The Business Bytes
Puri, October 19, 2024 (TBB Bureau): “The Lighthouse Festival is a key to promoting tourism in Odisha, driving economic growth, and creating job opportunities for local communities,” stated Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, as he inaugurated the 2nd Indian Lighthouse Festival 2024 at the Lighthouse Tourism Conclave in Puri on Saturday. Thakur expressed pride in standing before the gathering in this historic city, attributing the festival’s success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership in preserving and promoting India’s rich maritime heritage.
Thakur underscored the transformative power of lighthouse tourism. With an investment of Rs 60 crore, 75 iconic lighthouses across nine coastal states and one union territory have been revamped, featuring modern amenities such as museums, amphitheaters, and children’s parks. These efforts have already drawn over 16 lakh visitors in 2023-24, with 10 lakh more recorded by September 2024. The initiative is creating both direct and indirect job opportunities, benefiting local economies and supporting artisans, tour operators, and service providers.
The Lighthouse Tourism Conclave, held at Puri, saw the participation of several key dignitaries, including Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida; Minister of State for Tourism & Petroleum, Suresh Gopi; Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, T.K. Ramachandran; Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, P.L. Haranadh; and Director General of Lighthouses & Lightships, N. Muruganandam.
In his address, T.K. Ramachandran highlighted the global significance of the Lighthouse Tourism Festival, noting it as the first of its kind. He emphasized the success of developing 75 iconic lighthouses, which have become part of India’s tourism circuit. These heritage structures, architectural marvels in themselves, have seen a notable increase in footfall since the initiative began, thanks to the efforts of the Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships. “These lighthouses are not just historical landmarks; they are now symbols of modern tourism,” said Ramachandran.
Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism, praised lighthouses as “beacons of hope and safety” and stressed their role in India’s maritime history. He commended the government’s efforts to blend heritage preservation with modern tourism facilities, turning these structures into cultural and recreational hubs. Gopi further described the lighthouses as “stupas of wisdom, safety, and care,” embodying the nation’s commitment to both historical preservation and economic progress.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida thanked the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways for selecting Odisha as the host state for the Lighthouse Festival. She acknowledged the development of tourism infrastructure at five key lighthouses along the Odisha coast—Gopalpur, Puri, Chandrabhaga, Paradip, and False Point—and expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly boost tourism, fostering both economic and cultural growth in the region.
