India 50 years of Independence:1947-97 Status, Growth & Development

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Book Description

Preface

Tourism development in India had been targeted towards promoting India as a destination for cultural tourism. However, it is now recognised that there is a large international segment of tourism interested in adventure activities and sports. With this end in view an attempt has been made to highlight the new concepts which could be developed to make India as a tourist destination. In India there is an endless challenge to man’s courage and his spirit of adventure. India presents an unforgettable experience for the adventure and eco-travellers, with its ever-new vistas and endless variety. The main objective of this volume is to explain the government efforts in planning to create infrastructural facilities specially in the field of transport (air, rail and road), accommodation, cultural programmes, dance, music, museums and other related facilities for trekking, mountaineering and water- sport, related sports, skiing, caravan tourism, camping sites, aero sports. Another important area for adventure is wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Cruise boats, launches have been provided at wild life centres with water frontage to wildlife from close quarters. These include cruise boats, fibre glass boats, cruise vessels, marine bases with spot lights etc. Enchanting forest trails provide a very eco-friendly experience. Sports tourism has also given an impetus to tourism. Mountain biking in remote valleys is very popular. Jeep safaris and photography tours are quite popular. Driving through some unbelievable breathtaking senery, the views from the top of passes are truly stunning. The traditional Indian forms of medicine, particularly Ayurveda and Naturopathy, are emerging as important tourist attractions. Health resorts and forms with Ayurvedic treatment and massage have started coming up in different parts of the country. Fairs and festivals are an integral part of India’s culture and tradition. They provide an insight into our country’s mythology, religion and social behaviour. India is a land of festivals and in this country we celebrate pratically a festival a day. The Garhwal and Kumaon region in the eastern corner of India’s Northern Himalayas contain some of the finest mountains. The pristine valleys of Garhwal and Kumaon needs to be explored. They provide a unique opportunity to live in the natural surrounding and enjoy the througs of adventure and nature tours, right-seeing and other activities. In order to make some of the tourist destinations very attractive for the tourists, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey has formulated schemes for SEL/Floodlighting of monuments. The Ministry of Railways has introduced several airconditioner trains, connecting tourist centres in the country, such as, Palace on Wheels, Royal Orient, the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express. The full text has been divided into five chapters. Chapter one consists of an introduction, Chapter Two, Tourism in History, Chapter Three, Tourism Resources, Chapter Four Tourism Transport Facilities and Chapter Five contains Tourism Development: Policy Planning and Coordination. The book treats the subject matter as an academic interest and should appeal to students, tourists, tourism managers and others directly or indirectly associated with tourism. We are indebted to all individuals and organisations who helped in the preparation of this book.

**Contents and Sample Pages**

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Book Description

About the Book

Indian Publishing is one of the most under-rated intellectual enterprises in the country. Since the publishers are not demanding and believe in working without fanfare, they tend to be overlooked in the official scheme of things. Publishing does not find a place of honour in the cultural policy pronouncements of India. Above all, the publishing industry is now threatened with foreign invasion of unprecedented character. All this is being done in the name of liberalization and opening up of the economy. Has the battle for the mind of the people been already lost without firing a single shot?

The present study is basically a statement by a student of publishing who is deeply committed to Indian writers and believes passionately in the cult of the book.

About the Author

Narendra Kumar, Chairman, Har-Anand Publications Pvt. Ltd., is considered to be the doyen of Indian publishing. Washington Post had hailed him as a publisher who made “a legend of himself”.

Narendra Kumar has written extensively on Indian publishing. He has lectured both in India and abroad. He has been a member of various UNESCO and WIPO Working Groups.

Narendra Kumar has also been President. Federation of Indian Publishers; Regional Chairman, CAPEXIL; Trustee, National Book Trust, Ministry of Education and Culture; Member, National Book Development Council, Ministry of Human Resource Development; Chairman, Book Export Division. CAPEXIL; and Founder Chairman, Delhi Book Fair.

Narendra Kumar is the youngest publisher to have been inducted into the Indian Publishing Hall of Fame.

Preface

For the last many years, I have been spending all my spare time in writing about my involvement in publishing during the seventies and the eighties. In a sense, it is an account of Indian publishing as seen by me at the intimate personal level. Meanwhile, one fineday, I was approached by the scion of a family, with which I have close ties, to write a book under the series on “50 years of India’s Independence”. At the same time, I was also committed to complete my book “President Askar Akaev of Kyrghyzstan : A Political Biography” which is sequel to my triology on Central Asian leaders. Equally, my involvement with a group of public schools in India as well as in the affairs of the Federation of India Publishers and Delhi Book Fair has been keeping me fully engaged.

However, with Ashok and Ashish taking full charge of the running of Har-Anand Publications, has allowed me total freedom to pursue activities which interest me the most.

Even then, I found it difficult to decline the offer made by Mr. Praveen Mittal, Managing Director, BRPC (India) Ltd., to write a book on my grand passion: Indian Publishing and those associated with it.

Indian publishing in one of the most under-rated intellectual enterprises in the country. Since the publishers. are not demanding and believe in working without fanfare, they tend to be overlooked in the official scheme of things. Publishing does not find a place of honour in the cultural policy pronouncements of India. Above all, the publishing industry is now threatened with foreign invasion of unprecedented character. All this is being done in the name of liberalization and opening up of the economy. Has the battle for the mind of the people been already lost without firing a single shot?

There are a few countries barring India which have surrendered meekly on ideological affront by opening their doors and windows to the invasion of foreign publishing in all departments of life including children’s books, academic literature, general works including fiction.

**Contents and Sample Pages**