation skills. So from the stage of recruitment to develop and retain

man resources in this industry involve dynamic man resource practices. In

addition to that there are some functional areas under tourism industry, which

requires the employability of women also need a tailor, made HR practices and

treatments to the industry concerned.

Any service process will be succeeding only based on the skill and attitude of

service providers. So train the employees in such a way that they can handle

any situations with confidence and courage. In addition to that it becomes

necessary for the organisations to equip their manpower more productive in

terms of learning – delivering process. KSA (Knowledge, Skill, Attitude) a

vital element for this industry as far as the man resources are concerned. The

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new age man resources vested with the support of knowledge and technology

based economy, stress and conflict reductions are the areas, which need the

support of concern organisations under tourism industry. Employee

Relationship Management (ERM) is the prime source for the effective

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) of tourism industry and HR

practices. HR practices are highly demandable in the areas like employee

retention, potential appraisal, welfare management, quality work life balance

etc.

2.11 PROBLEMS FACED BY HR INTERVENTION IN TOURISM INDUSTRY

• Social and work life imbalances of man resources working in tourism

industry.

• The emergence of 24x7 work culture as far as the industry is concerned.

• Technology – man value imbalances.

• Dealing of continuous customer grievances and complaints.

• Lack of coordination in both intra and inter work places.

• Disintegration of family, society and workplace network chain.

• The work place pollution and health hazards.

• The augment of demanding consumers and restless demanding services.

• The requirement in the combination of core work cum integrated

marketing attitude among workers.

• Rigid pay packages and disparity based perquisites.

• Continuous needs of updating both work and personal skills which

involves rigorous training.

• Cross cultural imbalances, language barriers, speedy expectation and

lack of Balanced expectations and service delivery.

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2.12 SUGGESTIONS TO THE HR INTERVENTION PROBLEMS

• Frequent job based and family oriented counseling.

• Lucrative pay packages cum potential based reward schemes to

employees.

• Work place emotional supports from peers, superiors and management.

• Autonomy and authority for employees to take work related and

customer management decisions.

• Space for exploring individual employees’ creation at work places.

• Identity of family supporting management practices from organizations.

• Constant mindset and attitude formation among employees to

continuously serve for the tourism industry concerned.

• Reducing of role and goal ego, role and goal ambiguity among

employees at peer, superiors and subordinate level.

• Comprehensive and updated learning of intra, inter related sectors.

• Man recognition and match able rewards at work place.

• Intra tourism facility for employees along with paid holidays.

2.13 METHODOLOGY TO IMPLEMENT SUGGESTIONS

• Collaborative leadership skills and approach by the way of giving equal

importance to work, man, family and social relationship.

• Self-realised learning avenues like autonomy at work places.

• Experiential based learning.

• Periodic reviews and counseling for employees and especially the

installing the system of Man Resource Accounting (HRA)

• Continuous strategic review related to HR practices which match the

need of new age man resources.

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2.14 INDIA CLIMBS THE TOURISM CHARTS 16

India’s tourist industry can now pat itself on the back, with the latest Conde

Nast Reader’s Travel Awards having voted India as the seventh best tourist

destination in the world India bested countries such as Thailand, Greece, Brazil

and France to pole value into the top 10 list. This would not have been possible

had the fundamentals of the tourism industry not been strong.

India has a plethora of both heritage and natural beauty of offer. Inbound

arrivals have gone up by 10 per cent in the first seven months of this year. This

is not to say there isn’t any scope for improvement. There are several key areas

that need attention in order to derive maximum returns from the tourism sector.

Its well known that many of our heritage sites are in a deplorable state of

disrepair. The problem lies in haphazard management, divided between the

centre and the states. The possibility of a single nodal agency for perseveration

of all historical monuments along with the participation of private players in

maintaining them needs to be explored.

The future of the tourism industry lies in customizing services. The government

would do well to provide greater support to niche segments such as medical

tourism and spiritual tourism by creating the infrastructure – hotels, transport

facilities, easier visa norms, etc -to facilitate their growth. In the context of

security for foreign tourists, dedicated tourist police force is a good idea. An

integrated approach whereby the tourism industry benefits from other sectors

and vice versa is the way forward. The government should keep in mind that

tourism generates more jobs for every rupee invested than almost any other

sector. It’s also more environmentally benign than, say, heavy industry.

16

The Times of India, Gujarat, 9th September, 2010

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2.15 TOURISM IN THE GUJARAT STATE

A separate Tourism Department was established in 1973 to identify and

develop the tourism potential in the State. This was followed by the creation of

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited in 1978 which was entrusted with the

task of undertaking and developing tourism-related commercial activities. The

Corporation is presently engaged in a variety of activities such as creation of

lodging and boarding facilities for the tourists and other aspects of tourist

facilitation such as transportation, packaged tours, wayside catering along the

National and State Highways, arranging cultural festivals, organizing

exhibitions and producing and distributing maps, posters, brochures and

pamphlets. The Corporation has set up accommodation facilities at Chorwad,

Ahmedpur Mandvi, Porbandar, Veraval, Hajira, Ubharat and Tithal. Similar

facilities at pilgrimage centres like Palitana, Somnath, Dwarkja, Pavagadh and

Dakor have also been set up by the Corporation. One of the recent tourist

attractions introduced by the Corporation in collaboration with the Indian

Railways is a special tourist train.

The Royal Orient Train which connects up various tourist destinations

straddling the Gujarat and Rajasthan State. However, the Corporation has

suffered losses due to a number of organizational constraints. In order to

minimize these losses and also to provide better services to the tourists, the

Government has undertaken privatisation of some of the commercial property

units of the Corporation. In spite of possessing a variety of tourist attractions

such as wildlife, scenic beauty, pilgrimage centres, exotic traditional crafts and

festivals, beaches, hospitality of the region and a varied healthy and tasteful

cuisine, the State has not been able to accelerate the pace of tourism in

comparison to other states. In 1991, the State did declare a tourism policy but it

did not elicit adequate response from the private sector since the policy

contained only a handful of benefits while the implementation was tardy due to

legal and administrative constraints. This was at a time when the Government

of India had already declared tourism as an industry and a large number of

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states had followed suit. This enabled the tourism industry to avail of

incentives, reliefs, benefits available to the industry in those states. While other

state Governments made successful efforts in developing tourism within their

states, the relative inability of the Gujarat State to harness and develop its full

tourist potential may be attributed to a combination of factors such as lack of

effective policies, inadequate infrastructure, ineffective marketing and lack of

decent facilities for the tourists. The main rationale for formulating a

comprehensive tourism policy is rooted, on one hand, in the convergence of

socio-economic spread benefits, environment - friendliness and employment

potential of tourism industry and on the other, in the growing demand for

tourism products in the State, brought by a rapid industrial growth in the State

during the recent years that has led to tremendous increase in number of

business travellers.

17While the Nawab of Junagadh was among the first to bring in regulations to

protect lions in the 19th century, the idea first came from Ashoka the Great in

257 B.C. Today, the lions’ only home in the wild in Asia is around the Girnar

mountain, while is also the site of early Ashoka edicts. From Mahavir to

Buddha and from Ashoka to Harsha, Indian history is never complete without

references to Gujarat.

2.16 OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the States Tourism Policy will be to undertake intensive

development of tourism in the State and thereby increase employment

opportunities. The following related objectives are dovetailed with main

objectives Identify and develop tourist destinations and related activities.

• Diversifications of tourism products in order to attract more tourists

through a varied consumer choice.

17

The Times of India, Gujarat, 6th February, 2011

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• Comprehensive development of pilgrimage centre’s as tourist

destinations.

• Create adequate facilities for budget tourists.

• Strengthen the existing infrastructure and develop new ones where

necessary.

• Creation of tourism infrastructure so as to preserve handicrafts, folk arts

and culture of the state and thereby attract more tourists.

2.17 APPROACH AND STRATEGY

In addition to the facilitation role assigned to itself by the Government in the

development of tourism, the Government will adopt the following strategy

towards the private sector with the objective of securing its active involvement

in leading the development of tourism in the State. The tourism will be given

the status of industry in order that the facilities and benefits available to the

industry are also made available to tourism projects. A special incentives

package will be made available for encouraging new tourism projects as well as

expansion of existing tourism units.8

Infrastructural facilities will be strengthened and developed within the State,

particularly in Special Tourism Areas which will be notified latter and which

will be developed by adopting an integrated-area. Effective mechanisms will be

set up to build meaningful co-ordination with the Central Government and the

State Governments agencies, the local self-government bodies and the NGOs.

Government will encourage building effective linkages with the relevant

economic agents and agencies such as the national and international tour

operators and travel agents of repute, hotel chains and global institutions

connected with tourism such as WTO.

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2.18 TOURISM CORPORATION OF GUJARAT LTD

Gujarat today offers a wide range of the most spectacular attractions - which

includes breathtaking locations and scenic landscapes. Gujarat is also a melting

pot of several civilizations resulting in a vibrant culture and a rich heritage.

Gujarat is home to several architectural marvels, witnesses of its glorious

history and pilgrim centers for many faiths. Finally, it is also the land of several

mythological and historical figures like the legendary Krishna and Mahatma

Gandhi the apostle of non-violence.

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat is aware of the unsurpassed reach of the

wonderful medium called the Internet. This site is the Corporation's endeavor

to convey the timeless appeal of Gujarat, its traditions; its culture to the world.

The task of conveying a 3,500-year-old culture cannot be completed in just a

few electronic pages and your support and suggestions are needed to help us

evolve into an organization that can provide good service on the Internet.

Currently on the website, we provide a brief summary of the various tourist

attractions of Gujarat, its fairs and festivals along with the Investment

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Opportunities available in Gujarat. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat

Limited, set up in 1975, provides comprehensive travel services to visitors to

the state. These include accommodation, conducted tours and ground transport

with a wide range of choice to meet diverse needs. The Corporation has a

network of 18 accommodation units and 5 Cafeterias under the brand name

Toran.

Over the years, the number of tourists to Gujarat has increased substantially,

largely due to the development in infrastructure undertaken by the Corporation.

In fact, the efforts in promoting infrastructure in keeping with the spirit of the

state, its people and its natural environment have won the Corporation such

prestigious awards as the National Tourism Awards-2005-06 for Best Kept

Tourism Momument-Champaner and Excellence in Publication (Collateral).

Special appreciation letter to Chief Secretary from Jt. Secretary, Ministry of

Tourism, Govt. of India, for “Extremely well produced literature” and “Great

job done by Gujarat Tourism” vide letter No. 17.IP (1)/2006 dated 1/6/2006.

Received Best Tourism Film Award of Govt. of India during the Tourism Year

2006 for the tourism field “Glimpses of Glory”. Received National Tourism

Award of Best Tourism Friendly Monument for Champaner-Pavagadh

Archaeological Park in 2007. Received special National Tourism Award of

Excellence in Publication (collateral) in 2007. Received award for Best ethnic

tourism pavilion in SATTE-2007 in New Delhi. Received Award for

promotion of fairs and Festivals in August 2007 and awards at various tourism

fairs and exhibitions for Excellence and for tourism promotion. Received

Award for Best Tourism Film for “DHOLAVIRA – A FUTURIC

METROPOLIS OF THE PAST” by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

GUJARAT received “Best Tourism Pavilion” award on 19th April, 2008 at

Asia’s biggest Tourism and Travel exhibition - “SATTE–2008” held at New

Delhi.

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“AAVO PADHARO”

Aavo Padharo, words of welcome in the language of Gujarat because it is here

that these words ring truly and the guest is 'God' and the people of Gujarat are

gregariously friendly, inviting and will entice you to come again and again.

Here in Gujarat you will discover centuries of history as spanning the

geological core of the earth onto a fascinatingly vibrant future. Gujarat is

unique in its geological and topographical landscape. From volcanic

outpourings through bedrock to fossil fields of indigenous dinosaurs; from the

art of the Neolithic cave painter to the stone masterpieces of a series of

civilized architecture. Gujarat has it all.

Ancient cave paintings to historic murals, natural and man made caves. Art,

history, music, culture, all dovetail within each other to form a wondrous

matrix that is the cultural exuberance of the people of the state.

2.19 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT GUJARAT

Area 196,024 Square Kms.

Capital Gandhinagar

Language Gujarati

Districts 25

Population 55,696,629

Male 26,344,053

Female 24,252,939

Literacy 69.97%

Best time to Visit: October to March

Gujarat is one of the most diverse states in India. Gujarat derives its name

from the word 'Gujaratta'. Gujaratta means the land of gurjars. The gurjars were

a sub-tribe of the Huns who ruled the area during the 8th and 9th centuries AD.

They passed through Punjab and settled in some parts of western India, which

came to be known as Gujarat. The state of Gujarat is an industrially advanced

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state. The state of Gujarat is not a popular tourist destination among foreign

and Indian tourists, but still holds an important place in India. Gujarat is

bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, by Rajasthan in the north and

northeast, by Madhya Pradesh in the east and by Maharashtra in the south and

south east. The state has an international border and has a common frontier

with Pakistan at the northwestern fringe. It is situated on the north end of the

west coast of India and covers an area of 196,024 square km. Gandhinagar,

located near Ahmedabad is the state capital of Gujarat. The people of Gujarat

are also known to be a successful business community. At present, Gujarat

comprises of 25 districts. The official and primary language spoken is Gujarati.

The state of Gujarat is known all over the world for its holy temples, historic

capitals, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, hill resorts, fascinating handicrafts,

mouth watering cuisine and colorful lifestyle of the people of Gujarat. This

state can also be visited during your trip to Mumbai or Rajasthan. The best time

to visit Gujarat is from October to March.

2.20 GEOGRAPHY OF GUJARAT

Gujarat is situated on the west coast of India. It is bounded in the west by the

Arabian sea, in the north-west by Pakistan, in the north by Rajasthan, in the

east by Madhya Pradesh and in the south and south-east by Maharashtra. The

state of Gujarat occupies the northern extremity of the western sea-board of

India. It has the longest coast line of 1290 kms. The state comprises of three

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geographical regions. The peninsula, traditionally known as Saurashtra, is

essentially a hilly tract sprinkled with low mountains. Kutch on the north-east

is barren and rocky and contains the famous Rann (desert) of Kutch, the big

Rann in the north and the little Rann in the east. The mainland extending from

the Rann of Kutch and the Aravalli Hills to the river Damanganga is on the

whole a level plain of alluvial soil.

2.21 CLIMATE OF GUJARAT

The climate of Gujarat is moist in the southern districts and dry in the northern

region. The Arabian sea and the Gulf of Cambay reduce the temperature and

makes the climate more pleasant. The year can be divided into four seasons

which are the winter season from November to February, the summer season

from March to May, the south-west monsoon season from June to September

and the intervening month of October. The average rainfall in Gujarat varies

from 33 to 152 cms. The southern region of the state has an average rainfall

ranging from 76 to 152 cms, Dang district have the highest average of about

190 cms. The northern district have a rainfall ranging from 51 to 102 cms. The

rainfall in the southern highlands of Saurashtra and the Gulf of Cambay is

approximately 63 cms while the other parts of Saurashtra have a rainfall less

than 63 cms. The semi-desert area of Kutch has a very low average rainfall.

Certain areas in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Banaskantha, Panchmahal,

Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Kutch districts receives very less or no rains. As

the Tropic of Cancer passes through the northern border of Gujarat, the state

has an intensely hot or cold climate. But the Arabian sea and the Gulf of

Cambay in the west and the forest covered hills in the east soften the rigors of

climatic extremes.

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2.22 HISTORY OF GUJARAT

The history of Gujarat dates back to 3500 years. The Harappa and

Mohenjodaro civilization can be known from the archaeological findings at

Lothal near Dhandauka in Ahmedabad district and Razdi in Saurashtra. The

history of Gujarat flows through the dynamic kingdoms and principal states of

Saurashtra. According to the legends, the Somnath shore temple was built by

Soma, the moon god himself to mark the creation of the Universe. The Lord

Krishna’s kingdom was also built at Dwaraka in Gujarat. Gujarat was also

present in the exploitation of the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka and his Rock

Edicts can be seen near Junagarh. Later,

2.23 POLITICAL HISTORY

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In 1947 after independence, Gujarat was incorporated into Bombay state. In

1956 Saurashtra and Kutch were added. On 1 May 1960, the state of Bombay

was split into present day Maharashtra and Gujarat states and in 1961 India

forcibly annexed Daman and Diu. After Partition, the possession of the Rann of

Kutch was disputed by India and Pakistan. In 1965 they fought over it, and

following the ceasefire on 1 July, division of the area was referred to as an

international tribunal. In 1968 the tribunal recommended that 90% should

remain with India and 10% pass the Pakistan.

2.24 PEOPLE OF GUJARAT

The people of Gujarat or the Gujaratis are known as a successful business

community. Some of the famous businessmen and industrialists can be seen

operating hotels and motels in California(U.S.A), running stores in Australia

and New Zealand and newspaper kiosks in England. Mahatma Gandhi, the

father of nation also belongs to Gujarat. He worked for the independence of

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India through non violence. One of the biggest billionaires of the world,

Dhirubhai Ambani was also a Gujarati, who built his empire in three decades.

Parsis also belong to this state where they had landed at a place called Sanjan

in 745 AD. Many of the Parsis still live here, but some of them have now

migrated to Bombay. The Jains are also a very important community in

Gujarat. These families own textile and chemical mills and spend lavishly on

building new temples and on charities like schools and religious trusts.

The majority of the population is of Indo-Aryan origin. Nearly 20% of the

people are tribal and the Bhils, Kolis, Dhubla, Naikda and Macchi-Kharwa are

some of the tribes which can be still found in Gujarat. The Aryans were the

first people to come from the north who either conquered or drove away the

Bhils, the traditional rulers of Gujarat. Kolis are also equally important and

occupy an intermediate social position between the Aryans and the Bhils.

Aryans are now commonly recognized as Hindus. The immigration during the

medieval period brought Islam and Zoroastrianism to Gujarat and initiated the

growth of a multi-religious society.

The peninsula of Kathiawar is named after the Kathis who came to Saurashtra

at the close of the fourteenth century. Their origin is not fully known but it is

possible that they were driven southwards by the Muslim invaders. Khachar

and Chotila were the most important seats of the Kathis. Worshippers of the

Sun, they were essentially nomadic and had developed, among other pastoral

occupations, the art of horse-breeding. Successive waves of immigrants from

other parts of India have led to a superimposition of different communities and

cultures in Kathiawar. The powerful royal families, which conquered

Saurashtra later on established their rule over there. 'Rabaris' are community of

cattle-breeders who have migrated from Sindh and Marwar and claim a Rajput

ancestry. The Rabaris stand out prominently by their features and dress and

lead a nomadic life. The tribal people in the hilly areas do subsistence farming.

Rice, jowar, bajra, and groundnut are the main crops grown by them. The

tribals engage themselves in wood-cutting with which they descend to the

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small towns for getting the daily necessaries of life. Many of them are engaged

in forest industry, where they collect lac and toddy.

The Gujaratis, the people of Gujarat, are found all over the state. These people

trace their lineage from the Gurjars. They are believed to have come to India

with the Huns and while passing through Punjab, settled in Gujarat. Gujaratis

were highly influenced by the cultural waves from the mainland and accepted

the monarchies that ruled over them. Various Hindu traditions like Shavism

and Vaishnavism were adopted by Gujarat which in turn developed its own

galaxy of saints and devotees and its own art and culture. Today, the word

Gujarati does not provide any definite association with a particular stock, a

tribe of immigrants or a specific group of people.

The Kutchis, who were the natives of the peninsula of Kutch, have their own

dialects. The Kutchis are both Hindus and Muslims and a large number of

them have migrated from Sindh. The Jadeja Rajputs, the Lohanas and even the

Muslims many of whom are 'Maldharis', the cattle-breeders, came from Sindh.

Gujarati males generally wear dhoti, long or short coat and turban cap.

Nowadays, pants are becoming common instead of dhoti. The women wear

saree and blouse. Parsi males wear pants, long coat and a headgear. The Parsi

women's clothes are identical with those of the Hindu women with a slight

difference marked by long sleeves of the blouse and a scarf on the head. With

the changing times, the ornaments of the women are also changing. They have

become simpler and meager. They generally wear rings, ear-rings, bangles and

slender chains. Bangles made of ivory and dyed in red, with a gold chip, are

presented to the bride by her maternal uncle on the occasion of her marriage.

2.25 LANGUAGES IN GUJARAT

The three important languages of Gujarat are Gujarati, Urdu and Sindhi. There

are eleven variants or dialects of Gujarati. The majority of the people of

Gujarat speak Gujarati which belongs to the Indo-Aryan family. This language

is derived from Sanskrit and other ancient languages. It was also highly

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influenced by Apabrahmsa, which was widely spoken in the northwest India

from the 10th to 14th centuries. The maritime contact with Persia, Arabia,

Portugal and England further led to the introduction of many words from these

languages. Kachchi as a mother tongue was spoken in Kutch.

2.26 CUISINE OF GUJARAT

The Gujarati food is mostly vegetarian. The dishes of Gujarat are not very

spicy and sweet than those of the neighboring states. Some of the popular food

items of Gujarat are Kadhi, Undhyoo and Paunk. The diet of the Gujarati's

consists of the rice, chapatis, wide variety of beans and pulses, coconut, pickles

and sweetened yoghurt. You can experience all these constituents of the

vegetarian Gujarati meal by having a Thali at Vishala, about 5 kms. from

Ahmedabad. It is a restaurant and part of a complex is described as a Gujarati

village with a small museum, local crafts and performing arts. Besides Vishala,

there are various other good restaurants in Ahmedabad which offers the

Gujarati food, Chinese and Continental cuisine.

2.27 FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF GUJARAT

Various fairs and festivals are celebrated in every month in Gujarat. Some of

the main festivals which are celebrated in Gujarat are the Kite Flying Festival

or Makar Sankranti, Navaratri Festival, Sarkhej Fair and Tarnetar Fair. The

Navratri festival is celebrated during September-October and devoted to the

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three goddesses of the Hindu mythology. The Kite Flying Festival is celebrated

on 14th January. On this day, the people of every age fly kites of various

shapes and sizes.

2.28 MUSIC AND DANCES OF GUJARAT

In the field of music, Gujarat has made its own contribution. Gujarat has

preserved folk music in its pure and pristine form by Charans and Gadhavis, a

community whose hereditary profession is folk music and folk arts. Lullaby,

Nupital songs, festive songs, Rannade songs are the different types of folk

songs in Gujarat. Besides its contribution to classical and folk music, Gujarat

has produced its own folk instruments. Gujarat has a unique distinction of

having a legendary origin of folk dance forms. There are certain folk dances

which typically represent the community activities and their functional aspect.

The tribes in Gujarat have their own forms of the folk dances. The most

popular and known folk dances of Gujarat are Garba, Garbi, Rasaka, Tippani,

Padhar-Nritya, Dangi-Nritya etc.

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MUSIC

In the field of music, Gujarat has made its own contribution. A number of

Ragas bear the territorial names of Gujarat such as Gujaqri Todi, Bilaval (from

Veraval), Sorathi (from Sorath), Khambavati (from Khambhat, Cambay), Ahiri

and Lati. These are invaluable gifts of Gujarat to the classical music of India.

Jesingbhai, the creator of the Vichitra Veena, a musical string instrument, was

from Ahmedabad. Gujarat has preserved folk music in its pure and pristine

form by Charans and Gadhavis, a community whose hereditary profession is

folk music and folk arts. Lullaby, Nupital songs, festive songs, Rannade songs

are the different types of folk songs in Gujarat. Marsias is a peculiar form of

singing at the time of death. The Vaishnava cult in Gujarat has produced a

special variety of music which can be classified as temple-music. Besides its

contribution to classical and folk music, Gujarat has produced its own folk

instruments. Pavo, Shehani, Murli, Turi, Taturi and Bungal are the wind type

instruments, while Ravan Hattho, Ektaro, and Jantar are string instruments,

Manjira, Zanz, Damru, Tabla, Nagara, and pot drum percussion instruments.

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STAGE ART – BHAVAI

A typical folk drama of Gujarat called Bhavai is performed in village and

temple grounds by professional communities of North Gujarat - the Taragalas,

Bhojakas, etc. The word Bhavai is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhava"

meaning expression of emotion. The Bhavai drama is a continuous

performance lasting the whole night in which many "veshas" are performed in

the open without any stage equipment. These Veshas depict episodes from the

social life of communities in the countryside, focusing in a satirical or farcical

way the characteristics of certain sections - Banias, Bohras, wandering tribes,

etc. Continuous playing on the Bhungal, a very long wind brass instrument,

before and during the performance calls the rural patrons to the scene of the

Bhavai. Women are strictly tabooed from taking part in the Bhavai. Their role

is performed by the male artists which makes the entire drama more ridiculous.

The repertoire of the Bhavai is limited to about three dozen veshas, the

authorship of which is attributed to Asait.

GARBA DANCE

Garba Dance is a popular folk dance of Gujarat. It is a circular form of dance

performed by ladies on the Navaratri days, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami,

Holi and other festive occasions. The word Garba is derived from the word

Garbha Deep meaning a lamp inside a perforated earthen pot. The light inside

the perforated earthen pot symbolize the embryonic life. In this folk dance,

ladies place the pot with the lamp on their heads and move in circles, with a

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photo chart of the goddess or a lamp in the centre singing and clapping their

palms or snapping their fingers, to the accompaniment of folk instruments. The

actual performance begins at night after the women finish their household

work. The dancing begins with slow tempo and reaches a fast tempo. The

rhythm is kept by a Dholi or drummer who sit in the centre. Sometimes,

women carry on their heads 'Mandavali' a small canopy made of bamboo chips

covered with a red silk piece of cloth. They dance with it and later put it in the

centre. Mandavali symbolises the temple of the goddess. Each community

wears different clothes. In Saurashtra, women wear embroidered petticoats

(Ghaghara), a backless choli (Kapdu) and a head cover (odhani) with lots of

silver and head ornaments. Males wear Kediyum (shirt), Vajani (trouser) and

Rumal, a printed head piece with silver ornaments on the waist, neck and

hands. The musical instruments used for Garba are mainly the drum or dhol

and Nal. Garba songs are mostly in praise of Mother Goddess Amba describing

her form, powers, and invoking her blessings. Also there are Garbas describing

seasons and social themes of domestic and married life.

DANCE

Gujarat has a unique distinction of having a legendary origin of folk dance

forms. There are certain folk dances which typically represent the community

activities and their functional aspect. The Tippani folk dance is a dance of such

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a variety in which women labourers engaged in construction work, strike the

floor with long sticks called Tippani. They have a rhythmic music. The tribes

in Gujarat have their own forms of the folk dances. The costumes and the

instruments used during these folk dances are typical folk costumes which

mostly consist of a short coat called Kedia with tight sleeves with embroidered

borders and shoulders, tight trousers like the Churidars and colourfully

embroidered caps or coloured turbans and a coloured waist band. The most

popular and known folk dances of Gujarat are Garba, Garbi, Rasaka, Tippani,

Padhar-Nritya, Dangi-Nritya etc.

HALLISAKA

Hallisaka is a group dance, in a circular formation with the hands joined

together forming a chain. The time (Tala) is kept by clapping and is

accompanied by singing. A young man stands in the middle of the damsels.

The feet movements, toes, heels and legs first start their journey to explore

rhythmic expression measured steps, long, short, quick, and slow accompanied

in single, double and triple timings.

DANGI NRITA

The Gangis are unique tribals, a blend of Gujarati and Maharashtrian culture

mixed harmoniously with original Dravidians. The dance performed by Dangis

is called Dangi Nritya. Men and women join hands forming a chain or

shrinkala making serpentine movements with one of them leading. The

movements is very fast, swift and create various choreochartic patterns in a

fraction of a second. Each variety of step is called 'Chala' and there are about

27 varieties of these chalas. One of the most amazing sights of this dance is the

creation of a human pyramid.

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RASA

Rasa is a form of dance which is supposed to belong to Kutch and Suarashtra is

performed all over Gujarat. The rasa traditions are as old as the Puranic period.

In various parts of the country, Rasa is danced in different manners. The main

feature of Rasa is dancing in a circle by men and woman, to the

accompaniment of musical instruments and keeping time either by clapping or

beating of two sticks. The number of dancers go from 8 to 64 couples, who also

sing the song. There are three varieties of Rasaka. Danda Rasaka is the Rasa

dance where Danda or sticks are used. In the mandala or Tala Rasaka Rasa

dance clapping is used. Lata Rasaka is the Rasa dance where dancers cling to

each other and dance like a creeper to a tree.

Most of the art traditions of Gujarat trace their origin to the mythological times

of Lord Krishna. He is said to have been an exponent of art of dancing. Raas

Nritya is a form of dance performed by Lord Krishna with Gopikas. The

Dandia variety of the Raas Nritya of Gujarat is generally performed by a group

of youthful persons, both males and females, who move in circles to measured

steps, beating time with small sticks (called dandia) singing to the

accompaniment of Dhol, Cymbals, flute or Shehnai. When the beat is given by

the clapping of palms and performed only by males, it is called Garbi. The Gof

variety of the raas is an intricate performance where the performers hold

coloured strings attached to a top, moving in circles weaving and unweaving

different patterns. The Mers of Saurashtra are known for their folk dance called

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the Mer Raas. White shepherds perform what is called the Gher Raas. The

Gheria Raas is a dance performed by the agriculturists of south Gujarat.

2.29 HANDICRAFTS OF GUJARAT

The handicrafts of the Gujarat are also unique like the Gujarati cuisine. Gujarat

also has a rich tradition of high quality weaving, unique Kutch embroidery and

hand-block printing, the most common are the tie-and-dye fabrics. These

fabrics are known all over the world for their variety and excellent colors.

Apart from these fabrics, the hand-painted cloth is also available in traditional

black, red, maroon and ochre colors and is also inexpensive. Besides these, you

can also buy various items like nut-crackers, silver, wood, brass and other

items. The Patola silk sarees are another famous item of Gujarat that are

extremely fine and quite expensive and made by very small master craftsmen at

Patan. Surat is known for silk sarees and zari or gold thread embroidery.

Jamnagar is known for its woolen shawls, blankets, rugs, wooden chest and

furniture.

Gujarat has a very rich heritage of handicrafts. The handicrafts of Gujarat are

very unique. These handicrafts have been given a fillip by the government and

some private individuals. Craftsmen and women who left their villages to work

as stone crushers for the living have been brought back to practise their

traditional arts. Their products can be seen and purchased in emporiums in

Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai. The excavations at the Harappan sites in Gujarat at

Lothal, Rangpur, Rozdi etc. have brought to light some of the very ancient

handicraft articles. Gujarat also has a rich tradition of embroidery, leather

work, bandhani and hand-block printing. Gujarat is also known for the famous

and unique Kutch embroidery.

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PATOLA

The Patola of Patan is a unique fabric of Gujarat. This special variety of

women's wear is strikingly attractive with its colourful geometrical patterns.

This lovely silken fabric, which resembles a printed saree is not an apparel

printed by blocks. Its tie and weave method result in identical patterns on both

sides of the fabric, involving complicated designs, and is entirely based on the

geometry of the design. The process consists of dyeing the warp and the weft

threads in conformity with the proposed design on the fabric. Hand-woven and

silk yarn is used for weaving. The Patola silk sarees are extremely fine and

quite expensive and made by very small master craftsmen at Patan.

ZARI WORK

The Zari or gold thread embroidery work of Surat is one of the oldest

handicrafts whose origin can be traced back to the Mughal period. Surat is one

of the biggest and important Zari manufacturing centres in India. The principal

types of products are real gold and silver threads, imitation gold and silver

threads, embroidery such as Chalak, Salama, Kangari, Tiki, Ring and Katori for

motifying in the Kinkhab and the Zari border weaving, laces, caps, turbans,

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sarees, and blouse pieces. The Tanchoi or silk brocade is woven on silk cloth

and decorated with the designs of birds, animals, leaves, fruits etc. The cloth is

used for costly sarees, blouses and tapestry. The Kinkhab or the Indian brocade

is woven on the silk with gold and silver threads. Surat is also known for the

Kinkhab gold brocades.

DYEING

Dyeing is a hereditary art. In the past cloth was dyed in colours extracted from

trees and flowers. The Sarkhei suburb of Ahmedabad was one of the indigo

manufacturing and exporting centres. The Bandhani, tie and dye variety of

saree is a very popular women's wear. It involves an intricate process of tying

knots on the fine white fabric, which is dipped in colours. The hues of deeper

shades are used over the previous ones to form the coloured background of the

cloth.

CLOTH PRINTING

Cloth printing is a complicated and specialised job. It is done with engraved

wooden blocks and screens. Certain craftsman are doing the work of printing

different varieties which are locally called Chundadi, Patola, Plain Gala,

Lehria, Bandhani, Pomcha, Nagaria. Household utility and decorative materials

such as table cloths, bed covers, curtains, tapestries, hand bags and carpets are

also prepared by this type of printing process. The hand-painted cloth is

available in traditional black, red, maroon and ochre colors and is also

inexpensive. The tie-and-dye fabrics are known all over the world for their

variety and excellent colors. Temple curtains popularly known as Mat-no-

Chandarvo is another type of printing work. The Vahari-Harijan families of

Ahmedabad were engaged in this type of printing. It is prepared in the old

process and depicts goddess Durga seated on the throne or on the back of a

tiger and surrounded by her devotees.

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WOOD CARVING

Wood carving is an ancient art of the state which has attained very high

standard of technical skill. Some of the best examples of wood-carvings are

found in temples and houses in many parts of Gujarat. The wood carvers

produce life-like figures of animals, artistic objects of every-day use such as tea

pots, table lamps, stools and toys for children. Mahuva and Idar are famous for

their lacquer toys. Sankheda in Baroda district is known for its lacquer work.

The work is done on country-wood which gives darker shades. The coating is

done with fine lac. Women folk of Saurashtra prepare idols, toys, ash-trays,

toilet-boxes, lamp-stands and flower-pots from the pulp of rags, banana stumps

and bamboos. Artistic Jars, water-pots and other utility articled are prepared

from clay.

EMBROIDERY

Embroidery has been a craft for women. Banni, a small village in the Rann of

Kutch is known for its artistic embroidery work. Small mirrors are interspersed

to lend glitter and charm. The finest type of such embroidery work with small

mirrors is called Abhla-Bharat. When a bride is sent to her husband's house,

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she carries with her some pieces of skirts and cholis exquisitely embroidered

with minute details.

JEWELLERY

The art of making jewellery and precious stone-cutting and processing is a

traditional handicraft of Gujarat. Gold smithy includes filigree-work, open-

wire-work, carving etc. The folk jewellery of excellent designs, characteristic

of each village and each community is a typical art of Gujarat. The silver craft

is a specialty of Kutch, in which light embossing is done on thin silver plates

and is enhanced by etching and scrapping. Attardanis, Gulsbdanis, Flower-

vases, trays, jewellery boxes, powder boxes, ash trays and cigarette boxes are

some of the articles of silver craft. Agate is a semi-transparent mineral

composed of quartz in different colours and found in river beds. The raw stones

are processed by heating, chiselling, surfacing, polishing and drilling before

they are turned into artistic articles such as ear-rings, necklaces, studs, bowls,

and trays. The industry is located in Cambay.

2.30 CITIES IN GUJARAT

Some of the famous cities in Gujarat are Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar,

Gandhinagar, Gondal, Junagadh, Lothal, Palitana, Saputara, Somnath, Surat,

Dwarka, Porbandar and Vadodara. In Ahmedabad there are many fine

examples of Muslim architecture. Baroda was the capital of the princely state

of Gaekwad. The first British factory was established in Surat in 1612.

Junagadh is known for its fort and temples and also a suitable base for visiting

the Gir national park.

2.31 WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN GUJARAT

Gujarat is a paradise for bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Deciduous

forests, desert plains, grasslands, wetlands and coastal and marine locations

have made Gujarat one of the most pleasant place for bird watching and

wildlife viewing. There are about four national parks and twenty one wildlife

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sanctuaries in Gujarat. Some of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are

the Marine National Park, Gir National Park, Indian Wild Ass Wildlife

sanctuary, Velavadar National Park. Nalsarovar, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary and

the Porbandar Bird sanctuary are the other bird sanctuaries in Gujarat.

2.32 HOW TO REACH GUJARAT

Gujarat is very well connected with all parts of India. Indian Airlines and other

private airlines link Ahmedabad daily with many cities of India like Mumbai

and Delhi. Ahmedabad is also located on the main rail network. The roads in

Gujarat are in excellent condition and travel by car can be fun.

2.33 PILGRIMAGE IN GUJARAT

There are various places of pilgrimage in Gujarat like Somnath, Dwaraka,

Junagadh, Palitana, Modhera. The Mount Girnar in Junagadh and Shatrunjaya

Hill in Palitana are the two famous pilgrimage places of the Jain community.

While, the Somnath temple in Somnath, Dwarakadhish temple in Dwaraka,

Sun Temple in Modhera and Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar are the other

famous pilgrimage of the Hindus. Ahmedabad is also visited by many tourists

for its mosques and temples.

GIR NATIONAL PARK

The Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary is located about 65 km south east

in the Junagadh district of Gujarat. Gir National Park is one of the India’s finest

wildlife sanctuaries located in Gujarat. This national park is set up in an area of

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1412 square km. of lush deciduous forests. This national park was established

on 18th September 1965 as a Forest Reserve to conserve the Asiatic lion. This

sanctuary is the final refuge of the rare Asian lions which roamed freely two

centuries ago throughout Middle East and some parts of India. Sasan, with a

forest rest house, is the headquarters of the sanctuary. Various deciduous

forests, grasslands, acacia scrub, wetlands and the seven rivers forms the

topocharty of this wildlife sanctuary.

HISTORY OF GIR NATIONAL PARK

Since 1884, Gir National Park has been the only habitat of the Asiatic lion.

During the British Raj, lions were hunted mercilessly by the British officers

assisted by the obliging Maharajas and Nawabs. Every Maharaja was proud of

the number of lions or tigers he killed during his lifetime. In the year 1899 the

famine decreased the lion population so badly that Lord Curzon cancelled his

shoot in Gir where he had been invited by the Nawab for a ‘Shikaar’. The Lord

Curzon also advised the ruler to protect the remaining lions. By the time India

achieved independence, the number of lions get increased, but they were once

again hunted by the Maharajas. The Government of India banned the hunting

of lion in the mid 1960 and now this park is open only for the photo safaris.

The Gir National Park later became a major tourist attraction in India. About

300 lions are found in this park.

WILDLIFE ATTRACTIONS IN THE GIR NATIONAL PARK

The main wildlife attraction in the Gir National Park is the lion. Besides lion,

various variety of wild animals are found in this park which are the Wild boar,

Bear, Panther, Jackal, Sambar, Spotted deer, Striped Hyena, Leopard, Nilgai,

Chinkara gazelle, Jungle cat, Black napped hare, Common langur, Porcupine,

Langur, Blackbuck, Mongoose and the Indian Chousingha, the four horned

antelope. The rusty spotted cat has been recorded in the Gir. During monsoons,

about 200 varieties of birds can also be seen in this park including the peafowl,

grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted

sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves. Gir is also

home of the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers,

particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile

breeding farm at Sasan.

JUNGLE SAFARI IN THE

You can visit the Gir National park by having a jeep ride with a guide. The Gir

Forest Department also organize “Lion Shows”. They make sure that you can

see the lions at close range so they send trackers early morning on a mission to

the located places and tempt them with live baits.

BEST TIME TO VISIT T

The Gir National Park is open from the mid of October to mid of June.

November, January and February are the best months to visit the sanctuary.

However the best time to view the lions, in their natural surroundings is early

in the morning or after 4 p.m. It is during this time that the animals are most

active and can be easily spotted.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN TH

Within the Gir National Park, the Kankai Mata temple and Tulishyam Hot

Springs are located in a scenic surrounding. These are the natural hot springs

where one can take bath. It is about 90 km. from the entrance to t

The forest is also known for its cattle herders, the Madharis, whose buffaloes

form a substantial part of the lions meals.

SABARMATI ASHRAM

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farm at Sasan.

JUNGLE SAFARI IN THE GIR NATIONAL PARK



the lions at close range so they send trackers early morning on a mission to

the located places and tempt them with live baits.

BEST TIME TO VISIT T HE GIR NATIONAL PARK


y and February are the best months to visit the sanctuary.



active and can be easily spotted.

ER ATTRACTIONS IN TH E GIR NATIONAL PARK



where one can take bath. It is about 90 km. from the entrance to t


form a substantial part of the lions meals.

SABARMATI ASHRAM






the lions at close range so they send trackers early morning on a mission to

HE GIR NATIONAL PARK


y and February are the best months to visit the sanctuary.



E GIR NATIONAL PARK



where one can take bath. It is about 90 km. from the entrance to the sanctuary.


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“Being a Gujarati, I thought I should be able to render the greatest services to

the country through the Gujarati language. And then as Ahmedabad was an

ancient centre of hand loom weaving, it was likely to be most favourable field

for the revival of the cottage industry of hand spinning. There was also a hope

that, the city being capital of Gujarat, monetary help from its wealthy citizens

would be more available than any other place”.

This was an explanation given by Gandhiji for choosing Ahmedabad as is hub

of activities. Gandhiji selected a place on the bank of the river Sabarmati very

close to the Saint Dadheechi’s temple as well as from Jail and a crematorium.

Gandhi used to remark, "This is the right place for our activities to carry on the

search for Truth and develop Fearlessness for on one side are the iron bolts of

the foreigners and on the other, thunderbolts of mother nature." After building

a few essential structures, activities in ashram stated full fledged in 1917.

Gandhiji had driven all the major activities of independence as well as

upliftment of the society from this Ashram which was popularly known as

Sabarmati Ashram. He stayed in the ashram for many years before he finally

proceeded for a march to Dandi to break the salt law on 12 March 1930. Before

starting the march to Dandi, Gandhiji declared that he will not return to the

ashram before the independence of the country.

The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya is run by a public trust established in 1951.

The museum’s new premises were built in 1963. The museum’s main objective

is to house the personal memorabilia of Mahatma Gandhi. Consequently the

exhibits on view depict the vivid and historic events of Gandhiji’s life. There

are books, manuscripts and photocopies of his correspondence, photocharts of

Gandhiji with his wife Kasturba and other ashram associates, life size oil

paintings and actual relics like his writing desk and spinning wheel.

HATHEE SINGH JAIN TEMPLE

Hathee Singh Jain Temple is situated outside Delhi Gate, north of the old city.

This temple is typically fine and made of delicately carved white marble. This

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jain temple was built in 1848 and dedicated to Dharamanat, the 15th Jain

tirthankara.

DWARKADHISH TEMPLE / JAGAT MANDIR

Dwaraka is known all over the world for the Dwarkadhish temple, the 'Lord of

Dwaraka'. This temple is also known as the Jagat Mandir or the temple of the

world. This temple was constructed over 1400 years ago and houses the image

of Lord Krishna. This temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage place for

the Hindus and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. This temple is

magnificently built on the traditional lines and has five floors supported by 60

columns. The temple is profusely carved from the base to the pinnacle. The

temple is built of sandstone. The interior is simple while the exterior is covered

with elaborate carvings. Some of the major festivals of Janmashtami and

Navratri are celebrated with great enthusiasm and rejoicing in the Dwarka.

After visiting the main temple, some of the devotees visit the Shankhoddhar

Beyt or Beyt Dwaraka.

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SOMNATH TEMPLE

The legendary shore temple of Somnath is located near Veraval and is about 80

kms from Junagadh. The Somnath temple is one of the twelve most sacred

shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple contains the Jyotirlinga of Lord

Shiva. This temple has a very long history. According to the legends, the

Somnath temple is very old and was originally built in gold by the Somraj, the

Moon God. Later, it was rebuilt by Ravana, in silver; then by Krishna in wood

and by Bhimdev in stone. Mahmud of Ghazni, upon hearing the description of

the richness of the Somnath temple by Al Biruni, an Arab traveller, visited this

temple in 1024 AD. At that time, this temple had about 300 musicians, 500

dancing girls and 300 barbers to shave off the heads of pilgrims. After a 2 days

battle, Mahmud destroyed the temple and carried away jewels and gold to his

homeland. Hence, a tradition got started, the Muslims destroy the temples and

the Hindus rebuilt them. The Somnath Temple was raided again in 1927, 1934

and 1706. In 1706, this temple was raided by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

In all, the Somnath temple was rebuilt and destroyed eight times. This temple

was finally rebuilt in 1950 with the support of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel. The

current temple was built as per the traditional designs on the original site by the

sea and is a serene, symmetrical and sinuous structure. Today, this majestic

temple is a replica of the earlier temple.

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MOUNT GIRNAR

Mount Girnar is most sacred to the Jain community. This hill is situated in

Junagadh and rises to a height of more than 600 m, a climb marked by 10,000

stone-steps. On this hill various Hindu and a group of 16 Jain temples are

located. This sacred hill is visited by millions of Hindus and Jains. The Amba

Mata temple is situated on the top of the hill. The newly weds came here and

worship the Amba Mata in order to ensure a happy marriage. One of the largest

and the oldest Jain temple, dedicated to Neminath, the 22nd Jain Tirthankar and

Mallinath, the 19th Jain Tirthankar are situated just below the Amba Mata

temple. Besides this the Bhavnath temple is also located on this hill. The

Bhavnath temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. The Mahashivaratri fair held

here is attended by Nagasadhus and pilgrims from all over India. When a

traveler to Gujarat, Joss Graham, climbed up the hill forthe festival of

Shivaratri, he slept there overnight. He woke up on hearing the praying

murmurs of the great mass of devotees, about 100,000 of them in their

communities and tribal groups. There is also the temple of Samprati Raja, a

fine example of the later period and the Melak Vasahi temple.

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DAMODAR KUND

Damodar Kund is a holy water reservoir that marks the ascent to the Girnar

temples. It is surrounded by a well-built ghat. It is believed that here Lord

Krishna placed a flower garland around the neck of the great poet and saint

Narsinh Mehta.

SUN TEMPLE, MODHERA

The 11th century Sun temple is situated on a knoll in Modhera, about 106 kms.

north west of Ahmedabad. The Sun Temple was built by King Bhimdev I in

1026-27 AD, two centuries before the Sun Temple at Konark. This temple is

one of the finest Hindu temples in Gujarat, built by the great Solanki dynasty.

This temple and the Konark Sun temple in Orissa are very similar. This

similarity is that this temple was also designed in such a way so as to let the

sun shine on the image of Surya, at the time of dawn. The main hall and shrine

are reached through a complex, pillared pavilion. Beautiful columns and

magnificent carvings decorate the hall. The exterior of the temple is intricately

and delicately carved, showing demons and evolving gods. Despite its partial

destruction by Mahmud of Ghazni and by subsequent earthquakes, it remains

an outstanding monument, set against the backdrop of the barren landscape.

Fifty two intricately carved pillars depict scenes from the Ramayana and

Mahabharata. Unlike the exterior, the interior hall is plain with 12 niches

representing the Surya's different monthly manifestations.

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PALITANA, SHATRUNJAYA HILL

The Shatrunjaya Hill is located at a height of 591 metres. The Shatrunjaya

Temple is the most sacred temple of the Jains and one of the largest of its kind

in India. One has to climb up the hill for about 4 kms (600 meters) on a stepped

path to Shatrunjaya (place of victory over worldliness). You can reach this

place either in Doli or lift chairs or by walking. The rich visits this place on

richly caparisoned elephant. There are about 863 white marble Jain temples,

built over 900 years on the hilltop, each with its own enclosure. There is a

stunning view from the top of the hill. On a clear day, you can also see the Gulf

of Cambay. All the temples are enriched with gold, silver and jewels donated

by the rich merchants. Shri Adishwar temple is the first and finest temple on

the Shatrunjaya Hill. This temple is dedicated to Shri Adishwar, one of the

most important Jain Tirthankars. This temple is one of the most magnificent

and sacred temple of the Jains community. The Chaumukh or four-faced

temple is the biggest temple located on the hill. This temple was built by a

wealthy merchant in 1618 to save his soul. This temple has an image of

Adinath which face out in the four cardinal directions. On the top of the hill a

Muslim shrine of Angar Pir is also located where the childless women offer

tiny cradles in the hope of conceiving. Besides these, there are various other

temples like Kumar Pal, Vimal Shah and Sampriti Raj, named after the wealthy

Jain merchants.

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JAMA MASJID

The Jama Masjid was built by Ahmed Shah in 1423. The building materials

were provided to this mosque by the demolished Hindu and Jain temples. The

260 columns support the 15 domes at different elevations. There were once two

shaking minarets, but they lost half their height in the great earthquake of 1819

and 1957. The 2001 earthquake then took its toll, leaving cracks in the masonry

and destroying several jalis.

SIDI SAIYAD'S MOSQUE

Sidi Saiyad's Mosque, close to the river, was once part of the old citadel wall.

Sidi Saiyad Mosque was constructed in 1573 by Sidi Saiyad, a sometime slave

of Ahmed Shah and a general of Abysinian origin. This mosque is one of the

Ahmedabad's most stunning buildings. This mosque is best known for its

intricate perforated stone work and has beautiful carved stone windows or jalis

which depict the intricate intervening of the branches of the kalpa tree.

SIDI BASHIR MOSQUE

Sidi Bashir Mosque is situated south of Ahmedabad station, outside the

Sarangpur gate. This mosque is famous for its 21.3 meters high shaking

minarets which were built to shake to protect against the earthquake, and this

certainly worked in 2001.

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RANI SIPRI'S MOSQUE

The Rani Sipri's Mosque is situated to the southeast of the centre of the

Ahmedabad city. This small mosque is also known as the Masjid-e-Nagira or

Jewel of the Mosque due to its graceful construction, with slender minarets. It

is said to have been commissioned in 1514 by the wife of Sultan Mahmud

Begara after he executed their son for some minor mistake. She is also buried

here.

RANI RUPMATI'S MOSQUE

Rani Rupmati's Mosque is situated to the north of the centre of the Ahmedabad

city. This mosque was built between 1430 and 1440 and was named after the

Hindu wife of the Sultan. The minarets were damaged in the great earthquake

of 1819. The dome is elevated to allow light in around its base. This mosque

combines elements of Hindu and Islamic design.

CHAMPANER-PAVAGADH

Champaner-Pavagadh is promoted as World Heritage site with developments

on move as modern tourism destination. GoG promotes tourism to Champaner-

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Pavagadh site along with other tour packages such as travel spots at

Nimetabag, the Azwa lake, Jambughoda Sanctuary and Dhaboi.

Pavagadh along with Champaner and Machi is a UNESCO world heritage site.

This site reflects grand historical confluence, displaying 1,200 years of history

and culture. It is believed to bear testimony to the Indian Puranic ages, the

Rajput saga, the glory of the reign of the Marathas, the Islamic influences and

finally lays proof to the British occupation within its remains. The 15th

Century Muslim influence as muslim period began with Muhammad Begada

defeating the Patai Raval clan that was ruling the area, and strategically moving

his capital from Ahmedabad to the Champaner site. Gateway to Panchmahal,

46 kms away from Vadodara (Baroda), it is a tribal area populated

predominantly by the Bhils. The government has granted many concessions

and offers subsidies to the new industries coming up in this area.

AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE, GANDHINAGAR

The Akshardam temple is one of the famous temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

This temple belongs to the wealthy Hindu Swaminarayan Group. This temple

was built by nearly 1000 artisans. It is an elaborately carved building

constructed out of 6000 tonnes of pink sandstone and surrounded by the

manicured lawns and perfect trees.

KIRTI MANDIR, PORBANDAR

Porbandar is the birth Place of Father of our Nation – Mahatma Gandhiji, who

tought the lessions of truth and non-violence to the world and has in his

memory, the monument Kirti Mandir that attracts tourist from all over the

World. There is Kasturba dham behind the Kirti Mandir. This is a unique Place

where the monuments of Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba

are adjacent to each other. The gorgeous building where Mahatma Gandhi was

born is adjacent to the kirti Mandir The foundation stone of modern structure

and attractive Kirti Mandir was laid in 1947 by late Shree Darbar Gopaldas

Desai and later the great donor and renowned businessmen, Shree Nanjibhai

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Kalidas Mehta of Porbandar renovated it. The great Iron man of India, Late

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated and kept open this place for public on

May 27, 1950. The height of the temple is of 79 feet symbolizes the 79 years of

lifespan of respected Gandhiji. The monument Kirti Mandir is symbole of

religious integration of six great world religions. Like Hindu, Buddhist, Jain,

christain, Parsi temple and islam are symbolized at Kirti Mandir integrate,

which shows Gandhiji’s respect towards all religion.

At the time when Gandhiji was released for the last time from the Agakhan

Palace by the British Government, residential public of Porbandar had decided

to construct an ideal memorial on the birth palace of Mahatmaji. At that time,

organization of the project was accomplished by the intensive efforts of the late

Maharaja of Porbandar, Shri Natavarsinhji, and Rajaratna Shri Nanjibhai

Kalidas Mehta and his wife, Smt. Santokbehn. Before the foundation of the

Kirti Mandir was started, the ancient house was purchased from those members

if the Gandhian family who were living in the old house. Mahatmaji himself,

on his own part had given his consent to Nanjibhai in writing, with legal

documents for the sale of the whole building. He had signed with his own hand

the registration papers.

The whole credit of constructing this national memorial of Mahatma Gandhiji

goes to the famous industrialist of Gujarat. Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta, and to

the whole of the Mehta family, because the creation and construction of the

Kirti Mandir could be possible only due to the donations of the late Nanjibhai

Mehta. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel performed the opening ceremony of the Kirti

Mandir. Afterwards this beautiful memorial was handed over to the Central

Government of India.

The whole credit of the architecture of the Kirti Mandir goes to Shri

Prushottambhai Mystry, a resident of Porbandar. He had got this piece of art

completed within two years of time limit by working for days and night.

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The house wherein Pujya Mahatmaji was born, was purchased by the great

grand father of Mahatmaji, Shri Harjivan Raidas Gandhi, some two hundred

years before, in the seventeenth century, from a local woman.

ADALAJ STEPWELL

Set in the quiet village of Adalaj, this vav has served as a resting place for

hundreds of years for many pilgrims and caravans along their trade routes. Built

in 1499 by Queen Rudabai, wife of the Vaghela chief, Veersinh, this five-storey

stepwell was not just a cultural and utilitarian space, but also a spiritual refuge. It

is believed that villagers would come everyday in the morning to fill water, offer

prayers to the deities carved into the walls and interact with each other in the

cool shade of the vav. There is an opening in the ceilings above the landing

which allows the light and air to enter the octagonal well. However, direct

sunlight does not touch the flight of steps or landings except for a brief period at

noon. Hence some researchers say that the atmosphere inside the well is six

degrees cooler than the outside. Another remarkable feature of this stepwell is

that out of the many stepwells in Gujarat, it is the only one with three entrance

stairs. All three stairs meet at the first storey, underground in a huge square

platform, which has an octagonal opening on top. The vav is a spectacular

example of Indo-Islamic architecture and design. The harmonious play of

intricate Islamic floral patterns seamlessly fusing into Hindu and Jain symbolism

embody the culture and ethos of those times. All the walls carved by

ornamentation, mythological scenes along with everyday scenes of women

churning buttermilk, dancers accompanied by musicians, women adorning

themselves and a king sitting on a stool. Fascinating to many visitors is the Ami

Khumbor (a pot that contains the water of life) and the Kalp Vriksha (a tree of

life) carved out of a single slab of stone. There is a belief that the small frieze of

navagraha (nine-planets) towards the edge of the well protects the monument

from evil spirits.

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SCIENCE CITY

Located off the Sarkhej Gandhinagar Highway, Science City is an ambitious

initiative of the Government of Gujarat to trigger an inquiry of science in the

mind of a common citizen with the aid of entertainment and experiential

knowledge. Covering an area of more than 107 hectares, the idea is to create

imaginative exhibits, virtual reality activity corners, and live demonstrations in

an easily understandable manner.

Currently the 3D Imax theater, musical dancing fountain, energy park and

simulation rides interest visitors. It is hoped that as this place develops, the

investment helps to create awareness and sensitivity to better care for our

ecology and people through the appropriate use of science and technology. The

park is open from 12-9pm. For more information see Science City.

GUJARAT FUNWORLD AJW A, BARODA

Repeating its success of other amusement parks the SAYA Group ventured

through Gujarat Amusement and Funworld Ltd. incorporated in 1993, to set up

a park at Baroda. Located at Ajwa opposite Vrundavan Garden, the park,

spread over 10 acres of land, attracts about one million people every year and

looking to the potential of the place to attract tourist traffic, the park may set

record of sorts in the future. Becoming a major center for recreational activities

in the vicinity of Baroda.

NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY

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Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is situated about 60 kms. south west of Ahmedabad.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is the famous bird sanctuary in Gujarat. The

Nalsarovar lake is a seasonal lake spread over an area of 115 square km. This

extensive lake is surrounded by the iron flat plains and is known for its water

birds.

ATTRACTIONS IN THE NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY

About thousand species of birds like flamingoes and other water birds migrate

in the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary during winter. Some indigenous species of

birds also come here after breeding. Various variety of birds like kingfishers,

egrets, darters, storks, cormorants, jacanas, moorhens, coots, grebes and ducks

can be seen in the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY

The Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is open from November to February, but the

best time to visit this sanctuary is in the months of December and January.

Ducks, Geese, Pelicans and flamingoes can be best seen early in the morning

and evening. The sanctuary is busiest at weekends and on holidays. To see the

birds, it is best to hire a boat for a few hours with a guide.

INDIAN WILD ASS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

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The entire Little Rann of Kutch, also known as the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife

sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. The Indian Wild Ass

Wildlife Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in India which is the home of the

Asiatic wild ass and covers an area of 4850 square km. The Indian Wild Ass

Wildlife Sanctuary consists of a vast area of flat land that is dotted with islands

known as "Baits" which form the core for the flora and fauna. The Asiatic wild

ass is one of the Gujarat’s many endemic species. In India, the Indian wild ass

represents the horse tribe. In the Little Rann of Kutch, these wild ass are

attracted by the baits or islands where coarse grasses spring up in monsoon. But

in summer, these ass move to these baits where there is regular supply of water

and grass. The main wildlife attraction in the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife

Sanctuary is the wild ass. Besides the wild ass, the rare and endangered

Ghudkhur, Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Chinkara gazelle, Nilgai antelope, the

endangered Indian wolf, jackal, desert and Indian foxes, hare, desert gerbil and

pale and long eared hedgehog are the various animals which are found in the

Little Rann of Kutch or the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary. In winter, the

Little Rann of Kutch becomes a birds paradise that attracts about three hundred

varieties of dryland birds like the houbara bustard, spotted sandgrouse,

common and demmossile cranes, flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, storks, ibises and

other wetland birds. Falcons, Larks, desert warbler, desert wheatear, quails,

francolins, Indian courser and other birds are also available in plenty in the

Little Rann of Kutch. It is also the hunting ground of various raptors like the

eagles, falcon, harrier, vultures, white eyed buzzard, hawks, kites and owlets.

Lizards, Snakes, tortoises and saw scaled viper are some of the principal

reptiles that are also found in this sanctuary.

JUNGLE SAFARI IN THE INDIAN WILD ASS WILDLIFE

SANCTUARY

Watch towers, a tourist complex and other tourist related facilities are also

available to enhance wildlife viewing in this unique Indian Wild Ass Wildlife

Sanctuary. To view the wildlife one can have a jeep safari in the Rann of

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Kutch. In the morning and evening one can also view the breathtaking sunrise

and sunset.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE INDIAN ASS WILDLIFE SANCTUAR Y

The best time to visit the Indian Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary is between

November and June.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN THE INDIAN WILD ASS WILDLIFE

SANCTUARY

Besides the safaris, one can also visit the ancient monuments and inland salt

works and other places of interest. One can also enjoy the excursion to a typical

Saurashtra village, handloom weaving and dyeing units and the village potter.

For people interested in birds and photocharty, special camouflaged boats are

also provided.

FAUNA IN GUJARAT

Gujarat is very rich in animal life. The forest areas of the Gir in Saurashtra,

Panchmahals and Dangs have herds of gazelles, black buck and spotted deer.

The Asiatic lion is now localised in the Gir forest, which has also smaller

mammals including langurs and blue bulls. Gujarat having an extensive

coastline, perennial rivers and lakes and ponds are rich in a variety of fish.

Besides Asiatic lion, tiger, panther, cheetah, wolf, jackal, fox, Civet, greyish

langur, rabbit and porcupine are also found in the forest areas of the state. The

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wild ass is a distinctive species found only in Gujarat, in the Rann of Kutch.

The thick forests of Dang, which receive maximum rains and have abundant

greenery, are the home of beautiful birds such as Trogon, hornbills, barbets,

babblers, racket-tailed drongos and minivets. The Saras, pea-fowls, red-wattle

lapwings, parakeets, babblers and mynas are mostly found in the plains. The

extensive coastal regions of the state give shelter to various birds like plovers,

stints, sand pipers, curlews, lesser flamingoes, terns and gulls. During the

winter, flocks of migratory birds came to Gujarat from faraway countries, like

the pied-crested cuckoo, rosy pelicans, white storks, Brahmany duck,

demoiselle cranes, common cranes, ducks, coots, snipes, moorhens, curlews

and stints. During monsoons, the great and the little Rann of Kutch, serve as

breeding ground for flamingoes, pelicans and avocets. While drier areas of

Kutch and north Gujarat serve as haunt to grey partridges, larks, white-ear

bulbuls, finch larks and sand-grouses.

2.34 FORESTS IN GUJARAT

The essential criteria for the growth of forests are suitable conditions of

temperature and a heavy rainfall. In Gujarat, high rugged areas receive a higher

rainfall than the plains. The rainfall in the state increases from the plains to the

mountains and from north to south. The forests are therefore concentrated in

the hilly parts of the state in the south-east and in the hills of Saurashtra. The

hills of Kutch are bare because of low rainfall and the absence of any

orochartic features. South, south-east and east Gujarat are the only areas which

have a considerable forest cover. Gujarat has about 19.66 lakh hectares of land

under forest. A large part of the forest cover which is economically exploitable

is distributed in the districts of Dang, Panchmahal, Broach, Surat, Bulsar,

Junagadh, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha. The south and south-eastern parts of

the state support the growth of tropical deciduous forest typified by teak,

Shorea Robusta for which the district of Bulsar is well known. Moist

Deciduous Forests occur in Dang and parts of Vyara in Surat division. These

forests are not evergreen and shed their leaves during March and April. Dry

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deciduous forests with teak occur in north-east Gujarat, particularly in

Sabarkantha district. The thorny forests which occur either in Kutch or north

Saurashtra and Banaskantha district are characterized by Acacia Arabica,

Acacia Leucophloea, Capparis Ophylla, Zizyphus Mauratiana etc. There are

large stands of bamboo in South Gujarat than in the North.

2.35 RIVERS IN GUJARAT

The Banas in the north, originating in the Siranva hill in Sirohi in Rajasthan,

flows by the foothills of Abu and disappears in the desert. The Saraswati takes

its birth at Koteshvar near Ambaji, flows by Siddhpur and Patan and merges

into the desert. The Sabarmati, one of the biggest rivers of north Gujarat,

originates from the Dhebar lake in Rajasthan and flows towards the Gulf of

Cambay. The Hathmati, Vatrak, Mazam, Meshvo, Shedhi, Khari and the other

rivulets also join it. The three virgin rivers of the north and the Sabarmati with

its tributaries are the daughters of the Aravalli ranges, while the Mahi and

Narmada with their families originate from Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada,

one of the biggest and holiest river along with the only tributary, Karjan, meets

the sea, about 16 kms. from Broach. The Tapi takes its birth in the Satpura

ranges near Betwa and enters Gujarat at Kakarapar. It flows around Surat and

Rander and falls into the sea. The Mindhola, Purna, Ambika, Vanki, Auranga,

Vapi, Par, Kolak and Damanganga are the rivers of south Gujarat, which

originates in the Sahyadri. Most of the rivers of Saurashtra and Kutch dries up

in the summer. The rivers which originate in the central Saurashtra in the

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Chotila range flow to the south into the desert of Kutch. Only the Aji, Machhu

and Brahmani are northward flowing rivers. The rivers originating in the Girnar

and Gir namely, the Ojhat, Kamb, Surekh, Somal, Sangwada, Hirani, Kapila

and Saraswati flow into the sea. The Saraswati and Vastu are sacred rivers.

Though Kutch has many rivers, they are small and do not have much water.

The Khari flowing by Bhuj meets the desert and Magh and Tara empty their

waters in the Gulf of Cambay. The Rudramata has been bunded for irrigation,

providing the only irrigation project in Kutch.

2.36 MOUNTAINS IN GUJARAT

Gujarat's mountains are rich in scenic beauty and have been closely associated

with religious and historical aspects of the people. The northern and eastern

borders are made up of mountains which are the tails or offshoots of outside

ranges like the Aravallis, Vindhyas, Satpuras and Sahyadris. Saurashtra

contains two parallel ranges, one stretching from east to west and the other

from north-east to south-west.

The tracts of saline land of Kutch have three mountain ranges. The Aravalli

which is the most ancient mountain range in Gujarat lies largely in Rajasthan

and enters Gujarat at Abu and zigzagging up to the Pavagadh merges into the

Vindhyas. The Taranga lies on the line from Mehsana to Visnagar. The Arasur

branch of the Aravalli goes in the direction of Danta, Khedbrahma, Idar and

Shamlaji and joins the Vindhyas. The Satpura tail lies between the Narmada

and Tapi with Rajpipla hills. The ranges of the Sahyadri lie across the Tapi

with the highest rainfall and the densest forest in the state. The Saler Muler and

the Parner form part of the Sahyadri range. The rocky region of Saurashtra has

only two regular mountain ranges, the northern one having about a 357 metre

peak in the Panchal region.

The Girnar which is the highest mountain in the state (1,145 metres) forms a

part of the range south of the Bardo and is about 160 km in length. The highest

peak is named after Guru Dattatreya. Garakhnath, Amba Mata, Kalika Mata are

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the names of the other peaks of Girnar. The small hill beside the Girnar, called

the Jamial Shah Pir is a Muslim holy place. The Shatrunjaya hill near Palitana

is one of the five sacred hills of Jains. The hills of Talaja, Lor and Sana are

known for their Buddhist caves. Kutch is a saline tract with three mountain

ranges. The hills of Kutch are devoid of plant life.

Among the three main ranges in Kutch, the northern one goes by Pachham,

Khadir and Pranjal. The Kala Parvat forming a part of the ranges lies between

Kutch and Sind. The southern range begins at Madh and goes up to Roha.

2.37 BEACHES IN GUJARAT

AHMEDPUR MANDVI BEACH

Mandvi is one of the finest beaches on the Gujarat shoreline. The beach is

white and firm, ideal for walks, and the water perfect for swimming. Seemingly

unending, with sands ideal for castle building by kids, and shallow waters for a

wading, this is a great spot for a family holiday. A variety of water sports like

Water scooters, Skiing, Surfing, Para sailing, Speed boat trips can be had.

Ahmedpur Mandvi is at the border of the Union Territory Diu.

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CHORWAD BEACH

Chorwad, a small fishing village is a great place to enjoy. Chorwad is famous

for rocky shores and boat riding. It is also a base to visit places like Porbandar,

Somnath etc. A resort is there which was previously a palace built by Nawab

Saheb Mohabbat Khan as a vacation spot on hot summer days where he held

weddings of his dogs, royal banquets and processions amidst cool breezes from

the sea.

SOMNATH BEACH

The Somnath beach is unshaded but lovely. The most spectacular sight of

beach is the fishing port, where thousands of trawlers, country crafts and dhows

can be seen unloading their catch.

GOPNATH BEACH

Gopnath is just 80 kms from Bhavnagar. It was the summer home of Maharaja

Krishna Kumar Singhji of Bhavnagar. The breathtakingly beautiful sea coast

with it's spectacular limestone cliffs and great views, sea breezes and colourful

birdlife, must have made an excellent break from the city during the summer

months. The Gopnath beach has firm sands for walking and shallow shore

waters for wading. But the high tidal difference of the coast, makes the water

murky and not very inviting for a long swim. Gopnath is the base for some

spectacular sightseeing.

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DWARAKA BEACH

Dwaraka is an important city for Hindu Pilgrimage. The city is famous for the

Dwarkadish temple or Jagat Mandir. Today it is not only a major pilgrimage

site but a pleasant spot for a beach holiday. Dwaraka has fine stretches of beach

and though crowded by pilgrims one can always find quiet spots too. Large

number of birds could be seen on the coast. There is a small island covered

with temples, a white beach, coral reefs and extensive marine life. Dolphins

and porpoise can be seen on the surface, sea turtles, octopus, star fish, sea

urchins etc. inhabit the beach.

KUTCH MANDVI BEACH

Another fine beach in Gujarat is in Mandvi, a historic port town of the

Maharao's of Kutch. The port of Mandvi was an important sea trade post

between the near east and the far east which brought prosperity to the Royal

family. Mandvi town was important city for the Maharaos of Bhuj being

endowed with some splendid palaces and buildings. For peace and tranquility,

visit the Maharao's private beach, accessible for a fee. Watch the sunset from

the pavillion. Mandvi beach has lovely blue waters, lots of birds, sandy beaches

and colourful fishing points. Next to the beach are the docks where wooden

ships are built.

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DIU

NAGOA BEACH

Nagoa Beach is located in the Nagoa hamlet of the Bucharwada village in Diu.

Diu Island lies on the offshore of Gujarat mainland, yet it has the feeling of

being on a Mediterranean island. Nagoa Beach stretches for about 2 km from

one end to the other. This long, palm-fringed beach is very beautiful and quiet

and is in the horse-shoe shape. This beach is one of the most beautiful, white

sanded, crescent shaped beach and perfect for swimming, wading, relaxing and

for water sports like jet skiing, knee board surfing, pony and camel riding.

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ST. PAUL'S CHURCH

St. Paul's Church was founded by Jesuits in 1600 and then rebuilt in 1807.

Inside it is a great barn, filled with heavy dark wood, with a small cloister, next

door.

ST. THOMAS CHURCH

St. Thomas Church is a lovely simple building housing the Diu Museum. There

is a spooky, evocative collection of worn Catholic statues. Once a year, on 1

November, this is used for a packed out mass. There are also some remains of

the Jain temple. There is a guest house upstairs and you can also climb the roof

for amazing views.

GHOGHLA BEACH

Ghoghla Beach is one of the most beautiful beach in Diu. This beach also

offers various water sports facilities like parasailing etc.

GOMTIMATA BEACH

Gomtimata Beach is located on the western end of the Diu island. This is one

of the best beaches of the region, long and secluded and spread with natural

white sand.

2.38 RELIGION

The total population of the state consists of Hindus, Muslims and Jains.

Zorastrians or Parsis can also be seen in Gujarat.

The caste system is strictly followed by the Hindus of Gujarat. Besides the

'Brahmins' and the 'Banias' whose functions and occupations are fairly well

determined, the 'Patidars' or Patels who own land and are the best agriculturists

are the strongest force in the economic and political life of the state. They are

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grouped into four categories namely Levas, Kadawas, Anjana and Uda. The

Levas are most shrewd and are concentrated in central Gujarat.

The Kadawas are found in the Mehsana district. The fourth regional group

which may have been a native of Gujarat is the community of aboriginals,

locally known as 'Bhils', which inhabit the hilly tracts of Gujarat that border the

plains from Abu in the north to Dangs in the south. The main tribal groups are

the Bhils, the Dublas, the Naika-Narkdas, the Gamits and the Dhankas. The

Bhils regard themselves as belonging to the Kshatriya caste who had to take

shelter in the hills of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, along the lower Narmada,

to save themselves from the wrath of the Brahmin hero, Parashuram. The Bhils

of Gujarat thus do not possess any racial basis distinct from the other

inhabitants of the region. The tribals of Gujarat are found in the south-eastern

part of Gujarat particularly in the district of Panchmahal, Surat, Baroda, and

Broach.

2.39 GUJARAT ECONOMY

INDUSTRIES IN GUJARAT

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There were 20,050 (provisional) registered working factories and about

2,56,388 small scale industrial units on March 31, 2001. Establishments

engaged in the manufacture of cotton textiles provide employment to a major

portion of the industrial workers followed by the manufacture of non-metallic

mineral products. These two industries together provide employment to

31.49% of the industrial workers. There was a development of industries like

Chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilizers, engineering, electronics etc. With the

largest Petro-chemical complex in the country, Gujarat is a major producer of

inorganic chemicals such as soda-ash and caustic soda as well as chemical

fertilizers. The establishments engaged in manufacturing of machinery and

machinery tools and parts except electrical machinery, manufacturing of wool,

silk and synthetic fiber textiles and basic metal and alloys industries cover

30.50% of the total industrial workers. Other manufacturing products are

rubber, plastic, petroleum and coal products, transport equipments and parts,

food products etc.

A large number of small scale industries are pertaining to metallic work,

chemical industries, machinery except electricity and transport, cotton industry

and non metallic mineral work etc. The most remarkable feature of Gujarat's

recent industrial development has been the growth of the dairy industry, much

of it conducted on a cooperative basis. There are now 15 milk processing plants

with a production capacity of 3.2 million litres per day, which is the first in

India. The membership of the dairying cooperatives exceeds 1 million. Of these

the Kaira District Coperative Milk Producers Union (Anand) is the best known.

To support milk production there are over 10 factories processing 1500-2000

tonnes of cattle feed per day. There is production of oil and natural gas in

Ankleswar, Cambay and Kalol and a oil refinery at Koyali. Gujarat Industrial

Development Corporation (GIDC) have developed around 257 mega industrial

estates at Jhagadia, Vagra, Savli, Dahej, Anklaseshwar etc. Jamnagar,

Porbandar, Jafrabad, Bhavnagar are centers of industry and trade.

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2.40 AGRICULTURE IN GUJARAT

Agriculture in Gujarat forms a vital sector of the state's economy. It provides

the required food grains for the state's population and raw materials for most of

the agro-based industries. Unsuitable climatic conditions in some parts and

rocky terrain with thin or no soils in others, have limited the area suitable for

cultivation. The difficulty of drainage in coastal areas and in the two Ranns

have made a large part of the state agriculturally unproductive. The state's

agricultural productivity is low. The yields are poor and in most cases do not

even meet the total average yield of the country. Low yields result from poor

soils, inadequate rainfall, frequent drought and flood, bad drainage and

undeveloped irrigation facilities. The main feature of the state's agriculture is

its cropping pattern reflected by the variations in climate and topography. The

high yield of cotton is the highest in the country, and reflects the overall

emphasis on cash crops, which has claimed the best agricultural land. A higher

percentage of the land is used for cultivation in central Gujarat. Kaira, Baroda,

Broach and Surat districts are the main contributors to the agricultural

production of the state.

Valsad has become India's first integrated horticulture district. Groundnut

(highest production in the country), Cotton, Tobacco (second highest

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production in the country), Isabgul, Cumin, Sugarcane, Jawar, Bajra, Rice,

Wheat, Pulses, Tur and Gram are the important crops of Gujarat. Another cash

crop which has recently entered the field in a few selected localities is banana.

Plenty of mangoes for export as well as home consumption are part of cash

crops. Honey, wax and bamboo are produced in fair quantities in different

forests and medicinal herbs and fruits like Jamun and guava are produced in

plenty. Forests also yield considerable quantities of teak, Khair, Sadad,

Hadariyo, manual bamboos and good quality of wood.

2.41 DEVELOPMENT IN GUJARAT TOURISM

World class supporting infrastructural facilities substantially influence the

quality of tourism services but ultimately, it is quality of human resource that

significantly govern the development process. The significant development in

the field of tourism industry of information super highway have been found

changing the perception of everything. The motive of managing human

resource is to make available to the tourism world class professionals besides

making the process of development of human resources cost-effective.

The tourism industry in India has become one of the most efficient and

dependable earners of precious foreign exchange revenue for the country. Not

only the centre but the state government too has begun to invest in tourism.

Infrastructure and facilities to capitalize on this growing industry. Tourism is

one of the largest industries in the world. Scores of countries buse their

economy upon it. Even in India it is the second largest foreign exchange earner

(Rs.11,000 crores a year). We propose to set up a new goal of attracting at

least 10 million tourists to India within 5 years, so that we can earn at least

50,000 crore rupees as foreign exchange every year.

In emergent situations where there is little time to refer to a higher authority,

solving a problem on the spot rather than waiting for a manager to appear can

turn a dissatisfied customer into a loyal turn a dissatisfied customer into a loyal

one. Many service organizations may find improving front line from which

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staff can save their money because customer problems will be solved quickly

and then generally they remain satisfied with a smaller compensation than

customers who have been put to further inconvenience by having to wait for a

management decision. To create an empowered service, organization needs

preset goals, competency based HRD policies and practices are most important

part of tourism industry in India.

2.42 TOURISM NECESSARY18

With reference to the Times View / Counterview (May, 6, 2010), tourism is the

best way to raise funds for wildlife protection and conservation. In a country

like India where it’s difficult for the government to feed its below poverty line

population, how can it afford to spend huge sums of money on animal

reserves?

At the same time, maintaining these reserves is a must for both ethical and

ecological reasons. That leaves tourism as the best way to procure the needed

funds. And from another perspective as well, its counter productive to depend

on the government to step in for everything. Public private partnership to foster

tourism in these reserves with stringent legislation and implementation to

prevent poaching and the like is the way forward.

2.43 SIGNIFICANCE AND NEEDS OF SOCIETY AND THE

COUNTRY

In the recent times, this concept of human services has also been further

redefined in the recent writing of management experts in the global competitive

environment. Business organizations have to prove their competency and

qualitative service in the competitive market. For this purpose, human resource

is an important aspect. This study will focus on the HRD policies and practices

applied for the employees of tourism in Gujarat. 18

The Times of India, Gujarat, 7th May, 2010

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In the recent decade of new millennium, the entry of tourism industry for the

employment in the service sectors of the society has been wide significant and

also little sizeable. The rising trends of employees in this industry are also a

good sign for the Indian economy. Recently, the trends of employees working

in tourism industry in India are become more strong, sufficient and perfect. As

far as the manufacturing sector is concerned, there is little less employment

opportunities compared to the service sector companies. I will attempt to find

out about some unanswered and uncultivated research areas through this

research project. It obviously means that the organizations require sound and

scientific HRD policies and practices for the employees in the service industry.

To meet the increasing demand for trained personnel in various departments of

Hotel Management, tour & travel and Food Crafts, the Government will

encourage setting up of Institute of Hotel management and Food Crafts

Institute by the private sector. The government shall consider such institutions

as priority tourism projects and provide land at subsidized rates to the private

sector setting up such institutes and ensure fast track clearance. Such institutes

will have to be established and run according to national standards and shall be

encouraged to tie up with national and international institutes to provide world

class training. Courses shall be worked out for creating a pool of private tourist

guides who could assist the tourists visiting various tourist places in the State.

In the present day of digital communication, a new concept of digital tourist

guides shall be encouraged and developed to enable tourists to get the benefit

of complete knowledge of the places that they visit, through the multi-lingual

digital tourist guides.

2.44 GUJARAT A GOLD MINE OF TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

Gujarat is gifted with a vast mix of tourism potential to satisfy the fancies of

widest range of tourists The tourism policy gives a special thrust to the event

based tourism wherein the government's active support, encouragement will be

made available. To promote tourism and showcase Gujarat, special events and

international fairs shall be arranged. The kite flying festival on Makar

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Sankranti day in the month of January is a riot of colours with colorful kites

soaring the skies of Gujarat in varied shapes and sizes, Gujarat government

gives this festival a high priority and invites people from all over the world to

participate. A kite museum has been set up in Ahmedabad where kites from

various parts of the world are displayed. This event promotes universal

brotherhood and friendship where young and old irrespective of caste, creed or

religion participate and enjoy.

Navratri nine nights of fun frolic and fiesta wherein young girls and boys in

their most colorful traditional attire dance to the rhythms of drums and

dandiyas. This is a festival dedicated to the Mother Goddess celebrated by

Gujaratis all over the world. There are other important festivals like

Janmashtami, Holi Dwarka festival and Somnath festival etc., Traditional tribal

fairs and festivals are a rare and rich heritage of Gujarat. The colourful Tarnetar

fair, the Chitra Vichitra fair, the Holi fair at ChotaUdepur, the Vautha Cattle

fair where donkeys in thousands are bought and sold, the desert fair of Kutch

are Vibrant and pulsating. There is song and dance everywhere

2.45 HRD IN GUJARAT TOURISM

• Human Resources Development is an important aspect of service

industries. Tourists depend upon travel agents, guides and hence trained

manpower is a sine qua non of tourism industry. On the basis of

available statistics, training facilities can be safely said to be totally

inadequate. If trained manpower is not available locally, the objective of

local employment will not be achieved.

• Keeping in view the approach of market-led development, the State

Government will encourage and support creation of training facilities in

the private sector by private agencies/individuals. Hotel Management

course, courses meant for guides, caterer and other supervisory and non-

supervisory staff of hotel will be introduced in Industrial Training

Institutes (I.T.Is). Approved hotel associations and private entrepreneurs

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will be encouraged to create new training facilities by making available

land to them for this purpose and by giving other appropriate incentives.

The Government will consider setting up a Hotel Management Training

Institute at the State level preferably in private sector.

• Residents of Gujarat, especially local youths, would be encouraged and

facilitated to take part in such training courses.

• The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition which is

working under the administrative control of the Central Government

will be utilized to start new training courses so that the residents of

Gujarat can get admission and manpower requirement of this sector is

met., The residents of Gujarat undergoing such training will be

reimbursed a part of the tuition fees through scholarships.

2.46 AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION OF TOURISM TO GDP 19

Medical tourism is expected to experience a high growth potential because of

the availability of high-quality, low cost surgeries at Gujarat’s hospitals. The

large Gujarati population in America, Europe and Africa can be a major growth

driver for this segment of tourism.

• The domestic air-traffic in Gujarat increased from 1.21 million in 2005-

06 to 1.93 million in 2006-07 and the international air-traffic increased

from 0.13 million in 2005-06 to 0.33 million in 2006-07 (Deccan

Airways has started Helicopter services at Girnar for the tourists).

• Kuwait Airlines, Jet Airways, Air India, Al Arabia, Qatar, Singapore

Airlines and Emirates are the international flights from Ahmedabad.

Most of the leading Indian airlines – Indian, Jet, Kingfisher, Air Sahara,

Deccan, Spicejet, Go, etc. have flights to and from Ahmedabad.

19 Source: Industries Commissionerate,2007; Accelerating Growth in Gujarat, CII

126

• The State witnessed a total of 12.34 million tourists during 2006–07 out

of which 12.1 million were the domestic tourists and 0.20 million

foreign tourists. The average contribution of tourism industry to the

State’s GDP is close to 2.5%, while the comparable figure for India is

5.3%. The average foreign tourist spend per person per day is close to

US$700 to 1050 in Gujarat.

2.47 KEY CURRENT STATISTICS20

The total flow of tourist during the year 2006–07 was 12.34 million and

recorded a growth of 15% over the previous year. Growth of 18.5% was

observed in the tourist flow from foreign countries during 2006-07. With a

number of more than 200,000 foreign tourists in 2006-07 and around 1,75,000

in 2005-06.

• Ahmedabad, Ambaji and Dwarka are the major tourist destinations

which invited maximum number of tourist in Gujarat. These three

destinations accounted for 33% of the total tourist flow in the state.

• Almost 78% of the tourist flow in 2006 – 07 was from within Gujarat.

The share of other Indian states was 20.6%. The foreign tourists

accounted for 1.68% in the total tourist flow.

• The majority of tourist visit for the business purpose (53%) in the state,

subsequently followed by religious visit (35%). 8% of the of the tourist

visit for the leisure purpose, which is showing an increase in the trend.

• Gujarat attracts around 12 million domestic tourists per annum (2006 –

07), Gujarat has a large number of theme restaurants, multiplexes and

water parks, More than 2000 fairs and festivals–important state for

event-based tourism especially based on Navratri, Kite Festival and

Tarnetar Fair etc.

20

Source: Tourist Flow in Gujarat, TCGL, Annual Report 2006 – 07

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• A total of 33 Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) involving an

investment of 10,793 crore (US$2.57 billion) were signed at 2007

Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit (VGGIS). Tourism sector

registered an increase of 47% over investments in 2005 VGGIS.

• The state tourism budget has been increased from US$ 21 million in

2008-09 to US$ 35 million in 2009-2010. In 2009-2010, 16 million

tourists visited the state.

2.48 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES 21

DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT–LEVEL TOURISM

• Integrated development of tourism infrastructure facilities have been

planned.

• Action plan has been worked out for the development and promotion of

the tourist locations by all the department, district administration and

local bodies.

• First time synergy among various line departments, district

administration and local bodies through action plan and integrated

approach.

INVESTMENT FACILITATION CELL STARTED IN TCGL

• Plans have been made by TCGL for infrastructural facilities and basic

services in tourism.

• Development plan for six tourist destinations by the Pilgrimage

Development Board of Gujarat.

• Action plans by administrative departments and other agencies of State

Government.

21

Tourism Corporation Of Gujarat Ltd., Govt. of Gujarat

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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

• TCGL-AMA Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Management has been

started at Ahmedabad with corpus fund of INR15 lakhs.

• 688 trained local tourist guides and 34 trained regional guides.

• Employees of TCGL are trained in Hospitality, computers and E-

governance.

• Training of service providers started at Ahmedabad and other 37

important destinations of Gujarat.

• 63 master trainer's training for service providers started at Ahmedabad.

• 2194 service provider trained.

2.49 GUJARAT TOURISM SIGNS MOU WITH THREE STATES IN

INDIA TO PROMOTE INTER -STATE TOURISM 22

The Department of Tourism, Government of Gujarat has entered into a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka, Punjab and Rajasthan

to promote inter-state tourism. The state tourism department is working on

modalities to sign a similar deal with Goa tourism department. According to a

report in Times of India, the state tourism department has started selling north

Gujarat with Rajasthan and is promoting Shamlaji, Kesariyaji, Udaipur,

Chittorgarh, Haldighati, Nathdwara, Charbhuja, Ranakpur, Mount Abu in

Rajasthan along with Ambaji, Kumbharia, Modhera and Bahucharaji.

Vipul Mitra, Tourism Secretary, Gujarat said that the state tourism department

has entered into a MoU with Rajasthan, Karnataka and Punjab, which has a

large number of NRI visitors. “The MoUs will help towards mutual promotion

of tourism, showcasing each others' cultural heritage to tourists and felicitating

inbound travel into respective states. The states will mutually market their

accommodation facilities and tourism packages,” added Mitra. 22 9th December, 2010, The Times of India, Gujarat

129

Certain sources added that next in the line is Goa where the state tourism

department is planning to promote Wildlife, Religious and Beach Tourism.

Officials said that Goa has pacts with five other states, including Meghalaya,

Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Sikkim.

2.50 TOURISM AS AN INDUSTRY IN GUJARAT 23

From roping in Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador, setting up tourism

institutes to identify Special Tourism Investment Regions (STIR), the state

government is exploring various avenues to popularise Gujarat as a tourist

destination. The state has even set aside a marketing budget of `45-50 crore to

promote tourism.

"The diversity of Gujarat can itself be a 'brand' and that is what we intend to

promote," said Shri Kamlesh Patel, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat

at the Gujarat Tourism Conclave 2010 held by the Department of Tourism,

Government of Gujarat in partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of

Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

With an aim to sensitize the Indian tourism industry on Gujarat tourism, the

state is planning various initiatives and policies. "Gujarat is working towards

declaring tourism as an industry. We have identified Special Tourism

Investment Regions (STIRs), which are the areas where people like to go but

do not have proper places to stay. A policy is expected to be out in this regard

soon.

Besides, the State government plans to organize road shows across the country

to meet members of trade in various cities. We will also set up large number of

institutes in the next two years that help cater to the manpower requirement in

the tourism industry," said Shri Vipul Mittra, IAS, Secretary, Tourism & Civil

23

Tourism Corporation Of Gujarat Ltd., Govt. of Gujarat

130

Aviation, Government of Gujarat. The conclave also saw a study on 'Furthering

the growth of Gujarat Tourism.

With special emphasis on health and wellness tourism' being released by Mr.

Jaynarayan Vyas, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Health & Family Welfare,

Government of Gujarat. In his inaugural address, Mr. Vyas said that the

tourism growth in the state will overshadow the industrial and agricultural

growth. Business, leisure and medical tourism will take Gujarat to the

forefront. He urged the national and state tour operators to consider

Ahmedabad as the 'Gateway Point' to travel to the rest of the country. On the

medical tourism industry, the study revealed that medical tourism was growing

in India at 30 per cent annually. The Gujarat Tourism Conclave 2010 focused

on tourism sector opportunities, air connectivity, health and wellness tourism

and preparation of Tourism Road Map for Gujarat. A few suggestions from the

participants were to explore adventure and archeological tourism in the state at

Mithapur, Kutch and Dholavira, hiring tourism professionals and creating a

single window clearance for various projects.

2.51 TOURISM POLICY FOR GUJARAT 24

The state's new tourism policy to be announced in two months will focus on

developing Gujarat as the top tourism destination in India. The policy will also

open doors for huge investments and put Gujarat on global tourist map.

Minister of tourism and health and family welfare, Jayanarayan Vyas, said this

while speaking at 'Gujarat Tourism Summit 2009' organised by Confederation

of Indian Industry (CII) on Sunday."We will unveil the new tourism policy in

two months. The new policy will aim to place Gujarat as a top tourist location

in the world in five years. It will have the features which will meet the

expectations of Gujarat tourist industry," he said.

24 DNA, Monday, November 23, 2009, Ahmedabad

131

He said that the state government will invest Rs500 crore at Ambaji and

Saputara in coming three-four years. Paragliding at Pavagadh and Saputara will

be started to promote adventure tourism and in addition to that, wildlife and

agro tourism will also be promoted.

"Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh nationally and Dubai, Singapore

and Malaysia on an international level are the competitors of Gujarat in terms

of tourist location. Government of Gujarat is planning to pump in around

Rs172 crore in2009 compared to Rs34 crore in 2005. We plan to reach 2nd

rank in terms of hospitality in coming years," said Kishor Rao D, former

tourism secretary and director-general, Gujarat Establishment Golden Jubilee

Secretariat.

Participants during the summit pointed out a few issues like establishing more

budget hotels, creating special tourism zones, eco-tourism, theme-based

tourism, rural tourism, developing night life, etc.

Ashwin Gandhi, chairman, CII's Gujarat Tourism Summit 2009, said: "The

Government of Gujarat has taken CII as partner in tourism development and

this summit is the beginning of a new horizon for Gujarat tourism."

Speakers highlighted issues like creation of Gujarat Travel Mart, proper

branding of the state tourism, creating awareness among the stakeholders on all

tourism forums, creating more infrastructure through PPP model, rural heritage

development, and special entertainment zones.

2.52 POLICY PROPOSALS25

VISION

The dynamic and growth oriented Govt. of Gujarat is determined to develop

Tourism as a key industry to make it an important contributor to the state's

economic and social growth and to offer a right blend of Business and Pleasure. 25 A Treasure trove tourism policy-2003-2010

132

This will be achieved by active participation of private, national and

international corporate bodies to bring in their expertise and investment with

supportive Govt. policies and facilitation. Government will offer the most

conducive climate for the industry to grow

TOURISM A GROWTH ENGINE

• Hospitality Industry Growth

• Indirect Employment

• Cultural Development

• Infrastructure Development

• Employment Opportunities 90 jobs Per Million Rs. Investment

• Sustainance of rich Heritage of Art & Craft

SCOPE

• The current world tourism contribution to GDP is 11%.

• The current Indian tourism contribution to GDP is 1.8% and it is

targeted to reach 6% in the next decade. If this can be re-targeted to

reach 10% an additional 1.2 crore jobs can be created.

• A majority of the 2 crore NRIs, are Gujaratis who are prosperous as

professionals and traders. This untapped resource can be motivated to

become prospective tourists and investors in this sector and the GDP

level can be improved considerably.

METHODOLOGY

• Event Based Tourism

• Tourist Circuits

• Infrastructure Development

• Innovative Marketing & Promotional Tools

• Human Resource Development

• Private Participation

• Facilitating Govt. Policies to ensure rapid Growth

133

(I) TOURISM AS INDUSTRY

Like other industrial projects, tourism projects too involve professional

management, capital investment, special skills and training. The Government

of India and a number of other states have declared tourism as an industry.

Gujarat State which is at the forefront of the industrial development will also

declare tourism as an industry.

Availability of land is a primary requirement of any project. The process of

grant of land will be facilitated in urban areas for the projects concerning

setting up of hotels, restaurants and apartment hotels etc. Existing arrangements

for grant of government waste land to industrial units will be made applicable

to various tourism projects. Arrangements will be made to acquire private land

under Land Acquisition Act for various tourism projects by companies

registered under the Companies Act.

The existing commercial rates of NA assessment applicable to land involving

tourism projects would be reviewed and rates of NA assessment for industrial

purposes will be made applicable to them. As one of the sets of infrastructural

institutions, the State Financial Institutions have made an important

contribution in creating conductive environment for industrial entrepreneurs.

They will be called upon to do the same for tourism entrepreneurs in terms of

making available adequate finance.

So far, the lending from the State Financial Institutions has been largely

confined to hotels only. In reality, the range of activities for tourism projects is

far larger than just hotels as can be seen from the following illustrative list :

Accommodation Projects :

• Hotels

• Resorts

• Motels

• Apartment Hotels

134

• Heritage Hotels

• Food Oriented Projects :

• Restaurants

• Wayside Facilities on the State Highways.

• Other Tourism - Related Projects :

• Amusement Parks and Water Sports

• Handicraft Village Complexes

• Fairs and Festivals.

• Camps and Facilities Encouraging Adventure

• Train Travel Projects

• Sea/RiverCruise Projects

• Sound and Light Shows

• Museums

• Natural Parks/Zoos

• Safari Projects

• Ropeways

• Sports/Health Facilities Complexes

• Training Schools for the managerial expertise for Hospitality Industry.

• Golf Courses.

• Service Oriented Projects :

• Travel Agency

• Tour operation

• Transport Operation

• Linkage with the International Hotel Chains (Franchise)

• Human Resources Development (HRD) for Tourism Industry and

necessary training facilities.

Most of the projects on this illustrative list are not eligible for loans from the

banks or the State Financial Agencies. It will be necessary to make suitable

changes in the lending criteria for viable projects in the listed activities in order

than their financial requirements are met.

135

The modification of the lending criteria of the State Financial Agencies will be

made with regard to the financial ceiling, debt equity ratio, recovery period,

moratorium etc. Necessary arrangements will be made to ensure that the State

Financial Agencies and the banks attach adequate priority to the financing

requirements of tourism projects.

A new incentive package will be made available to replace the existing

incentive policy instituted in 1991. A tax holiday of 5-10 years in respect of

following taxes will be made available upto 100% of capital investment to

various tourism projects located in Special Tourism Areas whether declared by

the Central Government or the State Government, located in designated areas

and located on National and State Highways. The scope and the extent of the

benefits of tax holiday will vary according to certain considerations such as the

admissible expenditure, the size of the capital investment etc. The benefit of tax

holiday will also be made available for the purpose of expansion of the existing

tourism projects in these areas :

• Sales Tax

• Purchase Tax

• Electricity Duty

• Luxury Tax

• Entertainment Tax

Necessary administrative arrangements will be made at the State and District

Level to operationalize the incentive schemes.

Suitable schemes will be designed to market tourism products, and particularly

wide publicity will be secured in respect of various facilities being offered by

the travel agents, tour operators etc.

Special paying guest scheme will be formulated for providing adequate and

inexpensive lodging and boarding facilities too take care of seasonal flows of

tourists to the pilgrimage centers during festivals.

136

Financial assistance will be provided for the preparation of feasibility reports

by consultants in respect of tourism projects.

Structure of the taxes and tariffs, e.g. luxury tax, entertainment tax, sales tax,

etc., will be reviewed with reference to developmental needs of tourism sector

and necessary amendments will be made.

(II) REDEFINING THE ROLES OF THE STATE AND THE MAR KET

Since the approach of the Tourism Policy focuses on market-led

developments, the role of the State would be as follows:

The Government proposes to make commercial services available entirely

through private sector or in association with it. The States role will primarily

focus on strengthening and upgrading existing infrastructure and development

of new infrastructure. Reputed consultants will be hired to prepare area

development master plans/feasibility studies in respect of important tourist

destinations and areas of tourism potential, e.g. Sardar Sarovar Project Area,

Kutch, Beach sites and area covering Porbandar, Gir Forest, Veraval, Somnath,

Ahmedpur-Mandvi, Saputara, Modhera etc.

Efforts will be made to get funding for development of infrastructure for these

destinations/areas from national and international agencies.

To ensure timely provision of necessary funding, the Government will earmark

funds in the annual budgets of the departments concerned for securing the

purpose mentioned in Report.

In conformity with States promotional role in the development of tourism

sector, all competitive and commercial activities of Tourism Corporation of

Gujarat Limited will be privatised except where no entrepreneur is coming

forward to meet the existing need. This privatisation would help strengthen the

financial position of the corporation and also help provide qualitative services

to the tourists.

137

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited will assume a catalytic role focused

on acting as clearing house of information, production and distribution of

promotional literature, policy advice etc. The Tourism Corporation will assist

entrepreneurs and agencies in tourism sector and will try to help alleviate their

difficulties particularly vis a vis the Government and its agencies.

A Computerized Information Centre will be set up at the State level to make

available necessary information to the agencies/entrepreneurs who wish to set

up tourism projects.

In addition to its existing offices in Bombay, Delhi and Madras, the Tourism

Corporation will also open its offices in other major cities of India to give wide

publicity and disseminate information on Gujarat Tourism and market tourism

products through these offices and through reputed travel agents in other big

cities. Thus, the information about Gujarat’s tourist destinations and related

information would be made available to tourists from outside the State in their

own cities.

There is already a scheme of 50% matching grant from the State Government

to the local self-governing bodies for the development of local tourist

destinations. This scheme will be made more effective and attractive and

necessary provisions in the budget will be made. This will help centralize the

process of developing tourist destinations.

The process of decentralization will be further strengthened by delegation of

administrative and executive powers of approval of incentives to small tourism

projects to District Level Bodies headed by the Collector. These bodies, in

addition, will also secure co-ordination from other departments / agencies of

the Government in development and promotion of tourism. Representation will

be given on this body to the experts, individual agencies and individuals

connected with the tourism.

A Single window clearance system will be instituted for speedy clearance of

various permissions, approvals required under different laws and rules.

138

Necessary modification/amendment will be made to various administrative

arrangements and laws which are not consistent with the approach of this

Policy. Care will be taken to ensure that prospective investors do not have to

suffer protracted and complex administrative process.

Intensive efforts will be undertaken to attract investors from outside the State

as well as from other countries including non-resident Indians to invest in

tourism sector on large scale. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited and

Directorate of Tourism will play active role to ensure that investors get various

permissions easily and are provided with all the necessary facilities.

A High Powered Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary with

Director of Tourism as the Member Secretary will be constituted with the

objective of securing effective co-ordination among various Government

departments and agencies as also to speed up decision making proceeds

concerning tourism. The committee will meet regularly and enjoy full powers

of Government, provided the approval of the Chief Minister and the Council of

Ministers will be obtained wherever required.

In order to create a participate forum for deliberation and discussion

concerning tourism industry, a Tourism Advisory Council headed by the Chief

Minister will be set up. The Ministers and Secretaries of administrative

departments concerned will be the members. The representatives of tourism

industry, experts and related organisations will be nominated as members. The

Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) will be the Member Secretary of this

Council.

The Council will meet periodically to deliberate upon policy as well as

individual issues and offer suitable advice to the Government.

(III) PERSPECTIVE PLANNING

Perspective plan for tourism development will be prepared in consultation with

experts. An overview of possible tourism products is offered below :

139

RELIGIOUS (PILGRIMAGE) AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM

Gujarat has a preponderance of pilgrimage centers as in some other states.

Somnath and Dwarka - some of the well known and revered sites of ancient

Hindu temples are situated in the State. The temple architecture has reached

heights of excellence in Jain temples at Shetrunji, Girnar and Taranga. The

temple of Ambaji situated in Aravalli range in North Gujarat is an important

religious centre for devotees in the country. Dakor, Pavagadh, Bahucharaji,

Shamlaji, Narayan Sarovar, Sudamas Porbandar, Kabirvad Shuklatirth,

Kayavarohan, Bhadrakali Temple Ahmedabad and Tankara - Maharshi

Dayanand Saraswatis birth place are also important pilgrimage destinations

which have kept alive the religious sentiments of the people. Lakhs of pilgrims

visit these places every year.

These places are visited not only by the devotees from all over the country but

also by non-resident Indians and travellers especially from the eastern part of

the world. Necessary accommodation facilities and related services will be

created on these sites. For ensuring orderly and planned development of

pilgrimage centre’s, the State Government has constituted Pavitra Dham Vikas

Board chaired by the Chief Minister. The Board will prepare and implement

plans to provide necessary facilities to the devotees and also ensure

conservation of cultural atmosphere consistent with sentiments of visiting

devotees.

Shamlaji is an ancient site for Buddhists. The excavated relies of Buddhist

period at the site are now kept in a museum at Baroda.

There are a number of places of archaeological importance is such as the

temple-town of Palitana, Modhera with its Sun temple, historical Ranki Vav at

Patan with relics of an ancient capital, the Girnar Hills with Hindu and Jain

temples, Junagadh with a historical fort, Dabhoi, Champaner, Pavagadh,

Shaking Minarets, Gandhi Ashram, Siddi Sayed Jali etc. These can be

140

developed by providing necessary infrastructural facilities and marketed as

tourist destinations to attract tourists.

HERITAGE TOURISM

A large number of old palaces, havelis, darbargadhs exist in the State. These

historical buildings can be converted into hotels, restaurants or museums by

providing suitable incentives to owners. Wildlife and Pilgrimage Tourism

circuits can be linked to heritage properties exploiting the geographical

congruity. Development of this sub-sector will not only attract foreign tourists

but also provide encouragement and support to local art and craft. Government

will take necessary steps to promote Heritage tourism in the State.

WILDLIFE TOURISM

There is substantial scope for development of tourism based on wildlife in the

State. Gir Forest of Gujarat is the last stronghold of Asiatic Lions. The Bear

Sanctuary at Ratan Mahal (Dist.Panchmahal, Black Buch Sanctuary at

Velavadar (Dist.Bhavnagar), Bird Sanctuary at Nalsarovar (Dist.Ahmedabad),

Wild Ass Sanctuary at Kutch etc. can be effectively developed into tourist

destinations by providing infrastructural facilities. In order to facilitate visitors

to these areas, coordination among various agencies will be established.

COASTAL AND BEACH TOURISM

The Gujarat State has the longest coastline among Maritime States of the

country. Identified stretches of coastline can be developed into beaches from

tourism point of view. It will be the endeavor of the State to develop beach

potential by providing such facilities as may attract foreign tourists. Various

tourist destinations easily accessible from the coast will be linked through

coastal shipping circuits.

141

ART, CRAFT, CULTURAL AND TOURISM

Banni in Kutch, Khambhat, Junagadh etc. are known for their craftsmanship.

Similarly, there are hundreds of fairs that are celebrated through out the year

with enthusiasm. Tarnetar Fair in Surendranagar District, Chitra Vichitra Fair

at Poshina (Sabarkantha District), Kanwat Fair at Chhota Udepur (Panchmahals

District), Dang Darbar in Dang. Bhavnath Fair of Junagadh, Vautha Fair of

Ahmedabad etc. have immense tourism value. By developing accommodation,

transport and other facilities, these fairs and festivals will be promoted

nationally and internationally. The places of importance from art and craft

point of view will be included in the tourist circuits and necessary facilities

provided to tourists.

CORPORATE TOURISM

Private sector will be encouraged to build the state of the art convention

centres, seminar halls etc. so as to attract corporate events like seminar,

workshops and annual general meetings. Participants in such events generally

have high purchasing power and provide a boost to local economy.

ADVENTURE TOURISM

This is also a territory with possibility of development as a sub-sector which

will be examined and new activities like Camel Safari in Kutch, Horse-riding

in Aravalli hill ranges, Parachuting in Saputara, Trekking in Dang, Pavagadh,

Palitana etc. will be promoted. Such activities will create large scale

employment opportunities for guides, coolies, traders for hire of tents and

equipments etc. and will also encourage paying guest accommodation in such

areas. Private entrepreneurs and institutions will be encouraged to develop such

facilities.

HIGHWAY TOURISM

There is a good network of State and National highways which criss-cross the

State and a large number of travellers prefer road journey. Because of large

142

geographical expanse of the State, these journeys tend to be quite long and

boridng. There is a need for creating necessary facilities like hotels, restaurants,

picnic spots, water parks etc. along the highways at suitable intervals for the

highway travellers to relax. In fact, travellers can be induced to follow certain

traffic routes if such facilities are better developed. Highway facilities and

wayside amenities are so well developed in some states that this has become

the mainstay of tourism. State shall encourage private investors to create such

facilities on highways.

Various sub-sectors of tourism activities listed above will be encouraged by

marking new tourism units eligible for incentives under Tax Holiday incentive

scheme in designated areas.

As mentioned earlier, the State Government intends to designate certain areas

having significant tourist potential as Special Tourism Areas. To this end,

reputed consultants and institutions will be engaged to prepare area

development plans in respect of various areas such as Kutch District, areas

around Sardar Sarovar project area, South Saurashtra areas covering Gir,

Porbandar, Veraval, Somnath, beaches and areas of pilgrimage/heritage towns.

These areas will be developed by following integrated area development

approach. The State Government will make efforts to tap all the source of

national and international funding for development of these areas and provide

special encouragement to tourism projects being established therein. For

ensuring faster development of these areas, area development committees will

be constituted.

(IV) HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Human Resources Development is an important aspect of service industries.

Tourists depend upon travel agents, guides and hence trained manpower is a

sine qua non of tourism industry. On the basis of available statistics, training

facilities can be safely said to be totally inadequate. If trained manpower is not

available locally, the objective of local employment will not be achieved.

143

Keeping in view the approach of market-led development, the State

Government will encourage and support creation of training facilities in the

private sector by private agencies/individuals.

Hotel Management course, courses meant for guides, caterer and other

supervisory and non-supervisory staff of hotel will be introduced in Industrial

Training Institutes (I.T.Is). Approved hotel associations and private

entrepreneurs will be encouraged to create new training facilities by making

available land to them for this purpose and by giving other appropriate

incentives. The Government will consider setting up a Hotel Management

Training Institute at the State level preferably in private sector.

Residents of Gujarat, especially local youths, would be encouraged and

facilitated to take part in such training courses.

The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition which is working

under the administrative control of the Central Government will be utilized to

start new training courses so that the residents of Gujarat can get admission and

manpower requirement of this sector is met.,

The residents of Gujarat undergoing such training will be reimbursed a part of

the tuition fees through scholarships.

(V) FEEDBACK AND MONITORING

To make the New Tourism Policy and practices result oriented,

implementation will be monitored by a High Powered Committee under the

Chairmanship of Chief Secretary. A Management Information System will be

set up to assist the Committee to make available information on various aspects

of implementation on a continuous basis. The Committee will also review the

policy from time to time.

144

2.53 SOCIAL BENEFITS OF TOURISM POLICY 26

Tourism sector has the highest employment potential, with approximately 90

jobs created per Rs.10 lacs investment. By attracting large investment in the

sector, large employment opportunities shall be created; adequate skills and

training imparted by the institutions specially set up in the policy period, the

trained youth from the state can get productive employment in the sector.

Further, the local shops and artisans shall get opportunities to sell their

products and money will flow in the rural sector. Further, NID, NIFT and other

institutions will hone the skills of the rural people involved in handicrafts.

Gujarat beckons you as a respected visitor, an esteemed investor and a friend to

enrich the colourful socio-cultural tapestry.

2.54 IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM 27

The proposed Policy needs to be implemented in an effective and time-bound

manner so as to achieve the target of attracting tourists to Gujarat. To ensure

this, services of existing Gujarat Industrial Promotion Board (GIPB) would be

utilized. Commissioner (Tourism) will be the Nodal Officer for implementation

of all the policy proposals. All projects related to tourism having investment

less than Rs. 50 crore will be approved at the Government level and the

projects that are more than Rs. 50 crore will be approved by GIPB. Necessary

amendment to the GIDB Act will be carried out to ensure the implementation

of these delegated powers. For all tourism related matters pertaining to GIPB,

the offices of the Commissioner (Tourism) and Managing Director (TCGL)

will act as Secretariat to GIPB.

26A Treasure trove Gujarat tourism policy-2003-2010

27 A Treasure trove Gujarat tourism policy-2003-2010

145

2.55 BIG B & THE GUJARAT FRAGRANCE 28

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan who has become the tourism brand ambassador

of Gujarat is soon going to spread the fragrance of Gujarat across the world.

The state tourism department which has signed a deal with Bachchan to

promote Gujarat is soon going to run "Khusboo Gujarat Ki" campaign on

television channels and in print media.

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL)recently invited tenders to

produce five to eight ad films with Bachchan. The duration of the ad films will

be 90/60 seconds which can be edited to 30, 15 and 10 seconds and they will

promote various tourist destinations of Gujarat.

"The ad films will cover Somnath, Dwarka, Gir, Rann of Kutch, Mahatma

Gandhi's landmarks, and other aspects such as fairs and festivals, cuisines,

handicrafts, and dance of Gujarat. It should capture the beauty, diversity and

spirituality of Gujarat in such a way that it offers the viewers a high quality and

engaging experience about Gujarat," said a source in the government.

The TCGL has invited tenders from companies which have a minimum 8-10

years of experience. Also, the companies and directors must have been rated as

the best and won awards. The companies should have experience of making

TV commercials on tourism (national/international)or for multinational brands

like Cadbury, Vodafone, etc. The ad films will be made in Hindi and then a

dubbing in English, Gujarati and other languages will be made. TCGL has also

planned to do a still shoot with Bachchan at certain identified locations and in

the studio. A TCGL official said,

"There will also be a separate shoot to capture the scenic beauty, fairs,

festivals, cuisines, handicrafts, dance, etc. of certain identified destinations.

28 DNA, Daily News & Analysis; Mumbai, March 16th, 2010

The still shoot will cover the destinations of Somnath, Dwarka, Gir, Rann of

Kutch and Gandhiji's landmarks."

2.56 GUJARAT TOURISM GETS

After shooting seven films to promote Gujarat's tourist attractions, Big B is set

to lend his baritone to five sound and light shows at as many locations across

the state. The Rs 100

light show at 'The Tower

The nodal agency, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), has already

selected the locations: Uparkot Fort in Junagadh, Champaner Fort near

Pavagadh, Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, and the two temples at Somnath and

Ambaji.

"The Tower of David in

With the help from a brand like Amitabh Bachchan, we want to replicate the

success of Jerusalem in Gujara

will have special visual effects," said a senior official in TCGL.

show at Somnath has voice

English versions, respectively. Until about three years

narrated by Naseeruddin

Ahmedabad.

"In Junagadh and Champaner forts, we have sites similar to that in Jerusalem.

Junagadh has a rich history ranging from the Buddhist era, Maurya and Solanki

dynasties to the freedom movement of Arazi Hukumat in 1948. Similar is the

case with other locations," he said. While the state government will produce the

show, TCGL is exploring possibilit

it.

29 DNA, Daily News & Analysis; Mumbai

146


Kutch and Gandhiji's landmarks."

GUJARAT TOURISM GETS BIG B'S BARITONE BOO

shooting seven films to promote Gujarat's tourist attractions, Big B is set


the state. The Rs 100-crore project is being modeled on the famous sound and

light show at 'The Tower of David' in the old city of Jerusalem.




"The Tower of David in Jerusalem was part of a fortress. It is a museum now.


success of Jerusalem in Gujarat. Unlike the on-going show at Somnath, this one

will have special visual effects," said a senior official in TCGL.

show at Somnath has voice-overs by Om Puri and Kabir Bedi for Hindi and

English versions, respectively. Until about three years ago, a similar show

Naseeruddin Shah was organised at Gandhi Ashram in


a rich history ranging from the Buddhist era, Maurya and Solanki



show, TCGL is exploring possibilities of involving private players for running

News & Analysis; Mumbai, October 20th, 2010


BIG B'S BARITONE BOO ST29

shooting seven films to promote Gujarat's tourist attractions, Big B is set


crore project is being modeled on the famous sound and

of David' in the old city of Jerusalem.




was part of a fortress. It is a museum now.


going show at Somnath, this one

will have special visual effects," said a senior official in TCGL.The present

overs by Om Puri and Kabir Bedi for Hindi and

ago, a similar show

was organised at Gandhi Ashram in


a rich history ranging from the Buddhist era, Maurya and Solanki



ies of involving private players for running

147

2.57 GUJARAT TOURISM CHANGES ITS LOGO, GIR LION

REPLACES TORAN

Desh Gujarat.com By Japan K Pathak Gujarat Tourism Corporation has

changed its symbol almost silently. The earlier logo of Gujarat Tourism was

'Toran' which is tied at the entrance of Gujarati houses to welcome the guests.

However the logo of 'Toran' has been replaced by a new logo that features side-

face of Gir Lion. New logo has replaced the old one not in Amitabh Bachchan

ads promoting Gujarat Tourism. Gujarat Tourism's official website too features

a new logo, replacing the old one. Gujarat Tourism was set up in late 1970s. It's

logo of Toran was created by Ahmedabad based National Institute of Design.

However over the years, need of change in the logo was felt.

While Kerala features green coconut tree, sea, and boat in its logo, Goa also

does similar, Rajasthan Tourism features colors in its logo promoting Holi.

Madya Pradesh Tourism features Tiger in its logo. But Gujarat's old Toran logo

was promoting nothing. Thus it was decided by the tourism department to high

lite the leading tourism product that Gujarat uniquely owns, and obvious choice

was the Gir lion that is found only in Gujarat. A logo with saffron side-face of

lion has also some traditional textile block printing style design in it.

2.58 BACHCHAN'S MIDAS TOUCH HELPS GUJARAT TOURISM

Press Trust of India Having mega star Amitabh Bachchan as its brand

ambassador seems to be paying well for Gujarat tourism, a senior officer said

today. Gujarat Tourism Secretary Vipul Mittra said the places where Amitabh

bachchan visited during his tourism promotion campaign are generating

interest amongst the tourists.

"Thousands of people have started visiting places like Somnath Temple or Gir

national park where he shot the tourism campaign," he said adding a hotel

property owned by Taj in Gir which was closed nine years back is also

restarting its operation there.

148

Mittra said it was not much difficult to convince Big B to be a brand

ambassador. "Chief Minister Narendra Modi called him and he immediately

agreed," He Bachchan's association with Gujarat tourism will be a long-term

one. Gujarat tourism department which attracts 1. 65 crore visitors annually has

also decided to promote the state as a film shooting destination. Mittra said the

state will be participating in the cinema scape festival scheduled at Mumbai in

October. "We have requested Bachchan to be present at the festival," he added.

2.59 GUJARAT TO BECOME ‘HUB’ OF TOURISM 30

In a move aimed to give strong fillip to tourism sector, the Tourism

Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) has decided to develop tourism on a 'hub

and spoke' model — making a major city with urban infrastructure and

facilities a base camp for tourists to visit about 30 destinations in the vicinity.

At the outset, eight ‘hubs’ have been identified, and development on these lines

have been initiated since last six months. Advertisements and online

promotions have begun with gusto. Jamnagar, Kutch Junagadh, A'bad-North

Gujarat, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vaodara are the said hubs to begin with.

Talking about the success of the model, chairman of TCGL Kamlesh Patel said,

"We are offering a basket of destinations to tourists visiting Gujarat instead of

selling just one destination. There is a lot of competition in tourism sector now,

and we have geared up to face the challenge."

In a press meet organized to share the details of the upcoming Rannotsav in

Kutch from December 1, the officials of tourism department shared their

enthusiastic plans for the department and highlighted the sharp increase in

tourists and the rising revenue chart of TCGL over the past three years.

30 DNA, Sunday, November 29, 2009 Ahmedabad

149

Managing director TCGL Anoop Shukla said the hub model has been such a

success in the past few months that even the neighbouring state of Madhya

Pradesh is keen on adopting the model. "We dont have too many big

attractions, only small spots where a person cannot spend more than a few

hours. Instead we have lots of lovely beaches, which are also being developed.

So we are developing multiple destinations giving the tourist a wide choice," he

said.

Elaborating on the Rannotsav celebrations, secretary tourism Vipul Mitra said

all of the 400 tents put up for the festival have been booked this time,

emphasizing on a lighter note that those travelling are genuine tourists.

"Ambassador of 12 countries are expected to attend the event. Around one lakh

people will gather in the Rann for the festival. The Rann of Kutch is kind of

like the deserts of Jaisalmer, but much easier to reach, but still we do not get as

many tourists as Jaisalmer. In a few years, we aim to get more tourists than

Jaisalmer to this beautiful destination," he said.

2.60 KHUSHBOO GUJARAT KI 31

PUTTING GUJARAT ON THE WORLD TOURIST MAP

The tourism sector got a big push with record signing of MOUs with Rs.

72,000 crores for around 580 different tourism projects. These 580 projects are

distributed amongst various themes like hotels, resorts, film studio, adventure

tourism, wayside amenities, theme parks, medical tourism, beach resorts and

religious tourism. The projects are such that they envisage and cover all aspects

of tourism in the MOUs.

Total around 360 companies signed MOUs, out of which around 135

companies have MOUs more then Rs. 100 crores. The top MOUs were signed

by Atlanta Group, Mumbai and Concast Infratech, each over Rs. 5000 crores.

31 The Times of India, Gujarat, 28th January, 2011

150

Well known companies including the Mahindra Holidays, ITC, Macdonald’s

Rahejas, Pacifica group also joined the band wagon.

2.61 KUTCH, KUTCH HOTA HAI 32

DESPITE ITS BARREN LANDSCAPE, DISTRICT’S VIBRANT

CULTURE REMAINS MOST COLOURFUL

Kutch may be Gujarat’s most barren region, but it has given birth to people

with the most fertile imagination. Films, music, literature… Kutchis have left

their imprint on everything creative. Not surprising then that this land of ideas

resurrected itself from the 2001 earthquake in no time.

In fact Bollywood, India’s biggest symbol of soft power, has a lot to thank

Kutch for: from legendary music director Naushad to the latest stars Salim and

Sulaiman Merchant, many music directors have roots here.

Naushad’s first film in 1941, ‘Prem’ film in 1941. ‘Prem Nagar’, was set in

Kutch. “I did a lot of research on folk music of the area, “Naushad recollected

in one of his last interviews.

Nearly two decades later, Kalyanji and Anandji Shah from the sleepy village of

Kundrodi, hit the scene with their music and remained a hit pair in the film

industry for decades. Now, brothers Salim and Sulaiman, Whose family

migrated from Mundra to Mumbai, are dishing out 21st century hits in films

like ‘Dhoom’ and ‘Chak de! India’. Shekhar Ravjiani, of the Vishal-Shekhar

Ravjiani, of the Vishal-Shekhar music directing duo, is also from Kutch.

Kutchis are even leaving a global imprint. Tanvi Shah is one of them. She

penned the Spanish version of AR Rehman’s hit number ‘Jai Ho…. And

received a Granny last year. Her family runs a girls school in Bhuj. Last year,

she performed with Rahman in Australia and Muscat among other places.

32 The Times of India, Gujarat, 28th January, 2011

151

One reason for the constant flow of melody from Kutch may come from its

geography. It has absorbed musical traditions from all its neighbours – Sindh,

Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Legend, too, has a big role to play. Kutch is the only place in Gujarat, where

love legends of Laila Majnu and Heer Ranjha are still remembered in songs.

Some of Gujarat’s best folk tales, like ‘Haji Kasam ni Vijli’ and ‘Jesal Toral’

are from the region. Besides, the ancient Sufi form singing –‘Vai’ – has been

preserved in remote areas of Kutch.

“Kutch presents an epitome of the larger story of India –constant invasions; of

fusion of culture, dawning a sense of nationalism,”says writer LF Rushbrook

William, one of the most authentic chroniclers on Kutch.

2.62 GUJARAT HAS POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT O F

48,000 CRORE IN TOURISM SECTOR33

Gujarat Tourism Secretary, Mr. Vipul Mittra today said that the state has the

potential to attract investment to the tune of `48,000 crore in tourism sector as

per 'BIG Vision 2020,' and to make it a reality, the State Government has

formed Gujarat Tourism Project Development Company Limited (GTPDCL).

Talking to newsmen here, he said that the State is celebrating 2010 as Tourism

Year and to achieve the vision of tourism development the state government

aimed at undertaking project development for about 50 projects in the range of

Rs. 10 crore to Rs. 200 crore each by GTPDCL.

Stating that private sector was expected to invest about `45,000 crore in the

tourism industry in Gujarat, he said about `18,000 crore of the total investment

was expected in the next two to three years.

33Report-Vibrant Gujarat 2011, 5th Global Summit

152

He said as part of 'Vibrant Gujarat 2011,' a tourism conference will be held in

the first week of December 2010. There were investment opportunities in beach

and rural Tourism besides business and leisure tourism, he added.

2.63 TOURISM CORPORATION PROPERTIES UP FOR SALE?34

TCGL UNDER FIRE OVER LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE; SET TO

BE PRIVATISE

Properties of the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) are likely to

be put on sale at existing market rates as part of the privatization of the public

sector enterprise, the tourism department has decided at a meeting here.

A committee under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary (finance) has

been formed to oversee the privatization. A recent government resolution stated

that open land and other properties belonging to TCGL may be sold after the

price is decided by the committee. The committee will have additional chief

secretary (finance), principal secretary (industry), secretary (Tourism) and the

managing director of TCGL as its members.

The move comes after TCGL came under criticism for lack of tourist

infrastructure in the state. TCGL recorded an increase in tourist inflow of about

20 per cent after advertisements featuring brand ambassador Amitabh

Bachchan were aired on various television and radio channels. However, there

were widespread complaints of inadequate infrastructure.

Officials said that land in possession of TCGL will be used for tourism

purposes. If the land is not used, it has to be returned to the revenue

department. Officials also said that while fixing the upset price, the committee

can gather inputs from district and state-level price committees. These

committees will also be formed by the state government.

34

The Times of India, Gujarat, 29th January, 2011

153

Earlier, during a high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary A K Joti,

tourism secretary Vipul Mittra said for innovative tourism mega-projects, land

will have to be given to developers at a concessional pride. However, Mittra

was advised to table a policy before the committee to take a final call.

Also, the meeting gave a final ‘go ahead’ to the privatization policy of TCGL,

which will however, be monitored by the committee.

During the meeting, the issue of filling vacant posts of GAS officials was taken

up- the meeting advised TCGL to go to open market for contractual

appointment. However, before giving in for any appointment, prior consent of

the additional chief secretary (finance) and the general administration

department is essential.

Also, the meeting, decided to create a new post for the strengthening of the

Gujarat Yatradham Vikas Board, TCGL has been permitted to participate in

prominent international meetings and exhibitions. However, this would be

limited to three to four such events.

KEY DECISIONS

• A high-level panel has okayed privatization of the tourism entity

• The committee will monitor privatization process of TCGL

• TCGL gets approval to take part in prominent international meetings

and exhibitions.

• Unused land in possession of TCGL has to be returned to the

revenue department

2.64 MORE FUNDS TO ENSURE BETTER TOURISM FACILITIE S

The state tourism department is all set to give an infrastructure boost to all

places in Gujarat that attract visitors. It has proposed to reserve 10 per cent

fund for roads, building and urban department departments to boost the

infrastructure at tourist spots in the state.

154

During a meeting, chaired by chief secretary A K Joti, it was decided that the

tourism department will get a viability gap funding from Infrastructure Leasing

and Financial Services. Once a study is completed on the issue it may be

forwarded to the urban and road and building departments to take up the works.

In addition, the two departments will carry out works based on the requisition

of the tourism department in the shortest possible time. After every 100 km of

roads, the tourism department will ensure that parking facilities and places of

faring refreshments are available. It was also decided that the industries and

mines department will ask major chains of restaurants to open outlets where

ever required.

The tourism department will also train about 1,000 guides under the Kaushalya

Vardhan scheme of the state government. The guides would be paid stipend for

one year before they get popular among the tourists. The government officials

said the decision to train the guides was taken after it was found that there was

a shortage of trained guides in the state, especially in the Gir forest area where

beat guards had to often double up as guides. The tourism department is now

taking its job seriously, a senior government official said, adding that after

witnessing the increased inflow of tourists, it had become necessary to have

amenities and infrastructure in place.

2.65 GUJARATI OPENS 16 BEACHES FOR PRIVATE REPORTS35

Government identifies Prime land overlooking beaches for project. The various

virgin beaches dotting the state’s 1600 km coastline have been luring tourists.

But, not existent infrastructure leaves most heart broken. High on the

advertisement blitzkrieg spearheaded by Amitabh Bachchan, the state’s new

tourism ambassador, the Gujarat government has put beach development plan

on a fast track. To begin with, the state government has set aside prime land,

complete with survey numbers and ownership details, overlooking 16 beaches

35

The Times of India, Gujarat, 24th December, 2010

155

to attract resort projects. of the beaches identified, two are in Kutch, four in

South Gujarat and 10 in Saurashtra. The land will be acquired and handed over

to private players wanting to invest in resorts along the beaches, said a senior

government official. While officials refused to divulge the total area identified

by it for developing resorts, one resort would need approximately one hectare

land.

“We want about 100 resorts to come up. On an average, half a dozen resorts,

apart from shops and other facilities can come up along each beach, the official

said. This will be over and above the plan to develop tourism related

infrastructure along 16 beaches. A master plan has been prepared for each of

these beaches. The plans include leveling along three to four kilometer stretch

of each beach, landscaping, benches, kiosks, toilets, lighting and caravan

facilities. The official said, adding, “Once infrastructure is ready, we expect

private players to start building resorts on the land identified by us?

The state government has already in hand 80 proposals, many of them signed

up at the recent Vibrant Gujarat Business meet, for building resorts along the

beaches. These proposals are worth Rs. 18000 crore including the one by

Atlantis group, which wants to develop several resorts and other facilities along

the Suvali beach near Surat for Rs. 9000 crore. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat

Ltd, the nodal agency for the project, has started the process for floating

tenders for developing infrastructure,” the official said, admitting, there is

“some delay” as the officials in the state finance department are examining the

proposal for providing different kinds of concessions different kinds of

concessions to the investors. Infrastructure development for the 16 beaches will

cost Rs. 150 crore to the state coffers.

156

2.66 DRAFT TOURISM POLICY FOR WET ZONES ALONG

BEACHES36

Gandhinagar: In an important step towards relaxing prohibition,the Gujarat

governments tourism department is learnt to have accepted the proposal put up

by top central government body Tourism Finance Corporation of India (TFCI)

to set up 14 wet zones along the states 1,600-km long coastline. The proposal,

which forms part of the new draft tourism policy is all set to be put up for final

nod before chief minister Narendra Modi. A senior government official,

speaking on condition of anonymity, told TOI, The tourism department is of

the firm view that there cannot be any beach tourism without availability of

liquor along the coast. There is general consensus in the Gujarat officialdom on

this issue.

The beaches which consultants TFCI wants to be developed as wet zones

include Shivrajpur, Kutch-Mandvi, Ahmedpur-Mandvi, Ingleshwar and Suvali.

The proposal is to fence one to two kilometre stretches along beaches, with

bars within. Local people, however, will not be allowed to enter, a senior

official said, wondering, If people can go to Mount Abu, Diu or Daman to

drink, why cant we develop a similar facility at home TFCI, which prepared the

draft tourism policy has also proposed setting up a Gujarat Tourism Investment

Promotion Board, responsible for working out details on leasing five acres land

pieces on each of the tourism spots, especially along beaches, on a profit-

sharing basis. In addition, there is a proposal to provide Rs 20 lakh subsidy to

renovate heritage hotels and set up a special purpose vehicle called Gujarat

Civil Aviation Company for developing private airstrips to fly small planes

between tourism centre’s.

36

The Times of India, Gujarat, 7th May, 2010

157

2.67 BEACH TOURISM IN GUJARAT 37

A top NRI real estate biggie from US is learnt to have offered to develop the 7

km stretch of Suvali beach complete with five hotels, residential quarters,

entertainment zone, leisure resorts, spa and other facilities. “we have received a

proposal to develop the entire stretch, which is unexploited till date, for Rs

9,000 crore,” a senior Sachivalaya official said.

Likely to be the biggest tourism project to be offered at the forthcoming

Vibrant Gujarat business summit on January 12-13 this year, developers have

decided to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state

government. The developers, Atlanta group, with an office in Mumbai, have

submitted their project proposal to the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd

(TCGL), which has decided to go ahead.

The state tourism department has identified it as the ‘best beach in South

Gujarat’. “we have decided to allow accommodation units here to ensure the

entire area is developed as a tourism township. We believe that businessmen

coming to the industrial areas of Dahej and Hazira can especially use this beach

as the hot-spot of relaxation,” the official said.

This comes even as Gujarat government has proposed to develop infrastructure

at 16 unexploited beaches for Rs 458.71 crore. “An incentive package to

develop resorts along the beaches is being worked out. A clear view is also

emerging that beaches without availability of drinks are without any meaning.

We are moving on a policy decision on this too.

37

The Times of India, Gujarat, 10th January, 2011

158

2.68 HRD IN TOURISM IN 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN(2007-12)38

Tourism being an employment oriented sector, it is estimated that the hotel and

the catering sector provide more than 10% of the total employment generated

by the tourism industry. Being a labour oriented industry, directly in contact

with the country’s tourists, skills required by personnel engaged in this sector

are different from those required by personnel engaged in other sectors.

At present there are 24 Institutes of Hotel Management, and 11 Food Craft

Institutes. The IHMs conduct diploma courses, post graduate diploma courses,

craft and certificate courses. The FCIs conduct diploma courses in cookery,

food and beverage services, housekeeping, etc. In order to harness the

resources and provide a central thrust, the Ministry of Tourism has also

established the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering

Technology. The main objectives of the Council are to advise the Government

on coordinated development of Hotel Management and Catering Education; to

prescribe educational and other qualifications for staff in the institutions; to

give certification and accreditation, and to standardize the courses. Ministry of

Tourism encouraged the Institutes of hotel management to explore appropriate

means to generate their additional resources during the 10th Plan, so that these

institutions gradually become self supporting at least on revenue accounts.

Assistance was given to them to enhance their infrastructural facilities.

The NCHM&CT, which has emerged as an apex formation in the country for

hospitality management education, was assisted for construction of its new

building at Noida. The Building is almost ready and it is expected that it will

meet the requirements of Council.

The existing FCIs, IHMs and the institutes in the private sector cater to mainly

the organized sector. The unorganized sector consisting of small hotels, dhabas,

restaurants and other eatable joints spread all over the country hardly get an 38

Report of the working group on tourism 11th five year plan(2007- 12)

159

opportunity of training from skilled and professional trainers in the hospitality

sector. As it is not possible and viable to set up FCIs in every district, a number

of Capacity Building Programmes for the workers of un-organized sector were

organized by FCIs and IHMs during the 10th Plan through outreach training

programmes.

Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), established in

1983 as a registered society under the Ministry of Tourism primarily for

developing and promoting education, training and research in travel and

tourism, which was just running a single P.G. Diploma Course, has started two

new courses during the 10th Plan i.e., a Bachelor Degree in Tourism (a three-

year course) and a Masters Degree in Business Administration (a two-year

course) with specialization in tourism. During the year, the Institute has started

construction of its Campus at Bhubaneshwar for its Eastern Regional Centre on

the land provided by the State Government free of cost. The Institute also

conducted a number of capacity building programmes for the workers in the

unorganized sector like Railway Coolies, Taxi walas, Dhaba and Hotel Staff,

unemployed youth, etc. The Institute also conducted a number of Guide

Training Programmes during the plan period to upgrade the skills of existing

guides as also to recruit new guides. During the 10th Plan, the Institute has

become almost self sufficient to meet its regular revenue expenditure.

Guide training courses are organized by the Ministry of Tourism and also by

the State Governments. These courses include programmes for fresh tourist

guides and refresher courses for those already active in guide services. The

contents of these courses were restructured during the 10th Plan. Courses were

also organized for Government officials who have an interface with the tourists

in order to sensitize them.

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