The Uttarakhand tourism department will help non resident Indians to get in touch with their roots by providing them information about their ancestors and their native villages. Initially, this will be facilitated for Indian-origin people of Mauritius.
Addressing the media along with the high commissioner of Mauritius in India, J Goburdhun, the state’s tourism and culture minister Satpal Maharaj said that details of the ancestors will be sought in the historical records kept by priests in Haridwar, Badrinath and Kedarnath. It is being hoped that this will enable many Indian-origin people to learn about their ancestors and their native place. He said that pilgrims have been visiting Haridwar, Badrinath and Kedarnath for centuries now. Their names are recorded in documents maintained by the priests (Pandas) at these pilgrimage centres.
Goburdhun said that Mauritius will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Uttarakhand tourism department. Following this, pilgrims from Mauritius will receive rebate in the tourism department’s guest houses. Mauritius will also provide similar rebate to visitors from Uttarakhand. Exchanges will also be facilitated in adventure tourism, economic and cultural aspects.
