Gujarat turns solar eclipse into tourism fest

The Gujarat government has decided to turn the rare total solar eclipse on July 22 into a tourism event. The celestial event will be visible first in India in the diamond city of Surat off the Bay of Cambay.

“We are expecting at least 5,000 tourists to witness the celestial drama that will unfold in Surat,’’ said Kishor Rao, secretary, tourism, Gujarat. He said the numbers might not be high but were impressive in light of the fact that it was a lean period for domestic tourism in the country. “For the first time, we will able to showcase something interesting to the Gujaratis in their own state,’’ he says.

The total solar eclipse, which happens when the moon overshadows the sun from the earth, will occur from 5.28am to 7.40am (Indian Standard Time). In India, it would be seen for the longest duration, 6.26am to 6.30am, in Surat. According to Narrottam Sahu, chief scientist of the state government, this rare spectacle would next occur on June 13, 2123.

Apparently trying to showcase the soft power of “Vibrant Gujarat’’ to the rest of the country, the state government has asked visitors to register online for a free stay with a local family. So far, 125 families in the city have been selected to play host to the visitors. Rao said though China, where the solar eclipse would be clearly visible, was the favourite place for scientists and curious people to view the eclipse from, people from other countries had shown interest in coming to Surat.

According to Rao, hotels and restaurant owners in Surat have announced heavy discounts for the season in view of the event. Some 10,000 special spectacles will be distributed free of cost to the people for safe viewing. “We have launched a major educational programme whereby we have trained some 25,000 school children to act as scientific communicators to the people on the day,’’ Rao said.

Besides, the local administration has formed committees to make the event memorable. The committee, headed by the mayor, is busy making bathing ghats for people who believe in taking a dip after a solar eclipse.