Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday underscored the need for encouraging the younger generation to take up traditional Indian culinary studies, which had earned global respect and admiration.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati, near the Renigunta airport here, he said that no foreign culinary skills could beat India’s traditional and ancient practices that were an amalgamation of culinary treasures. He said the branding of Swadesi varieties should be widely practiced.
The Vice-President thanked the State government for allocating 14.5 acre for the Institute, which had an initial outlay of ₹99 crore, and hoped it would be the best in the country.
Referring to mythological figures such as Nala and Bheema, he said culinary studies were not only for women, but also for men.
Boost for tourism
Mr. Naidu also launched the Kakinada and Nellore coastal tourism circuits under the Swadeshi Darshan programme. The project envisages the development of the Hope Island, the Coringa wildlife sanctuary, Pasarlapudi, Yanam and Kotipalle in East Godavari district, while in Nellore district, Mypadu, Ramatheertham and Iskapalle beaches and the Pulicat lake would be developed. The project would also cover the Nelapattu bird sanctuary and the Ubbalamadugu waterfalls (Tada falls) in Chittoor district. Another project would focus on Buddhist structures in the State.
Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) and Electronics & Information Technology Alphons Kannanthanam said the Centre would extend cooperation to the State government for the development of tourism.
Stating that the country’s tourism growth rate stood at 14%, he said it needed to be improved. The Narendra Modi government had created many job opportunities in the sector, he claimed.
International standards
Terming the institute a boon for the youth of Andhra Pradesh, State Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya Reddy said the institute had all the grandeur of an international institute.
She said funds released to the State under the Swadesh Darshan were completely utilised. She asked the Vice- President to look into the State’s need for a separate circuit in the Rayalaseema region at a cost of ₹100 crore that intended to create jobs. She thanked the Vice-President on his assurance that it would be taken care of in the next budget.
Central Tourism Secretary Reshma Varma, District Collector P.S. Pradyumna and officials from Chittoor and Nellore district were present.