Sign boards in Chinese language put up at 5 ASI sites

Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel informed that sign boards in Chinese language have been put up at five Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected Archaeological Sites located in Uttar Pradesh (UP). ASI Sites Include- (1) Sarnath, (2) the Buddhist relics at Chaukhandi Stupa, (3) Kushinagar and the Mahaparinirvana Temple, (4) Piparahwa and (5) Shravasti.

Key Highlights

Tourism Ministry had earlier instructed ASI that sign boards of foreign languages will be installed at all iconic archaeological sites, keeping in mind the convenience of foreign travellers.

Objective of this initiative is to increase the footfall of both both foreign as well as domestic tourists under Prime Minister’s Vision 2020.

Progress: In this series of effort by Tourism Ministry, the work of installing sign boards in Sinhali language has been completed in November 2019 in view of the large number of Sri Lankan tourists visiting Sanchi.

Condition: Sign boards of foreign languages will be installed where over 1 lakh tourists from a particular country visit those places every year. A total of 5 such foreign country languages can be included in it.

Way Ahead: In order to increase number of domestic tourists, Tourism Ministry is considering various cultural fairs and other events through which people of India will get to know country in a better way.

About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

It is an Indian government agency that was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who was also the  first Director-General of ASI. It is attached to Union Ministry of Culture. It is responsible for archaeological research as well as conservation & preservation of cultural monuments in India.