Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, G Kishan Reddy, emphasized the importance of preserving India’s history, culture, arts, traditions, and language. He inaugurated two new advanced blocks at the Salarjung Museum, which has been showcasing art and paintings from around the world for 72 years.
Reddy stressed the significance of preserving art and artifacts for future generations. Museums like the Salarjung Museum play a crucial role in safeguarding these treasures. He mentioned that the museum now has four blocks, with international standards of temperature, lighting, and humidity for preserving artifacts.
The Salarjung Museum houses various artifacts, including the Bodhisattva Maitreya image from the second century and a standing Buddha statue from the third century. Reddy mentioned that the Centre is committed to further developing the museum and allocated funds for modernizing different galleries.
The minister also highlighted the efforts to bring back Indian artworks that have been illegally moved abroad. He mentioned that 344 Indian works of art have been brought back in the last 10 years and that the Prime Minister discusses this issue with heads of other countries during his visits.
On the tourism front, Reddy shared that India has witnessed a significant increase in foreign tourist arrivals, with 73 lakh visitors till October 2023, a 56% increase compared to the previous year. To attract tourists, joint initiatives between the Departments of Tourism and External Affairs have been launched, and tourism officers have been appointed in diplomatic offices of several countries. Simplified visa procedures and e-visa facilities are also provided to visitors from 167 countries.
Reddy highlighted the efforts to preserve Telangana’s spiritual culture, including obtaining UNESCO recognition for the Ramappa temple and renovating the thousand pillared temple after many decades. He also mentioned the support for various festivals and events such as Bonalu, Batukamma, and the Sammakka-SaralammaJatra.
The minister appreciated the efforts of those working to protect cultural values and artworks in the region and the country. He mentioned that the Centre has undertaken numerous projects, with significant funds allocated for the development of tourism infrastructure.
