GUWAHATI: Four villages from the Northeast shone at the grand celebration of World Tourism Day at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The scenic Reikei village in Mizoram bagged the coveted Gold Award among the five best villages in India, while Arunachal Pradesh’s Shergaon and Meghalaya’s Kongthong, received the award in the silver and bronze category, respectively. Assam’s Biswanath village, also known as “Gupta Kashi” was also selected among the winners by the Ministry of Tourism.
The ceremony saw a staggering 750 applications from 31 states across India, which were narrowed down to 35 villages receiving awards in gold, silver, and bronze categories.
Reiek’s selection stands among the five gold awardees, making it a proud moment for the state of Mizoram. The award was graciously received by Mizoram’s Tourism Minister, Pu Robert Romawia Royte, from Union Tourism Secretary, V. Vidyavathi.
Shergaon, located in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, which bagged the Silver award for the “Best Tourism Village of India”, is renowned for its pleasant climate, cultural depth, and breathtaking landscapes. Surrounded by the Himalayas, the Shergaon Monastery, dating back to the 17th century, remains a primary attraction in the village, complemented by sites such as the Sangti Valley, Bomdila Monastery, and the biodiverse Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary.
Meghalaya’s Kongthong, affectionately termed the ‘Whistling Village’, was honoured with the bronze award, thanks to the unique “Jingrwai Iawbei” – a melodious tradition of whistling tunes inherited from mothers to their offspring. This picturesque village, nestled in the East Hills district, has steadily emerged as a favourite among tourists.
The competition was spearheaded by the Central Nodal Agency for Rural Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism, initiated on February 16, 2023. A rigorous selection process, involving power-point presentations, video screenings, and an extensive evaluation on nine parameters linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), culminated in today’s recognition.
According to the official website of the tourism ministry, the contest aims to recognise villages that stand out as a quintessential rural tourism hotspot. It highlights a village’s rich cultural and natural treasures while celebrating and conserving the indigenous values, practices, and commodities of Indian hamlets.
