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Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

September 16, 2022

The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the Summit. 2. The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics. 3. Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests. 4. The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism. Samarkand September 16, 2022

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• Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit --> Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit --> Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the Summit.

The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests.

The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism.

Kashi: The first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital https://t.co/gZ1VNVtdhs pic.twitter.com/OiGhgeWxgn — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2022

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Varanasi declared as first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2022-2023 at Samarkand Summit

Updated Sep 17, 2022, 07:03 IST

Ganga aarti in Varanasi (File image)

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Varanasi declared as first ever sco tourist and cultural capital.

The Indian delegation at the SCO summit in this historic Uzbek city of Samarkand was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uzbekistan handed over the rotating presidency of the grouping to India for the year 2022-23. The foreign secretary said several events would be organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with the Centre to celebrate this recognition of Varanasi.

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Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi nominated as first SCO tourism, cultural capital

Uttar pradesh’s varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever shanghai cooperation organisation (sco) tourism and cultural capital..

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Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) tourism and cultural capital during 2022-2023.

The nomination was announced at the 22nd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Samarkand of Uzbekistan on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ALSO READ | Want to transform India into manufacturing hub, says PM Modi at SCO summit

The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO tourism and cultural capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchange between India and the SCO member countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with the member states of SCO, especially the Central Asian republics.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach programme, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from the SCO member states. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photojournalists, travel bloggers, and other invited guests. Published By: Nandini Singh Published On: Sep 17, 2022 --- ENDS ---

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Varanasi declared as first ever SCO tourist, cultural capital: Official

The sco was founded at a summit in shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of russia, china, the kyrgyz republic, kazakhstan, tajikistan and uzbekistan.

Varanasi to be 1st cultural and tourism capital of SCO: Secy General Ming

Delegations from china, pakistan and other nations attend sco meet in delhi, sco summit 2022 kicks off in uzbekistan today: all you need to know, post-covid regional trade to be on pm modi's agenda at sco summit, pm modi to leave for 8-nation sco summit in uzbekistan thursday evening, massive fire engulfs 42-storey skyscraper in china's changsha city, pm modi meets iranian president raisi; discuss chabahar port, afghanistan, sco meet: 'colour revolutions' must stop, says chinese president xi jinping, china sanctions boeing, raytheon executives for taiwan arms deal, pm modi meets iranian president ebrahim raisi on sidelines of sco summit.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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First Published: Sep 16 2022 | 11:23 PM IST

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Varanasi nominated as first SCO tourism and cultural capital

Varanasi city has been nominated as the first cultural and tourism capital at the 22nd meeting of the sco council in samarkand. read below to know the significance and objective of the program. .

At the 22nd meeting of the SCO council in Samarkand on September 16, 2022, Varanasi city has been nominated as the first cultural and tourism capital during 2022-2023. The nomination of Varanasi as SCO tourism and cultural capital was announced at the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Samarkand. PM Modi also attended the meeting. 

Kashi: The first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital https://t.co/gZ1VNVtdhs pic.twitter.com/OiGhgeWxgn — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2022

Varanasi as SCO tourism and cultural capital: Why is it significant?

Varanasi as the sco tourism and cultural capital: objective.

At the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021, the regulations for nominating SCO tourism and capital were adopted with an objective to promote cooperation between the SCO member states in the field of culture and tourism. 

Various events will also be organized under the framework of a major cultural outreach program in Varanasi during 2022-23. A number of guests will also be invited to participate from the SCO Member States. 

What is the significance of Varanasi?

• Varanasi is also known as Banaras or Kashi and is one of the oldest living cities in the world.
• The city’s prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed.
• The land of Varanasi(Banaras) has been an important and ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. 
• Ganga in Varanasi is believed to possess the power of washing away the sins of mortals.
• Varanasi has also been a great place of learning for ages. 

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Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital at the 2022 SCO Summit

1. The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the Summit. 2. The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics. 3. Under the framework of this major cultural outreach program, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO Member States. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests. 4. The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism. Samarkand September 16, 2022

'Kashi' declared first tourism & cultural capital of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

NEW DELHI: ‘Kashi’(Varanasi) has been declared the first tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The declaration was made by a meeting of the SCO heads of Tourism Administrations held in Varanasi on Friday.

“This recognition will bring the city to greater prominence on the global tourist map. The initiative will garner more attention by highlighting the spiritualism, mysticism, and learning of Kashi which is also the cradle of Indian civilization,” read a statement issued by the tourism ministry.

On the occasion, a joint action plan was also finalised and approved by the SCO tourism ministers.

Promotion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) tourism brand, cultural heritage, sharing and exchange of information and digital technologies in tourism, mutual cooperation in medical and health tourism and improving the quality of services are prioritised components of the joint action plan.

Union culture and tourism minister G Kishan Reddy chaired the meeting with the heads of SCO Tourism Administrations in attendance. As per the agreed Joint Action Plan, the member countries will undertake various activities such as SCO tourism exhibition, SCO Food Festival, Webinar and Seminar on tourism, conference and expert session on promotion and development of tourism in the region, read a statement issued by the tourism ministry.

The meeting also adopted the Action Plan for “Year of Tourism Development in the SCO Space in 2023.” This document identified a list of activities and events to promote and showcase Tourism products of SCO member States.

A Joint Statement by the Head of the Tourism Administrations of the SCO member countries was also issued post the meeting. The next meeting of the SCO Heads of Tourism Administrations will be held in Kazakhstan in 2024.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization founded on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai. The SCO currently comprises Eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).  

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Explained: Why Varanasi Has Been Named First Cultural And Tourism Capital Of The SCO

“Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together,” wrote Mark Twain, the English author.

Varanasi (or Benaras or Kashi) is known to be one of the oldest living cities in the world. The city has been declared the first Cultural and Tourism Capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2022-23.

As per the reports, the organisation plans to start a rotating mechanism, in which they will rotate the title of Cultural and Tourism Capital among different states.

The title will help in promoting the cultural values of the city and add to values- economic, social, and more. 

What is the history of Varanasi?

The origin of the city has multiple theories. Varanasi has been a centre of learning and civilization for about 3000 years. Varanasi is home to knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion, and arts and crafts for ages. 

Also known as Benaras or Kashi, Varanasi has been a significant pilgrimage place for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism as well. Further, Vaishnavism and Shaivism have harmoniously co-existed in Benaras. Kashi’s culture is surrounded by the river Ganga.

It is widely believed by Hindus that death on the land of Kashi leads to the attainment of salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. 

Sarnath is in the same city where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Kashi is also believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankar. 

According to varanasi.nic.in, Ayurveda originated in the land and is said to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the founder of Yoga, was also affiliated with the city. 

What is the culture and heritage of Varanasi?

Varanasi has a rich and original variety of paintings and sculptor styles and folk art. The city has produced master craftsmen and earned a reputation for its Sarees, handicrafts, textiles, toys, ornaments, metal work, clay and woodwork, and leaf and fibre crafts. Also popular for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has its own 'Gharanas' (style of music) in classical Indian music and produced some of the most well-known musicians, philosophers, poets, and writers in Indian history such as Kabir, Munshi Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan etc. 

According to the Department of Culture, Varanasi, Kashi has “monumental ghats and discover the most ancient seat of education in India World the famous scholars and their `Shastrarthas’, the great scholars, universities, college, schools, Madarsas and Pathshalas and Guru Shishya traditions, the epics, famous literary works, languages and dialects, journalistic traditions- newspapers and magazine, and famous libraries.”

Kashi has its own dialect. The land has cultural pluralistic, linguistic and ethnic groups. The city is popular for its rich stock of folk Music and drama (esp. Ramlila) and rich tradition of Akharas, games and sports. 

Dasaswamedh Ghat, Dhamek Stupa, Ganga aarti, Banaras Hindu University, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Ramnagar Fort among several others, make a significant part of Varanasi’s culture. 

What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization. The organisation aims to maintain peace, security and stability in Eurasia.

Formally came into force in 2003 by signing the SCO charter, the SCO is a political, economic and military organization with 8 present member countries Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan and Iran. India and Pakistan became members in 2017.

Before the creation of SCO, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five.

The objective of the organisation is to strengthen mutual trust and neighbourliness among the member states, promotion of trade & economy, research & technology and culture and enhance ties in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, etc.

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Varanasi is SCO's Tourism and Cultural Capital

The Indian city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2022-2023. The nomination took place at the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the summit, a source in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.

The nomination of Varanasi as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member countries.

It also underlines India’s ancient civilisational links with member states of SCO, especially the Central Asian republics.

The regulations for the nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with the objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO member states in the field of culture and tourism.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach programme, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited to participate from SCO member states.

These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photojournalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests.

At a media briefing, Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary, said, “This is a befitting recognition of the historic city and opens the door for greater cultural and people-to-people ties between India and the region.”

The venue for the first SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital would witness national and international events in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre to celebrate this recognition, Kwatra said.

Varanasi, as per SCO’s decision, “would see a special working group on start-ups and innovation at India’s initiative,” he said.

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Varanasi nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member Countries.

Table of Contents

SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital in News

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had participated in the SCO Summit 2022.

Varanasi as the First-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

• Background: The regulations for nomination of the SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021.
• Objective: SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital is adopted with an objective of promoting cooperation between the SCO Member States in the field of culture and tourism.
• It also underlines India’s ancient civilizational links with Member States of SCO, especially the Central Asian Republics.
• These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians and artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers and other invited guests.

About Varanasi

• Varanasi is also known as Banaras or Kashi. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. \
• The city is known for Hindu mythology and history. Ancient temples like Kashi Vishwanath is located here.
• Gautam Buddha is believed to have given first sermon to his disciples in Varanasi (Sarnath)
• The city is linked with spiritualism, yoga, Hindu mythology, culture, and the Sanskrit language.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)- Key Points

• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism.
• Type: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.
• SCO Secretariat: Shanghai, China.
• Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) : Tashkent
• Mandate: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)- Member States

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprises nine member states (recently, Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member) namely-

• The Republic of India,
• The Republic of Kazakhstan,
• The People’s Republic of China,
• The Kyrgyz Republic,
• The Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
• The Russian Federation,
• The Republic of Tajikistan, and
• The Republic of Uzbekistan

SCO-RATS Meeting in India

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Varanasi's Buddhist pilgrimage site Sarnath sees huge boost in domestic tourism

Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 23 (ANI): Domestic tourism at Varanasi 's Buddhist pilgrimage site Sarnath has witnessed a significant boost in tourism due to development initiatives taken up under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sarnath is one of the four important places associated with Lord Buddha and is called the birthplace of Buddhism.

" Sarnath has developed a lot since Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister in 2014. Earlier, mostly foreign tourists used to visit Sarnath but now, domestic tourism has also witnessed a boost thanks to initiatives taken under the leadership of PM Modi ," said Vinod Singh, a tourist guide.

"Tourists who come to see the Ganga Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, should also visit Sarnath . Domestic tourism has been increasing since 2014. Infrastructure development has taken place. A lot of development works were done in the G20. If PM Modi gets another term, Sarnath will be known as an international tourism site in the coming years," the tourist guide added.

"The roads, which had no boundary wall earlier, have been developed. Facilities like an online ticketing system, washrooms, and drinking water supply system have been developed. Both the Centre and state government organize several activities to promote tourism," he said.

Naman, a tourist, said, "There are a lot of local tourists in Sarnath . Tourism has increased not only in Sarnath but also in Varanasi , because of good infrastructure facilities."

"Nearly 15 lakh devotees visited Vishwanath temple in a single day, a day after Dev Deepawali, Chita Bhasma Holi or Masan Holi was celebrated in Varanasi ," he claimed.

"In the last 10 years, there has been a boom in tourism due to the development of infrastructure. I was born here and I used to come here. Now, roads have been developed. Earlier, heavy congestion was being witnessed due to the bad condition of roads and narrow lanes. I never imagined this Banaras," he pointed out.

Santosh Kumar, a local vendor, said, "I have had a shop in Sarnath for the last 20 years. The number of tourists has increased as compared to before. PM Modi has done great work here. The vendors have been given facilities under the Swanidhi scheme."

"Roads, water, and all other facilities are available here. Even in summer, tourists from different parts of the country come here. Our livelihood has also increased; earlier, we were forced to close our shops during summer. Earlier, we had to set up carts, but now there is no need to close shops as tourism has been increasing day by day," he claimed.

Nestled in the northeastern part of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a revered religious city, commanding respect from Buddhist followers worldwide. Sarnath contains a stupa (shrine) called the Dhamek Stupa, which marks the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

This place is directly associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. From this place, Lord Buddha started the journey of 'Dhamma' by giving his first sermon. The history of Sarnath is deeply linked to the rise and spread of Buddhism.

Sarnath , located in the ancient city of Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is an unparalleled destination for those embarking on India tours seeking to delve into the rich tapestry of Buddhist history and spirituality. (ANI)