look news india
Bhuj, 14 November (HS). The Ranotsav, which will give a new identity to Kutch of Gujarat in the world, has started. The tent city built in Dhardo of Kutch district has opened for tourists. Every year a tent city is constructed in the Rann of Kutch to showcase the beauty of the White Rann of Kutch. Rannotsav, which was once known as a barren land, is today organized a four-month long Rannotsav. This time this Ranotsav will continue till 28th February. This year Ranotsav has been organized on the theme ‘Ran Ke Rang’.
According to the Tourism Department of Gujarat, the main attraction of Ranotsav is the tent city established here. This year, 400 tents equipped with facilities like 3-star hotels and resorts have been installed in Safed Rann for the tourists. The tent city, which started from November 11 this year, will run till February 28. While staying in the tent city, tourists enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the white salt desert, folk culture and traditional cuisine. Apart from cultural programs, various adventure sports activities are also organized for the tourists during Ranotsav. Gujarat’s tourism industry has flourished in the last 20 years. Gujarat, which is geographically diverse, has many such places which attract tourists from all over the world. Especially a large number of tourists flock to see the world’s only white Rann (desert) located in Kutch district, which is the largest in terms of area and which is back on track after recovering from a natural disaster like earthquake. Kutch Ranotsav, which is a unique confluence of Kutch’s art, colorful culture, hospitality, tradition and music, has received recognition at the global level.
The then Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi first started the Kutch Ranotsav in 2005, which gave impetus to the tourism industry of Gujarat. Narendra Modi was determined to completely change the face of Kutch after the devastating earthquake and also realized the mission of reviving this land. In this, Ranotsav, which started in the White Rann of Kutch, played an important role. He decided to organize the world’s largest and only White Rann festival – Kutch Ranotsav at this place after seeing the endless horizon of the sparkling White Rann. In this way, the three-day Ranotsav began in Dhordo, located at a distance of 80 km from Bhuj, which today has become a 4-month long festival. This year, there has been more focus on sustainable tourism in organizing Ranotsav, such as minimum use of plastic, bicycle ride to the White Rann, arrangement for waste separation and disposal in the tent city, etc.
In December 2023, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had unveiled the light and sound show at the watch tower of Safed Rann, adding a new attraction for the travelers. This year, the Tourism Department has also constructed a 44-room resort on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis in Dholavira, which is witnessing rush of tourists. After the beginning of Ranotsav, the number of tourists is increasing year after year. Due to lakhs of tourists visiting Ranotsav, it has developed an important source of income for the local people, especially those involved in the handicraft sector. Ranotsav not only provides employment to artisans skilled in Rogan art, Oribharat, Meena work, Ajrakh block print, Bandhani, Zardosi art and wood art etc., it also provides a global market to the Kutchi handicraft artists to sell their artefacts. It happens.
With an aim to provide employment to local artisans, shops have been arranged in the tent city with live demos of handlooms and handicrafts. Apart from this, cultural programs have also been organized daily in Ranotsav, where local artists will be provided a platform. In the year 2023-24 Ranotsav, about 2 lakh people visited the craft and food stalls, which generated an estimated income of Rs 6.65 crore to the craft stall holders and an estimated Rs 1.36 crore to the food stall holders. This year craft and food stalls will start from December 1, 2024. Ranotsav is organized every year on different themes in Dhordo Tent City. This year Ranotsav has been organized on the theme ‘Ran Ke Rang’. Whether day or night, tourists are astonished to see the wonderful sight of the shining Rann. Dhordo village has been awarded the world’s best tourist village award by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.