“Visit your Motherland every year and bring non-Indians with you,” India’s Minister Of Tourism appeals to Community

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Gangapuram Kishan Reddy, India’s  Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region, and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party since 1980, gave a rousing speech in a meeting with Indian Americans July 13, 2023, at the Indian Consulate.

The Minister, who also attended a United Nations conference, spoke at length about the progress India has made over the decades and particularly during the 9 years that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led the country.

Minister Reddy is an MP representing Secunderabad (Lok Sabha constituency) since 2019.

The Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal, greeted the Minister with praise for his contributions and all that he had achieved in propelling India’s leadership in the global arena and at the G20 meetings, especially the one held in Kashmir.

“We look forward to listening to you on the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the new initiatives,” that India is taking in various fields, CG Jaiswal said.

Members of the Minister’s delegation also addressed the large gathering, giving the details of achievements in the field of tourism development and highlighting the diversity of topography and culture that are unique to India. A video was also shown to the audience on this subject.

Minister Reddy thanked those present, calling them “Citizen Ambassadors of India” and praised the diaspora for “ensuring India is heard and respected globally.”

“Your conduct and achievements have ensured India’s reputation,” the Minister said, tracking the history of India’s association with US since the 1893 visit of Swami Vivekananda to Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit in June.

“As Tourism Minister, I appeal to you that your families come to India every year. Never forget the Motherland,” and never forget the birthplace, the village, the country of origin, all of which can ‘never be forgotten,” he said, adding, “And bring non-Indians with you when you come,” the Minister said.

In a rousing speech, he said, “India is completely transformed,” and cited data on GDP, startup growth, technological and economic achievements over the years, even since 1994, when he visited US with Modi as young politicians. “India was facing a lot of challenges (in 1914),” then he recalled, socially, politically, and economically. “Today, India is the 5th largest economy in the world with a $3.7 trillion GDP,” he said.

He dwelt at length on the strength of a youthful population, which he said is the great potential for India, and the hope of the future. The youth were anxious to become job makers instead of job seekers, he said.

By 1947, as India becomes 100 years old, he said, the Prime Minister has noted that it did not matter who ruled the country, but rather it would be about how India is rising high globally. Today’s youth are living in that ‘Amrit Kaal’ where their potential to end poverty, make India strong economically, are happening.

He also stressed that despite whatever opposition the BJP government may face, no one has talked of corruption under the ‘able leadership’ that India is providing not only to India but globally.

A vigorous question and answer session followed. Parikh Worldwide Media Chairman Dr. Sudhir Parikh highlighted the role played by his publications and television in promoting tourism in India, and in reaching out to second generation youth and raising awareness about Indian culture and spirituality. He praised the Minister’s speech and invited him to feature on PWM/ITV Gold to reach American people.

Other questions related to expanding sports tourism, from Srujal Parikh of the Federation of Indian Associations; the need o expand tourism to rural areas of India, and other subjects.

Minister Reddy said India’s Comprehensive National Tourism Policy is about to be announced. He also heavily stressed on the need for more private sector involvement in tourism development and reaching rural as well as Northeastern parts of India.

India is planning a Global Tourism Investment Summit for 2024, he noted, and the government is also developing an action plan to provide incentives to business, from the small to the big corporates, to invest in tourism.

Questions about spiritual tourism were also addressed, for which the Minister said foreigners from more than a hundred countries come to India for spiritual tourism in the thousands. And he urged those present to help grow this sector.