Date:24/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/24/stories/2008082455540700.htm

National

Rajasthan gets Hospitality India Award

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Rajasthan has bagged the Hospitality India and Explore the World Award, 2008, for its achievements in the tourism sector and conservation of historical monuments. Minister of State for Tourism Usha Punia received the award at a function in New Delhi on Saturday.

Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and Minister of State for Tourism and Arts Ambika Soni gave a trophy and a memento to Ms. Punia. Among others, Egypt’s Ambassador Mohammed Higazy attended the function.

Ms. Punia said the State government had taken steps for conservation of monuments and solicited the assistance of several institutions in the work. An “adopt the monument” scheme had proved to be very successful.

An official release stated here that Dr. Higazy praised the work taken up in the desert State for development of tourism and protection of heritage monuments.