Everyone's sorry because Soni wasn't there for India@60 week
Tourism Minister Ambika Soni cancelled her visit to attend Indi@60 after she was unable to clear the air about the confusion caused by the Archaeological Survey of India's affidavit denying the existence of Hindu god Lord Ram.
By PTI |
NEW YORK: She conceptualized it, sanctioned the funds for it, but never came to see it, was the general refrain of business leaders on Tourism Minister Ambika Soni's absence at the 'Incredible India@60' week here.
"We will miss her here," said Sunil Mittal, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry, which along with the Tourism Ministry is organising the event to promote India as a brand.
"She spontaneously accepted the idea (of India@60) when it was presented to her and it would not have been possible without her," the event's steering committee Chairman Nandan Nilekani said, while delivering the vote of thanks at a dinner reception hosted by Finance Minister P Chidambaram for the diaspora.
Session after session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, speakers thanked the minister for making such an event possible while missing her presence.
While the 'Incredible India' slogan was coined during her predecessor Renuka Chaudhary's tenure, Soni is credited with taking the campaign forward and increasing India's visibility at larger forums.
Soni apparently cancelled her visit after she was unable to clear the air about the confusion caused by the Archaeological Survey of India's affidavit denying the existence of Hindu god Lord Ram.
She could not meet the Prime Minister last week as he was recuperating from a surgery. Soni instead deputed the Tourism Secretary to represent the ministry at the event, billed as the largest ever awareness campaign on India.
"We will miss her here," said Sunil Mittal, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry, which along with the Tourism Ministry is organising the event to promote India as a brand.
"She spontaneously accepted the idea (of India@60) when it was presented to her and it would not have been possible without her," the event's steering committee Chairman Nandan Nilekani said, while delivering the vote of thanks at a dinner reception hosted by Finance Minister P Chidambaram for the diaspora.
Session after session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, speakers thanked the minister for making such an event possible while missing her presence.
While the 'Incredible India' slogan was coined during her predecessor Renuka Chaudhary's tenure, Soni is credited with taking the campaign forward and increasing India's visibility at larger forums.
Soni apparently cancelled her visit after she was unable to clear the air about the confusion caused by the Archaeological Survey of India's affidavit denying the existence of Hindu god Lord Ram.
ADVERTISEMENT
She could not meet the Prime Minister last week as he was recuperating from a surgery. Soni instead deputed the Tourism Secretary to represent the ministry at the event, billed as the largest ever awareness campaign on India.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
