SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently inaugurated several Government of India projects, including the 'tourist facilities at Nathdwara,' funded by the Ministry of Tourism as part of the Krishna circuit of the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme

• Aim: To promote, develop and harness the potential of tourism in India.
• Launched: In 2014-15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
• About: The scheme was envisioned to synergize with other government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, and Make in India with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realize its potential.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tourism and Culture
• Some of the prominent circuits:  Buddhist Tourist Circle, Ambedkar Tourist Circle, and the North-East Tourist Circle.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0

• About: The program has been revitalized with the "vocal for local" philosophy and aims to offer financial assistance for enhancing tourist infrastructure.
• Prominent places identified are: Jhansi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gwalior, Chitrakoot and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra.