Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, KJ Alphons, inaugurated the Swadesh Darshan project at Zero Point on Wednesday.
In his address, KJ Alphons praised Sikkim for the growth and most of all for the hospitality and security. He appreciated the effort of the State Government and applauded the State on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, communal harmony and efficient administration.
He also spoke on the commendable growth of rural areas in Sikkim and said that the State was one of the firsts and a leading example in creating tourist spots and activities in all corners, thereby dispersing destination resulting in progress.
Union Minister spoke on the importance of equity in terms of employment and said that hospitality generates jobs, resulting in welfare and progress. “It is not the business of the Government to run the business,” he said, stressing on the role of the private sectors and stakeholders.
He talked about universal philosophies leading to overall growth and remarked that tourism must be transformative. “Sikkim is the best State in the North-East region,” he said, referring to development, security and stability.
Earlier, State Tourism Secretary TT Bhutia spoke about the birth and growth of the tourism sector in Sikkim. He stated that the sector has grown tremendously because of the guidance and support from the State Government. He informed that Rs. 95.32 crore had been sanctioned for the SDP-I under which, the Tourist Interpretation Centre cum Live Demonstration of Handicraft and Handloom was inaugurated today.
SDP-II is on-going and has been sanctioned for an amount of Rs. 98.06 crore while a proposal for SDP-III has been made for an amount of Rs. 99.98 crore.
The Tourism Interpretation Centre-cum-Live Demonstration of Handicraft and Handloom is located inside the premise of the Directorate of Handicraft and Handloom at Zero Point.
It is a five-storied structure that consists of two blocks. Block A has 21 stalls with 3 basements; ground floor with an area of 4392 sq.ft and first floor with an area of 651sft. Block B consists of 7 stalls with 2 basements and an open terrace, covering an area of 1005 sq.ft.
The project was started on the March 29, 2016 and was completed on November24, 2018. The total cost of the project is Rs. 439.43 lakh.
The inaugural function was also attended by the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia, Minister for Human Resource Development Department, RB Subba, Chief Administrator, R Ongmu, Chief Secretary, AK Shrivastava and other dignitaries.