IRCTC has planned to cover some of the prominent sites associated with the life of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. It will be operating Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra tour package under “Dekho Apna Desh” initiative. This tour aims to highlight the places and destinations, connected with the life of Ambedkar.
With plans of boosting India’s tourism, the new plan from the budget outlines a total of 50 destinations in the country which will be selected to be developed as a whole package in tourism.
“The country offers immense attraction for domestic as well as foreign tourists. There is a large potential to be tapped in tourism. The sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship for youth in particular,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing Budget 2023-24.
The Journey
The first journey of the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yatra will be from New Delhi in April 2023. Under this initiative, Ministry of Railways along with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is operating Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains on various theme-based circuits across India.
The proposed 07 nights and 08 days tour starts from Delhi and the first halt is Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) in Madhya Pradesh, the birthplace of Baba Saheb (Bhim Janam Bhoomi). The train then moves to Nagpur railway station where tourists proceed to visit Deekshabhoomi, a consecrated monument of Navayana Buddhism. The train departs from Nagpur for Sanchi. The sightseeing of Sanchi includes visit to the eponymous stupa and other Buddhist sites. Sanchi is followed by Varanasi as the next destination along with a visit to Sarnath & Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Gaya is the next and the final destination where the tourists will be taken to the holy site of Bodhgaya to visit the famous Mahabodhi Temple and other monasteries. Rajgir and Nalanda, the other important Buddhist sites would also be covered by road. The tour will finally terminate at New Delhi. Tourists will have the option to board or de-board the train at Delhi, Mathura and Agra Cantt stations.
Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, throughout his life, fought to eradicate social evils like untouchability and stood up for the rights of the socially backward classes. Fondly referred to as “Baba Saheb”, he was the main architect of the Indian Constitution.
In 2021, with the introduction of Bharat Gaurav Trains, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said “These trains will help realise the vision of PM Narendra Modi to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world.” He further added that the core strength of the professionals of tourism sector would be leveraged to develop/identify tourist circuits and run theme- based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.
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