“PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is doing wonderful work to promote awareness about the importance of preserving our heritage by organizing heritage tourism conclaves throughout the country. I urge them and industry leaders in general, to lend a helping hand to support the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh.” This message was given by the Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel who was the Chief Guest at the 13th International Heritage Tourism Conclave organized by PHDCCI at Hotel Sayaji Indore on 12th July. The conclave was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board; Rajasthan Tourism; IRCTC and Indigo.
Present in the Inaugural Session were Ms. Urmila Shukla (IAS), Commissioner- Archaeology, Archives & Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Mr. Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Mr. Anil Parashar, Chair – Tourism & Hospitality Committee, PHDCCI; Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal, Chair – Madhya Pradesh Chapter, PHDCCI; Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair – Tourism & Hospitality Committee, PHDCCI; and Ms. Shalini S Sharma, Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI.
The Inaugural Session saw release of two reports – one by PHDCCI on the Conclave with messages from the Governor, Ministry of Tourism and the Chamber. The second report was made by KPMG in partnership with PHDCCI on the scope, challenges and recommendations for heritage tourism. A highlight of the Inaugural Session was a demonstration of the way intangible heritage is being preserved by children of the country. Students of Garima Vidya Vihar Senior Secondary School in Indore presented Shivstuti through the classical dance form of Kathak.
Content creators of Indore and local social media influencers Udte Kabootar also spoke about the work they were doing to preserve the stories and oral history of the city. Inaugurating the Conclave, Shri Patel said that the state was not only rich in historical monuments, but also boasted a diverse cultural tapestry that included vibrant festivals, traditional arts and crafts. By promoting heritage tourism, we can foster a deeper appreciation of our cultural assets, drive economic growth and enhance the livelihoods of local communities, he said.
Ms. Shukla highlighted the role of Archaeological Survey of India in protecting and conserving the history, cultural monuments and antiquities of Madhya Pradesh. She elaborated on the initiatives that the government is undertaking for promoting heritage and culture by conducting various research activities like excavation, exploration, development of museums, conferences and workshops.
Mr. Parashar said that through International Heritage Tourism Conclaves, PHDCCI has made a significant impact on the ground by popularizing heritage destinations, increasing community participation in the preservation of historical buildings and advocating for policy changes that make our monuments more accessible and inclusive. Highlighting the potential of promoting heritage tourism in Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal, said that the state is home to three Unesco World Heritage Sites: temples of Khajuraho, Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and the rock shelters of Bhimbetka. He further said that in recent years, Madhya Pradesh has seen a surge in both domestic and international tourists, drawn by the allure of its heritage, wildlife and cultural experiences.
Mr. Raju Sharma, Director – CSR, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo), presented a case study on the restoration of Lal Bagh Palace which was moderated by Mr. Himanshu Dudwadkar, Co-Convenor – Indore Chapter, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. A discussion on the role of women in preserving cultural legacy was hosted by Ms. Shalini S Sharma, Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI, with guests Mr. Vaibhav Chauhan, Director of The City Palace, Jaipur and Jaigarh Fort and Ms. Anjchita Nair, Co-Founder & CEO, Cultre.
The event concluded with a session on preserving heritage through art by Mr. Wajid Khan, Artist, Sculptor, Inventor, Patent Holder and hosted by Mr. Atul Singh, Chairman – MP Chapter, Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India.
