PRASHAD
Also called: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive, PRASHAD scheme · Topic: India's International Trade and Tourism · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 7 "Lifelines of National Economy"
Meaning
PRASHAD stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. The Ministry of Tourism launched it in 2014-15. It builds facilities at pilgrimage and heritage sites, such as approach roads, visitor amenities and lighting. The aim is to make these sites easier and more pleasant to visit, which brings in more tourists and income for local people.
Example
PRASHAD has funded works at Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam, and at Somnath and Dwarka on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat.
Don't confuse with
- Swadesh Darshan: started in the same year (2014-15) to build theme-based tourist circuits. It was revamped in 2022-23 as Swadesh Darshan 2.0, which focuses on single destinations. PRASHAD is only for pilgrimage and heritage sites.
Related concepts
- Tourism as trade
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
- Buddhist circuit
- Blue Flag beaches