The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated India’s First Lighthouse Festival at the Fort Aguada Lighthouse in Panjim, Goa. The festival, spanning from September 23 to September 25, will be celebrated across all lighthouses in India, aiming to transform these historic landmarks into tourist destinations. The inaugural session will be attended by Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Tourism, Shri Shripad Naik, and Tourism Minister of Goa, Shri Rohan Khaunte, among others.
Shri Sonowal had earlier launched the ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ campaign to revamp 75 historic lighthouses into tourist spots, offering enhanced facilities to visitors. The Lighthouse Festival aligns with the visionary approach of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to showcase India’s unique lighthouses as captivating tourism sites, highlighting their cultural significance and economic potential.
The festival will commence at the Fort Aguada in Goa and feature a three-day carnival-style event with local artists, dance troupes, culinary stalls, music concerts, and various activities to attract visitors to lighthouses. It will also host discussions involving historians, archaeologists, cultural anthropologists, and others interested in marine history, culture, and society.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his enthusiasm, stating that lighthouses, once solely navigational tools, will now become focal points for local tourism and contribute to India’s economic growth while maintaining their vital role in ensuring safe maritime navigation.