PM Modi: India can become a major tourism destination by 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that with the countrymen's support India could become one of the major tourist destinations by 2022. He also mentioned that India's rank on the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index has jumped to 34 from 65. During his third Mann Ki Baat episode of the second edition, PM also reiterated his appeal to the people to travel to at least 15 destinations within the country by 2022.

"September 27 was celebrated as #WorldTourismDay and you will be happy to know that certain reputed tourism agencies of the world, which rank standards of travel and tourism have shown that India has displayed a lot of improvement in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index," PM Modi said.

"Our rank is 34 on this index, whereas, five years ago we were ranked 65th, which in a way is a big jump. If we tried all that harder, then by the 75th year of our independence (2022), we would have carved a place for ourselves amidst the major tourist destinations of the world," he added. 

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On Independence Day, PM Modi had made this appeal from the ramparts of Red Fort.

He said, "My dear countrymen, you will remember, that on August 15, I had in my address said from the ramparts of Red Fort that by 2022, you should visit 15 tourist destinations in India."

The Prime Minister added that this exercise will help people in understanding and getting a grip on the diversity in the country. "At least 15 places and if possible, make a program to stay over there for an overnight, two-night stay. You should observe, understand and experience India. We have so much diversity," he said.

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PM Modi on Diwali Celebration

In the Mann Ki Baat address, PM Modi also asserted that on Diwali 2019, citizens should share the talents and contributions of their daughters with the hashtag - #BharatKiLaxmi - to celebrate their spirit across the world. The Prime Minister added that daughters are the harbingers of luck and prosperity. 

"This Diwali, let us welcome Goddess Lakshmi in a new way. In our culture, daughters are considered harbingers of luck and prosperity. This time, let us organise public functions to honour the daughter. There may be many daughters around us who might have brought laurels to our family, villages, and country with their talent. Let us identify such daughters and honour them, take pride in them. Share their achievements on social media under the hashtag - #BharatKiLaxmi. it should be promoted in the same spirit as #SelfieWithDaughter," PM Modi said. 

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(with ANI inputs)