CONTENTS

1. Paryatan Mitra And Paryatan Didi Initiative
2. BRICS

Paryatan Mitra And Paryatan Didi Initiative

Context:

Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has launched a national responsible tourism initiative titled Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi Initiative

The Paryatan Mitra and Paryatan Didi Initiative is aimed at enhancing the tourist experience across India by promoting interactions with tourist-friendly locals who serve as Ambassadors and Storytellers for their region.

Vision:

• The initiative seeks to present the essence of Incredible India through the warmth and hospitality of its people, making tourism experiences more welcoming and memorable.

Pilot Locations:

• The initiative has been piloted in six destinations:
  • Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
  • Aizawl (Mizoram)
  • Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
  • Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

Key Features:

• Focus on Women and Youth Training:
  • The initiative emphasizes training women and youth in developing innovative tourism experiences like heritage walks, food tours, craft tours, nature treks, and homestay experiences.
• Inspired by “Athithi Devo Bhava” Philosophy:
  • The training promotes treating tourists as honored guests, following the Indian tradition of hospitality.
• Employment Opportunities:
  • The program envisions locals using these skills to seek employment in tourism as homestay owners, cuisine providers, cultural guides, natural guides, adventure guides, and more.
• Digital Training:
  • In addition to tourism-specific training, participants receive digital literacy training to help make their tourism experiences more discoverable and accessible to tourists on a national and global scale.

BRICS

Context:

The Indian External Affairs Minister recently met with his BRICS counterparts to affirm its role in a multipolar world.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is BRICS?

What is BRICS?

• BRICS is the international grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• This was set up as a move towards greater multi­polarity; hence the spread across three continents and both hemispheres.
• In terms of GDP, China occupies the second position; India the fifth; Brazil the ninth; Russia the 11th; and South Africa the 35th.
• In terms of growth rates, China grew at 6%; India at 4.5%, Russia 1.7%, Brazil 1.2% and South Africa 0.1%.
• BRICS does not exist in form of organization, but it is an annual summit between the supreme leaders of five nations.
• The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
• The BRICS seeks to deepen, broaden and intensify cooperation within the grouping and among the individual countries for more sustainable, equitable and mutually beneficial development.
• BRICS takes into consideration each member’s growth, development and poverty objectives to ensure relations are built on the respective country’s economic strengths and to avoid competition where possible.
• BRICS is emerging as a new and promising political-diplomatic entity with diverse objectives, far beyond the original objective of reforming global financial institutions.