NITI Aayog press release · 17 April 2026 · pibtracker filter

NITI Aayog Launches Anthology “Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India” to Strengthen India’s Tourism Ecosystem

PRID2253135 MinistryNITI Aayog Released Reading11 min

Posted On: 17 APR 2026 8:17PM by PIB Delhi NITI Aayog today launched an anthology titled &ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo; , a comprehensive initiative aimed at inspiring citizens and global travellers to explore India’s diverse tourism landscape through a structured and immersive approach. The anthology was released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Smt. Nidhi Chibber, CEO, NITI Aayog; Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Shri Yugal Joshi, Programme Director, NITI Aayog along with the senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and NITI Aayog. On the occasion, Shri Suman Bery spoke that, &ldquo;Tourism is a key growth driver in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. There is a need for each State to develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays, especially in domestic and religious tourism. According to me, there should be more focus on the Centre-State collaboration, data-driven policymaking and improved infrastructure. While at the same time, I would also like to appreciate the efforts to create a unified platform to boost domestic awareness and global appeal of India’s tourism sector.&rdquo; Conceived as a year-round companion for travellers, Divya Bharat presents India’s tourism offerings through a unique seasonal lens, aligning destinations with the rhythm of the months. It brings together a rich mix of iconic landmarks, heritage sites, cultural traditions, festivals, cuisines and lesser-known destinations across all States and Union Territories, enabling a more holistic and engaging travel experience. Drawing upon India’s long-standing tradition of travel and cultural exploration, the anthology reflects the evolving nature of tourism in the country. It highlights the growing importance of experiential journeys that go beyond conventional sightseeing, encouraging deeper engagement with local communities, traditions and ways of life. The anthology is not just a guide for travellers, but also an initiative to promote balanced tourism by encouraging people to travel across seasons and regions. In addition to popular destinations, it highlights lesser-known attractions, thereby supporting local economies, preserving cultural heritage and fostering greater community participation. The launch was attended by representatives from industry and academic institutions, including Airbnb; Atithi Foundation; Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP); Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM); and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) underlining the importance of collaboration among government, industry and knowledge partners in strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem. The initiative builds on India’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism as a key pillar of growth, cultural exchange, and national identity. By offering a structured and accessible view of the country’s tourism landscape, Divya Bharat is expected to serve as a valuable resource for travellers, policymakers and stakeholders alike. Developed through extensive research and curation, the anthology aims to inspire people to travel more widely across India to discover new destinations and experience the country’s diversity in a more meaningful manner. The anthology &ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo; reflects the continued commitment of NITI Aayog to promoting tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, cultural pride and sustainable development. The full publication can be accessed on the NITI Aayog website: https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-04/Divya-Bharat-A-WIndow-to-the-Soul-of-India-Web.pdf ****** MJPS/PRK (Release ID: 2253135) Visitor Counter : 3796 Read this release in: Urdu , हिन्दी , Gujarati NITI Aayog NITI Aayog Launches Anthology “Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India” to Strengthen India’s Tourism Ecosystem Posted On: 17 APR 2026 8:17PM by PIB Delhi NITI Aayog today launched an anthology titled &ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo; , a comprehensive initiative aimed at inspiring citizens and global travellers to explore India’s diverse tourism landscape through a structured and immersive approach. The anthology was released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Smt. Nidhi Chibber, CEO, NITI Aayog; Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Shri Yugal Joshi, Programme Director, NITI Aayog along with the senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and NITI Aayog. On the occasion, Shri Suman Bery spoke that, &ldquo;Tourism is a key growth driver in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. There is a need for each State to develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays, especially in domestic and religious tourism. According to me, there should be more focus on the Centre-State collaboration, data-driven policymaking and improved infrastructure. While at the same time, I would also like to appreciate the efforts to create a unified platform to boost domestic awareness and global appeal of India’s tourism sector.&rdquo; Conceived as a year-round companion for travellers, Divya Bharat presents India’s tourism offerings through a unique seasonal lens, aligning destinations with the rhythm of the months. It brings together a rich mix of iconic landmarks, heritage sites, cultural traditions, festivals, cuisines and lesser-known destinations across all States and Union Territories, enabling a more holistic and engaging travel experience. Drawing upon India’s long-standing tradition of travel and cultural exploration, the anthology reflects the evolving nature of tourism in the country. It highlights the growing importance of experiential journeys that go beyond conventional sightseeing, encouraging deeper engagement with local communities, traditions and ways of life. The anthology is not just a guide for travellers, but also an initiative to promote balanced tourism by encouraging people to travel across seasons and regions. In addition to popular destinations, it highlights lesser-known attractions, thereby supporting local economies, preserving cultural heritage and fostering greater community participation. The launch was attended by representatives from industry and academic institutions, including Airbnb; Atithi Foundation; Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP); Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM); and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) underlining the importance of collaboration among government, industry and knowledge partners in strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem. The initiative builds on India’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism as a key pillar of growth, cultural exchange, and national identity. By offering a structured and accessible view of the country’s tourism landscape, Divya Bharat is expected to serve as a valuable resource for travellers, policymakers and stakeholders alike. Developed through extensive research and curation, the anthology aims to inspire people to travel more widely across India to discover new destinations and experience the country’s diversity in a more meaningful manner. The anthology &ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo; reflects the continued commitment of NITI Aayog to promoting tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, cultural pride and sustainable development. The full publication can be accessed on the NITI Aayog website: https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-04/Divya-Bharat-A-WIndow-to-the-Soul-of-India-Web.pdf ****** MJPS/PRK (Release ID: 2253135) <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">NITI Aayog today launched an anthology titled <em>&ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo;</em>, a comprehensive initiative aimed at inspiring citizens and global travellers to explore India’s diverse tourism landscape through a structured and immersive approach.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The anthology was released by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Smt. Nidhi Chibber, CEO, NITI Aayog; Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Shri Yugal Joshi, Programme Director, NITI Aayog along with the senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and NITI Aayog.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image001ZLNH.jpg" style="height:361px; width:752px" /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">On the occasion, Shri Suman Bery spoke that, &ldquo;Tourism is a key growth driver in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. There is a &nbsp;need for each State to develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays, especially in domestic and religious tourism. According to me, there should be more focus on the Centre-State collaboration, data-driven policymaking and improved infrastructure. While at the same time, I would also like to appreciate the efforts to create a unified platform to boost domestic awareness and global appeal of India’s tourism sector.&rdquo;</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Conceived as a year-round companion for travellers, Divya Bharat presents India’s tourism offerings through a unique seasonal lens, aligning destinations with the rhythm of the months. It brings together a rich mix of iconic landmarks, heritage sites, cultural traditions, festivals, cuisines and lesser-known destinations across all States and Union Territories, enabling a more holistic and engaging travel experience.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Drawing upon India’s long-standing tradition of travel and cultural exploration, the anthology reflects the evolving nature of tourism in the country. It highlights the growing importance of experiential journeys that go beyond conventional sightseeing, encouraging deeper engagement with local communities, traditions and ways of life.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The anthology is not just a guide for travellers, but also an initiative to promote balanced tourism by encouraging people to travel across seasons and regions. In addition to popular destinations, it highlights lesser-known attractions, thereby supporting local economies, preserving cultural heritage and fostering greater community participation.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The launch was attended by representatives from industry and academic institutions, including Airbnb; Atithi Foundation; Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP); Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM); and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) underlining the importance of collaboration among government, industry and knowledge partners in strengthening India’s tourism ecosystem.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The initiative builds on India’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism as a key pillar of growth, cultural exchange, and national identity. By offering a structured and accessible view of the country’s tourism landscape, Divya Bharat is expected to serve as a valuable resource for travellers, policymakers and stakeholders alike.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Developed through extensive research and curation, the anthology aims to inspire people to travel more widely across India to discover new destinations and experience the country’s diversity in a more meaningful manner.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The anthology <em>&ldquo;Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India&rdquo;</em> reflects the continued commitment of NITI Aayog to promoting tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, cultural pride and sustainable development.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The full publication can be accessed on the NITI Aayog website:</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><a href="https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-04/Divya-Bharat-A-WIndow-to-the-Soul-of-India-Web.pdf" target="_blank">https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-04/Divya-Bharat-A-WIndow-to-the-Soul-of-India-Web.pdf</a></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">******</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0cm; 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