Suman Bery, the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, launched a landmark anthology titled Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India in New Delhi to promote the nation’s rich heritage and tourism potential. The publication features 3,000 curated entries, including thousands of destinations and cultural listings, to guide both domestic and international travelers. This initiative forms a critical part of the government’s strategic plan to develop 50 global tourist destinations across the country.
A Comprehensive Guide to India’s Heritage: The Divya Bharat Anthology
The Divya Bharat anthology is designed to be a comprehensive, year-round travel companion that meticulously maps the vast tourism landscape of India. It features a curated collection of 3,000 entries, which includes approximately 2,100 tourist destinations and 1,200 cultural listings. These listings cover every State and Union Territory, highlighting everything from iconic heritage sites and national landmarks to lesser-known spiritual and cultural gems.
A standout feature of the publication is its month-wise travel calendar. This calendar is organized to align India’s diverse offerings with the rhythm of the seasons, encouraging travelers to explore different regions at their peak beauty. By providing a seasonal lens, the anthology aims to promote sustainable tourism and reduce the seasonal concentration of visitors in specific hubs, thereby distributing economic benefits more evenly across the country.
The anthology also focuses on the “intangible” aspects of Indian heritage. It includes detailed sections on:
- Traditional handicrafts and textiles unique to various regions.
- Local cuisines and culinary traditions.
- Fairs and festivals that define the cultural fabric of India.
- Spiritual and religious tourism circuits beyond conventional sightseeing destinations.
Strategic Vision: Developing 50 Global Tourist Destinations
The launch of the anthology is a key component of the broader Tourism Boost Vision 2029. During the event, Suman Bery emphasized the government’s strategic objective to develop between one and 50 world-class tourist destinations across every State and Union Territory. This plan is designed to elevate India’s status as a global tourism powerhouse by ensuring that every region has at least one destination capable of attracting high-value international travelers.
A major focus of this vision is to increase the average duration of tourist stays in India. By showcasing a diverse range of activities, ranging from experiential rural tourism to niche cultural trails, the government aims to move beyond the traditional “sightseeing” model. This approach is expected to significantly boost the contribution of tourism to India’s GDP and create millions of direct and indirect jobs in the hospitality, transport, and artisanal sectors.
The strategic plan also highlights the importance of the Domestic Tourism sector. With a growing middle class and improved connectivity, domestic travelers are seen as the primary engine for sustainable growth. The anthology provides them with the necessary information to explore the “Soul of India” throughout the year, rather than limiting visits to traditional peak seasons.
Policy Framework for Tourism Empowerment
To achieve the goals outlined in the anthology, NITI Aayog has called for a robust Centre-State collaboration. Since tourism is a subject that requires coordinated efforts across different levels of government, the Vice Chairman stressed the need for States to take the lead in developing local infrastructure while the Centre provides strategic direction and funding. This partnership is essential for creating a seamless experience for visitors.
The government is also moving towards data-driven policymaking in the tourism sector. By using the curated listings and tracking visitor preferences, agencies can better identify areas that require infrastructure upgrades or marketing interventions. This initiative works in tandem with existing flagship programs:
- Dekho Apna Desh: An initiative to encourage citizens to travel within India and explore its diverse culture.
- Swadesh Darshan: A scheme for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
- PRASHAD: The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, which focuses on the holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
By integrating the Divya Bharat anthology with these schemes, the government aims to create a unified ecosystem that supports the entire travel value chain, from destination discovery to on-ground services.
Static GK: National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)
The National Institution for Transforming India, popularly known as NITI Aayog, is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. It was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission. Unlike its predecessor, NITI Aayog emphasizes the bottom-up approach and the spirit of Cooperative Federalism, where States act as equal partners in national development.
Key details about NITI Aayog include:
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Chairman: The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson.
- Vice Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister. The current Vice Chairman is Suman Bery.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Responsible for the day-to-day administration.
- Governing Council: Comprises the Chief Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
NITI Aayog serves two main functions: the Team India Hub, which leads the engagement of States with the Central Government, and the Knowledge and Innovation Hub, which builds the think tank capabilities of the institution. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and various sector-specific reports, it provides the necessary data to drive evidence-based policy reforms across the country.
Key Takeaways
- NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery launched the anthology Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India in New Delhi.
- The publication features 3,000 curated entries, which include 2,100 tourist destinations and 1,200 cultural listings.
- The anthology includes a monthly travel calendar designed to promote sustainable, year-round tourism by aligning visits with seasonal rhythms.
- This initiative is a core part of the Tourism Boost Vision 2029, which targets the development of 50 world-class global destinations across India.
- NITI Aayog was established on January 1, 2015, as the successor to the Planning Commission to promote Cooperative Federalism.
- The strategic goal of the anthology is to increase the average duration of tourist stays and enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy.
