While the idea is excellent, i doubt that international tourists will come en masse to see a religious crowd. How many Hindus would go to Mecca to see the spectacular events there?
Todays tourism is all set for individuality, recreation and easy going. If marketed properly, the package should also include either hiking (Sikkim, Darjeling) or a beach resort.
Hi We all know that we have numerous festivals and numerous places of visit, but we dont sell our selves, rather we under sell or play on under dog, we are poor in marketing the countries image and our variegated culture. I currently live in Malaysia I have been to many tourist spots, which are lackluster, but the amount the local tourism is spreading is mind boggling, I have been to one boat race held in KL nothing or cannot be compared to our keralas onam festival boat racing but the amount of tourist arriving for KLs boat race is much more than Keralas one, we better retrospect and ask ourselves where we lack, So that we can improve. Indian Tourism wing is worst organized. Not to conclude the Indian Airlines and Air India service staffs having a callous attitude, old, not dynamic and not at all customer friendly am telling this because i only travel by Indian Flights even though i undergo all sorts of shabby treatment. If we need to Improve toursim remove the Touts from the airline staff, educate travel agents, Imporve air travel worthiness and places of stay.
I fully agree with Sunanda Datta Roy. He's widely-travelled veteran news-creator (I refrain saying 'journalist', since he's more than that), and, as always, his reasoning is impeccable.
As a much-less-travelled fellow Kolkatan, I feel, barring Navarathri, no other Indian festival has so much grandeur, camaderie and enthusiasm. Even Navarathri happens only in evenings and essentially involves only Hindus (which is natural in the highly communalized and polarized environment there) and there simply is no creativity at all.
Given that, it'd do a lot of good to Indian tourism in general, if Durga Puja can be 'sold' effectively. My friend, Stephen Herzog, a Swedish journo', was simply spell-bound watching the DP in Kolkata. A great potential lies there to be tapped. Hurrah..!
The idea is fantastic. Let indian tourism deptt encash it.There should be several programmes for the tourists. Special informations, hotel bookings etc should be done.Some of the puja pandals may organise programmes considering foriegn tourists' arrival in KOLKATA.PRIZES SHOULD BE ARRANGED BY THE TOURIST DEPTT. FOR THEM THRO' COMPETETIONS.
I completely agree to this view. in fact it does not only require the tourism industry's view but also political will in the state of West Bengal. Though to actually make it a reality would be a Tall order.
it is true that durga puja is a global crowd puller in the context of Calcutta's way of celebrating this festival, and making it a part of its culture..but at the same time it should be kept in mind the huge investment for it is absolutely not justified.... the huge amount of money spent on light decorations, pandals,interior decorations, idols, can easily generate an industry giving employment to thousands of people directly and several others indirectly. This can create mass employment and help the national economy to boost further...instead we are simply wasting our money in the name of festival.
How could the hotblooded youths from Calcutta fail to sell the event internationally. I guess they are the most aggressive sellers. Though in India they do it in the name of religion, which is as good as blackmailing and foul means, if they want to test their true mettle, let them launch themselves internationally. C'mon guys make it a true business. Bring some wealth to your country as well as the event and do some real fair work.
Durga Pujo is the most spectacular festival on earth - I speak as a thoroughly travelled man. However who in the world is interested in it? Nobody. All the world knows and wants to know about Calcutta is squalor, leprsosy, poverty, and Mother Teresa. Of course the deceased nun was responsible for the situation, but also responsible are Calcuttans for allowing this to happen.Moerover there is a lofty disdain amongst middle class Calcuttans about Durga Pujo, who regard it as vulgar enjoyment of the lower orders. Once the supreme skills of the genius artisans who create the Pujo are lost they would lament. More importantly, Calcuttans should make a sustained effort in telling the world about this extraordinary annual happening.I feel professional PR agents should be hired to this end.The Teresa-given image should also be challenged at the same time.
