India recently launched its first International Cruise Liner – a significant moment reflecting the government’s focus on promoting tourism. Spearheaded by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the maiden voyage of the vessel Costa Serena originated from Mumbai. This move dovetails with the nationwide “Dekho Apna Desh” campaign, and is a component of the broader Sagarmala Programme. This ambitious initiative has set a goal to establish India as a leading cruise hub in Asia Pacific by 2030.
Enhancing Cruise and Lighthouse Tourism
Under the Sagarmala Programme, developing cruise and lighthouse tourism is a top priority. The forward-thinking plan seeks to increase India’s annual number of cruise passengers to 18 lakhs by 2030 – from the current figure of 4.72 lakhs. Furthermore, India has plans to operate 25 cruise terminals by 2047, which are expected to serve an estimated 5 million passengers annually.
National Innovation Challenge: ATL Marathon 2023-24
In other news, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship initiative supported by the NITI Aayog, has opened applications for the ‘Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) Marathon 2023-24’. This year’s ATL marathon theme centers on the 75th Indian Republic Day (26th January 2024). It calls for student teams to develop innovative projects aimed at various sectors including Space, Agriculture, Inclusivity, Disaster Management, Mobility, Health, Education & Skill Development. This effort seeks to foster innovation in schools and encourage students to devise inventive solutions to community problems.
Bilateral Collaboration: Inaugural AIESC Meeting
Shaping the future of education and skill development, the inaugural Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting was hosted at IIT Gandhinagar. This council, formerly known as the Australian India Education Council (AIEC), was established in 2011 to strategically guide the educational, training, and research partnerships between Australia and India. The focus areas include shaping future workforces, institutional partnerships, and driving research impact through internationalization.
Recognition in Athletics: Neeraj Chopra’s Nomination
In sports, Olympic and World Champion Javelin Thrower Neeraj Chopra has been nominated for the 2023 Men’s World Athlete of the Year award by World Athletics. The selection process employs a three-way voting system that includes votes from the World Athletics Council, the World Athletics Family, and the public. The council’s vote carries 50% weight, and the remaining 50% is equally divided between the World Athletics Family and public votes.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024