Uttar Pradesh’s Mahakumbh: Boosting Tourism and Employment in Prayagraj
The Uttar Pradesh government is working hard to improve tourism in the state, with the upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj playing a key role. Over 45,000 families are expected to gain employment from this event. To prepare for the influx of visitors, training programs are being held for vendors and service providers in Prayagraj.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has introduced the Tourism Policy-2022 to attract investments and create jobs. A focus is on connecting service providers with skill development and management training, using the Mahakumbh as a platform.
Training Initiatives
Aparajita Singh, Regional Tourism Officer of Prayagraj, announced a training campaign for service providers like boatmen, tour guides, and street vendors. The Yogi government is enhancing the skills and income of boatmen near religious sites. The Tourism Department is training 2,000 boatmen, with 300 already trained to become river guides.
An MoU with Manyavar Kanshiram Tourism Management Institute supports this training. Assistant Professor Prakhar Tiwari is leading the training for 1,000 tour guides, with 420 already trained. The department is also training 600 street vendors and 600 taxi drivers, with 250 vendors and 120 drivers trained so far.
The new tourism policy is creating many job opportunities, especially for the youth, by providing skill development and management training. This initiative is expected to benefit over 45,000 families through direct or indirect employment.
Doubts Revealed
Uttar Pradesh -: Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India. It is known for its rich history, culture, and religious significance.
Mahakumbh -: Mahakumbh is a major Hindu festival that takes place every 12 years in India. It is a large gathering where people come to take a holy dip in sacred rivers.
Prayagraj -: Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is famous for hosting the Kumbh Mela, a large religious festival.
Tourism Policy-2022 -: Tourism Policy-2022 is a plan by the Uttar Pradesh government to improve tourism in the state. It aims to attract more visitors and create jobs for local people.
Vendors -: Vendors are people who sell goods or services, often in markets or on the streets. They play an important role in providing for tourists and locals.
Service providers -: Service providers are people or businesses that offer services like transportation, food, or accommodation to tourists and visitors.
Boatmen -: Boatmen are people who operate boats, often providing rides or transport on rivers or lakes. They are important for tourism in places with water bodies.
Tour guides -: Tour guides are people who show visitors around places of interest, explaining the history and significance of the sites.
Street vendors -: Street vendors are people who sell goods or food on the streets. They are common in busy areas and markets.
Taxi drivers -: Taxi drivers are people who drive taxis, providing transportation services to people who need to travel from one place to another.