Sudha Murty’s First Rajya Sabha Speech Advocates For India's Tourism Growth
Murty also advocated for a government-backed vaccination programme to combat cervical cancer.
Philanthropist and author Sudha Murty made her debut speech in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, advocating for the promotion of domestic tourism. Murty highlighted India's cultural richness, noting that while the country boasts 42 World Heritage sites, an additional 57 are awaiting recognition.
These 57 domestic tourist sites include the Bahubali statue in Karnataka, Lingaraja Temple, Unakoti rock carvings in Tripura, Shivaji forts in Maharashtra, Chausath Yogini temple in Mitawali, Lothal in Gujarat, and Gol Gumbad, etc.
Murty also praised the architectural marvels of temples in Srirangam and the scenic Mughal gardens in Kashmir, lamenting their absence from the World Heritage list despite their popularity among tourists.
She emphasised the need for well-packaged tourism initiatives, with adequate infrastructure like clean toilets and well-maintained roads, to attract more visitors and boost revenue within India.
Murty's speech underscored her vision for leveraging India's cultural treasures to enhance domestic tourism and economic growth.
On Cervical Cancer
Murty also advocated for a government-backed vaccination programme to combat cervical cancer. She stressed the importance of vaccinating girls aged nine to 14, highlighting the effectiveness of cervical vaccinations in preventing cancer.
In February, during her Budget 2024 speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the initiation of a vaccination programme for girls aged nine to 14 to combat cervical cancer.
"The government has handled a very big vaccination drive during Covid so it may not be very difficult to provide cervical vaccination to girls in the age group of 9-14 years," Murty said.
Murty emphasised the affordability of these vaccinations, mentioning their long-standing use in the West and proposing governmental negotiation to lower costs further, making them accessible to a broader population and ensuring future benefits for young girls in India.
(With inputs from PTI.)
