Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

UP to send invites to 192 nations for Kumbh, says Adityanath

State government trying to ensure that at least two people from each of the six lakh villages of the country visit Kumbh Mela

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the Uttar Pradesh government would send invitation­s to 192 countries for Kumbh Mela-2019. “Kumbh is the biggest congregati­on of culture and faith on earth. Invitation­s are being sent to 192 countries for Kumbh Mela,” he said.

LUCKNOW:Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the Uttar Pradesh government would send invitation­s to 192 countries for Kumbh Mela-2019.

“Kumbh is the biggest congregati­on of culture and faith on earth. Invitation­s are being sent to 192 countries for Kumbh Mela. The government is also making arrangemen­ts to ensure that at least two people from each of the six lakh villages of the country visit Kumbh,” Yogi said while inaugurati­ng the two-day UP Travel Mart here.

He said in the second week of December representa­tives of these countries or their ambassador­s would be taken on a Kumbh Mela tour. The Modi government has also directed all Indian ambassador­s, deputed in foreign countries, to promote Kumbh Mela in their respective countries of posting. The Centre is also sending separate invites for Kumbh Mela through foreign ambassador­s posted in India.

The CM is also personally extending invitation to all visiting foreign dignitarie­s and has extended invitation to heads of countries during his foreign visits.

The state government is also planning to provide internatio­nal platform to Kumbh Mela through internatio­nal tour operators who have assembled in Lucknow for the fourth UP Travel Mart.

UP tourism department and FICCI are jointly organising the event.

Around 53 internatio­nal tour operators from 23 countries and 19 prominent Indian tour operators are attending the event. UNESCO has also recognised Kumbh Mela on the representa­tive list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Around two-month long Kumbh Mela will start from January 15 and end on Mahashivra­tri on March 4.

Commenting on the state’s tourist potential, the CM said UP would be the best destinatio­n for tourism in the country. “Five world heritage sites are in Agra alone,” he added. Yogi said there was immense eco-tourism potential in Dudhwa National Park in Lakhimpur Kheri district and Sonbhadra.

Assuring security and adequate transporta­tion facilities for tourists, the CM also spoke about Ramayan, Krishna and Buddhist tourist circuits and air connectivi­ty in the state.

UNESCO HAS ALSO RECOGNISED KUMBH MELA ON THE REPRESENTA­TIVE LIST OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY.

 ?? ANIL KUMAR MAURYA/HT PHOTO ?? ▪ A worker busy in constructi­on of pontoons to be used for bridges for Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
ANIL KUMAR MAURYA/HT PHOTO ▪ A worker busy in constructi­on of pontoons to be used for bridges for Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

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