On April 17, 2026, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery formally released the anthology "Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India" in New Delhi. The publication is conceived as a comprehensive, year-round tourism companion covering all States and Union Territories of India and is designed to strengthen India's tourism ecosystem by spreading footfalls beyond the conventional iconic sites. The anthology features approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings, totalling about 3,000 curated entries that blend destinations, culture, cuisine, textiles, and handicrafts. It includes a dedicated monthly travel calendar and detailed State-wise chapters that highlight both flagship attractions and lesser-known offerings, helping travellers plan visits aligned with seasons, festivals, and regional events. At the launch, Bery emphasised that "tourism is a key growth driver" for the Indian economy and stressed the need for each State to develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays — particularly in domestic and religious tourism, which together account for the bulk of India's tourist footfalls. The anthology is part of a wider NITI Aayog effort to integrate tourism into State growth strategies, support last-mile destination development, and align Centre–State collaboration with the Viksit Bharat tourism push that targets a much larger contribution of the sector to GDP and employment by 2047. The launch was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, NITI Aayog and several State tourism boards.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery Releases "Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India" Tourism Anthology in New Delhi on April 17, 2026; Catalogues Around 3,000 Destinations and Cultural Listings
On April 17, 2026, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released the anthology "Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India" in New Delhi. The publication catalogues around 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings — about 3,000 curated entries — with a monthly travel calendar and State-wise chapters to promote longer stays and lesser-known sites.
Key facts
- NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released the anthology Divya Bharat: A Window to the Soul of India in New Delhi on April 17, 2026.
- The anthology contains approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings, totalling about 3,000 curated entries.
- It covers all States and Union Territories of India and includes a dedicated monthly travel calendar.
- State-wise chapters highlight both iconic and lesser-known destinations, alongside cuisine, textiles and handicrafts.
- Bery stressed at the launch that tourism is a key growth driver and that each State must develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays.
- The anthology supports India's wider effort to expand domestic and religious tourism, which account for the largest share of total footfalls.
- It is aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 push to grow tourism's contribution to GDP and employment.
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Consider the following statements about the Divya Bharat anthology launched by NITI Aayog on April 17, 2026: 1. It was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery in New Delhi. 2. It catalogues approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Both statements are correct. NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released the Divya Bharat anthology in New Delhi on April 17, 2026. The anthology contains approximately 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings, totalling about 3,000 curated entries with a monthly travel calendar and State-wise chapters.
Source: MICE Showcase
Frequently asked questions
Who released the Divya Bharat anthology on April 17, 2026 and where?
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released it in New Delhi.
What does the anthology contain?
Around 2,100 tourism destinations and 1,200 cultural listings — about 3,000 curated entries — covering all States and Union Territories, with a monthly travel calendar and State-wise chapters.
What was Bery's key message at the launch?
That tourism is a key growth driver and each State must develop a world-class destination and promote longer tourist stays, especially domestic and religious tourism.
How does the anthology link to Viksit Bharat?
It supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 effort to expand tourism's contribution to GDP and employment by integrating tourism into State growth strategies and Centre–State collaboration.
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