Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is all set to showcase Mahatma Gandhi as a son of the soil to attract tourists to his state with special package tours covering all the places related to the father of the nation.
Mr. Modi plans to market the peace icon to the world in his bid to make Gujarat “the world’s leading tourist destination“.
“We have Gandhi, what else do we need to attract tourists,” said Mr. Modi after paying homage to the Mahatma at his birthplace on his 62nd death anniversary.
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The ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ tourism initiative, the brainchild of Mr. Modi, will bring together all the places related to the Mahatma’s life and special events to celebrate his philosophy and legacy.
“Gandhi’s entire philosophy took root in Gujarat. First of all he was born here and some of the most important events of his life took place here. Ideally the Indian government should have taken a step to introduce Gandhi to the world, but it is we in Gujarat who are doing it,” Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas told PTI.
The State plans to attract international and domestic tourists by providing them a slice of Gandhi’s life.
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“Gandhi was born in Porbandar, studied in Rajkot, led the freedom struggle from his ashram on the banks of Sabarmati and the Dandi march was a turning point in India’s history. We will provide a tour that covers all these places,” said Mr. Vyas.