Tourism Minister Usha Thakur said that if there is undaunted, fearless and safe tourism anywhere, it is in Madhya Pradesh, the heartland of the country. She said that special innovations are being made by the Tourism Department to promote tourism in the State. ‘Tigress on the Trail’ is one such unique innovation in which our women bikers will enjoy visiting all the national parks.
Thakur flagged off the first women’s biking trail organized by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department aimed at promoting adventure and safe tourism in the State. MLA Nandani Maravi and Principal Secretary Tourism Sheo Shekhar Shukla were also present on the occasion.
Thakur said that all the innovations in the field of tourism should be implemented effectively with a unique message not only in the State but also in the entire country. She said that Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan are committed towards daughters, perhaps Madhya Pradesh has created so many dimension for the safety of women that other States are not even thought of. Thakur said that Matrushakti is the Aadhar Shakti (power base) of the nation, it is the Nirman Shakti of the world. When she commits she turns challenges into opportunities.
The Minister said that girls are the pride of the nation, only cultures and empowered daughters form a strong foundation for the nation.
She said that the problems caused due to Covid-19 in the field of tourism will have to be overcome through such innovations to take tourism to great heights. This journey of women bikers will also define the good governance in Madhya Pradesh that girls can move safely and fearlessly anywhere in the State.
Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that by taking the decision to organize such an event in such a dismal atmosphere due to corona, the Tourism Department has paved a new way amidst challenges. There is immense tourism potential in the State. He informed that the first women’s biking trail ‘Tigress on the Trail”’is an innovation in which the fame of tourist destinations of the State will be further enhanced. These women bikers will not only enjoy tourism but will inspire other women to come forward whichever way they pass.
The Principal Secretary said that this is the first ride being organized in Madhya Pradesh for women bikers, which will promote and propagate tourism of the State through their visits to the tourism destinations of Madhya Pradesh from November 19 to 25.
Women biker Meenakshi said that this is the first women bike ride being held in various parts of Madhya Pradesh. Girl riders from all over India including Madhya Pradesh are part of the group. Visit to various tourist places together in the same ride will be adventurous. Thanking the Tourism Department biker from Italy, Silvana said that there is an atmosphere of freedom and security for women in Madhya Pradesh. I am proud to be a part of this programme.
At the outset, during an introduction with the women bikers, Minister Thakur honoured them with Angavastra (attire) and boosted their morale.
The women bikers include Edwina D’Souza, 31, from Mumbai, Silvana, 35, from Italy, Amita Singh, 43, Bhubaneswar, Meenakshi Rao, 35 from Tamil Nadu, Sushri Sheetal Sharma, 23, Komal Mandloi, 24, 29-year-old Kirti Alava, 41-year-old Surabhi Bhadoria, 21-year-old Anushka Jain, 32-year-old Meenakshi Thakur, from Indore, 28-year-old Nivia Singh from West Bengal, 57-year-old Dr. Neeta Khandekar from Punjab, 24-year-old Meghna Patil from Pune, 30-year-old Pooja Vikram from Patna and 24-year-old Sonia Adhikare from Bangalore.