The media delegation from Jammu called upon the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Sh. Harsh Sanghvi on second day of the ongoing media tour organised by the Press Information Bureau. Interacting with the mediapersons, Sh. Sanghavi highlighted the state’s socio economic advacement, infrastructure development and industrial growth.  

 

 

He stated that although Gujarat accounts for only 6 per cent of India’s geographical area and nearly 5 per cent of its population, it contributes approximately 18.3 per cent to the country’s manufacturing sector and nearly 30 per cent to India’s total exports. He further stated that the ports of Gujarat handle nearly 40 per cent of the country’s total cargo, highlighting the vast opportunities available in the state. He added that the leadership, administration and people are collectively working towards generating employment and enhancing income opportunities, describing Gujarat as a policy-driven state with strong institutional mechanisms ensuring accountability.

 

Highlighting sports infrastructure development in Gujarat, he said the 2010 Khel Mahakumbh, launched under the leadership of PM Sh. Narendra Modi, played a essentail role in shaping the state’s sports culture, followed by sustained focus on planning and proper use of infrastructure. He added that in view of the 2030 Commonwealth Youth Games, emphasis is being laid on training, recovery, sports health and AI-integrated systems. Institutions such as Gujarat Sports University and Rashtriya Raksha University are contributing to these efforts and informed that a first-of-its-kind specialised institute for para-athletes is being developed in the state.

 

He highlighted that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation planted one million trees under the “Mission Million Trees” initiative to enhance green cover, and added that nearly 65 per cent of the state’s total energy production comes from renewable sources. He appreciated the initiative of organising media exchange programmes, stating that such visits enable greater awareness and proper reporting on development models and best practices.

 

 

The Deputy Chief Minister was also presented with a traditional Basohli painting as a symbol of the artistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. An aroma kit showcasing products developed under the Aroma Mission was also presented to the Deputy CM by PIB Jammu highlighting the region’s growing achievements in the field agri-based entrepreneurship.

Earlier the media delegation visited the historic site of Lothal, one of the prominent cities of the Indus Valley Civilization. The visit provided the journalists with insights into the archaeological significance of the ancient dockyard town, known for its advanced urban planning and maritime trade practices dating back over four millennia.

 

The delegation later visited the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, a flagship project aimed at showcasing India’s maritime legacy. Prof. Vasant Shinde, Founding Director General and In-charge of Galleries, briefed the media team about the vision and scope of the project. He informed that the complex has identified collaboration opportunities with 25 countries and has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with nations including the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Vietnam, and Thailand to strengthen international cooperation in maritime heritage preservation and research.

 

 

The media persons were informed that the total estimated cost of the National Maritime Heritage Complex project is approximately ₹5,000 crore. The project envisions world-class museums, galleries, and experiential zones that will highlight India’s maritime traditions from ancient to modern times.

 

 

It was further apprised that the Lothal Area Development Authority has been constituted for the holistic development of the region, following principles inspired by Harappan town planning. A comprehensive tourist circuit has also been proposed to promote exploration of the surrounding heritage sites. Additionally, development of hotels, theme parks, and other hospitality infrastructure is planned under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode to position Lothal as a major global maritime tourism destination.

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