The Ministry of Tourism has undertaken the development of tourism-related infrastructure and facilities at various Buddhist sites in the country under its flagship schemes of Swadesh Darshan & PRASHAD. These Schemes have succeeded in bringing about a tremendous increase in tourist arrivals at these sites, which are major centers of pilgrimage for Buddhism.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: The Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a tourism advocacy programme initiated by the Government of India to promote tourism in all Indian states and Union Territories, and visits to selected places of tourist interest have been defined as 'Swadesh Darshan'.
PRASHAD Scheme: The full form of the PRASAD scheme is 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive'. This scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience.
Iconic Tourist Sites: Buddhist Sites at Bodhgaya, Ajanta & Ellora have been identified to be developed as Iconic Tourist Sites (aimed at enhancing India’s soft power).
Buddhist Conclave: Buddhist Conclave is organised every alternate year with the objective of promoting India as a Buddhist Destination and major markets around the globe.
Diversity of Languages: Signages have been installed in Chinese language at buddhist monuments in Uttar Pradesh and in Sinhala language (official language of Sri Lanka) at Sanchi monuments in Madhya Pradesh.
The National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations. This mission aims to not only attract more number of tourists but also to increase their average length of stay in these destinations.
The name of the scheme was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
The Department of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, have jointly formulated the PRASHAD Scheme. The Scheme provides grants for projects aimed at improving the living conditions in slums located in urban areas and in rural areas along with the provision of drinking water, sanitation and solid waste management facilities.
Objective:
Swadesh Darshan Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme, was launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country. The scheme seeks to augment infrastructure facilities in identified circuits by way of setting up new tourist facilities and attract private investment.
Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for infrastructure development of circuits.
This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.