Culture & Tourism - GS question based on India Year Book

ANSWER: Only 1 and 2

Explanation:
5 Circuits are identified initially – North-East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Himalayan Circuit and Krishna Circuit. 3 projects one each in North-East, Buddhist and Coastal Circuits are sanctioned in 2014-15. The Odisha Government has sought inclusion of Odisha’s ‘Diamond Triangle’ of Buddhist sites (Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitagiri) in the SWADESH DARSHAN Scheme. Tourism Ministry has already identified Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Vaishali in Bihar and Kapilavastu, Sarnath, Sravasti and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh under the Buddhist circuit of Swadesh Darshan. Even though the Diamond Triangle in Odisha has immense potential to draw domestic and international travellers, the Union Ministry is yet to shift its focus towards it due to lack of tourist infrastructure at these sites. Funds from Swadesh Darshan can help in developing tourism amenities at these sites.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Niche Tourism Products are – Cruise, Adventure, Medical, Wellness, Golf, Polo, Eco-Tourism, Film Tourism, Sustainable Tourism and Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). They have been identified for development and promotion by the Ministry of Tourism.

ANSWER: Upgrading the skills and hygiene standards of Street Food Vendors

Explanation:
Swachh Bharat Swachh Pakwan (Hunar Zaika): The street food vendors constitute a significant percentage of the hospitality service providers, are part of the Indian milieu through the ages and have a pan India presence. This program is aimed at upgrading the skills and hygiene standards of Street Food Vendors, so that they become a distinctive aspect of the Indian tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is partnering with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) for the specific purpose of orientation, skill testing and certification of the vendors. The NASVI will either directly or through its city co-coordinators nominate vendors in groups for training at one of the Institute of Hotel Management (IHMs) / Food Craft Institute (FCIs) authorized by the MoT to conduct such programmes. Since the vendors will also be sensitized, as part of the orientation, to personal, environmental and waste disposal hygiene, this MoT’s effort in partnership with NASVI will also visibly contribute to the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.

ANSWER: Ministry of Tourism

Explanation:
The Ministry of Tourism launched a special initiative called Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT) in the year 2009-10 for creation of employable skills amongst youth. The initiative is fully funded by the Ministry of Tourism. It covers trades like food production, food & beverage service, housekeeping Utility, Bakery & Patisserie, Driving, Stone Masonry, Golf Caddies and Tourist Facilitation, etc. In December, 2014, the HSRT Initiative was opened to private participation under a distinct vertical titled Hunar Se Rozgar Tak: Badhate Kadam. The objective is to enhance the programme’s reach and delivery. Now the Industrial units, associations of industries, professional/ skill developing agencies with proven credentials; and Hospitality Institutes approved by the AICTE / National Skill Development Authority / State Governments / Union Territory Administrations can participate and contribute to the skill needs in the hospitality trade. The trades opened are: food production, food & beverage service, house-keeping and bakery & patisserie.