Parmarth is Awarded for Excellence in Wellness & Spiritual Tourism

The 5th International Tourism Conclave and Travel Awards in New Delhi was held at the Pride Plaza Hotel, Aerocity. The Wellness, Yoga and Spiritual Tourism Award was given to Parmarth Niketan Ashram (Rishikesh) for their exemplary leadership in this field.

HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji was invited to bless the event but as He was abroad He shared in a written statement, “Spiritual Tourism is the USB of our country. It connects people beyond borders and boundaries. Bharat has a rich spiritual, cultural and natural heritage for which it is essential that we come together to promote and preserve the essence and true beauty of our sacred land.”

He added, “I envision a day in which our River Ganga will be flowing free and unpolluted and her banks will be protected with green corridors and sustainable riverfront development, every ghat as the sun rises will welcome pilgrims to practice yoga and every day as the sun sets will ring with the sacred sound of Ganga Aarti.”

The conclave was organised by Shri Ajay Guptaji, Chairman and MD of ICM Group. It brought together prominent national and international tour agencies, operators and businesses. It was supported by the Government of Gujarat and Bihar’s Tourism Departments, as well as IRCTC Indian Railways, and many other leaders within the Indian Tourism sector. The Chief Guest of the event was Shri Vinod Zutshi, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.

The event started with a panel on Motivation, Spiritual Tourism, Ayurveda & Spa in which Parmarth Niketan was invited to participate. Ms Nandini Tripathi represented Parmarth Niketan in this panel alongside Swami Shivpadji from Art of Living, Lifecoach Madhavi N Junejaji and Dr Ranu from Kairali Ayurveda.

Sushri Nandini Tripathi shared a short video of the International Yoga Festival and said, “This is such a small but powerful example of tourism at its best. It also illustrates how Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, the Director of the IYF, have been able to put Parmarth on the world map, attracting people from every corner of the world.”

She added, “When our Hon’ble Prime Minister first shared his vision for Swachh Bharat on 15th August 2015- he shared it in the context of tourism. He said that filthiness was the single greatest obstacle to promoting tourism and this is the work that Pujya Swamiji and Sadhviji are dedicated to because they understand without paryavaran (our environment) there can be no paryatan (tourism). Hence, let us pledge today to uphold our Tourism Social Responsibility (TSR) and commit to at least one action that we can take within our tour agencies and businesses to be the green change we want to see in the world.”

Everyone raised their hand in support of the green pledge and unanimously agreed that within their businesses they will work to bring a cleaner, greener and better India for all. Shri Subhash Goyalji, Member, National Tourism Advisory Council, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, was the special guest who joined the panelists on stage with Shri Guptaji in the leading the pledge.

Nandini warmly invited everyone to Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) and welcomed the organisers, on behalf of Pujya Swamiji Maharaj, to host the 6th Annual event at their Himalayan home, on the banks of Mother Ganga.

Click here to see photos!