India witnessing a period of cultural renaissance: MoS Baghel

India has taken big jump in the fields of tourism and culture in the last 10 years. The tourism sector has created 76.17 million jobs in 2022-23, compared to 69.56 million in 2013-14. The country has witnessed increased in religious tourism  many fold. As per information, tourists flow in Varanasi, Ujjain, Khatu Shayam, Ayodhya has increased one average. Among these tourists flow at Taj Mahal have decreased marginally. Union minister of state for Panchayati raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel said this while addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday. According to Baghel, after Ahilybai and Sardar Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only person who has renovated various religious places across the country. 
The Minister also spoke about the transformative strides in tourism, detailing infrastructure developments, global promotional campaigns, and projects aimed at enhancing India's cultural and tourism landscape. Addressing the media the Minister stated that intensified efforts are being made to make tourism an integral part of building a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ A total of 76.17 million jobs have been created in the tourism sector. The ‘Paryatan Mitra’ & ‘Paryatan Didi’ programs have been launched. Foreign exchange earnings are estimated to be $28.07 billion, marking a 42.53% increase compared to 2014.Domestic tourist numbers have seen a remarkable increase of 95.64%. India’s ranking in the global travel and tourism development index has improved from 65 to 39. Over ₹6,800 crore has been spent on destination development projects. Projects worth Rs 3,295.76 crore have been approved for development of lesser-known tourism sites in various states. The e-tourist visa facility has proven to be very beneficial for the visitors, the minister informed.

Baghel also shared a comprehensive summary of the significant accomplishments and initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism.
Ministry of Culture
Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum
-Envisaged as the world's largest museum, to be spread across 1,50,000 sq m, the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum is being developed at the North and South Block Secretariat buildings on Raisina -----Hill, New Delhi. India has collaborated with France for the first phase of the museum project (Feasibility Study) under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, due to their expertise in similar adaptive reuse projects like the Louvre Paris.
National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)
The National Mission for Manuscripts aims at documentation, conservation, digitization and dissemination of manuscripts across the country. Publication and identification of unpublished manuscripts, and transcription & editing of unpublished manuscripts, conservation workshops, paleography workshops and awareness programs will also be taken up as future activities.
Global Kashi Culture Pathway
-The Kashi Culture Pathway is the seminal outcome document of the Culture Working Group under India’s successful G20 presidency adopted by G20 Culture Ministers, summarizing a set of commitments on the four priorities areas:
-Enable the return and restitution of cultural property as an ethical imperative of social justice, as well as expanding the fight against illicit trafficking.
-Acknowledge the invaluable contribution of local communities and living heritage to sustain livelihoods and inclusive development
-Invest in the cultural and creative industries and the creative economy.
-Harness the opportunities of digital transformation.
Maha Kumbh – 2025
Govt. of Uttar Pradesh is organizing Maha Kumbha at Prayagraj from 13th January to 26th February, 2025. Ministry of Culture aims to set up and run a cultural village (Kalagram) to showcase rich, spiritual and cultural heritage of the country. An area of 10.24 acres has been allocated in the Nagvasuki, Prayagraj to Ministry of Culture for the purpose.  A Ganga Pandal with capacity of 10,000 audiences will be set up by the Mela Authority where celebrity performances would be held. Three stage pandals with 4000 audience capacity each at Jhunsi, Nagvasuki and Areil as well as the 1000 capacity Amphitheatre at Kalagram will showcase emerging SNA awardees artists, NSD productions& ZCC ensembles. 20 stages will be constructed throughout the city which will be equally distributed between the UP Culture Department and the Ministry of Culture.
Repatriation of Antiquities
The Repatriation of Antiquities since 1976 to 2013 is 13.  Retrievals of Antiquities in last ten years (after 2014) - 642 (345 + 297). Total 297 antiquities are in process of shifting from USA to India which were handed over by US President Joe Biden to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi during his visit from 21-24th September to USA.
Recognition of Assamese, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali languages as Classical Language
The Government has recognized Assamese, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali as classical languages. This decision expands the number of classical Indian languages to 11, which already includes Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Oriya. The recognition of these languages as classical languages highlights the Government's commitment to preserving India’s rich linguistic heritage. This designation boosts efforts for research, development, and promotion of these languages, fostering cultural pride and academic exploration.
Ministry of Tourism
Whole-of-Government Approach
In the last decade, the tourism sector has reached new heights and is on its way to contributing to a Viksit Bharat by 2047. With around 1,50,000 kilometres of road network laid, ~500 new air routes & ~150 new airports having increased air connectivity, high speed Vande Bharat trains introduced, completion of around 100 tourism infrastructure projects, India’s G20 Presidency giving visibility to more than 60 destinations globally, clean destinations due to Swacch Bharat, improved convenience & digital connectivity through UPI – tourism has reached new highs due to the ‘Whole of Government’ approach.
Destination Development
Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, over the last decade, through flagship schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, the Government has focused on holistic destination development by completing around 120 projects at a total cost of more than Rs. 6,800 crores.
Recently, to bring to fore lesser-known tourist destinations in the country, 40 high impact projects across 23 States have been sanctioned to enhance tourism infrastructure & tourist experience at a total cost of Rs. 3,295.76 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment. By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages growth of local economy and creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects. By focusing on lesser-known destinations, the Ministry hopes to enhance the overall tourism experience, boost local economies, and ensure sustainable growth in the tourism sector through a strategic approach to new project selection. To cite  few examples, projects  selected  at  Bateshwar (Uttar Pradesh),  Ponda (Goa), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), Porbandar (Gujarat), Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Nathula (Sikkim)  etc.  have been selected under the Scheme.
Skilling and Employment

The Paryatan Mitra & Paryatan Didi program was launched with ~3,500 tourism service providers trained as part of pilot of the program in 6 destinations, with initiative being implemented in 45 other destinations to ensure tourists have a positive and welcoming experience in destinations.The program is being strengthened and augmented to ensure better impact at a grassroots level in the destination.
Baghel said the Modi Government has taken revolutionary reforms in the fields of culture and tourism, benefiting Indians not only socio-economically but also intellectually. "Today, we are witnessing a period of cultural renaissance," he said.