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Punjab prepares pind tourism model
for Diaspora
WSN Network
 CHANDIGARH: For
many of the Diaspora members, this could be a welcome news as the
young ones born and brought up in western countries can now make a
visit to Punjab and get a taste of the countryside rural life in all
its glory. Of course this would be a bit of custom designed village
life, idyllic and well provided. The rough and tumble of the life
that goes on almost at subsistence levels.
Under a new scheme of the Punjab Government's Tourism
Deparment, dairy farmers, stud farm owners and orchard growers in
rural Punjab
will now host tourists for the exotic experience of Punjabi farm
life. Some 35 people had applied for approval and 15 of them are all
set to get the go ahead. The hosts will of course provide a modicum
of city life comforts in rural setting.
Visitors can possibly expect to be taken to local artisans,
fairs or a panchayat meeting, lush green fields, and possible
experience of plucking fruit and vegetables, watching the harvest
season, may be some nature walks. Some entrepreneurs have offered to
provide a horse riding evening or watching a bullock-cart race with
turkeys and rabbits moving about. So also expect some kabaddi,
wrestling and, if the stereotyped Punjabi culture image is your
poison, then possibly a visit to the local theka.
The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board is taking a
keen interest and Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary, Tourism, is
leading the effort from the front to promote farm, eco and
heritage-cum-religious tourism in the state.
“Punjab is known for its glorious history, rich culture, royal palaces, historic
battles, architecture, shrines, etc. With the introduction of farm
tourism, people will be invited to visit areas other that the
typical tourist destinations too, and get a feel of village life,”
Kalha says.
18
February 2009
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