Rural Tourism Festival 2023: Sustainable Prosperity

On 24th and 25th January 2023, the Rural Tourism Festival themed ‘Sustainable Prosperity’ (‘सतत से समृद्धि’) was held at Adarsh Gaushala, Gwalior, coinciding with National Tourism Day. This event was organized by Paryatan Vikas Welfare Society in collaboration with ShriKrishnayan Desi Gauraksha Samiti, with support from IndiaTourism Mumbai, Jiwaji University, Vikrant University, IHM, and other esteemed institutions.

The festival emphasized the sustainability of various components of rural lifestyles, including health, families, values, food, livelihoods, and the economy. The program delivered a message of holistic development, advocating for the sustainability and prosperity of rural communities.

This model of Rural Tourism is gaining recognition and acceptance as Cow Tourism, Kamdhenu Paryatan, and Gaushala Paryatan among society and tourism academia.

The two days program of Rural Tourism Festival consists of various rural and cultural activities including Cow Worship (Gau Poojan), Village Worship (Gram Poojan), Gaushala Walk, Village games, glimpse of rural life, rural lifestyle, village art, cultural performances, rural products, interaction with Swami Ji and other eminent guests and experts. The program concluded with tasty authentic village food. More than 350 participants from across the country including Academician, Experts, Researchers, practitioners and students associated with tourism, rural development, Management, Economics Department etc. along with media and other tourism stakeholders participated in the program.

To promote Tourism Products of India and its culture, Govt. of India along with other state tourism departments celebrate the National Tourism Day on 25th January. On this occasion, various programs and activities oragnsied at the various level.

To continue the spirit of Rural Tourism Festival 2022, Swami Rishabhdevanand Ji and Dr. Ankit Agrawal from Paryatan Vikas Welfare Society brainstormed on the concept to sketch out the blueprint with core team and student volunteers.

ADARSH GAUSHALA It is located in Lal Tipara Village, near Morar, a suburb of Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). Started around 14 years ago, Adarsh Gaushala is claimed as one of the biggest Gaushala of Madhya Pradesh which is managed by Gwalior Municipal Corporation. See my former blog on Heritage Walk in Gaushala

ACTIVITIES INVOLVED IN 2 DAYS RURAL TOURISM FESTIVAL

Day 1 (24th January): It was an in house activity where all the volunteers got an opportunity to interact with each other, guests and Swami ji. In the program, folk songs were performed by village women and poetry renditions were delivered by student volunteers. Ms. Kartika Bharati Krishnan from India Tourism Mumbai, Ms. Namrata Nagar (solo traveler), Tanmay Singh etc. participated as the special guests in the interactive session.

Day 2 (25th January)
1. Gaushala Program: The program started with traditional welcome of the guests, continued with Gaushala walk and a short drama on panchayat and ended with Gaupujan.
2. Stage Culture Program: Folk music and dances performances, village drama and concluded with guest’s speech and felicitation.

Gau Poojan

Gaushala Walk

Miniature World of Village Life

Cultural Programs

Rural Games

SPECIAL GUESTS

VOLUNTEERS

The active participation of volunteers from the Paryatan Vikas Welfare Society, Yuva Tourism Club, and students from Jiwaji University, IITTM, Vikrant University, and Raja Mansingh Tomar Music and Art University in Gwalior contributed to making this event a historic and resounding success.

VILLAGE PRODUCT BRANDS

PROGRAM SUPPORTERS

The event was organized in partnership with India Tourism Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. It received sponsorship from IITTM, Vikrant University, IHM Gwalior, and Nirman IAS. The Rural Tourism Festival’s success was further supported by Sorted Square, and Gwalior Official.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENTS