Gujarat government set up SPV to promote Vadodara as Cultural capital

Gujarat government on 10 October 2014 set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to promote Vadodara as the cultural capital of Gujarat and encourage tourism in Vododara.

The SPV set up will be known as Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival Authority and it will be headed by State Tourism and Finance Minister Saurabh Patel.

Thus, Gujarat became the first state in India to set up the authority for promoting tourism.

Gujarat government also decided to hold a bi-annual Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival (VADFEST) in January 2015 to promote tourism.

Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival (VADFEST)

The festival will comprise of celebration of art, dance, drama, culture, food, films, and also there will be a special children's theatre festival.

Popular artistes in various fields from across the country will participate in the festival, especially actress Hema Malini, veteran playback singer Asha Bhosale, and musicians Pt Hariprasad Chaursia and AR Rehman.

The festival will give a boost to tourism, hotel industry, real estate and also open doors for investment in industries, education and IT for the Vadodara.

Comment

Vadodara has the potential of becoming cultural capital of India as it has World Heritage Sites like Champaner, Pavagadh hills among others and  also has site Lakshmi Vilas Palace belonging to the royal Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas.

Besides, world’s tallest Statue of Unity is going to be built in the memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near Sardar Sarovar dam, about 100 kms from Vadodara.