Siliguri: West Bengal's unique geographical feature, with the Himalayas on one side and the coastline on the other, gives the state enormous tourism potential, said newly appointed Tourism Minister Sankar Ghosh on Wednesday. Ghosh, who is also the Siliguri MLA, urged all stakeholders to take collective responsibility to firmly place Bengal on the global tourism map.
Collective Responsibility for Tourism Development
After being assigned the tourism and parliamentary affairs portfolios in the state cabinet, Ghosh emphasized that developing tourism is not the task of a single minister but requires a collective effort. "This is not just the responsibility of Sankar Ghosh or of one minister in Bengal, but that of all of us collectively. I will work under the guidance of our chief minister, my cabinet colleagues, our Prime Minister, and the ideology of our party," he said.
Priority on PM Modi's Vision
Outlining his priorities, Ghosh stated that his first objective would be to understand and implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Bengal. "Our priority will be to understand the PM's vision for this state. Everyone's opinion will be considered, and we will also seek views from tourism experts," he added.
Diverse Tourism Destinations in Bengal
Pointing to the diverse tourism destinations in Bengal, Ghosh remarked, "We have both the hills and the sea in Bengal. There is tremendous scope for tourism. It is now our responsibility to place Bengal firmly on the global tourism map." He noted that the state's natural diversity offers unique opportunities for tourism growth.
PM Modi's 12-Year Milestone
Ghosh also noted that Wednesday marked PM Narendra Modi's 12 years in office, the longest tenure of any Prime Minister in India. He said prayers were offered for Modi's good health and continued leadership. Expressing confidence in the government's performance, the minister said the next five years would be crucial in transforming the tourism sector and strengthening public trust. "We have five years in hand, and our work during this period will ensure we earn people's trust for five more years in office," he concluded.
