New Delhi, Dec 28 (Agency) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said Tourism increases the livelihood opportunities, income of the people and strengthens the local economy. Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the development of pilgrimage facilities at Bhadrachalam Group of Temples under PRASHAD scheme at Bhadrachalam, she noted that the famous temples of Telangana are visited by lakhs of pilgrims. She said that out of domestic and foreign tourists, a large number is of pilgrims. In this way, pilgrimage tourism has a huge contribution in enhancing domestic tourism. Murmu appreciated the Ministry of Tourism for giving a boost to the spiritual and cultural tourism through the development of pilgrimage sites under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme. She inaugurated Sammakka Saralamma Janjati Pujari Sammelan, organised by the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad –Telangana at Bhadrachalam and virtually inaugurated Eklavya Model Residential Schools of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Mahabubabad districts of Telangana.
Noting that tribal people, especially from the Koya community, gather to offer prayers to Sammakka Saralamma, the President said that such festivals and gatherings strengthen social harmony. With these activities, our traditions continue to grow from generation to generation. She said that it is imperative to keep our culture, traditions and customs alive. This would also help to preserve our heritage. Murmu appreciated the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Telangana for organising this Sammelan. She was happy to note that the Parishad is constantly striving for the overall development of the forest dwellers. She said that active participation of women in all dimensions of progress is essential for the overall development of our society and country and added that it is a matter of satisfaction that Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad is running development centers to take women forward in the direction of economic empowerment. The Parishad is also organizing camps in tribal areas to raise awareness about rural development, the President said and appreciated it for such welfare and developmental initiatives.
Murmu visited Ramappa Temple (Rudreshwara Temple) in Warangal district where she laid foundation stones for development of tourism infrastructure and restoration of Kameshwaralaya Temple. Earlier in the morning , the President offered prayers at Sitaramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam. Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, State Ministers Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Sathyavahi Rathod and senior officials also accompanied the President. At the temple entrance, temple priests accorded ‘Poornakumbham’ to the President. Murmu performed special poojas to Sitaramachandra Swamy . After darshan, the temple pundits blessed the President with ‘Vedasirvachanam’ and presented ‘Theertha Prasadams’.