Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Working on providing visa-on-arrival on reciprocal basis: Tourism minister

The minister stated that the government was also working on further easing visa processing by reducing the time taken to apply for e-visas, which will also make travel easier for foreign tourists

Tourism minister urges collective action to clock 20 million FTAs

Over the three years, India has moved up to the 39th position in 2024 from 54th position on the World Economic Forum's TTDI

Sacred Buddha relics set for auction in Hong Kong in May, returns to India

A portion of the sacred Buddhist relics excavated in the northern parts of the country in 1898, which was earlier set to go under the hammer at an international auction house in Hong Kong in May, was returned to India on Wednesday. "This momentous repatriation has been made possible through an exemplary public-private partnership between the government of India and the Godrej Industries Group," the Ministry of Culture said. The sacred Piprahwa relics, carried in a box, were received by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a technical area of the Delhi airport, a senior official said. "This successful repatriation sets a benchmark in cultural diplomacy and collaboration, showcasing how strategic partnerships between public institutions and private enterprise can protect and preserve global heritage," the ministry said. The sacred Piprahwa relics will be formally unveiled during a special ceremony and placed on public display, allowing citizens and visitors to pay homag

ASI has no inventory of privately-owned heritage homes: Govt tells Parl

The ASI "does not maintain" any inventory of privately-owned heritage homes, specifically, however, the government's National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) prepares two national registers on monuments and antiquities across the country, the Parliament was informed on Monday. So far, the NMMA, set up in 2007, has documented and published data for 11,406 built heritage and sites which are 100 years old or more, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in the Lok Sabha in a written response to a query. Tangella Uday Srinivas, Kakinada MP from Andhra Pradesh, asked him whether the government maintains any inventory or registry of privately-owned heritage homes and buildings in the country, and if so, to share state-wise details. "The Archaeological Survey of India does not maintain any inventory of privately-owned heritage homes, specifically, however, the Government of India has established the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) in 2007 to ..

Held forward-looking talks with J-K CM on tourism development: Shekhawat

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday said that he held a positive and forward-looking discussion with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the development of the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir Shekhawat arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday morning as part of his two-day visit. "During my visit to Jammu & Kashmir, I was graciously invited for a dinner interaction by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah Ji," he said on X. "In a warm and cordial atmosphere, we held a positive and forward-looking discussion on the development of the tourism sector in J&K. Emphasis was laid on enhancing infrastructure, promoting heritage sites, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through tourism," he said in his post. Such engagements reflect "our collective commitment" to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a global tourism destination that celebrates its culture, nature, and people, Shekhawat added. The tourism sector in the UT has been ...

India urges ethical AI, stronger cultural property laws at BRICS forum

India on Monday called upon BRICS to lead not just geopolitically, but also civilisationally, forging a "cultural ecosystem" that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity and anchors progress in shared values. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address at the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, also called for "stronger legal frameworks" to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, and advocated "ethical AI" that respects cultural diversity. The ministerial-level dialogue culminated in the "adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining four strategic cultural priorities," the Indian Ministry of Culture said in a late-night statement. These four priorities are -- "Culture, Creative Economy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Culture, Climate Change, and the Post-2030 Development Agenda; Return and Safeguarding of Cultural Property; and BRICS Cultural Festivals and Alliances", it said. The declaration reflects a collective vision for inclusive, rights-based, and

India urges Brics to build cultural ecosystem celebrating diversity, unity

India on Monday called upon BRICS to lead not just geopolitically, but also civilisationally, forging a "cultural ecosystem" that celebrates diversity, deepens humanity and anchors progress in shared values. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in his address at the BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Brazil, where he represented the country. Brazil is currently the chair of the influential grouping. In a post on X, the Union minister shared some of the broader contours of his address, an some photos. At the key meeting being hosted in Brasilia, Shekhawat he also "raised concern over the illicit online trade of cultural property and welcomed Brazil's focus on restitution -- a cause close to the Global South's civilisational soul". BRICS' other members include Russia, India, China and South Africa. This year's meeting will focus on "strengthening cultural cooperation, enhancing institutional collaboration, and developing joint cultural projects aimed at preserving and

India set to emerge as 'MICE capital' of world: Tourism minister Shekhawat

Emphasising on the construction of state-of-the art exhibition and conference complexes in various parts of the country, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday said India is all set to emerge as the "MICE capital" of the world. MICE or 'Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions' refers to business and tourism driven by mega events. "After 2014, India has shown a tremendous growth curve in infrastructure, be it the construction of roads spanning over 1,50,000 km, new railway stations, semi high-speed trains, inland waterways and more than 150 operational airports. All these have contributed to India's prowess with regard to MICE events," Shekhawat said. "The confidence was also built following India's hosting of the G20 Summit. The entire world is now looking at India with awe and curiosity. In times to come, India will emerge as the MICE capital of the world," the minister said. Shekhawat was addressing a gathering at the inaugural session of a two-day ev

Doing our best to minimise dent on J&K tourism: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said some people with nefarious intentions have tried to again "incite separatism and terrorism" in the Valley and asserted that his ministry will do the best to "minimise the dent" on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA) here, he said he and his office are in "continuous touch" with the chief secretary and the tourism secretary of the Union Territory and keeping an eye on the situation. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included two foreigners -- from the UAE and Nepal -- and two locals. The entire nation is pained and feeling hurt in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam yesterday, and loss of many innocent lives in it, Shekhawat said. "This ..

Govt aid to help MP attract highest investments from tourism: Minister

The incentives offered by the Madhya Pradesh government will help the state attract the highest investments from the tourism and hospitality sector in the coming years, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Tuesday. Addressing the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit (MP GIS) 2025 here, the Tourism Minister said Madhya Pradesh has the power to meet the aspirations of tourists looking to explore all kinds of experiences from spirituality to mountains, etc. "We are sitting on the gateway of a bright future in this (tourism) sector. I would appeal to all of you for maximum investments, wherever there is a possibility in Madhya Pradesh as well as in India. Your investment will certainly not disappoint you," he said and urged the tourism industry to invest in the state. Asserting that India is standing at the cusp of unlimited possibilities, he said, "the kind of incentives offered by Madhya Pradesh will help it attract the maximum investments from India's hospitality, travel

Maha Kumbh also important from economic, environmental viewpoint: Minister

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday described Maha Kumbh as a unique example and said it is not only an event of religious and cultural importance but it is also important from the economic and environmental point of view. The 45-day Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj started on January 13 and will end on February 26, the Mahashivratri day. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, about 59 crore people have so far taken a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Speaking at the Kumbh Global Summit organised by India Foundation at Triveni Complex on Friday, Shekhawat said the Maha Kumbh, along with being the world's largest cultural and spiritual gathering, has also become one of the biggest economic events of the country at present. He said according to the Confederation of All India Traders, the Maha Kumbh has generated trade worth 360 billion dollars (about Rs 3 lakh crore). It will increase the country

Everyone should act in combating global warming: Union minister Shekhawat

Union Culture and Tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday said every human being should not act as the "owner" of this planet but act as its "custodian". After inaugurating a climate change gallery titled 'On the Edge' at Science City, Kolkata, Shekhawat said climate change has turned up to be a big issue for the entire world and every citizen as a stakeholder should play his role, not only whistleblower scientists. He said the time has come when one should stop presuming that issues like carbon emission, rise in sea level, extreme weather conditions will not affect him individually in his lifetime but are merely academic issues flagged by scientists and reports in media. "We have to behave with responsibility. Climate change is a big issue for the entire world, when discussion about the greenhouse effect and global warming began 25 years back, many might have thought its effect will be in specific areas. "That notion was belied. Those living in cold regions should no

Tourism minister to meet FM seeking 'infrastructure' status for his sector

According to the Ministry of Tourism, India recorded 47.78 lakh (provisional) foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) during January-June 2024

Ex-Ashok Gehlot OSD Lokesh Sharma turns approver in phone tapping case

Rajasthan former chief minister Ashok Gehlot's ex-OSD Lokesh Sharma has turned approver in a phone tapping case that happened during the political crisis in the state in 2020. In March 2021, Delhi Police registered an FIR against Sharma on charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and unlawfully intercepting telephonic conversations on a complaint from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and he was questioned multiple times in connection with the case. Sharma last week moved an application in the court of chief judicial magistrate, Patiala house courts complex in Delhi, which was accepted by the court on Monday. After the development, Sharma said he was worried for his and his family's safety and he has been frequently getting threats. His advocate Rohan Vadhwa said, "After a confessional statement recorded before the magistrate and no objection by the crime branch, Sharma was given a pardon and now he has turned approver." He said no names were given in the ...

Chalo India campaign will energise diaspora ambassadors: Gajendra Shekhawat

Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has called on the Indian diaspora in the UK to embrace the Chalo India campaign to encourage more travellers to explore the abundance of tourist sites on offer in the country. During his visit to London for the World Travel Market (WTM) last week, the minister highlighted the Chalo India initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year to support members of the Indian diaspora around the world in showcasing the rich bounty of destinations on offer in India. I feel with this Chalo India campaign you are going to work as travel and tour ambassadors of our great nation, Shekhawat said during a special Indian-themed gathering on the sidelines of WTM. All our diaspora Bharatiya in the UK will be brand ambassadors of this initiative and invite their non-Indian friends to witness new India in all its glory, he said. Shekhawat highlighted his ministry's offer of one lakh gratis e-tourist visas for foreign guests travelling unde

Uttarakhand: CM Dhami meets Union Minister Shekhawat to boost tourism

"I had a cordial meeting with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami ji today. He is a visionary. He has an effective roadmap of development for Devbhoomi," Shekhawat said

Six-time MLA Suryakanta Vyas dies at 87; former Raj CM Gehlot pays tribute

Suryakanta Vyas, a six-time BJP MLA from Sursagar and old Jodhpur seats, passed away on Wednesday morning. She was not feeling well for a long time and was admitted to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital

Assam CM thanks PM for Moidams' inclusion in Unesco World Heritage List

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the initiative to ensure that the 600-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty - 'Moidams' - is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sarma also thanked Union Culture Minister Gajendra Shekhawat who called to give him the news while the chief minister was addressing a press conference here. The unique burial mounds, represented by pyramid-like structures known as "Moidams", were used by the Tai-Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for around 600 years between 1228 and 1826. 'It is great news for Assam as the Charaideo Moidam is now officially a UNESCO Heritage site... Assam will always remain indebted to the Centre for this honour. This inclusion is a great honour for the country and not for Assam alone,' Sarma told a press conference. The 'Moidams' is the first cultural property from the Northeast to get the coveted tag. The state government had submitted a dossier to the Pr

India will get world's largest museum in 2025: Minister Shekhawat

Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said here Sunday that India will develop the North and South Blocks of Delhi's Raisina Hill complex into the world's largest museum in 2025 which will be almost double the size of France's Louvre museum. An agreement has been signed between France and India for this purpose, the tourism and culture minister said, adding that he was fortunate and proud to be part of the opportunity to execute the world's largest museum project. Shekhawat was speaking to the media in his Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency after arriving here for the first time since taking the oath as a Union cabinet minister. "Once the Central Vista redevelopment project is complete and offices are shifted in 2025, the North and the South Blocks will be converted into a museum and it will be the world's largest museum," he said, adding that it will be almost double the size of the Louvre in Paris. Shekhawat said the proposed museum will tell the story of India spanning over 5,000

2024 Lok Sabha elections: Chasing water dreams in Rajasthan hamlets

Jal Jeevan Mission progress has been slow in Jodhpur; even in villages having pipe water connections, taps are running dry