(a) whether there is any proposal to establish Government Gurukuls in Villages of the country;
(b) if so, the main objectives of these gurukuls;
(c) the names of villages and States where these gurukuls are proposed to be started;
(d) whether there are various arts and artists in India which need to be promoted;
(e) if so, whether the Government will seek cooperation of those artists; and
(f) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM (SMT. RENUKA CHOWDHURY)
(a) & (b) It has been decided to establish Gurukul at the sites identified for development of Rural Tourism product with the assistance of Ministry of Tourism for spreading the attributes of Indian Art and Culture within and outside the country and thereby generating further tourist arrivals and in the process also strengthen rural livelihoods through the tourism process.
(c) & (d): The names of proposed gurukuls sites where various arts and artists to be promoted are as under:
- Pochampalli (Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh).
- Raghurajpur (Puri District, Orissa).
- Hodka (Kachchh District, Gujarat).
- Pranpur (Ashok Nagar District, Madhya Pradesh).
- Aranmula (Pathanamthitta District, Kerala).
(e) & (f): The Rural Tourism site focal points (District Collectors/District Magistrates) and Implementing Partners (NGOs/Panchayats) in consultation with local community at the identified places will be involved in identifying the skilled craft persons among other important components, which are essential for setting up and running of Gurukuls as envisaged.