Ambedkar Circuit

Context

Recently, the government announced a special tourist train to cover the “Ambedkar Circuit”. 

Key-points

• The Ambedkar Circuit was first proposed in 2016 by the Central Government.
• It includes-
• Janma Bhoomi (Ambedkar’s birthplace in Madhya Pradesh)
• Deeksha Bhoomi (place in Nagpur where Ambedkar embraced Buddhism)
• Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi (the place in Delhi where he passed away)
• Chaitya Bhoomi (the place of his cremation in Mumbai)
• The proposed Ambedkar Circuit will be similar to the recently launched Ramayana Circuit and Buddhist Circuit.
• Currently, special trains are available for the Ramayana, Buddhist, and North East Circuits.
• Now, the Ambedkar circuit is expected to be the fourth.
• It aims to attract wider tourist base besides Dalit community, who frequent these key destinations as a pilgrimage.
• The journey would cover meals. Ground transportation and entry to historic sites concerning Ambedkar.

About Swadesh Darshan scheme

• The Swadesh Darshan scheme was launched by the Tourism Ministry in 2014-2015 to achieve the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits. 
• Under this central sector scheme, the government identified 15 tourist circuits. 
• These include Ramayana Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Heritage, North East, Himalayan, Sufi, Krishna, Rural, Tribal, and Tirthankar Circuits. 
• Until March 2022, the government has sanctioned 76 projects in these 15 circuits. 
• These projects seek to ensure a comprehensive development of all sites related to the theme-based circuit, like infrastructure, visitor facilities, road and rail connectivity. 
• Its overall aim is to promote jobs in the tourism sector across the country by integrating schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc.