Context:
The Ministry of Culture plans to set up a cultural village called ‘Kalagram’ in Prayagraj to showcase India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage during the upcoming Maha Kumbh.
- The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj will take place from January 13 to February 26.
- The cultural village, ‘Kalagram’, will be set up on 10.24 acres at Nagvasuki to showcase India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
- Key features:
- A Ganga Pandal with a 10,000-person capacity for celebrity performances.
- Three stage pandals with a 4,000-person capacity each at Jhunsi, Nagvasuki, and Areil.
- A 1,000-seat amphitheater at Kalagram featuring performances by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees, National School of Drama productions, and Zonal Cultural Centre ensembles.
- 20 additional stages across the city, shared between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Ministry of Culture.
- Reported by the Ministry of Tourism:
- 76.17 million jobs were created in 2022-2023, up from 69.56 million in 2013-2014.
- Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached USD 28.07 billion in 2023, up 42.53% from 2014.
- Foreign tourist arrivals grew to 95 lakhs in 2023, a 23.96% increase from 2014.
- Domestic tourism visits reached 250 crores in 2023, a 95.64% increase from 2014.
- India’s global tourism ranking improved from 65th in 2014 to 39th in 2024.