Bharat Parv, the annual event highlighting India’s cultural diversity and promoting a sense of patriotism among its citizens, was celebrated from January 26th to January 31st, 2021. The Ministry of Tourism organized the event on a virtual platform due to pandemic restrictions and induced three pavilions – Dekho Apna Desh, Statue of Unity, and Incredible India.
About Bharat Parv
Established in 2016, Bharat Parv is an annual festivity celebrated every year by the Ministry of Tourism from January 26th to 31st. Taking place traditionally in front of the Red Fort’s ramparts, this grand event intends to stir patriotic fervor among individuals while elevating awareness of the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. Knotting together the Essence of India, this event encapsulates the country’s multi-faceted culture, traditions, and history.
The 2021 edition continued this legacy virtually, featuring numerous pavilions from Central Ministries and a variety of state theme pavilions. It also highlighted handcrafted goods and folk performances from different states and Union Territories.
‘Dekho Apna Desh’ Campaign
In the quest to promote domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism launched the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative in 2020. This endeavor aims at encouraging Indian citizens to explore the country’s undiscovered beauty and history. It acts as a catalyst for developing and enhancing the tourism infrastructure within the country.
As part of this campaign, the Ministry organized webinars focusing on various cities, states, cultures, heritage sites, wildlife, adventure activities and more.
Statue of Unity Pavilion
Nestled in Gujarat’s Narmada district, the Statue of Unity is a towering monument dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Crafted by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar, this colossal structure stands tall at 182 meters, making it the world’s tallest statue.
The Statue of Unity pavilion was an essential part of Bharat Parv’s 2021 virtual edition. It primarily exhibited the idea of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB)’. With an aim to promote mutual understanding and enhance interaction between people from different States/UTs, EBSB focuses on fostering a sustained cultural connect through language learning, culture, traditions, music, tourism, cuisine, sports, and sharing best practices.
Incredible India Pavilion
The Incredible India Pavilion comprised information about UNESCO World Heritage Sites located within the country. Currently, India is home to 38 world heritage sites that include 30 cultural properties, seven natural properties, and one mixed site.
The latest addition to this prestigious list is Rajasthan’s Jaipur city, popular for its rich history, architecture and vibrant culture. The pavilion offered a platform for sharing information about these globally recognized sites and their significance.